FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES



Dear First Grade Families: 11/20/09

Our first graders have been working really hard this week and I am very proud of how well they are writing and adjusting to the ever-increasing expectations of First Grade.

MATH: This week we learned about number-grid patterns, how to count hops on a number line (which will lead to adding/subtracting on a number line), how to determine if a number is odd or even, explored with pattern blocks and dominoes, and learned about less than, greater than, and equal to equations. Please keep practicing simple addition and subtraction problems with your child. Pull out the leftover Halloween candy and let them add and subtract with the pieces. Let them eat their homework practice when you're finished! Help them continue to get familiar with money by counting any spare change you have around the house.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Our story this week was “Dan’s Pet”. Each student brought in a picture or drawing of their pet and wrote a story about that pet. The students loved sharing their pictures and drawings with their classmates. Thanks for sending them in! Since next week is a short week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not start a new story. We will work on small group reading books and paper picture books.

We have incorporated the Daily Language Review book into our morning work along with our Phonics practice. The students are also rising to the expectations and enjoying completing the written morning message on their own. It’s rewarding to see how much they are able to accomplish in the morning. It really sets the tone for the rest of the school work day!

We continue to work on our class book that showcases each student’s writing. Keeping with the theme of our reading story, our next page is about what their favorite animal is and what that animal can do. We hope to display our “masterpieces” shortly. At the end of the school year each student will get to take home their own pages to keep as a souvenir of their first grade accomplishments!

I have begun conducting running records to determine at what level each student is reading. The goal for the end of first grade is to be independent at Level I (more details to follow). Once this process has been completed, individualized book bags will be coming home. In conjunction with running records, I am also individually testing them on sight words to see what words they can and can’t recognize at first "sight".

SPELLING: This week we studied short /e/ words and had six bonus words. Due to the short week next week, we will review sight words, word wall words, and practice sentence dictation using previous spelling words.

SCIENCE: Our focus this week was on instruments used in Science such as: measuring cups, droppers, magnifying boxes, hand lenses, rulers, tape measures, balances, and forceps. We also discussed safe science practices. The students loved the “hands-on” practice with the science tools.

SUPPLIES: FIRST GRADE IS IN NEED OF LYSOL WIPES, TISSUES, AND LARGE BOTTLES OF HAND SANITIZER. IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE SEND IN AN ITEM OR TWO TO CLASS. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR CLASSROOM FREE OF GERMS!

UPCOMING DATES:
11/25 – 1:00 Day
11/25 – 11:00 Annual Thanksgiving Day Soccer Game – Staff vs. 4th Graders
11/25 – 12:00 Thanksgiving Holiday Party
11/26 & 11/27 – School Closed
12/8 – 7 pm - Public Board of Education Meeting regarding the potential “merger” with Pittsgrove
12/14 – 1:00 Day and 7 pm - Holiday Music Program

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson