February 21, 2020
We started the week of with learning all about President’s for Presidents’ Day! We learned what a president does, how they are chosen, and why we celebrate Presidents’ Day.
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we…
In reading we…
• Learned that rereading a text will help us smooth out our reading and will help us understand what we’re reading even more.
• Read books about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
In writing/language arts we…
In science/social studies we…
• Learned about different habitats animals may live in and started to create our maps of those habitats with our groups.
Reminders:
February 14, 2020
This week was certainly a busy week here in first grade! We
celebrated Valentine’s Day by counting candy hearts, doing
shape / base ten block sorts, creating our “Love Monsters”, and
exchanging valentines!
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Learned about different shapes (circle, square, rectangle,
rhombus, trapezoid, and pentagon)
• Took our unit 5 math pretest.
In reading we...
• Learned that reading tricky words is like building Legos, you
need to build them piece by piece, or letter by letter.
• Reminded ourselves what word detectives do to figure out
words that we don’t know.
In writing/language arts we...
• Made arguments on why our “best in show” objects were
better than other objects in our collection.
• Learned about vowel teams
• Read Olive My Love and reviewed nouns.
Reminders:
• Book orders are due on Monday, February 17th. Our class
code is QBY6L.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
• Glue Sticks
February 7, 2020
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Matched numbers with their base ten block pairs
• Took our unit 4 math test.
In reading we...
• Learned that we are the bosses of our own reading. We
are learning what bosses do. (Ask for help, stop when we
get stuck, etc.)
In writing/language arts we...
• Judged our own collections and wrote about our best
part.
• Learned new snap words
• Learned about vowel teams
• Read The Mitten and reviewed adjectives.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different habitats animals may live in.
Reminders:
• Next Friday is Valentine’s Day. A sheet was sent home
last night with details of what your child may bring.
• Book orders are due on Monday, February 17th. Our class
code is QBY6L.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
February 2, 2020
This week was another busy week in first grade! On Wednesday, we
celebrated 2nd quarter with our Terrific Kids and Perfect Attendance
Assembly. We celebrated the 100th day of school on Friday! We had a
day filled with counting to 100, skip counting, and predicting what we will
be like when we are 100 years old! Friday was also our house meeting.
We played games like Tic Tac Toe and Rock Paper Scissors to practice
fairness.
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Practiced greater than and less than with two-digit numbers.
• Learned how to find ten less and ten more on our 100’s charts.
• Used collections we brought to count to 100, made 100th day
necklaces, and 100th day trail mix.
In reading we...
• Read about Groundhogs day.
• Reviewed what good readers do before reading their books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Wrote about groundhogs.
• Wrote about what we would be like when we are 100 years old.
• Practiced working with contractions.
• Read The Night Before the 100th Day and worked on nouns.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about Groundhogs Day and made predictions on what
the groundhog will see.
Reminders:
• If you have not already, please read the Behavior Addendum
(included with report cards) and return the signature page along
with the signed report card envelope.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
January 26, 2020
This week was certainly busy in first grade! On Thursday, we performed
contraction surgery. Friday was our quarter two incentive. We watched a movie in
the library and there was a bake sale!
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Studied how to add tens and ones (40 + 6).
• Solved place value story problems.
• Wrote numbers in different forms (word, digits, base ten, expanded).
In reading we...
• Read about Martin Luther King Jr.
• Finished our first chapter book, Junie B. Jones: First Grader at Last
In writing/language arts we...
• Wrote about our dream/wish for the world.
• Did writing activities based on the book Sneezy the Snowman
• Performed contraction surgery.
• Read Snowmen at Night and learned about prepositions.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned Martin Luther King Jr.
• Read about how goods get to market.
Reminders:
• Next Friday is the 100th day of school! On Monday, everyone will bring home a
ziploc bag with directions for their collections. They should also return the
white sheet about their collection (completed and colored).
• If you are able to send an item for our 100th day trail mix, please sign up
here: 100th Day Snack Sign Up. Thanks!
• Report cards were sent home Friday. Please sign and return the envelope on
Monday.
• Please read the Behavior Addendum (included with report cards) and return
the signature page.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
January 16, 2020
Our field trip was so much fun! We were able to learn about dinosaurs,
go to the planetarium, and explore the museum. Thank you to the
chaperones for all your help. We appreciate you!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Played the game Race to 100!
• Added with tens and ones.
• Built our findings with base ten blocks.
In reading we...
• Started reading our first chapter book, Junie B. Jones: First
Grade at Last as a whole class.
In writing/language arts we...
• Fixed up our writing by looking at capitols, finger spaces, and
punctuation marks.
• Wrote one final nonfiction chapter book.
• Revisited contractions and studied how they are made.
• Read The Pout Pout Fish and reviewed adjectives (describing
words).
In science/social studies we...
• Experimented with different materials to test out different
bird’s beaks.
Reminders:
• Please send your child to school in appropriate clothing for the
weather.
