PBIS Classroom Pompom Celebration: Favorite Winter Activity Day!

Literacy: Blends, R-Controlled Vowels and Magnificent Things

 During word study students are learning about r-controlled vowels (or, ar, ir, ur, er) along with blends (two or more consonants that each make their own sound (s-l.)  Heart words for this unit include: would, could, should, her, over, number. Below is an example of a familiar grade level passage that includes these spelling patterns. and heart words. Ask you reader to show you what they know!

First Graders continue to work collaboratively in groups to plan their Magnificent Things.  They are showing initiative by deciding on which tools and materials they will need for their creations. Some of the magnificent things that are being constructed include finished and unfinished work holders, a student art gallery display sign, and a lid for the classroom pompom jar.

Math Workshop: Measurement and Comparison

Math Workshop focus has shifted from unitizing and place value to measurement and comparison. During the exploration of a unit called Fish Lengths and Fraction Rugs, your child has been comparing the lengths of objects by measuring them with a variety of units, such as cubes, paper clips, and inch tiles. He or she will also working on story problems about comparing fish. Historically the most challenging type of word problem conceptually, first graders will be thinking about comparing by solving for an unknown part, that is, the difference between the lengths of two fish. Visualizing relationships among quantities in all types of situations, regardless of which quantities are given and which must be determined, is a critical first grade mathematical skill!

Martin's Big Words

In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, first graders enjoyed a read aloud of Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. This picture book biography prompted discussion about race, inequality, Dr. King's religious inspirations, and his death.  First graders might have questions about the life and work of Dr. King at home this weekend!

Winter Workshops are Up and Running....

 .....thank you for helping your child be prepared with all the necessary gear! They're doing a great job.

Math: Organizing and Collecting

First graders are currently immersed in our Organizing and Collecting math unit which revisits strategies for counting accurately, builds number sense, and investigates place value. Within the context of a solving a community math problem, helping Mrs. Lockhart and Mrs. McDermott count and keep track of food inventory in the cafeteria, first graders count, bundle materials, and label containers of supplies in the classroom. Discussions focus on organizing in groups and skip-counting, then specifically on groups of ten. Supported by the ten-frame, students begin to develop an understanding of place value (place determines value, place value patterns occur when making and adding on groups of 10) by constructing the idea that the number of complete groups of 10 items and loose items (1s) is related to the total number of objects and that the numbers change prdictibly when a group of ten is added or removed. An important first grade math concept is unitizing, understanding that "ten" is both a unit, "one ten", and 10 individual items, "10 ones", simultaneously. Practice organizing and counting a large number of items at home (50-120) will support this investigation and improve counting accuracy as numbers get bigger!

Literacy: Glued Sounds and Magnificent Things

Next week we will be finishing up a unit in Word Study on glued sounds: -ang, -ing, -ong, -ung, -ink, -onk, -ank, -unk.  Please take time to practice the following heart words at home with your child: why, by, try, my, two, too, also, put, come, some.  Students are expected to read and spell these words.  Thank you!

During Literacy students are using everything they have learned about tools and habits of character as they work collaboratively to solve a classroom design challenge and answer the unit guiding question: “How do we create a magnificent thing?”  This week they began the planning process by brainstorming ideas for their own magnificent thing (an unmet need for the classroom.)

Second Step: Similarities and Differences

Our classroom Second Step lessons continue to focus on developing empathy. Currently, first graders are building on what they've learned about identifying emotions in others by noticing their voice, face, and body signals, and are participating in activities that help them recognize that people can feel and think different things about the same situation and that feelings can change during or after a situation These skills are an important part of perspective taking as the foundation for problem-solving.