Grade 1 News

Hello families!  We can’t believe how fast the first marking period flew by.  Thanks to everyone who attended parent-teacher conferences.  If you were unable to make your conference time and would like to set up a new one, please contact your child’s teacher.

Our days have been so busy!  Read on to find out what your child will be learning about over the next marking period in first grade.

REMINDER: The children will receive a grade in spelling during the second marking period based on weekly tests and classwork

Ready to Read!

In reading, we will continue to work on comprehension strategies and skills.  Here is a list of what we will focus on this marking period.

*ask meaningful questions before, during, and after reading to help
clarify and understand text
*identify “burning questions”-identify and use clues from the text and schema (background knowledge) to answer them
*answer questions by finding answers in the text and/or inferring
*realize that many questions are not answered in the text, but are left up to the reader’s interpretation
*infer by rereading, looking at clues in the text and pictures, using schema, thinking, and making connections
*make predictions while reading and confirm or change those
 as they read on
*use schema and text to draw conclusions
*create mental images during and after reading to enhance comprehension
*create mental images to enhance writing
*retell and sequence important story details and events

Word Study

During the first marking period, our primary focus was on using vowels and their short vowel sounds when reading and writing. 
We will continue to work on short vowels and cover some new skills this marking period.

*word endings ing, ed, and s
*contractions
*long vowel sounds
*various spellings of long vowel sounds
*digraphs sh, th, ch, tch, and wh
*high-frequency words
*vocabulary words and their meanings
*identifying sounds heard in words and writing the correct letters

Wonderful Writing!

We are amazed at the progress we have seen so far in writing!
This is what we will be working on this marking period.

*use correct capitalization for sentence beginnings, I, and names
*consistently use correct ending punctuation:    !    .     ?
*use descriptive language
*use strong verbs
*write a beginning hook (a sentence that grabs the reader’s attention)
*write details to support a topic
*use a writing web to organize ideas:  main ideas and details
*proofread and edit work
*write using correct grammar
*spell sight words correctly using resources in the room and
first grade word books

Spectacular Science

Our Organisms unit was fun and informative. 
Our next Unit will be “Solids and Liquids”.

*identify the three states of matter
*observe solids and liquids and identify their properties
*recognize the differences between solids and liquids
*sort solids and liquids according to their properties
*mix solids and liquids
*describe observations orally and in writing

Studies in Social Studies

Understanding Our Place in the World
Unit One: 
Citizenship at School, Home, and in Our Neighborhood

Children will identify what goals are and why they are important.  They will define citizenship and what makes a good citizen.  Students will explore patriotic symbols and identify their importance.  They will also discuss why there are holidays for heroes and famous people. 

By the end of this unit, we hope all students will feel proud about themselves as a good citizen at school, home, and in society.

Marvelous Math

We have been very busy learning about addition, subtraction, and story problem
concepts.  We will connect these strategies to new skills this marking period.

*represent tens and ones by drawing sticks (tens) and circles (extra ones)
example:    24:   l l o o o o
*group extra ones into groups of ten
*understand place value to 100
*add and subtract tens and ones
*count dimes, nickels, and pennies
*identify, count, and add decade numbers         example:  30 + 40 = 70
*subtract, add, and find unknown teen numbers