Wishlist:
• Clorox wipes
• Games/Puzzles/Blocks to play with during indoor recess.
January 10, 2020
We have gotten right back into the swing of things this week! We wrapped up our
reading unit and completed some end of the quarter reading assessments. It’s
hard to believe this school year is almost half over. Time flies!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Built numbers with tens and ones and then compared them using symbols (<,
>, =).
• Learned about estimation and estimated how many cubes could fit in
different size cups.
• Practiced counting by tens and ones in the game Race to 50.
• Discussed the meaning of the digits in two digit numbers (tens and ones).
In reading we...
• Read our nonfiction books like writers to notice things we might try in our
own nonfiction books.
• Spent time talking about how to read aloud like an expert:
o Notice key words to talk about.
o Add drama to your reading
In writing/language arts we...
• Fixed up our writing by pretending to be a reader.
• Drew on all of the tools we have to help us plan a new nonfiction chapter
book.
• Discovered that writers do research to learn about their topics.
• Worked on varying our ending punctuation.
• Read My Lucky Day and reviewed adjectives (words to describe terrific
jobs).
In science/social studies we...
• Read a Scholastic News magazine about penguins.
Reminders:
• Book orders are due today, on Friday, January 10!
• Our next writing unit focuses on opinion writing. Each student needs to
bring a collection of items to school for the beginning of this unit. A note
was sent home today with all of the information. Collections are due next
Wednesday!
• Next Thursday is our trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum. ALL students and
chaperones will need a completely disposable cold lunch!
• There is no school on Friday, January 17.
January 3, 2020
Happy New Year! This week was short, but full of fun and learning! We
had our annual Chill Out on Friday morning and read for 2020 seconds!
Wow!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Completed some New Years themed practice pages
In reading we...
• Read The Night Before New Years and learned about what new
year's resolutions are.
• Read for 2020 seconds during our school wide Chill Out!
In writing/language arts we...
• Created our New Year's Resolutions.
• Wrote about what we did over winter break.
Reminders:
• Homework is starting back up! Sheets have been sent home
today.
• Scholastic book orders were sent home today. They will be due on
Friday, January 10th. Our class code is QBY6L.
• Information about the Six Flags Read to Succeed program was
sent home today. The program is set up differently than last
year, so please make sure to read the sheet if you would like to
participate.
December 20, 2019
What a fun, busy week! We had fun making and decorating cards and a
special project for you! Thursday we spent time completing some
Grinch themed activities. We had our Student of the Month assembly
on Friday. Grinch Day was a big hit--thank you for making it possible! I
hope you have some time to relax and spend time with family and
friends. See you in 2020!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Reviewed for and took our unit 3 math test.
• Took a pretest for unit 4 on place value.
• Completed some Christmas-themed practice pages.
In reading we...
• Read How the Grinch Stole Christmas and completed a story
map.
• Read lots of Christmas books!
In writing/language arts we...
• Learned that we can teach our readers about our topics by
using comparisons and examples.
• Discovered that we may have different types of writing in our
nonfiction books---how to, lists, stories.
• Reviewed nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Reminders:
• School resumes on Thursday, January 2.
• There is no homework menu for over break, but be sure to keep
reading!
December 13, 2019
Can you believe that there is only one week left until winter break?! We spent lots
of time preparing for the concert this week! The kids and Mrs. Kelley put on such a
wonderful show! Thank you to all who were able to be there! There are LOTS of
reminders this week so please be sure to take a look at them!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Worked on using different strategies (underlining key details, drawing
pictures, using a number line, etc.) when doing story problems.
• Reviewed for our unit 3 test
In reading we...
• Learned about what it takes to be an expert in nonfiction reading.
• Checked to make sure our words look right and make sense.
• Shared with others about fun facts we learned.
• Wrote down key details from our books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Started to write our nonfiction chapter books (chose our topic, made our
table of contents, chose what each chapter would be about)
• Read words part by part
• Read long tricky words by breaking up the parts we knew
Reminders:
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the top of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their yellow sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out
the shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Next week Friday, December 20th is our Grinch day! It is also an early
release day!
• Please make sure to bring the stocking stuffers by next week Thursday,
December 19.
Wish List:
• Board games (Trouble, Sorry, Candy Land, etc.) to keep at school to play
during indoor recess.
December 6, 2019
It is hard to believe that we are already a week into December with only two weeks of
school left! We will be working hard these next couple of weeks leading up to Christmas.
This week students had the chance to visit Santa’s Secret Shop and we practiced for the
concert next week. There are LOTS of reminders this week so please be sure to take a
look at them!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Reviewed using a number line to solve subtraction equations by either counting on
or counting back.
• Practiced making a target number by adding or subtracting two numbers.
• Reviewed adding three numbers together.
In reading we...
• Celebrated the completion of the first part of our unit by teaching others what
we have learned about our nonfiction topics.
• Remembered that we can try lots of things to not let hard words get in our way
when reading.
• Reviewed crashing the parts of a long word together to help us read it.
