first grade news
December 2 - 6
Our Week in Review
English Language Arts
In small groups, students practiced their comprehension skill of comparing and contrasting, discussing similarities and differences within the story, as well as how it relates or differs from their own lives.
Grammar: verbs that add -s
Phonics:
Our spelling words focused on our new phonics skill - consonant pattern -ng, -nk found at the end of a word. Students identified new words with the changing vowel
(-ang, -ing, -ung, -ank, -ink, -unk).
We also learned about compound words - 2 real words put together to make a new word! Students practiced identifying the difference between 2 real words vs. a two syllable word (backpack vs. rabbit).
High Frequency Words ("heart words") - every, sure, enough, any, ever, own, were
*Reminder about HFW's - these are words that appear very often in written texts. They are a mixture of decodable words (words that can be sounded out) and tricky / exception words (words in which the English spelling code works in an irregular way, which means the words have to be learned and recognized by sight). It is really important that children learn how to read these words as they will make up a large portion of the words they will be reading in everyday texts. They also need to learn to spell these words as they will find they will need to use them a great deal in their writing.
Writing
Students learned that informative writing is about a real thing or place. It gives real information to the reader, or facts. We used nonfiction books about penguins to record what penguins are, what they can do, and what they have (i.e. physical features). We created an anchor chart to help us record our facts while reading.
Students worked independently using graphic organizers to write about penguins. As we continue our writing into next week, students will be creating a rough and final draft. They will be writing a topic sentence, 4 facts about penguins, and a closing sentence.
We're so excited to share our finished informative writing pieces with you all next week!
Math
1. Place value:
- Identifying how many tens and ones are in a number (i.e. 53 has 5 tens and 3 ones)
- Represent the number by drawing, using rods and cubes (i.e. 5 rods, 3 cubes)
2. Making 10 to add:
- break the addend that is less into two parts to help make a group of 10 using the larger addend, then count on to find the sum!
Friday we took our second Facts Race! Students were given 1 minute to complete addition math facts. All students begin with +0, once students have completed all facts within the time limit and with 100% accuracy, they will be able to move on to +1, etc. I have subtraction facts race once addition within 10 is mastered! Students really enjoy this activity and love reaching the next level for the following Friday!
Number of the Day!
Kiran is snapping a photo of her math center before erasing and cleaning up. I will be able to look back at their math work to check for understanding!
Making 10 to add!
Lola was given an addition equation. She then was able to make 10 and count on to find the sum.
Social Studies & Science
Friday Five
- What is a compound word? Can you write 3 compound words?
- Tell me 3 new facts your learned about penguins.
- How many tens and ones does the number 65 have?
- How can you break apart numbers to add?
- Which is larger a stream or a river?
December Event Calendar
Notes from the Teacher
One thing we all have been practicing is making sure to write in complete sentences! When working independently, students often get in the habit of writing solely the answer to the question or the thought in their mind. I continue to encourage your child to write a complete idea that makes sense standing alone! A first grade sentence uses detail and transition words. We look back at the question to help complete our thought!
For example,
"What does Pete do at the end of the story?"
Instead of just writing "swims" or "he swims", a first grader should write,
"At the end of the story, Pete swims in the lake."
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Also, Happy Birthday to Lohith (Nov. 26), Armaan (Nov. 27), and Beckett (Dec. 5)! Thank you for helping us celebrate in school! (*We were on Thanksgiving Break during Armaan's Birthday!)
Coming Up Next Week!
English Language Arts:
- Reading Selection: The Class Pet
- Genre: Expository Text
- Comprehension Skill: Fact and Opinion
- Phonics Skills: R-Controlled - or, ore / Ending -es, plural -es
- Grammar: Verbs that do not add -s
- Writing: Completing our informative writing pieces on penguins
Math:
- Place Value continued
- Adding using place value
- Expanded form
- Fact Fluency within 10
Social Studies & Science:
- Landforms
- Bodies of Water
- Begin Holidays Around the World!
Brooke Dantona
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary
Email: brooke.dantona@nlcinc.com
Location: 130 Towne Village Drive, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: 919-319-9622