We have officially started the season of fall and with that has come cooler, windy days. Please encourage your child to wear a coat daily. Our playground doesn't have much of a wind break, and we are out in the open, so it feels colder than the thermometer says on many fall and winter days. Although, we can't complain for we have enjoyed all those warm days, but this week sounds like it will be cooler and feel much more like fall. Last Friday, was the end of the 1st quarter. When report cards come home at the end of this month, 1st grade will just receive the one for specials, for the classroom ones were given at conferences.
Reading: Last week our reading goals were to read and spell words with short e, we also summarized and did a retell after reading two stories, and we identified plural nouns in sentences.This week, our goals are reading and spelling words with th and sh, identifying irregular plural nouns (men, women, mice, geese, children, teeth...) and we will identify the main idea after reading a story. With the end of the quarter brings benchmarking. I will be having each student read to determine their independent reading level. A great big thanks for taking the time to listen to your child read each night and for signing their log sheets. We rarely have a student forget to return their book. The best way to increase your child's fluency is to "READ, READ, READ". On Monday this week, I will also be testing each child individually using a new assessment called "FAST". This test is similar to DIBELS. Four tests will be administered: segmentation, nonsense word fluency, sight words, and reading sentences. A sub will be in the classroom on Monday while I test.
Math: We continue to work on addition and subtraction. Our lessons the past two weeks have focused on addition strategies. So far, we have learned counting on 1, 2, or 3, the doubles, doubles plus 1, and doubles minus 1. The students are really starting to know some of their facts by recall and that is the ultimate goal. Many morning seatwork activities have been addition and subtraction pages to promote practice of those important facts. Another part of our math time is "Number Work". Counting sequences, equations, and true/false equations are a part of number work. The concept of equality has been an important focus. The students have learned that the position of the = sign is not always the same. Here are a few examples of equality during number work: 7=7 is this true or false, 6=2+4, 5+4=6+3, 3+3+3=10. During this time, we use individual whiteboards and dry-erase markers. You will notice that the concept of understanding equality is on the report card. Another big part of our math routine is solving word problems. The students have been exposed to addition, subtraction, and missing addend problems so far. Word problems looking for the missing addend were a little tricky, but after doing this kind a few times the students are quickly catching on.
Writing: We have made it through the alphabet for handwriting. I am encouraging the kids to always use their best handwriting when turning in work. Reminders have been given to "slow down" and "take your time". DOL (fixing sentences) takes place 3-4 times a week. Writing a complete sentence is a first grade goal. I have a reminder poster that says "A Good Sentence" starts right, ends right, makes sense, has spaces, and looks nice. We also write in a journal a few days a week. During the 2nd quarter, we will work on writing at least two sentences or two ideas. We will also being writing a narrative piece.
Special Units: We started October with "Fire Safety". The students enjoyed a visit from a local firefighter, Ken Murray, whose daughter Dani is in our class. He brought all his gear and his partner dressed to show the kids what a fully dressed firefighter looks like. He gave the kids lots of tips about being safe if a fire occurs and how to prevent one from happening. Thanks Ken for taking to time to share your expertise with the 1st grade. Our next unit will be on pumpkins and to end the month we will learn about rocks.
Star Student: Linkin and Dani were featured most recently. Linkin likes to eat spaghetti and drink Sierra Mist. His favorite movie is "Home Alone". He likes to wear his "Hawkeye" costume and wants to be a truck driver when he grows up. Dani likes to eat pizza and drink chocolate milk. She likes to wear "animal shirts". Her favorite movie is "Happy Feet" and she wants to be a vet when she grows up.
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