1A Classroom Update 14
May 12, 2017
Dear 1A Families,
Literacy
Our 1A friends have delved into a brand new unit of poetry in both Reader's and Writer's Workshop. We had the opportunity to explore different types of poems including, 5 senses poems, rhyming poems, shape poems, and acrostic poems. We practiced utilizing a familiar reading strategy, text-to-self connection, when reading these poems. This week students learned how poets use special descriptive language, or adjectives, to describe their topics in a more meaningful way. They were given different topics chosen by the teacher and were encouraged to use descriptive language or adjectives to describe the topic. Our poets used words such as "wobbly" to describe a slide or "soft and smooth" to describe the petals of flowers. Next week, our friends will start writing poems with 5 senses as well as poems with rhyme!
Math
In math, we returned to work on addition and subtraction. Students were excited to try adding and subtracting larger two-digit numbers. Some problems had regrouping where students exchanged 10 ones for a ten or 10 tens for a hundred! See below for photos of the different strategies they have used. Most students seem to prefer drawing base-10 blocks since it is a concrete way to show work but is also more efficient and faster than drawing a picture of the whole problem (for example, drawing 46 circles then crossing out 18 for 46-18 takes a loooong time and can lead to small mistakes).
Inquiry
In Inquiry, we are in the midst of exploring some celebrations and traditions that our 1A friends were interested in finding more about. Our first stop was Ramadan, the lunar celebration. Our 1A scholars have been busy studying the traditions and the reasons for this holiday. Students learned how Muslims celebrate this holiday by fasting for an entire month. They even got to make their own Ramadan paper plate decorations, which will be sent home soon! Some other celebrations we will be learning about include Chinese New Year, Carnival, Diwali, etc. We are so excited to continue our investigation of celebrations from around the world.
Important Dates (*Please note change of date for field trip*) :
- Saturday, May 20 | Community Service, Fort Greene Park
- Friday, May 26 | 1st Grade Brooklyn Grange Field Trip
- Monday, May 29 |Memorial Day: No School
- Thursday, June 08 | Faculty Development Day: No School
- Tuesday, June 20 | Field Day
2017-18 Academic Calendar
Shoeboxes Needed!!!
We will begin to start our final Celebrations project for the End of Year Curriculum Share soon. To support us with this project, we ask that you please send in unwanted shoe boxes with your child to school. If you have any extras, please feel free to send in more than one to ensure that every student has 1 shoe box for this project. In addition, if you have any leftover fabrics, rags, or construction papers, we appreciate those as well. We cannot wait to share these projects with you soon! Thank you in advance!
Learner Profile of the Month: Balanced
As an IB World School, BPCS strives to foster the growth of students both academically as well as internationally minded citizens who are aware of the world outside of their local environment. To do this, the school incorporates the IB Learner Profiles into the classroom. The IB Learner Profiles describe a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities and, in turn, embody traits of a well-rounded individual. The Learner Profiles are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, and Reflective.
For the month of April, we focused on students who are balanced. Students who are balanced are well-rounded. They look after themselves and others. They are aware of their needs and make choices that benefit all.
This month, our balanced friends are Nina and London!
Classroom Photos
Ramadan Art Project
Specials Update
Celebratory Dances
In alignment with First Grade's IB inquiry unit, 1A is studying celebratory dances from various countries. Starting with American Line Dances, including the Cha Cha Slide and the Virginia Reel, students are taking a journey around the globe to explore how people express their joy through movement. Please enjoy a few photos from a recent class. Also, ask your dancer to teach you how to Two Hand Swing and Do Si Do!
Grade One Artists Make Portraits!!
Thank you for the amazing goodies!!
All of your Teacher Appreciation treats were delicious!!
MANY THANKS!!