Mrs. Poliszczuk's First Grade Class
weekly update
February 17, 2017
This week in phonics, students practiced reading and writing words with the long vowel i sound spelled i, y, igh and ie. Students learned to change y at the end of the word to an i before adding an -es or -ed ending. We also practiced using the verbs see and saw.
In reading, we are continuing to read non-fiction stories. Students practiced identifying the main topic and details that answer our two essential questions: How are animals unique? And, How do animals work together in groups? Ask your child what odd animal pairs they learned about.
In math, students learned to tell time to the hour and half hour and identify halves and fourths of a region. Time to the half hour is a difficult skill. We will be taking our unit assessment next week. A little additional practice at home would be helpful.
Maker Lab!
Snowflake Challenge and Dissolving Candy Hearts STEM Activities
Our class visited the Maker Lab two times recently. In the "Snowflake Challenge", students were asked to create a snowflake that showed symmetry. After creating several snowflakes, students then tested them to see which ones fell to the floor quickly and which ones fell slowly. Students were asked to think about the design of the snowflakes and give an explanation of why some fell faster/slower than others. A special thank you to Mrs. Champagne, our STAT teacher, for planning this fun STEM activity.
In the "Dissolving Candy Hearts" activity, students predicted and then tested candy hearts in four different liquids: water, oil, lemon juice and vinegar, to determine which liquid would dissolve the candy heart the fastest. Ask your child to share their results.
Other Information
We are looking forward to our visit from "Mobile Mining Experience" on February 28th. Students will learn about the rock cycle and the different types of rocks. Students will also have an opportunity to crack a Geode and find what crystals and minerals are inside!
Please look for a field trip permission slip on Tuesday in your child's JES folder. Students will be going to Goucher College to see "The Teacher From the Black Lagoon" on March 8th. We will leave JES around 9:45 and return around 12:15. Students will eat lunch in the classroom when we return. The cost of the trip is $14.00. We will be taking two chaperones. (Chosen by random drawing). Please mark the bottom of the trip slip if you would like to chaperone. Please do not send in chaperone money unless your name is chosen.
Scholastic book orders for March are due on March 3rd. L969F
Please send in a change of clothes for your child if you have not already done so.