Comprehension Strategies

Ways to talk about books with your child...

Who are the characters?

Where does the story take place?

What is the problem in the story?

What is the solution?

How did the characters feelings change?

Retell the story....

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

Science Experiments

Dr. D'Arcy, a Chemistry professor at Washington University came to our classroom. He brought with him current students in the chemistry program to help our class understand the properties of solids and liquids. The first grade students participated in 5 experiments. 

Valentines Day

Thanks to all who were able to help at the party on Valentine's Day. 

January Update News

Reading:

As readers we are continuously practicing and using the skill of self-monitoring. This means that students are thinking about what they are reading and checking to make sure that what they read matches the words on the page. This includes recognizing any errors made and fixing them right away when reading. When reading, students are not only self-correcting, but also making sense of and understanding the story. Students are learning it is okay to reread a book several times to build fluency, or being able to read smoothly with expression. 
Next we we  will learn about Comprehension in reading. 
Comprehension is another key to reading. Can your child tell: 
Who is in the story
Where the story takes place
When the story takes place
What happened in order 
What are the characters feeling
Who is talking

Some additional Comprehension questions: What is the author's message? What is the author trying to teach you? What is your favorite part and why? What was the most important in the story and why?

Writing:  We finished our unit on Non-Fiction Reports. Students wrote all about an animal. They are experts on so many animals. They organized the writing into: What the animal looks like, lives and eats with a table of contents and a glossary. An author craft move we practiced in this unit was a TWIN SENTENCE. A twin sentence uses a vocabulary word and then explains it. For example: e 
Groundhogs hibernate in the winter. Hibernate means to sleep all winter. 

Our new unit will be Opinion Writing. 
We will give our Opinion with reasons for the best on many things we like. We will be writing about our  collections first. We will also review favorite restaurants, food, movies, and games.

Math: 
We are finishing Chapter 10 Addition and Subtraction to 20. 

Being able to compose (add) and decompose (subtract) Facts Fluently is a key skill in first grade.

One way  is to make a ten and then add or subtract.
Example:
9 + 8 = 
Take one from the 8 and give to the 9 to make a 10 so it is 10 + 8 = 18

Another way to add is to think of Doubles facts.
We know that 8 + 8 = 16 and 9 is 1 more then 8 so 8 + 8 + 1 = 17

Fact Fluency: Knowledge of basic facts to 20 and development of the number sense around 20 is essential to all areas of math. We continue to practice our math addition facts to 20 daily with games. 
Please practice at home as well. 


Science: We are starting our scientific study of Solids and Liquids. We will observe the properties of many solids and liquids, comparing how solids and liquids are alike and how they are different. Some key words you will hear children describe liquids are: viscous, bubbly, foamy, colorful, transparent, and translucent. Some key words you will hear children describe solids are: rough, smooth, rigid, flexible, and has color. We will continue our exploration of solid and liquid materials for a few more weeks. We hope children understand that the world is made of matter that comes in Solids, Liquids and Gases.

Look Ahead: 


Friday, February 14th- Valentines Party and Early release
All students need a decorated box and enough valentines for 18 students.
See note being sent home. ***Parents Welcome****

Monday, February 17th- No School, President's Day

Book Orders Due: 
Scholastic Book Orders will be coming home. Orders are due: Friday, January 24th.

If you order, there are 2 ways to pay:
A) Return order sheet and a check made out to Scholastic.
B) Online order with your credit card.
1. go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
2. use my class activation code: fmr3g
3. shop and pay.

Mittens, Mittens, Mitterns

First grade students have been reading and comparing the two Mitten books:
The Mitten by Alvin Tresslet and The Mitten by Jan Brett.
Both books have a little boy who looses a mitten in the snow and animals that decide to get warm by climbing inside. The books differ by the kinds of animals and the way the mitten is made.
We enjoyed reading, discussing and thinking about the story last week.

In addition, we read the Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg. We imagined what a mitten could be for the forest animals. Some ideas were a nest for a bird, a sleeping bag for a mole, or a blanket for a mouse.

In addition the main character imagines that mittens can be planted and grown on trees!

This will lead to a discussion on which is best:
gloves verses mittens.

Looking Ahead

Important Dates:

First Grade Field Trip: Thursday, January 16th. We go to see Click, Clack Moo at Florissant Civic Center. 
Early Release: Friday January 17
No School: Monday January 20th- MLK Day
Early release and Parties for Valentines Day: Friday, February 14th.
No School Monday February 17th- President's Day

Math Information

Here is a video from Math Guru, Graham Fletcher, that help  explain Math Progression Understanding.