• Checked to make sure that the words we read look right and make sense.
In writing/language arts we...
• Learned that nonfiction writers have to be brave and try to spell important
words about their topics.
• Studied the blends at the end of words.
• Made sure we write the sounds for entire words and don’t leave off endings.
• Read words part by part.
• Read A Color of His Own and reviewed adjectives.
Reminders:
• Books make great gifts! Book orders were sent through email yesterday. Orders
are due on Monday, December 9 so we can be sure to have them by Christmas.
Please let me know if any part of your order is a gift.
• Please sign and return the Highlights magazine order form even if you DON’T want
to order.
• The winter concert is next week Wednesday at 6:00. Students should report to
our classroom no earlier than 5:45.
• We will be going to the Milwaukee Public Museum next month. Information was sent
home today. Permission slips are due on Friday, December 13.
• We are collecting items for the food drive. There are theme days (found in the
Parent Update) that your child may participate in IF they bring an item on those
days.
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu
about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the sheet. They should
not be turning in their yellow sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
Wish List:
• Board games (Trouble, Sorry, Candy Land, etc.) to keep at school to play during
indoor recess.
December 1, 2019
Last week was a short week, but we packed in a lot of fun and learning!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
● Practiced our doubles and near doubles. Please use the flashcards to practice at home!
○ The kids have been loving this song, it helps them with practicing their doubles
facts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jOzhiACB68
● Did Thanksgiving related addition and subtraction centers.
In reading we...
● Read lots of Thanksgiving books.
In writing/language arts we...
● Wrote about what we are thankful for
● Wrote letters to Santa
In science/social studies we...
● Learned about the history of Thanksgiving.
● Read a Scholastic News magazine about Pilgrims and Wampanoag children.
Reminders:
● We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an item
related to this theme by TOMORROW, Monday, December 2nd. See the pink sheet for
more details.
● In Gym we are starting roller skating, please send a helmet with your child if you feel
they need one.
● Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about
something we learned for the week on the bottom of the sheet. They should not be
turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
● Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
○ Shoe Tying Trick
○ Shoe Tying
● Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day. (coat,
snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
● Glue Sticks
November 24, 2019
This week we had Higher Impact come in for an all school assembly. This group
talked to the students about the 6 Pillars of Character (trust, fairness, caring,
respect, responsible, and citizenship). This presentation was very fun and engaging!
The kids seemed to love it!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Practiced our doubles and near doubles. Please use the flashcards to
practice at home!
o The kids have been loving this song, it helps them with practicing their
doubles facts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jOzhiACB68
• Added 3 digits together.
In reading we...
• Started our nonfiction unit!
• Learned that we can learn a lot about a book just from doing a picture walk.
• Found that we can learn so much by looking at one page of a book.
• Explored our nonfiction books
• Read to the 5K class.
In writing/language arts we...
• Started writing informative books.
• Shared information we know with our partners.
• Read Turk and Runt and studied verbs.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different adaptations animals and plants have to help them
survive in these environments.
• Read a Scholastic News magazine about Veteran’s Day.
Reminders:
• We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an
item related to this theme by Monday, December 2nd. See the pink sheet for
more details.
• Washington Caldwell is doing a sock drive for veterans. Please consider
donating new adult socks if you are able to!
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the
shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day.
(coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
This week we had our awards assembly. Students with perfect attendance for the
entire first quarter were recognized. Several students also earned Terrific Kids
awards. This award is sponsored by the Kiwanis. “Terrific” is an acronym for
Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and
Capable. We talked about how students can work to earn a Terrific Kid award for the
second quarter.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Practiced our doubles and near doubles.
• Looked for key words in story problems to help us figure out if they are
addition or subtraction problems.
• Solved change unknown (missing partner) equations and story problems.
In reading we...
• Reminded ourselves that we need to reread to make our voices smoother
and help us understand more.
• Used everything we have learned in our word detective training to solve one
last mystery from the SSDA!
• Celebrated the end of our word detective unit by solving an Oreo mystery!
In writing/language arts we...
• Finished up our mini unit on how-to writing. We reviewed using transition
words, telling EVERY step, and rereading to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
• Studied compound words.
• Used parts of multiple snap words to help us read tricky words.
• Went on a word hunt around the school with our invisible ink pens!
• Read Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse and studied antonyms (opposites).
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different adaptations animals and plants have to help them
survive in these environments.
Reminders:
• Report cards were sent home last week. If you have not returned the signed
envelope, please do so ASAP!
• We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an
item related to this theme by Tuesday, November 26. See the sheet for
more details.
• Washington Caldwell is doing a sock drive for veterans. Please consider
donating new adult socks if you are able to!
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the
shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day.
(coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
This week was filled with fun activities! We started off the week with a movie in the Gym as a PBIS reward for 1st quarter. We were able to watch with 4K-2nd grade!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
● Took our unit 3 pre-test.
● Learned about fact families (we can flip - flop equations to get the same answer).
● Practiced addition and subtraction problems with numbers up to 20.
