Stanley News
Tidbits from Room 1118
Spring has truly SPRUNG!
Spring Break came and went in a snap! Hyacinths and daffodils are blooming in our gardens. With the cold, rainy week nothing but a memory, the month of April has nevertheless been jam-packed with important learning and the unfolding of second-grade skills!
Math
We finished Unit 5 in math: Place Value Situations. The student did very well!
We are now working in Unit 6, Comparisons and Data, with good effort being put forth by our mathematicians. We have been talking about comparing amounts: more than, fewer than and equal to; the students have been great teammates working together to solve problems.
They are wonderful at sharing their thinking, using "math talk" to explain their reasoning. Unit 7 will be upon us soon, Geometry, Measurement and Equal Shares.
Please begin helping your child with learning to tell time on an analog clock with a minute and an hour hand. Time to the hour and especially the half hour can be tricky for first graders.
English Language Arts/Social Studies
In Reader's Workshop, we are continuing to work on Mixed Genre, learning the story elements of character, setting, problem and solution as well as retelling.
The children select new "good-fit" books for their personal book bins frequently, and independent reading stamina is at an all time high!
Small skill groups continue to meet while children are reading independently.
We have completed the Opinion Writing unit in Writer's Workshop. I hope you enjoyed reading the work your kids brought home!
We are now practicing How to Write a Friendly Letter. We will soon be writing a letter to a family member.
Please send in the name and address of a grandparent, aunt or uncle (or other significant adult) on a piece of paper.
I will be sending a letter along with your child's letter, asking for the recipient to write back to your child!
This unit will tie into our Social Studies unit called How do We Learn About Places, where we will be using maps to learn about the world. We will be marking on maps (Michigan, US or World) where each letter originated.
The children are learning about aerial perspective, bird's eye view, absolute locations (home address, school address), maps (including north, south east and west), bodies of water and land masses.
Science
We have begun our unit on Liquid and Solid Matter in science. This is a favorite unit for first graders as they begin to explore the properties of matter: colors, shapes, hardness, sink or float, viscous or fluid, etc.
We will be writing a LOT in this unit, using the skills of observing, inquiring, and recording our wondering and our discoveries.
This and That
Our Northwood Nest meetings have been wonderful catalysts for conversations about Responsibility, Integrity and Respect. The concepts are now a part of our daily vocabulary.
Our PBIS Team (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) helped create the document that guides our month-to-month goals. If you haven't checked it out lately, look on the back of your child's monthly "Clip-Chart" calendar to see the matrix that guides our focus. (While you're at it, check your child's calendar... is she or he faithfully coloring it every day?)
This month our focus is Recess/Playground.
I will be reviewing and the children will be practicing the expectations daily on the playground as well as during indoor recess.
PBIS expectations are: ●Report accidents and injuries to staff members. ●Use “Stop, Walk, & Talk”. ●Follow recess rules. ●Put all materials away ●Always follow adult directions. ●Use appropriate and positive language. ●Voice level— Outside: 4 Inside: 3 ●Include everyone ●Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. ●Use games, equipment, and materials properly. ●Enter and exit in orderly lines. ●Stay away from the fence and remain on the playground.
Finally...
Finally, I just want to say Thank you to all of you who are able to participate in the your child's education by helping in the classroom or at home, by volunteering your precious time and efforts to making our little classroom hum.
Whether it is working with students, organizing books, helping at parties or PTA events, putting together science activities or putting up displays of children's work, every little bit you do makes a huge difference!
Additionally, many of you have sent in supplies, prizes for the Treasure Box, birthday books and ALL OF YOU are doing the heroic work of PARENTING!
I so appreciate the work you do with your children, supporting them in their academic requirements as well as giving guidance, encouragement and wisdom every day of their lives.
THANK YOU!
Important Dates
Monday, April 22
EARTH DAY!
Report cards are ONLINE in the Parent Portal
Wednesday, April 24
Administrative Professionals' Day
Late Start Today!
Thursday, April 25
Grade 1 Vocal Concert 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:45)- Dress up! Any questions? EMAIL ME!
Saturday, April 27
City of Royal Oak Park Clean Up
Wednesday, May 1
School Principal's Day!
Late Start Today!
Cultural Competence Engagement Meeting @ Board of Education! 6:30 PM
Please consider attending!
Friday, May 3
PTA Noon Walkers
*****
For your planning purposes:
We will be going to the Upland Hills Farm on Friday, June 7. More information to come!