First Grade News
January 29 - February 2, 2024
We have had a great week in first grade. Our students learned about Dr. King, Presidents' Day, and Columbus Day. Be sure to ask your child about their favorite holiday as we wrap up this unit on why holidays are important.
As the second semester progresses, we increasingly shift focus to preparing our students to be successful in second grade. We appreciate everything you do at home to support your child's learning and promote independence!
New Teacher
On January 12th, there was a letter in your child's binder explaining the transition coming soon. The letter did not have dates, so I wanted to clarify that my last day will be next Friday, February 2nd. Thank you all for supporting me and giving grace with this decision. I know having a teacher leave mid-year is not easy, but I can assure you your kids will be in good hands with Ms. Williams! She is so kind and can't wait to get started. I wish you all the very best!
Tip of the Week - Sight Word Practice
Don't forget that our master sight word for the list is in your child's binder!
We are starting on module 7! Please have your child practice the words. Feel free to highlight words that your child can read immediately, without hesitation. Talk with your child about setting the goal of mastering ALL words by the end of the school year! Continue to review the words with your child and mark off words as they're mastered! Kids love seeing their progress and are familiar with goal tracking since we use data folders in class!
Save the Date! Family Literacy Night is coming soon!
Important Dates
Jan. 30th - Literacy Night 5:30-7:00 pm
Feb. 1st - 100th Day of School
Feb. 8th - Parent/ Teacher Conferences
Feb. 14th - Valentine's Day Party 1:00-1:30 pm
Feb. 19th - President's Day (No School)
Conversation Starters
* Help me solve this problem: 4+6+5 How can you make a ten to help you solve this?
* Help me solve this problem: 7+2+5 How can you find a double to help you solve this?
* Name some words that you might hear at the beginning of a question.
* What are some characteristics of good leaders?
* As you read a story at home this week, have your child make predictions about what will come next and what the characters might do. Have him or her confirm if the predictions were right or wrong.
* What was a part of your week you wish you could change?
* How were you a good friend this week?
* What was your favorite moment this week?
Phonics:
- long u and long e with silent e; soft g and dge
Spelling Words:
flute
Luke
tube
use
these
Steve
theme
cute
edge
huge
gem
*Note that there will be four "mystery words" that will follow our phonics skill. This will help your child practice applying the skill.
*Two dictation sentences will also be part of the spelling test grade.
* Please note that the spelling tests count as 10% of the overall ILA grade.
Please note that words with reversals will now be counted wrong. We have practiced the difference between b and d for several weeks and students should now be able to correctly write each letter. Words that have letters capitalized where they should be lowercase will still have 1 point deducted (for sentences, the first letter will be counted wrong if not capitalized).
Reading Skills:
Please note that sight word fill in the blank sentences and vocabulary fill in the blank sentences are found on our weekly reading test. On the test, there will also be reading comprehension questions about stories from this week. All reading tests are averaged and count as 60% of the ILA grade.
Sight Words:
animal
heads
keep
let's
point
something
voice
won't
Vocabulary words: (Cards at the bottom)
break
cycle
deep
direction
divide
evaporation
fiery
fluffy
landed
liquid
mission
nature
problem
spectacular
spindly
Reading Comprehension:
- this week's stories:
myBook stories: Storm Report, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
- reading comprehension skills:
ideas and support, text organization, making inferences, point of view
January 26: Comprehension Test
February 2: Fluency Test
February 9: Comprehension Test
February 16: Fluency Test
Feb 22:Comprehension Test
reading comprehension test
*reading comprehension questions
*sight word fill in the blank sentences
*vocabulary fill in the blank sentences
reading fluency test
*fluency passage that should be read one on one for the teacher within a minute
*fill in the blank sight word sentences
English/Grammar:
Please note that English/grammar grades count as 30% of the overall ILA grade.
- Future Tense
Math:
- Counting tens and ones to make a two digit number
Science/S.S.:
- Seasons
Things to Know
- Students will not be permitted to bring cupcakes, cookies, etc. for birthdays this year. We will honor each child in class by singing to them, and I will give them a special treat to take home.
- Homework goes home each Friday and is due the following Friday. Please make sure that you are reading together each day, practicing math facts each day, and reviewing your child's practice work together each day.
- Snack: Your child may bring a light snack and water each day. Please make sure that your child can easily open the snack. Please make sure that the snack is separate from the lunch box.
- Please remember to write me a note any time there is a change in your child's dismissal plan.
Helping Your Child at Home
- Read together daily! Set aside 15 minutes each day to read with your child and have him or her read to you! This helps build a love of reading and helps your child's reading skills improve!
- Make a habit of practicing math facts regularly! In first grade, children are expected to memorize their addition facts with sums up to ten and subtraction facts from 10 or less. Spending just a few minutes practicing each day will help your child will build facts fluency! You can build the habit of practicing by making it a game. For those car rides you take regularly (examples: from home to baseball practice, or from the grocery store to back home), have your child see how many math problems they get correct as you call them out randomly. Have him or her try to increase the number of correct answers each time you make that same drive!
- Each evening, have a conversation about the school day. Have your child show you the conduct grade for day (be sure to initial it!), "teach" you about the practice work they completed that day, and tell you three things they practiced in class.