In reading we...
● Learned that we should look at the beginnings and endings of tricky words to find blends
and/or digraphs to help us read the word.
● Identified endings in our stamina books.
● Created a story map for Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
In writing/language arts we...
● Practiced stretching out the steps in our how to writing.
● Learned the importance of details in how to books.
● Wrote a how to eat an Oreo book.
● Studied vowel teams that can make the long e sound.
● Added new snap words to our word wall.
● Read Goldilocks and the Three Bears and studied antonyms..
In science/social studies we...
● Started our first Project Lead the Way unit--Animal Adaptations.
● Learned what an adaptation is and different types of adaptations.
Reminders:
● Book orders are due Monday, November 11. Books make great gifts! Please let me
know if you would like to set up a time to pick up gift books.
● Picture retake day is on Wednesday, November 13.
● Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about
something we learned THIS week at school. They should not be turning in their pink
sheet on Monday!
● Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
○ Shoe Tying Trick
○ Shoe Tying
● Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day. (coat,
snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
● Report cards were sent home on Friday. Please make sure you sign the envelope and
return it to school.
Wish List:
● Glue Sticks
We had another busy week in first grade! Many students enjoyed Fall Fest on Wednesday night. On Thursday we had our Student of the Month assembly and house meetings. This month we focused on being caring by tracing our hands and writing kind/caring messages. The hands will become leaves on a tree. Teachers will be busy with meetings and report cards on Friday.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Learned how to balance equations.
• Found missing partners for 20 and wrote addition and subtraction equations to match.
• Took our unit 2 math test.
• Did some Halloween math.
In reading we...
• Learned that we should look at the beginnings and endings of tricky words to find blends and/or digraphs to help us read the word.
• Read Halloween and fall books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Practiced stretching out the steps in our how to writing.
• Wrote about how to carve a pumpkin while we actually carved a pumpkin!
• Studied vowel teams that can make the long e sound.
• Read There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! and studied singular and plural nouns.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different animal habitats.
• Investigated a pumpkin (what it looked like outside/inside)
Reminders:
• On Monday 4K-2 will be watching a movie in the gym for meeting our goal of 5,000 paws for the first quarter. Your child may bring a blanket and wear their pajamas.
• Book orders will be sent home Monday. Orders are due Monday, November 11. Books make great gifts! Please let me know if you would like to set up a time to pick up gift books.
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about something we learned THIS week at school.
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick o Shoe Tying
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
• Small, individually wrapped candy for rewards (Starburst, Tootsie Rolls, DumDums)
We were so happy that the rain held off for our Green Meadows trip! The weather was actually very nice. We saw many different animals and went on a pony ride and hayride! Everyone also got to pick a pumpkin to bring home.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we…
In reading we…
In writing/language arts we…
In science we…
Reminders:
Wishlist:
We started the week of with learning all about President’s for Presidents’ Day! We learned what a president does, how they are chosen, and why we celebrate Presidents’ Day.
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we…
- Practiced identifying 2D Shapes
- Learned the names of some 3D shapes and started to explore them (hold them in our hands, identified different attributes of each shape)
In reading we…
• Learned that rereading a text will help us smooth out our reading and will help us understand what we’re reading even more.
• Read books about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
In writing/language arts we…
- Shared our collection writing with a partner. Our partner gave us ideas of things that we could add to make our writing even better.
- Learned new snap words
- Learned about vowel teams
In science/social studies we…
• Learned about different habitats animals may live in and started to create our maps of those habitats with our groups.
Reminders:
- Conferences are next week Wednesday and Thursday.
- We do not have school next week Thursday or Friday.
February 14, 2020
This week was certainly a busy week here in first grade! We
celebrated Valentine’s Day by counting candy hearts, doing
shape / base ten block sorts, creating our “Love Monsters”, and
exchanging valentines!
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Learned about different shapes (circle, square, rectangle,
rhombus, trapezoid, and pentagon)
• Took our unit 5 math pretest.
In reading we...
• Learned that reading tricky words is like building Legos, you
need to build them piece by piece, or letter by letter.
• Reminded ourselves what word detectives do to figure out
words that we don’t know.
In writing/language arts we...
• Made arguments on why our “best in show” objects were
better than other objects in our collection.
• Learned about vowel teams
• Read Olive My Love and reviewed nouns.
Reminders:
• Book orders are due on Monday, February 17th. Our class
code is QBY6L.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
• Glue Sticks
February 7, 2020
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Matched numbers with their base ten block pairs
• Took our unit 4 math test.
In reading we...
• Learned that we are the bosses of our own reading. We
are learning what bosses do. (Ask for help, stop when we
get stuck, etc.)
In writing/language arts we...
• Judged our own collections and wrote about our best
part.
• Learned new snap words
• Learned about vowel teams
• Read The Mitten and reviewed adjectives.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different habitats animals may live in.
Reminders:
• Next Friday is Valentine’s Day. A sheet was sent home
last night with details of what your child may bring.
