Silly Sock Day!

 

Math: Adding Within 100

First graders began a new unit in math this week which builds on their understanding of place value and the properties of operations to solve double digit addition problems. In the previous unit, students composed, decomposed, and compared numbers within 100. In this unit, students begin by adding a two-digit number with another two-digit number or with a one-digit number where it is not necessary to compose another ten (regroup...yet). With the support of connecting cubes and ten frames to model the quantities, two broad methods for finding sums are being explored: adding on by place (adding on tens, then ones), and adding units by place (combining tens with tens and ones with ones). This is meaty stuff for 6-and 7-year olds and sets the scene for working within 1000 in second grade. 

Literacy: Researching with Informational Texts:

 First graders continue their study of birds during literacy.  The guiding question for this unit is, “How do birds use their body parts to survive?”  Throughout this unit students will read, write, talk, draw, experiment and sing about two key bird body parts: feathers and beaks.  Students are continuing to build their research skills through whole class research anchored by the text, Feathers, Not Just for Flying.  In addition to the research about feathers, students continue to hone their scientific drawing skills through the process of close viewing. 

Fourth Grade Readers

 Each Wednesday during lunch, first graders are treated to a visit from fourth grade guest readers. Thank you Wildcat Club members Rebecca and Suzy for sharing your recess time with us! 

"Do I have to Wear My Snowpants....?"

....Yes!  At this time of the year, we understand that families are fatigued with the daily snow gear scramble and that first graders are eager to transition from winter to spring activities on the playground. We are too!  Playground conditions are still semi-wintery and, as temperatures fluctuate, this will soon transition to wet and muddy.  Please continue to send warm and water resistant outdoor clothing with your child to school so that kiddos are comfortable and ready to learn when they return inside. On days when the forecast is mild, please have a conversation with your child about which layers are appropriate to wear on the chillier and warmer parts of the day. Gaining independence for personal care is a critical first grade skill! Thank you. 

PBIS Classroom Celebration: Beach Day!

Math: Comparing Numbers to 99

First graders continue to develop their understanding of place value and our base-ten number system. This week, they are working to compare and order 2 two-digit numbers based on the values of the tens and ones digits and to record the results of these comparisons with the symbols >, <,  or =.  They are noticing that if a two-digit number has more tens it will be greater than a number with fewer tens, no matter how many ones there are. This is true because we know that the value of the digit in the ones place will always be less than 1 ten because the place value system only allows up to 9 ones. 

Literacy: More Vowel Teams and Suffixes

During word study,  Ffrst graders are learning to segment, blend, and spell words with five sounds and continuing to read words that contain vowel teams including oa, oe, ow, ou, oo, ue, ew, au, and aw. Soon, they will be adding suffixes -ed and -ing to closed syllable base words.  Heart words for our current unit include: any, many, how, now, down, out, about, our.  Please practice reading and spelling these words at home.

In our new unit in Literacy, students launched their learning about birds by focusing on their physical features. Students are considering the guiding question, “What makes a bird a bird?" as they begin to grow their research skills investigating the different physical characteristics of birds through texts, photographs, and videos  During the first part of this unit, students read an engaging mystery riddle and explore mystery pictures to stir their inquiries about the topic of birds.

Health Series: Zones of Regulation

First graders are excited to welcome Mrs. Klocek back into the classroom for another series of first grade Health lessons. They have been introduced to the Zones of Regulation, a curriculum that builds self-awareness of and strategies for emotion management and positive behavior. Information about this program went home in Thursday folders this week.