Progression of Addition and Subtraction

Gingerbread

At the end of the last semester we read about the folktale, The Gingerbread Man. We  read many different versions looking for similarities and differences. Then we made gingerbread felt men to put on the refrigerator.

by Karen Schmidt

by Jan Brett

by Jan Brett

by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Happy Holidays

At the end of the first semester, we celebrated with a Holiday sing and read-in party on the last day.

November News 2019

Reading: We finished our NonFiction unit and started Readers Have Big Jobs to Do: Word Detectives.  Children will learn to use all they know to help them read multi-syllabic words. One  of the teaching points is STOP at the first sign of trouble and try a strategy.
Some of the strategies are:
cover and slide-look at all parts,
start with the blend or digraph
see a word you know in the middle,
take off the ending,
pull off the blend,
flip the vowel,
silent e rule,
two vowels rule
At every point we emphasize that all words should make sense. In addition, I am teaching students to not rush their progress. If they are making more than 3 errors, then they need to find a just right book. Reading should be fun and not a struggle. I am also teaching that good readers go back and fix mistakes and are careful readers. Students should notice when they make a mistake and want to go back, fix and learn the new word. Students are shopping in the level library at least once a week along with going to the library. Please make sure they are taking home the BLUE reading bag every night. Reading at home is a first graders' homework.

Writing: We are finishing Nonfiction Reports, All About. The students have written all about a topic and include many features of nonfiction books. They included captions on pictures, a table of contents and/or a glossary.We have been working on spelling words that are "no-excuses". These are words must be spelled correctly. We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished short vowels: a, o, u i, e and R blends. Next up: digraphs (ch, sh, th, wh)  and S Blends.

Math:  We Started Ch. 5- Addition and Subtraction to 20. We will learn  strategies to add to 20. They include:

1. Making a 10 and then adding: 9+4 is the same as 10+3
2. Counting on: Adding by starting with the bigger number. 12 +3.
       Say 12 and count on 3 more to get 15.
3. Knowing Doubles, 3+3, 4+ 4, 6+6, etc
4. Knowing Neighbors, since 3+3 = 6 then 3+4 = 7
And using all the tools we have to help us until we understand and know fluently the answers.
Fingers, number lines, cubes, drawing dots, number bonds, ten and twenty frames.
These are just strategies to help them know their math facts fluently. The goal is be able to add and subtract up to 20 in their head. Being able to see the numbers in their head and manipulate them to get the answer they need will help them later with word problems. A computer math site that reinforces these skills are:
www.gregtangmath.com


Social Studies: We spent time before Thanksgiving learning about the Pilgrims. We learned that 100 Pilgrims came to America, but only 40 survived the winter. Most of these were children. We talked about why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. Many of our activities focused on how hard the Pilgrims had coming to this country, and we related it to how hard immigrants have coming to a new place. We learned about Maps and Globes. We studied: a map key, compass rose and how to make and read a map. We are learning about Rules versus laws.  Up Next will be the different celebrations in December and how we respect all that are in our school and community.
Looking Ahead:

Early Release: Friday, Dec 6th and Dec 20th. 

Winter Holiday Sing: Wednesday, December 18 at 2 p.m.

Winter Holiday Read-In: Friday, December 20, Early Release day
                                        Kids wear PJs to school, bring a blanket and pillow.
                                        All school Read-in. starting at 9:30 a.m
           
 Winter Break- No School- Dec 23 through January 2rnd. School Resumes January 6th

THANK YOU to all who shopped at the Captain Library Book Fair. All books donated to my room were read to the students. I really appreciate the extra books for the kids to read.

October News

Reading:
We started our Non-Fiction unit. We are learning to look at all parts of the book when reading.  We are learning many features about nonfiction books. Ask you child about: the table of contents, glossary, index, captions and structure of nonfiction books. The children are learning they do not have to start at the beginning to read a nonfiction book. Many children are growing as readers. Make sure  to read every night with your child books that are "just-right."

Writing:  We started our new unit: Nonfiction Reports, All About. The students are  writing all about a topic and including many features of nonfiction books. They are learning to include captions on pictures, a table of contents and/or a glossary. We are learning about transition words: first, second, next, then, fourth, last, finally. We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished short vowels: a, i, o, u. We started short e on Monday, Nov. 4th.
Next will be blends and digraphs.

Math:  We finished our Math Geometry Chapter. The students took a test and brought it home. This is not the only way I assess students. I write notes on student work, check worksheets and give quick quizzes to make sure students understand the topics covered. If a student does not master a skill, I will work with them until they do! Next is Numbers to 20 and then Addition and Subtraction to 20.
We will use place value charts to understand what numbers mean. For example, 13 means 1 ten and 3 ones.


