1E Newsletter: Week of January 17
What's going on in 1st grade!
This Week...
Sunday: World Language, Library
Monday: MSArabic/Explore Time, PE, Music
Tuesday: FULL DAY- 3pm dismissal, Art, World Language
Wednesday: PE, World Language, Guidance
Thursday: NO SCHOOL- School Holiday
New Procedures and Dragon Bands
We are off to a great start with the new Dragon Band procedures in 1E! Almost all of the students remembered their Dragon Bands today and came to class without an adult-- great job working on responsibility and independence :)
Please remember...
- All students will be required to scan their Dragon Band entering and exiting the campus
- Parents and domestic staff will not be permitted through Gate 5 for morning drop off
- Pick-up procedures will remain the same
Thank you for your support as we continue to make ASD a safe environment to learn!
Reminder: Principals' Coffee
Our next Lower Elementary Principals’ Coffee is scheduled for January 19, 2016. Our music teachers will be hosting a music education session to introduce parents to the Elementary music curriculum and the role of music in a child’s life.
In addition, we will be introducing a new component to our Principals’ Coffees and that is a Parent Forum. There will be time devoted at every Principals’ Coffee for the remainder of the school year for a Parent Forum, during which the principals will address general themes raised by parents, which have been submitted in advance. Please attend the Principals Coffee for more information.
Writing
- what do you notice about nonfiction books
- what are some elements/text features you see in nonfiction books
- brainstorming ideas
- planning for our story
- writing lots of facts on a page
Reading
- fiction vs. nonfiction
- what do we notice about nonfiction books
- reviewing choosing a Just Right Book in nonfiction
- digital story telling- recording fiction vs. nonfiction book explanation
Math
- identifying 10 more, 10 less, 1 more, and 1 less than a two-digit number
- use dimes and pennies as representations of tens and ones
- compare two quantities, and identify the greater or lesser of the two given numerals
Social Studies
Reading and Writing Nonfiction Parent Letter
Nonfiction: Reading to Learn and Writing to Teach
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
Dear Parents,
Students will be immersed in a sense of wonder as they form inquiries and go on quests for new information as nonfiction readers. Nonfiction readers will employ all that they already know as well as build up their repertoire by learning the strategies and skills of nonfiction reading. Mini-lessons will focus on concepts such as: knowing how our books work helps us to predict what our books are about (text features, information layout, etc.), how reading partners can help us understand what we are reading by asking us questions to find out more, learning to jot questions and ideas to hold onto our thinking across the text, and how to compare and contrast information. It is always important to explicitly make connections for the students between reading and writing. When children have spent time immersed in how to navigate nonfiction reading, their experience will assist them in becoming more adept at structuring informational text when writing. Our keen learners will apply all that they have learned to become writers who aim to teach their readers. They will learn to name and introduce a topic, provide supporting facts, structure and organize writing, use transition words, engage in research (e.g. inferring from photos, asking questions, etc.), and provide a sense of closure for the reader.
Beyond the conventions of nonfiction structures, children will also have explicit lessons on spelling strategies and conventions, ending punctuation, using commas in lists, capitalization and the use of transition words. This unit further provides many opportunities to link learning to other subject areas such as science and social studies.
The following standards are being addressed in this unit of study:
- Standard 1 Students will read fluently using the skills and strategies of the reading process.
- Standard 2 Students will comprehend, respond to and analyze a wide variety of literary and informational texts including fiction and non-fiction.
- Standard 4 - Students will write with clarity and logic on a wide range of topics for a variety of purposes and audiences.
- Standard 5 - Students will use grammatical and mechanical conventions in writing.
- Standard 6 - Students will demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
- Standard 7 Students will use speaking and listening skills to communicate effectively
Parent Teaching Tips:
Use conversation prompts to help extend thinking:
- What questions would you ask the author about this text? What questions do you think readers might have when reading your writing?
- How is the information in this book similar/different to something else you have read or heard about?
- What is the most interesting word in the glossary? Why? What interesting vocabulary have you used in your own writing?
Sincerely,
Grade 1 Team
Lower Elementary Math Drop In
Starting the week of January 24, our Math Coordinator, Mrs. Carol Little will be holding a Lower Elementary parent drop in / office hour every Wednesday from 2:00 - 3:00pm. Mrs. Little will be available at this time every week to assist parents who need further information about our Math program or who would like help / suggestions with how to support their children at home.
Collecting Cardboard for Explore Time
Upcoming Dates
January 19- Full-day of school, 3pm dismissal
January 21- No School
January 24-28- Visiting Artist- Danny Gregory
February 2- ASD Sports Day
February 4- Elementary Swim Champs
February 9- No School, Qatar Sports Day
February 14- Valentine’s Classroom Party
February 14-18- Reading Week
February 23- 1st Grade 100th Day of School
February 23- 2nd Grade Concert
February 26- Friendship Festival
March 10- Trimester 2 Ends
March 17- Report Cards sent home electronically
March 17- St. Patrick’s Day and Shamrock Shamble
March 25-April 4- Spring Break
April- Poetry Month
April 5- Full-day of school, 3pm dismissal
April 8- ASD Fun Day
April 21- Arabic Concert, 7:30pm
April 26-28- Used Book Sale
April 27-28- Student-Led Conferences- Portfolio Day
May 1-17- PK-12 Art Show
May 3- PTA Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch
May 8- 1st Grade Writer’s Café
May 12- 5th Grade Play
May 17- KG Music Concert
May 19- Volunteer Breakfast
May 22- No School for Students, Teacher Professional Development
May 24- Full-day of school, 3pm dismissal
May 26- Assistant Appreciation Lunch
June 5- Step-Up Day
June 7- Full-day of school, 3pm dismissal
June 9- Last Day Assembly
June 9- Last Day of School, Report Cards go home