1A Classroom Update 10
February 17, 2017
Dear 1A Families,
We've had a busy few weeks! Please read on to check out what we've been doing, including a visit from a very special guest, another Townhall meeting, and another amazing field trip!
We have been working so hard on publishing our All About books! In addition to editing and revising our work, we also selected photographs to use for our books' covers. We can't wait till we complete our publishing and share what we have been working on! We have officially wrapped up our reading unit on nonfiction texts by discussing another reading strategy of summarizing in nonfiction texts. When we summarize a nonfiction text, we first identify the topic, then some facts we learned about the topic, and end our summary with an AMAZING fact we learned! Ask your child what are some new facts they have read up on about various topics. Moving forward, we will be beginning our new unit on fairytales.
Math
After exploring base-10 blocks and the concept of regrouping, the class reviewed all the strategies they know to solve addition and subtraction equations and word problems (see picture below). Any of these strategies (including drawing out all the objects in a problem) are acceptable to solve problems in first grade. Students were encouraged to explore using different strategies and share which ones worked for them. For example, one student shared that she likes to solve addition problems by drawing base-10 blocks and regrouping but prefers to draw out individual ones in a picture to solve subtraction problems. (If the problem is 35-17, she drew 35 small circles then crossed out 17 of them.)
In second grade, students will review addition and subtraction and regrouping during the beginning of the year in order to efficiently solve 2-digit and 3-digit addition and subtraction. To prepare them for this, we will continually practice and review addition and subtraction during math lessons and morning work.
Important Dates:
- Monday, 2/20 - 2/24: Mid-Winter Break
- Monday, 2/27: Classes Resume
Mini
Special
Guest!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy 100th Day of School!
Queens Museum Field Trip
Townhall Meeting
Learner Profile of the Month
As an IB World School, BPCS strives to foster the growth of students both academically as well as internationally minded citizens who are aware of the world outside of their local environment. To do this, the school incorporates the IB Learner Profiles into the classroom. The IB Learner Profiles describe a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities and, in turn, embody traits of a well-rounded individual. The Learner Profiles are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, and Reflective.
For the month of January, we focused on students who are reflective. Students who are principled are reflective think about their learning, think about their strengths of weaknesses, and find ways to be better.
For the month of February, we focused on students who are principled. Students who are principled are honest, fair, and responsible. We take responsibility for our actions.
Reflective
Principled
Specials Update
P.E UPDATE FROM COACH M & M
1A se mueve en la casa
1A is exploring the inside of a house- La casa: cocina (kitchen), comedor (dining room), baño (bathroom), sala (living room) and cuarto (bedroom). We drew a big house on the classroom floor with tape and then we used TPR (Total Physical Response) and theater techniques to learn and understand la casa. We had so much fun playing and acting out in each area of the house, our favorite one was the baño. Spoiler alert: 1A is full of natural actors, better than any telenovela (soap opera). Now we are becoming experts on interior design, our Spanish mini houses are unique and full of colors. Please check out our pictures, videos and song lyrics and continue to support your linguist learner by practicing our songs at home, listening to music and watching a telenovela in Spanish.
Ps, We are getting ready for our next Anytime Anywhere Stop: Kyoto, Japan. Check out the video and continue practicing Japanese greetings. We need volunteers to travel back in time with us, please see the sign-up sheet below and thanks for continuing to support our magical adventures.
Muchas Gracias,
Maestra Rosado and Maestra Nivia
A Science Update From Ms. Rosabal... and Ms. Lawrence!
Today is my last day of teaching before I go on maternity leave. I will return in June to finish out the year. I just wanted to send a quick message to say goodbye for now and thank you for all your support and well-wishes throughout this year. I'm proud to be a part of the BPCS community, and it has been a privilege to teach Science to such an amazing group of students. I wish the 1A Scientists all the best for a fun and educational term 3! In my absence Science will be taught by the fabulous Ms. Lawrence, whose message is below:
Hello 1A! I am super excited to cover for Ms. Rosabal while she experience the great joy of motherhood. I look forward to switching roles and continuing First Grade's study of the states of matter. I will continue to keep you updated on Science happenings via bi-weekly Smores.
Best!
Tiffany Lawrence
First Grade Music
In the past four weeks, in every music class, first graders played, danced, and discussed what a steady beat is. They patted the beat while playing games from this past fall like “Lucy Locket.” A rotating band of first graders played the beat on instruments while the rest of the class danced “Bow Wow Wow.” They played a beat leader game, sung in Spanish, called “El Capitán.” First graders even simultaneously marched and played the beat while singing “The Noble Duke of York.” They are quickly becoming beat experts!
As always, if you have any questions or folk songs that you would like to share, contact me at jkramer@brooklynprospect.org.