December News!
For our FABULOUS First Graders
MATH
We have been learning about different types of shapes. Students are using pattern blocks to describe, classify, and analyze by their attributes. They have learned new vocabulary such as plane shape, characteristic, face, vertex, etc. Students are learning how geometric properties can be composed and decomposed.They are learning to graph using the shapes and also playing games using the shapes. They will know the difference between 2D and 3D shapes and be able to name them.
We are also introducing fractions with equal and not equal parts, along with halves and fourths. A great way to help your child learn fractions is to let them help with measurements when cooking.
SCIENCE
We have learned how force, motion, and energy are related. Students have been using different materials to make sails.They have tested their sales to see which materials will work best at catching the wind. They have worked in groups to see how far their sails will go. It was a lot of fun!
Students will be using the skills that they learned in this unit to make a "windmill" that lifts small weights. Again, they will work cooperatively to come up with a design that they think will work the best.
READING
Students are getting better and better at reading. We are in our third red reader this year. There are six in all. The students are using their critical thinking skills with their books in a bag and learning new vocabulary every week. The more they read the better. I bet you have noticed them reading some really "big" words. It is amazing how much they learn in such a short amount of time.
We have mastered most short vowel words and are now in the process of learning long vowel sounds, including ea, ai, oi, oa, and many more. Students are working rigorously at using their new skills in their writing also.
JUNK ART PROJECT
Be on the Lookout for a bright green piece of paper explaining an art project that the students will be doing at home. Please help your child and let them be as creative as they want. We have done this for several years and the ideas that they have come up with are fantastic.
LOST AND FOUND
Please make sure that you put your child's name on all of the items that they bring to school. We have so many nice articles of clothing in the lost and found bin with no names on them. They will be donated to charity before Winter Break.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Our Canned Food Drive was a HUGE success. We collected over 1300 cans to donate to needy families in Plano. What a great feeling it is to help others and what a great lesson to teach our kids about giving.
WINTER PARTY
Our Winter Party is on Thursday, December 17th at 9:00 am. Be on the lookout for a Signup Genius to volunteer in your child's class. If the spots fill up please feel free to come and mingle. The kids love when you visit their classroom. The kids will be doing a craft, playing a game, and enjoying a snack. Hope to see you there.
Weather Alert
First graders will go outdoors for recess whenever possible. We have had a lot of rain that has kept us indoors, but hopefully that is all past us. With the colder weather coming please help your child by sending a coat with them daily. We will go out if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Snacks
Students eat their snack in the afternoon. We recommend items that are easy to eat with their fingers. Crackers, pretzels, grapes, string cheese, carrots, granola bar, etc. Please do not send candy, chips, or cookies.
Homework
The students are doing a GREAT job remembering to turn in their homework. They love getting rewarded with play dollars each morning. They get to spend their dollars on things like "lunch with a friend, no homework pass, treat from the treasure box, computer time, art time", etc. We love rewarding them for a job well done.