Weather, Vocabulary &Literacy Block...OH MY!

Hello to all! I hope this finds you well. I have completed my beginning of the year parent phone calls. I have tried to contact all of you to answer any questions and/or concerns you may have about the start of First Grade. I left many voice messages, so please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way. 

Here is what we have been up to this week:

Science: We are continuing our unit on weather. Your child spent the week talking about wind speed. They even made their very own flag to test the wind speed in 3 different places around Starry! Ask them if they had no wind (0), some wind (1) or strong wind (2). We have started talking about thermometers and the different types in our world. Your child brought home a list of different types today. See how many of them they can find at home! We will spend a short time learning about how to read a thermometer and what temperatures may be hot, cold and warm. 

Here is what we know before starting our "wind speed" lesson

Literacy/Reading Block: Your child has started spelling and a small guided reading group. While not at small group, they are taking part in Daily 4. These are centers done independently: read to self, writing, spelling and the teacher {small group} center. Some students are going to other first grade classrooms, so we can meet the varying levels and needs of all of our First Grade friends. There will be a note coming home regarding more information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. 

Below 1H friends are writing and reading to self during Daily 4 time. 

They are working on building their stamina {ask them what this means!} to become strong readers and writers. 

 

Shared Reading/Vocabulary: In first grade we have a curriculum for teaching and learning vocabulary called, Text Talk. This week, we read Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare. Ask your child what the following words mean and give an example and non-example of each. Your child will be required to know an example of each word and it will be recorded and saved for report cards. There was a yellow note that came home earlier in the week, regarding these words and an example of each. 

Math: This week we have been continuing with numbers and adding two numbers to get a sum. We also are working on recording and showing how we know the sum of two numbers. The games, Five in a Row and Roll and Record have come home this week. Please play and keep in a safe place at home. An idea: put them in sheet protectors, use a dry erase marker and play over and over again!

Here a 1H friend is playing Five in a Row!

Here a pair of friends are playing Record and Roll

 As you can see, we have had a fun and busy week in 1H. Have a great night!! 

Mrs. Hamilton :)