Friday Flyer 

Dear Parents,

        As February approaches, the pace and expectations in first grade continue to accelerate.

The children continue to strive towards working independently, making good behavior choices, and showing that they are ready and responsible with school materials.  Please support your child’s growth at home with these same concepts. 

        This week during our language arts block, we practiced a new comprehension strategy called “track your thinking”.  We used post-it notes while reading for documenting our thoughts. Your child marks areas in the story (with a post-it note) that they love (heart), have questions about (?), something new or exciting (!), important part ( * ), answer to something that makes sense (light bulb), and any text connections (t-s, t-t, t-w). The next time your child is reading at home, give them a stack of post-it notes and ask them to track their thinking for you.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what they are capable of doing.

        During Writer’s Workshop we are wrapping up our non-fiction writing unit.  The “All About” books turned out great and are on display in our hallway.  Ask your child what topic they chose to write their books about!  In February we will begin our unit on poetry.  Your child will be learning about line breaks, stanzas, and how to add “music” to their poetry.

        Some of our concepts being taught during math workshop are understanding that a number is made up of tens and ones and representing 10’s and 1’s using base-10 blocks, using <, >, and = symbols to compare numbers, and applying our knowledge of numbers to add two-digit numbers together without re-grouping (although some of our first graders are even picking up on how to re-group!).  We reviewed and assessed telling time to the hour and half hour.  Some students are still working on correcting reversals of their numbers, I just point out other numbers on the page for them to notice which direction their number should go.  Keep up with the ixl.com homework; it is really supporting what is happening in the classroom, thanks so much for your help!

        In social studies we learned lots about Martin Luther King Jr.  We read stories and did an “egg experiment” to demonstrate that inside we are all the same!  What an amazing person to teach valuable lessons to our first graders!

        In science we are starting a new unit called “Sorting it Out.”  We will be sorting objects by properties such as color, shape, flexibility, etc.  We will also learn about properties of water and investigate magnets in this unit.  Great job scientists!

       

**Upcoming Events**

*February 5^th : Popcorn Day- The PTC gives one free bag to each student

*February 8^th: 1^st/2^nd grade Music Concert at PAC 6:00-7:00

* February 12^th: Valentines Party at 2:15.

*February 15^th : No school for students-Teacher PD

*February 18^th : Chuck E. Cheese Night

Enjoy your weekend as a family and keep warm!

                Sincerely,

                  Jennifer Mason and Kelly Putnam