• Book orders are due on Monday, February 17th. Our class
code is QBY6L.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
February 2, 2020
This week was another busy week in first grade! On Wednesday, we
celebrated 2nd quarter with our Terrific Kids and Perfect Attendance
Assembly. We celebrated the 100th day of school on Friday! We had a
day filled with counting to 100, skip counting, and predicting what we will
be like when we are 100 years old! Friday was also our house meeting.
We played games like Tic Tac Toe and Rock Paper Scissors to practice
fairness.
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Practiced greater than and less than with two-digit numbers.
• Learned how to find ten less and ten more on our 100’s charts.
• Used collections we brought to count to 100, made 100th day
necklaces, and 100th day trail mix.
In reading we...
• Read about Groundhogs day.
• Reviewed what good readers do before reading their books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Wrote about groundhogs.
• Wrote about what we would be like when we are 100 years old.
• Practiced working with contractions.
• Read The Night Before the 100th Day and worked on nouns.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about Groundhogs Day and made predictions on what
the groundhog will see.
Reminders:
• If you have not already, please read the Behavior Addendum
(included with report cards) and return the signature page along
with the signed report card envelope.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
January 26, 2020
This week was certainly busy in first grade! On Thursday, we performed
contraction surgery. Friday was our quarter two incentive. We watched a movie in
the library and there was a bake sale!
Take a look at what else we did this week:
In math we...
• Studied how to add tens and ones (40 + 6).
• Solved place value story problems.
• Wrote numbers in different forms (word, digits, base ten, expanded).
In reading we...
• Read about Martin Luther King Jr.
• Finished our first chapter book, Junie B. Jones: First Grader at Last
In writing/language arts we...
• Wrote about our dream/wish for the world.
• Did writing activities based on the book Sneezy the Snowman
• Performed contraction surgery.
• Read Snowmen at Night and learned about prepositions.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned Martin Luther King Jr.
• Read about how goods get to market.
Reminders:
• Next Friday is the 100th day of school! On Monday, everyone will bring home a
ziploc bag with directions for their collections. They should also return the
white sheet about their collection (completed and colored).
• If you are able to send an item for our 100th day trail mix, please sign up
here: 100th Day Snack Sign Up. Thanks!
• Report cards were sent home Friday. Please sign and return the envelope on
Monday.
• Please read the Behavior Addendum (included with report cards) and return
the signature page.
Wishlist:
• Clorox/Lysol wipes
January 16, 2020
Our field trip was so much fun! We were able to learn about dinosaurs,
go to the planetarium, and explore the museum. Thank you to the
chaperones for all your help. We appreciate you!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Played the game Race to 100!
• Added with tens and ones.
• Built our findings with base ten blocks.
In reading we...
• Started reading our first chapter book, Junie B. Jones: First
Grade at Last as a whole class.
In writing/language arts we...
• Fixed up our writing by looking at capitols, finger spaces, and
punctuation marks.
• Wrote one final nonfiction chapter book.
• Revisited contractions and studied how they are made.
• Read The Pout Pout Fish and reviewed adjectives (describing
words).
In science/social studies we...
• Experimented with different materials to test out different
bird’s beaks.
Reminders:
• Please send your child to school in appropriate clothing for the
weather.
Wishlist:
• Clorox wipes
• Games/Puzzles/Blocks to play with during indoor recess.
January 10, 2020
We have gotten right back into the swing of things this week! We wrapped up our
reading unit and completed some end of the quarter reading assessments. It’s
hard to believe this school year is almost half over. Time flies!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Built numbers with tens and ones and then compared them using symbols (<,
>, =).
• Learned about estimation and estimated how many cubes could fit in
different size cups.
• Practiced counting by tens and ones in the game Race to 50.
• Discussed the meaning of the digits in two digit numbers (tens and ones).
In reading we...
• Read our nonfiction books like writers to notice things we might try in our
own nonfiction books.
• Spent time talking about how to read aloud like an expert:
o Notice key words to talk about.
o Add drama to your reading
In writing/language arts we...
• Fixed up our writing by pretending to be a reader.
• Drew on all of the tools we have to help us plan a new nonfiction chapter
book.
• Discovered that writers do research to learn about their topics.
• Worked on varying our ending punctuation.
• Read My Lucky Day and reviewed adjectives (words to describe terrific
jobs).
In science/social studies we...
• Read a Scholastic News magazine about penguins.
Reminders:
• Book orders are due today, on Friday, January 10!
• Our next writing unit focuses on opinion writing. Each student needs to
bring a collection of items to school for the beginning of this unit. A note
was sent home today with all of the information. Collections are due next
Wednesday!
• Next Thursday is our trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum. ALL students and
chaperones will need a completely disposable cold lunch!
• There is no school on Friday, January 17.
January 3, 2020
Happy New Year! This week was short, but full of fun and learning! We
had our annual Chill Out on Friday morning and read for 2020 seconds!
Wow!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Completed some New Years themed practice pages
In reading we...
