1A Classroom Update 2
September 29, 2017
Dear 1A Families,
Academics Update
Writer's Workshop
In writing, our authors have been hard at work. They have learned how to sit EEKK (eye to eye – knee to knee) in order to express their heart map stories to their writing partners. This allowed friends to retell their stories using three fingers, which resembled the beginning, middle, and end. When one partner was done, the other student had the opportunity to ask questions about their stories. In these past couple of weeks, our 1A friends also beginning to learn how to add more details to their stories. After choosing a topic from their heart map, students had to go back to their writing and add details to their picture by labeling and adding more words and small details to their writing to make their pieces come to life! Soon, we will be starting a new unit on small moments that will focus on “zooming into” one specific event. Over the weekend, have your child think about one specific event such as “making sandcastles at the beach, losing their first tooth, or making pumpkin pie!”
Reader's Workshop
Our fantastic readers have learned how to determine whether or not a book is "Just Right" for them (on their level). Ms. Ip put on different size sweaters and our 1A friends helped her find the "just-right" sweater for her! Not only did students find out that reading is like running, but riding bicycles can also be connected with reading! Students were taught to make the connection to picking books for themselves that felt right for them. If a book is too hard we consider that book an Uphill book and if the book is too easy and read very fast than that is considered a Downhill book. We will be starting Literacy Block where our friends do Guided Reading to strengthen their reading skills. During this time, students will also be going through 3 rotations where they will work in Phonics Stations or have writing stations. Our 1A friends have been learning reading strategies that include: caring for books, rereading, and reading to a partner. In order for our 1A friends to expand their strategies have them practice some of these methods at home. For example, have your child determine whether a book is an "uphill book, downhill, or Just Right." You can also have your child read to you every night for at least 10 minutes by sitting in an EEKK position (Elbow to Elbow - Knee to Knee).
Math
We've begun our new unit on building the fluency of counting and adding. We have 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've 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!
Inquiry
In inquiry, we've been reading and learning about how many families are the same but can also be different. Our 1A friends also had a little glimpse into Ms. Ip and Ms. Nugent's family and got to see 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 dtes1a@brooklynprospect.org. We are so excited to learn about the family diversity in 1A!
Important Dates and Reminders
- Tuesday, October 03 | Back To School Night - 1st Grade - 6-7:30PM
- Monday, October 09| Columbus Day, NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, October 10 | Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL
- Thursday, October 12 | First Grade Parent Coffee [PTSO]
- Thursday, October 19 | Stomping Ground Photo Picture Day
- Friday, October 27 | NO SCHOOL
Amazon Wishlist
Class Photos
Specials Update
Let's Dance
Dance is no longer in the MPR and we are SO excited! This means more space to leap, turn, gallop, spin and balance! However, 1A is also adapting to being in several different spaces, the Gym and Cafeteria (once per week). Since they are adjusting to the new spaces, they are learning and perfecting dance class routines and protocols. First graders are also becoming guided improvisation experts by performing movement stories for their classmates. Lastly, they learning about a young boy from Mexico who became a Modern Dance pioneer, José Limón.
Ooh La La! First Grade artists are off and running!
Grade One Artists kicked the year off with an investigation of the simplest design elements: dots and lines. They explored the work of Yayoi Kusama first to see how she uses a variety of dots/lines in her paintings and sculptures (curvy, zig zag, scribbly, intersecting, dotted, etc.).
Today, 1A artists looked at the work of Frank Stella whose paintings ¡ P O P ! off the wall. Please be on the lookout for your artist’s work on display at school in the coming weeks.
See you at Open House!!
Many thanks!
Ms. Walsh and Ms. Drew