First Grade Newsletter
March 2019
Are you doing awesome things in your classroom or school?
If so, we would love for you to present a session during the Summer Learning Events in July.
Pasco County Schools will be accepting session proposal submissions to present during the 2019 Together We Lead Leadership Conference and the Together We Learn Summer Symposium. This call will be open to all staff with innovative approaches to share their high-quality practices that result in supportive learning environments for all students.
Be on the look out for the Summer Learning Call for Proposals invitation which will go out to all staff during the week of March 11th.
ELA
This month students will continue to develop understanding around inflectional endings and compound words. They will demonstrate an initial understanding of consonant +le syllables. Students will also grow their tricky sight word vocabulary.
In writing, students will create narrative stories with the moon as a central feature. They will work on using temporal words to signal order of events and practice using sensory words and phrases. They will also create a questions-and-answer book about the planets and the solar system. They will design questions and answers to their questions on the topic they select.
If you have any great writing that you'd like to share, please email it in so that we can post exemplars next to the tasks.
Decodable Readers
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Resources
Do you have students that need additional instruction around grade level, core concepts or students that are working below grade level and have gaps in universal skills? If so, then you need to check out the Tier 2/3 Resources page on the ELN. You will find resources to support Social Emotional Learning, sample data chat protocols, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Resources maps, and much more.
Additional Text to Support the Knowledge
#PascoSpringReads
WHEN
Friday, March 15th, 5pm to Sunday, March 24th, 11:45pm
WHERE
This is an online event.
MORE INFORMATION
We hope that you enjoy your spring break and spend some time recharging and relaxing! To celebrate and share great reads over break, please tweet a picture of yourself reading a great book with the hashtag #PascoSpringReads. Each person who posts a picture with the hashtag will be entered into a raffle drawing with the chance to win some additional great reads from our team.
Math
Looking for ways to create the conditions for student conversation? The My Math Talk Sentence Starter cards are a great resource to help students talk and ask questions about each other's thinking. These opportunities allow students to clarify or improve their own mathematical understanding. Click here for this amazing resource!
Module 6 Place Value, Comparison, Addition and Subtraction to 100 is the final module of the Grade 1 curriculum. In this module, students bring together their learning from Module 1 through Module 5 to learn the most challenging Grade 1 standards and celebrate their progress. Be on the lookout for the Module 6 Study recorded webinar scheduled to be released on 3/8/19. It is recommended that Module 6 begin no later than 3/28/19.
New to Eureka Math? Be sure to join us for our Introduction to Eureka Math session on 3/27/19 from 4:30-6:30 PM. This training will be held at the District Office in Building 2 Magnolia Room. Registration for this session can be found through My PGS under Course #2119 Section #13242.
Science
In March, Students will continue their exploration of Space. Students should be actively engaged in investigating, observing, discussing and exploring. The curriculum maps provide a variety of activities, texts, images and video clips to encourage students’ curiosity about the world around them. A Virtual Planetarium is an excellent way to bring a model of our night sky to the classroom. When planning for this unit, be sure to check out the PBS Kids and EPIC links provided in the maps. They provide creative ways to explore space with your students. The Quarter 3 Science Academy Evening modeled lessons from the 1st Grade Space unit. You can access those Professional Development resources here- Science Academy.
After Spring Break, 1st graders will shift their learning to the surface of Earth investigating fast & slow changes, the movement of water over the Earth’s surface and rocks/soil. This foundation is critical to the 4th science standards on Earth’s structures that are annually assessed on FSSA. Examples and models are an excellent way to engage students in learning around the surface of the Earth.
Social Studies
Celebrating Women's History Month
Women's History Month in March is an ideal time to celebrate the brave, bold, and fearless women who have influenced history. The important role women have played in shaping our nation and the world can often be overlooked, whether in the fields of humanities, science, politics, law, the arts, and more. This month encourage your students to learn about her story. You may find suggested instructional resources to support student learning here.
March 25th is Medal of Honor Day
In Florida, March 25 of each year is designated as “Medal of Honor Day” and Medal of Honor has been added to s. 1003.42, F.S., Required Instruction, p.4. This is a perfect opportunity to embed the Medal of Honor Character Development Curriculum. Since the 25th is teacher planning day, this would be a wonderful way to kick off the 4th quarter on the 26th.
Reminder that the Medal of Honor National Convention will be hosted in Tampa next Fall and they have asked our county in welcoming all the attendees. Please find here directions for a letter writing campaign to have all Medal of Honor recipients welcomed by a personal note from our Pasco County students. Submit your student letters to Tina Stavrou in OLL by May 1st.
Art, Music, PE
PE Teachers please visit the Florida Safe Routes to School website for the free curriculum that is used with our Bike Trailers. We will be hosting a Safe Routes curriculum/Bike Trailer training on March 25th at 9:00 am. Register on myPGS.