• Read The Night Before New Years and learned about what new
year's resolutions are.
• Read for 2020 seconds during our school wide Chill Out!
In writing/language arts we...
• Created our New Year's Resolutions.
• Wrote about what we did over winter break.
Reminders:
• Homework is starting back up! Sheets have been sent home
today.
• Scholastic book orders were sent home today. They will be due on
Friday, January 10th. Our class code is QBY6L.
• Information about the Six Flags Read to Succeed program was
sent home today. The program is set up differently than last
year, so please make sure to read the sheet if you would like to
participate.
December 20, 2019
What a fun, busy week! We had fun making and decorating cards and a
special project for you! Thursday we spent time completing some
Grinch themed activities. We had our Student of the Month assembly
on Friday. Grinch Day was a big hit--thank you for making it possible! I
hope you have some time to relax and spend time with family and
friends. See you in 2020!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Reviewed for and took our unit 3 math test.
• Took a pretest for unit 4 on place value.
• Completed some Christmas-themed practice pages.
In reading we...
• Read How the Grinch Stole Christmas and completed a story
map.
• Read lots of Christmas books!
In writing/language arts we...
• Learned that we can teach our readers about our topics by
using comparisons and examples.
• Discovered that we may have different types of writing in our
nonfiction books---how to, lists, stories.
• Reviewed nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Reminders:
• School resumes on Thursday, January 2.
• There is no homework menu for over break, but be sure to keep
reading!
December 13, 2019
Can you believe that there is only one week left until winter break?! We spent lots
of time preparing for the concert this week! The kids and Mrs. Kelley put on such a
wonderful show! Thank you to all who were able to be there! There are LOTS of
reminders this week so please be sure to take a look at them!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Worked on using different strategies (underlining key details, drawing
pictures, using a number line, etc.) when doing story problems.
• Reviewed for our unit 3 test
In reading we...
• Learned about what it takes to be an expert in nonfiction reading.
• Checked to make sure our words look right and make sense.
• Shared with others about fun facts we learned.
• Wrote down key details from our books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Started to write our nonfiction chapter books (chose our topic, made our
table of contents, chose what each chapter would be about)
• Read words part by part
• Read long tricky words by breaking up the parts we knew
Reminders:
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the top of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their yellow sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out
the shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Next week Friday, December 20th is our Grinch day! It is also an early
release day!
• Please make sure to bring the stocking stuffers by next week Thursday,
December 19.
Wish List:
• Board games (Trouble, Sorry, Candy Land, etc.) to keep at school to play
during indoor recess.
December 6, 2019
It is hard to believe that we are already a week into December with only two weeks of
school left! We will be working hard these next couple of weeks leading up to Christmas.
This week students had the chance to visit Santa’s Secret Shop and we practiced for the
concert next week. There are LOTS of reminders this week so please be sure to take a
look at them!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Reviewed using a number line to solve subtraction equations by either counting on
or counting back.
• Practiced making a target number by adding or subtracting two numbers.
• Reviewed adding three numbers together.
In reading we...
• Celebrated the completion of the first part of our unit by teaching others what
we have learned about our nonfiction topics.
• Remembered that we can try lots of things to not let hard words get in our way
when reading.
• Reviewed crashing the parts of a long word together to help us read it.
• Checked to make sure that the words we read look right and make sense.
In writing/language arts we...
• Learned that nonfiction writers have to be brave and try to spell important
words about their topics.
• Studied the blends at the end of words.
• Made sure we write the sounds for entire words and don’t leave off endings.
• Read words part by part.
• Read A Color of His Own and reviewed adjectives.
Reminders:
• Books make great gifts! Book orders were sent through email yesterday. Orders
are due on Monday, December 9 so we can be sure to have them by Christmas.
Please let me know if any part of your order is a gift.
• Please sign and return the Highlights magazine order form even if you DON’T want
to order.
• The winter concert is next week Wednesday at 6:00. Students should report to
our classroom no earlier than 5:45.
• We will be going to the Milwaukee Public Museum next month. Information was sent
home today. Permission slips are due on Friday, December 13.
• We are collecting items for the food drive. There are theme days (found in the
Parent Update) that your child may participate in IF they bring an item on those
days.
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu
about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the sheet. They should
not be turning in their yellow sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
Wish List:
• Board games (Trouble, Sorry, Candy Land, etc.) to keep at school to play during
indoor recess.
December 1, 2019
Last week was a short week, but we packed in a lot of fun and learning!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
● Practiced our doubles and near doubles. Please use the flashcards to practice at home!
○ The kids have been loving this song, it helps them with practicing their doubles
facts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jOzhiACB68
● Did Thanksgiving related addition and subtraction centers.
In reading we...
● Read lots of Thanksgiving books.
In writing/language arts we...
● Wrote about what we are thankful for
● Wrote letters to Santa
In science/social studies we...
● Learned about the history of Thanksgiving.
● Read a Scholastic News magazine about Pilgrims and Wampanoag children.
