1B Classroom Update 2
September 29, 2018
Parent Update
We have been continuing to work on to building our community and making new friends by playing fun group games and reading books about these themes. In order for us to start getting to know one another along with the classroom expectations, we created a classroom contract that described how they wanted their classroom to be. Students distilled their ideas down to being caring, respectful, clean, helpful, trying their best, etc. Each member of 1B signed the contract and have been trying their best to fulfill those qualities.
Recently, we have started to discuss our Hopes and Dreams for First Grade as a class. Today, we met with students individually to discuss their personal hopes and dreams. Having a conversation with them about this at home would be very helpful. We are very proud of their progress so far and we are excited to see what's to come! :-)
Classroom Contract
Individual Contracts
Hopes and Dreams
A Day in the 1B Classroom
Morning Meeting
To Do
Message
Calendar
Days of School
Counting Days
Weekend News
Introducing our Class Pet
Name Voting
Mango Spiky
Observations
Learning in the 1B classroom
Phonics
In Phonics, we are practicing how to spell CVC (consonant vowel consonant) words (e.g. cat, dog, pin, etc.). To do this, we tap out each sound that we hear on our fingers (pointer, middle, ring finger) and then blend the 3 sounds together (by moving our thumb across the fingers) to say the word. We have been continuing to practice this since last year and we are now experts! Have your child do this to support them in spelling at home!
Tapping Out
Whiteboards
Magnetic Letters
ELA
In order to put these new skills to the test, we took part in two challenges:
Name Juggle Challenge
Cup Stacking Challenge
For the Name Juggle Challenge, our challenge was to pass the ball to a classmate, remember the order, and do it as quickly as possible. The tricky part was to remember who we passed the ball to every time. For the Cup Stacking Challenge, our challenge was to build the highest tower using cups from all teammates (3 per person). We needed to make a plan so that every teammate could help build the tower. Check out the pictures below!
Red Table
Orange Table
Yellow Table
Green Table
Blue Table
Purple Table
Lit Block
During Lit Block, we focused mainly on reading skills. We worked on skills such as picking the perfect reading spot, how to work on ignoring distractions and why it is important to re-read stories. 1B continued to show these strategies throughout the week by adding on what we have learned. Independent reading is a time that we look forward to in order to both learn new words and show our new skills. In addition, Lit Block included strategies to use when working on our story writing skills. Students created a “heart map” which allowed them to gather ideas that interest them for story writing. They then practiced sketching ideas to remember what our stories will be about. We worked on ways to enhance our writing by using these strategies and trying to add multiple punctuation marks (.?!) in our stories.
Bean Bag
Front Rug
Back Rug
Math
In Math, we wrapped up our unit where we reviewed basic Kindergarten skills including sorting and counting. We related counting to addition by using "counting on" as an addition strategy and represented a whole number by its parts using number bonds. We also started our brand new unit on Geometry. We have identified 2D shapes (circle, triangle, square, rectangle, trapezoid, hexagon) by their attributes: how many straight sides and corners they have. We played games where we had to guess the shape based on the description of their attributes, built different shapes using straws, and formed shapes using our bodies.You can practice shapes with your child by looking for them in your home or neighborhood and discussing its attributes, such as, "How many sides and corners does this shape have?"
Triangle Team
Hexagon Team
Trapezoid Team
Square Team
Rectangle Team
Circle Team
Math Block
Playdough Numbers
Pattern Block Shapes
Unifix Cube Number
Number Stories
Roll the Dice
2D Shape Book
Number Stories
We have also been working very hard at mastering the art of creating number bonds so that they can recognize that two parts make a whole and writing number sentences that match our work. We also recently introduced the "counting on" strategy as a way to add more efficiently by counting on from the first addend, starting at a bigger number and counting on from it. At home, continue encouraging your child to add objects in their daily life and solving it by counting on. For example, for the following problem, "We had 6 apples and bought 4 more, how many do we have now?" Encourage your child to count on from 6, "7, 8, 9, 10" to get to the answer. Our mathematicians are off to such a great start and are excited to continue to grow their brains!
Retelling the Story
Solving Problems
Sharing Strategies
IB: Family Diversity
In Inquiry, we've been reading and learning about how many families are the same but can also be different. Our 1B friends also had a little glimpse into Ms. Park and Ms. Perez's family and got to see a presentation about our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Moving forward, we are going to explore some questions that they have about family and want to learn about. If you haven't already done so, please send a family photo to dtes1b@brooklynprospect.org along with answers to the questionnaire. We are so excited to learn about the family diversity in 1B!
- Who are your child’s immediate family members?
- Who are the primary residents in your child’s household?
- What are some important dates or events for your family?
- What are some typical weekly routines in your household?
Family Tent
Heart Map
Peter's Chair
Socio-Emotional
Playing in the 1B classroom
Wishlist for the 1B Classroom
Amazon Wishlist
Crocodile Dentist
Pirate Barrel
Jenga
Fine Motor Skills
Cleaning Up
Stepping Stool
First Grade Jitters
Lacey Walker Nonstop Talker
Do Unto Otters
Announcements
- We are so excited for our Back To School Night! It will take place on Thursday, October 4th from 6-7:30 pm. There will be a short presentation by your classroom teachers and some time for Q&A. Childcare will be available for BPCS students and their school aged siblings. Younger siblings are welcomed to attend, but will need to remain with an adult. If your family will need childcare, please RSVP below. We hope to see you there!
- Our Wednesday Parent Volunteer Program begins on September 26th! Help out our school by volunteering from 8:30-10:30am on any or all Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30am at the BPCS downtown campus. See the sign-up for more details.
Picture day (October 18th) is right around the corner and we are so excited! Below are a few things to keep in mind as the day approaches:
- Uniforms are not required on picture day.
- All student photos will have a TRUE BLUE background.
- We will follow up with information on pricing and how to order photos.
- Picture retake day will be Thursday, December 6th.
Reminders
- If you haven't already, please send your child in with an extra change of clothes in a ziploc bag with their name labeled. For our friends that were in KA last year, their teachers passed along their old change of clothes. Please let us know if you'd like us to send them home while you send in a new set for your child.
- Please send a family photo to dtes1b@brooklynprospect.org along with answers to the questionnaire. We are so excited to learn about the family diversity in 1B!
Important Dates to Remember
- Thursday, October 4 - Back to School Night Grades K - 2 (6-7:30pm)
- Monday, October 8 - Indigenous People's Day (No School)
- Tuesday, October 9 - Professional Development Day (No School)
- Tuesday October 16 - DTES Information Night (Gym 6-7pm)
- Thursday October 18 - Picture Day
- Thursday October 25 - Family Coffee Grades K - 2 (Playspace 8:30-9:15am)
- Friday October 26 - 3rd Annual Multicultural Potluck
- Tuesday October 30 - Halloween Parade (2:15-2:45pm)
Contact Us
Email: dteskb@brooklynprospect.org
Website: brooklynprospect.org
Location: 80 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Phone: 718-722-7634