February Newsletter

Reading Workshop: We launched our new unit, Readers meet Characters and Series books by reading about Iris and Walter from the series and Mr. Putter and Tabby from the series.  We recorded our thoughts, wonderings and favorite parts on post-its and in our readers' notebook. 

We learned that Characters DRIVE the story by: 

showing emotion, 

taking us places, 

getting into trouble or having problem and then...

 fixing the problem or finding a solution.

Also, we are learning about characters from their friends. 

**Character in series books become our friends because we know them so well.***
Click link for series books at first grade's "Just Right Level"   First Grade Book Suggestions

Writer's Workshop, Our Writing Review unit is all about writing an opinion. The children are writing their opinions about the items in the collection they brought from home. But that is not all! Kids have opinions about a lot of things. They are honing their skills by writing about their favorite: food, sport, color,  pet, etc.  Did you know Opinion writing is like the cookie O.R.E.O.? Opinion writing involves much more than just stating an Opinion. Students must give Reasons for their opinion presented in an interesting and convincing manner with Examples.  The last sentence is a restate of their Opinion.  

In Math, we are in Chapter 6, Numbers to 40. 
Example: 

Next up, Chapter 8. , Addition and Subtraction to 40. The students  will be learning many strategies to solve addition and subtraction to 40. Many will be able to regroup larger numbers with blocks, cubes/tens rods and use a number line to help them find the answer.
We will ask that they  draw the  problem and answer the problem or use expanded notation to show tens and ones.

Drawing tens as a line and ones as dots and xs.

Breaking down the problem into tens and ones

Being able to understand what the question is asking before starting the solution is key!
 Over  the summer your child may access online resources to help them practice their math:

    www.gregtangmath.com 

NEXT UP: Social Studies: Long Ago and Today. 

Social Studies- Our new unit is Long Ago and Today.

*****Timeline project****

Please send 6-7 pictures of your child from birth through now. These need to be copies because students will be gluing them on paper for their own timeline. If you want, you can send digital pictures through email and I will print them on the color printer at school. Make sure your child has seen these pictures and can write one sentence telling about the picture. PLEASE SEND THEM BY SPRING BREAK. 

PARENTS:
 If you have any “old” objects around the house that you would be willing to share with the class, we would love it. Some examples of old objects are: typewriters, cameras, tape recorders, record players, toys, etc.


Parent Teacher Conferences  coming up: March 9-12   
All parents used www.signupgenius.com to make their date/time selection. 
You will be getting a reminder email a few days before the conference.  

Looking Ahead: 
March 6- Conference Prep- NO SCHOOL 
March 9-12 Conferences
March 16- 20 Spring Break
March 31st- Spring Performance 6:30 p.m. at Wydown
April 3- Early Release
April 10th- April Break, NO SCHOOL
April 23th- Field Trip to the Museum of Transportation
May 8th- Early Release
May 1st- Field Trip to the Magic House 
May 22nd- Field Day
May 25th- No School Memorial Day
May 28th- Last day, Early Release