Reminders:
● We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an item
related to this theme by TOMORROW, Monday, December 2nd. See the pink sheet for
more details.
● In Gym we are starting roller skating, please send a helmet with your child if you feel
they need one.
● Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about
something we learned for the week on the bottom of the sheet. They should not be
turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
● Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
○ Shoe Tying Trick
○ Shoe Tying
● Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day. (coat,
snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
● Glue Sticks
November 24, 2019
This week we had Higher Impact come in for an all school assembly. This group
talked to the students about the 6 Pillars of Character (trust, fairness, caring,
respect, responsible, and citizenship). This presentation was very fun and engaging!
The kids seemed to love it!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Practiced our doubles and near doubles. Please use the flashcards to
practice at home!
o The kids have been loving this song, it helps them with practicing their
doubles facts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jOzhiACB68
• Added 3 digits together.
In reading we...
• Started our nonfiction unit!
• Learned that we can learn a lot about a book just from doing a picture walk.
• Found that we can learn so much by looking at one page of a book.
• Explored our nonfiction books
• Read to the 5K class.
In writing/language arts we...
• Started writing informative books.
• Shared information we know with our partners.
• Read Turk and Runt and studied verbs.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different adaptations animals and plants have to help them
survive in these environments.
• Read a Scholastic News magazine about Veteran’s Day.
Reminders:
• We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an
item related to this theme by Monday, December 2nd. See the pink sheet for
more details.
• Washington Caldwell is doing a sock drive for veterans. Please consider
donating new adult socks if you are able to!
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the
shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day.
(coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
This week we had our awards assembly. Students with perfect attendance for the
entire first quarter were recognized. Several students also earned Terrific Kids
awards. This award is sponsored by the Kiwanis. “Terrific” is an acronym for
Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and
Capable. We talked about how students can work to earn a Terrific Kid award for the
second quarter.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Practiced our doubles and near doubles.
• Looked for key words in story problems to help us figure out if they are
addition or subtraction problems.
• Solved change unknown (missing partner) equations and story problems.
In reading we...
• Reminded ourselves that we need to reread to make our voices smoother
and help us understand more.
• Used everything we have learned in our word detective training to solve one
last mystery from the SSDA!
• Celebrated the end of our word detective unit by solving an Oreo mystery!
In writing/language arts we...
• Finished up our mini unit on how-to writing. We reviewed using transition
words, telling EVERY step, and rereading to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
• Studied compound words.
• Used parts of multiple snap words to help us read tricky words.
• Went on a word hunt around the school with our invisible ink pens!
• Read Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse and studied antonyms (opposites).
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different adaptations animals and plants have to help them
survive in these environments.
Reminders:
• Report cards were sent home last week. If you have not returned the signed
envelope, please do so ASAP!
• We have chosen our classroom basket theme...Movie Night! Please send in an
item related to this theme by Tuesday, November 26. See the sheet for
more details.
• Washington Caldwell is doing a sock drive for veterans. Please consider
donating new adult socks if you are able to!
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework
menu about something we learned for the week on the bottom of the
sheet. They should not be turning in their pink sheet on Monday!
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the
shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick
o Shoe Tying
• Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day.
(coat, snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
This week was filled with fun activities! We started off the week with a movie in the Gym as a PBIS reward for 1st quarter. We were able to watch with 4K-2nd grade!
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
● Took our unit 3 pre-test.
● Learned about fact families (we can flip - flop equations to get the same answer).
● Practiced addition and subtraction problems with numbers up to 20.
In reading we...
● Learned that we should look at the beginnings and endings of tricky words to find blends
and/or digraphs to help us read the word.
● Identified endings in our stamina books.
● Created a story map for Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
In writing/language arts we...
● Practiced stretching out the steps in our how to writing.
● Learned the importance of details in how to books.
● Wrote a how to eat an Oreo book.
● Studied vowel teams that can make the long e sound.
● Added new snap words to our word wall.
● Read Goldilocks and the Three Bears and studied antonyms..
In science/social studies we...
● Started our first Project Lead the Way unit--Animal Adaptations.
● Learned what an adaptation is and different types of adaptations.
Reminders:
● Book orders are due Monday, November 11. Books make great gifts! Please let me
know if you would like to set up a time to pick up gift books.
● Picture retake day is on Wednesday, November 13.
● Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about
something we learned THIS week at school. They should not be turning in their pink
sheet on Monday!
● Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe
tying trick videos below!
○ Shoe Tying Trick
○ Shoe Tying
● Please make sure your child comes to school with the proper gear each day. (coat,
snowpants, boots, hat, gloves)
● Report cards were sent home on Friday. Please make sure you sign the envelope and
return it to school.
Wish List:
● Glue Sticks
We had another busy week in first grade! Many students enjoyed Fall Fest on Wednesday night. On Thursday we had our Student of the Month assembly and house meetings. This month we focused on being caring by tracing our hands and writing kind/caring messages. The hands will become leaves on a tree. Teachers will be busy with meetings and report cards on Friday.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we...
