Peek at the Week
Mrs. Bennett's First Grade News, Week 5 (September 25-29)
A Note From the Teacher
Happy Fall! I wish it felt cooler outside. Today was full of science fun in first grade. We learned how to observe and make predictions. We talked about the scientific method and inquiry as we did our first science experiment. We put Mentos in nine different sodas. The students were asked to try and find out why Diet Coke went the highest. It was an exciting day!
Week 5 Reminders
Don't forget to place your Scholastic book orders online by 9/29.
Please sign up for a parent conference by today if you have not done so:
The field trip to P-6 Farms is scheduled for Thursday, October 26.
Fri. Sep.29-Oct.5 - Book Fair
Wed. Oct 4 - Book Character Dress Up Day - Parade at 7:50AM
Thur. Oct. 5 - Picture Day
Thu. Oct. 5 - Family Dinner Night and Flashlight Reading
Mon. Oct 9 - Student Holiday/Parent Conferences
FLYING IN FIRST GRADE!
Spelling/Phonics
Spelling
Optional Challenge Words (Test on Friday, September 29, 2017)
inquiry, science, senses, observe, describe, sort, identify, investigate
*Let me know if your child is interested in the optional challenge spelling words if you have not done so. The spelling of these challenge words will not be reviewed in class, but they are vocabulary words used for the science/social studies units. It is up to your child to study them on their own time.
Reader's Workshop
This class has amazing STAMINA. We are up to 12 minutes of independent reading. This week we will learn different techniques to help us pick a "Just Right" book. We will learn strategies that help us decode a tricky word without giving up.
Writer's Workshop
Students will learn more about how to revise this week. I model writing stories all the time so the students are always helping me through this process. They are also learning a lot about me and my family. They will hear more about my daughter's 16th birthday this week in my story! We learned how to write a beginning, middle and end last week. Students start to see how easy it is for anyone to become an author when we write about our special moments. This week, I will choose one of my own pieces to revise in front of the students. I will "think-aloud" through this process and write notes about what I need to do. I will model writing about a fire drill with NO details. Then, I will have the students help me go back and add them. Students will practice these skills as well with a writing partner. I will be conferencing with individuals or small groups to guide them through the revision process. We are not too far off from publishing!!! This is the best part! Students love sharing their writing with the class as well.
Literacy Stations
Math Workshop
We continue to review math skills taught so far in our station rotations (graphing, 2-D and 3-D shapes and subtilizing). We will start a unit on 3-D shapes this week. It is important for students to be able to count and skip count starting at a number other than 1. It is also important to be able to count backward. This helps tremendously with future math skills such as addition, subtraction, time, money, etc.
Science/Social Studies
Our unit on the five senses will be full of hands on investigations this week!