Science: We learned about Pumpkins and their life cycle to finish up the life cycle of plants.   Our plants have made seed pods. Did you know that all pumpkins float! The extra large ones can be used as boats, too. We will start Solids and Liquids in January.

 Social Studies:  We will start Maps and Globes this week. We will learn about the compass rose and the birds eye view of maps.  Before Thanksgiving we will learn why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. In December we will learn about Rules and Laws and why people vote.

Looking Ahead:

Book Orders due: Friday November 15th
No School Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 20th- Friday, Nov. 22
Holiday Sing: Wednesday, December 18th
Winter Read-In and Early Release: Friday, December 20th

September Newsletter

LITERACY:
In Reading Workshop we have finished our first unit, Readers Build Good Habits. The students learned how to decode tricky words with many different strategies.
Tricky Word Strategies
1. Look at the Picture
2. Get your mouth ready for the beginning sound
3. Look through the word to the end...
4. Go back to the beginning of the sentences and Get a running Start....
5. Read around the word, "What would make sense?"
6. Look for Chunks you know.
7. Flip the Vowel from short to long
Students have been working on stamina (reading long and strong) with their books. Your child should be bringing home a book or two almost daily in the Blue Reading Bag. Having a just right book to read at home helps build fluency and comprehension.  Be sure to ask your child to retell the story when they are finished reading. You could ask other comprehension questions after reading such as: Where is the setting?, What was your favorite part? Why? or Why did the character do that?
Understanding the story and Making Meaning is the key to reading!

SPELLING: We have finished studying Short A, Short O and Short I.

We will start short U on Monday, October 7th. 

The goal is for everyone to spell words correctly in their writing. 

Please have your child practice spelling the sight words below. I will be checking their writing and giving a dictated weekly sentence until all short vowels have been taught. 

1. was            

2. has

3. ran

4. bad

5. tag

6 have

7. went

8.. with

9. his

10. her

WRITING: We are writing true small moment stories. We are learning all stories have a beginning, middle and an ending. We are learning to start our stories with when: 
One day, Over the weekend, Last Night, Yesterday, One day, etc. 
We are learning to end our stories with what we think, feel or dialogue. 
I was so happy. I felt sad. "I hope to do this again!" I said.
We are writing a lot of details stretching out the story bit by bit. Next, we will help the characters come alive by writing with action and dialogue.

Partner Work: 
We continue to practice our listening and sharing skills on the carpet during teaching and in partner work. Learning to value others ideas, listen to another and share thinking is important for success in school.  These partners are used for reading, writing and math. We get new partners about every 2-3 weeks so by the end of the year every child has had every student in the class as his or her partner.
Partners sit next to one another in a group of 4 desks.

MATH:
We finished Chapter 2: Addition and Subtraction up to 10.  Being able to compose (make) and decompose (take away) numbers up to ten fluently helps students as they work on harder math skills. The goal is to be able to visualize the numbers in their heads and move between addition and subtraction with ease.  Many websites are available to help with this skill. 
One that has many games and has printable worksheets is: 

http://gregtangmath.com/games.html

SCIENCE:
We watched  our meal worms grow from larvas to pupas and then into beetles. In addition, we watched Painted Lady caterpillars turn into  Butterflies.  Learning about the life cycle of living things is fascinating to the children.  Plus, we had a wonderful field trip to the Butterfly House. 
This week we  planted brassica(fast plant). These plants allow the students to see the complete life cycle of a plant in an efficient timeline. We will study about pumpkins and apples to go along with plant life cycle at the end of October.

Upcoming Dates:

Friday, October 11th No School- Teacher Prep. for Conferences
Mrs. Goode's Conferences are Monday, Oct 7th through Wednesday, Oct. 16
A link to the SignUpGenius page was sent to email.
Thursday, October 17th- Early Release
Friday, October 18th- No School
Thursday, October 31st, Halloween Party and Parade starting at 1:30

Scholastic Book Orders will be coming home. Orders are due: Friday, October 25th.

If you order, there are 2 ways to pay:
A) Return order sheet and a check made out to Scholastic.
B) Online order with your credit card.
1. go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
2. use my class activation code: fmr3g
3. shop and pay.

Butterfly House

We had a wonderful time exploring the Butterfly House at Faust Park, playing on the playground and riding the World's Fair Carousel.
Please see the link below to view our slideshow.
BUTTERFLY HOUSE PICTURES

Addition and Subtraction Facts

Most students can memorize the addition and subtraction math fact.
However, knowing how they got the answer and being able to apply that knowledge to harder math problems helps them in the upper grades and beyond.
Here are some strategies that we teach in class:

Literacy Night

Thank you to all the parents that came to Literacy Night.