• Learned how to balance equations.
• Found missing partners for 20 and wrote addition and subtraction equations to match.
• Took our unit 2 math test.
• Did some Halloween math.
In reading we...
• Learned that we should look at the beginnings and endings of tricky words to find blends and/or digraphs to help us read the word.
• Read Halloween and fall books.
In writing/language arts we...
• Practiced stretching out the steps in our how to writing.
• Wrote about how to carve a pumpkin while we actually carved a pumpkin!
• Studied vowel teams that can make the long e sound.
• Read There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! and studied singular and plural nouns.
In science/social studies we...
• Learned about different animal habitats.
• Investigated a pumpkin (what it looked like outside/inside)
Reminders:
• On Monday 4K-2 will be watching a movie in the gym for meeting our goal of 5,000 paws for the first quarter. Your child may bring a blanket and wear their pajamas.
• Book orders will be sent home Monday. Orders are due Monday, November 11. Books make great gifts! Please let me know if you would like to set up a time to pick up gift books.
• Please remember to have your child write a sentence on their homework menu about something we learned THIS week at school.
• Please work on shoe tying and zipping/buttoning with your child. Check out the shoe tying trick videos below!
o Shoe Tying Trick o Shoe Tying
Wish List:
• Glue Sticks
• Small, individually wrapped candy for rewards (Starburst, Tootsie Rolls, DumDums)
We were so happy that the rain held off for our Green Meadows trip! The weather was actually very nice. We saw many different animals and went on a pony ride and hayride! Everyone also got to pick a pumpkin to bring home.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we…
- Used a number line to solve addition and subtraction problems.
- Discovered that we can add numbers in any order.
- Reviewed partners (addends) of ten.
- Made part-part-whole models to determine missing addends.
In reading we…
- Received our first few missions from Bill Bookman who is in the Super Secret Detective Agency (SSDA)!
- Learned that we need to use everything we know to solve tricky words.
- Practiced checking our words slowly to be sure we are right.
In writing/language arts we…
- Used what we’ve learned about silent e to write words.
- Practiced using what we’ve learned about silent e to figure out words while reading.
- Studied a sentence from Curious George and reviewed adjectives.
In science we…
- Talked about different types of animals (amphibians, reptiles, fish, etc.)
- Learned about how different animals grow and change.
Reminders:
- Social studies homework (states visited) is due on Monday!
- Thursday your child brought home a permission slip for roller skating in gym. Please sign and return it by October 29.
- All families are asked to send in a bag of individually wrapped candy for Fall Fest on October 30.
- Please be sure your child is dressing appropriately for the weather. It can change dramatically from one day to the next.
- Homework menus are sent home on the last school day of the week--usually Friday and are due back the following Friday.
- All students should be reading a minimum of 10-15 minutes each night.
Wishlist:
- Mittens
It sure felt like summer returned this week! On Tuesday, Mrs. Ward came in to review the playground rules. Students are expected to follow these rules at all times. They will be asked to sit out if they do not. On Friday, we reviewed our school wide expectations at several locations around the school (playground, bathroom, classroom, hallway, etc) that help us be respectful, responsible, and safe.
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we…
In reading we…
In writing/language arts we…
In social studies we…
Reminders:
Classroom Wish List:
Here are some of the things we worked on this week:
In math we…
- Played a game called “Around the World” to practice subitizing.
- Filled a ten frame to find partners of ten.
- Reviewed greater than and less than and predicted whether we would roll a number larger or smaller than a given number.
In reading we…
- Discovered that we all have some bad habits when reading and listed some good habits we can replace them with.
- Practiced looking through the WHOLE word when trying to solve tricky words.
- Learned how to go back and reread a page (or sentence) to get a running start when you are stuck on a tricky word.
- Utilized meaning to figure out what a tricky word might be.
In writing/language arts we…
- Discovered that sometimes letters can make two sounds.
- Learned how to “unfreeze” our characters by making them talk and move.
- Practiced telling our stories in itsy-bitsy steps by asking “What happened right after that?”
- Reviewed and added more “snap” words (sight words) to our word wall.
- I will send home a list of snap words for the first unit. These are words you child should be able to read automatically. You can also work on spelling them! There are some ideas of ways to practice them in your child’s home folder.
- Studied a sentence from Memoirs of a Goldfish and learned about verbs.
In social studies we…
- Learned about our country’s neighbors, Canada and Mexico.
Reminders:
- Next week we will celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s birthday on Thursday. I am asking each family to send in 2-3 peeled, cored, and sliced apples so we can make applesauce. If anyone is willing to send in bowls and/or spoons, please let me know!
- Picture day is October 2. Information was sent home today.
- Conferences are October 2 and 3. Look for an email next week to sign up. If you are not able to make it one of those nights, please let me know so we can set up another time.
- All students should be reading a minimum of 10-15 minutes each night.
Classroom Wish List:
- White Cardstock
- Scissors