Classroom News
Welcome to first grade! We have a very exciting year ahead of us. During the first few weeks of school, we will be busy learning about our classroom procedures and getting to know our new classmates. Throughout the year, first graders will grow tremendously as readers and writers. Please encourage your child to read and write every day! Students will also be exposed to new Math concepts and explore exciting Science and Social Studies topics. First grade is going to be a FANTASTIC year!
April News
Spring has sprung in Mrs. Crowell's class...
During Reader’s Workshop, students will focus on reading with fluency and applying comprehension strategies. Encourage your child to visualize the story and make predictions, connections, and inferences as they read. The students will also get to participate in some fun Reader’s Theater performances this month.
Students will continue working on persuasive reviews during Writer’s Workshop. The kids enjoy trying to persuade classmates to share their opinions about a variety of topics. They are learning to write detailed reasons to support their opinions about favorite restaurants, movies, books, and more. During April, students will also learn how to write several different types of poems to celebrate National Poetry Month. We will share our poems with our writing partners.
As we continue Unit 7 of Everyday Math, students will begin to explore geometry concepts. The first graders will also learn about fractions and telling time in Unit 8. Students should continue practicing addition and subtraction facts to prepare for Rocket Math.
During Science, we will begin our final unit on Plants & Animals. Students will love the hands-on activities. We will kick off the unit with a visit from the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday, April 12th.
April is sure to be another busy and exciting month in first grade! We will also make spring projects, learn about Earth Day, and have bring your child to work day!
April Reminders:
4/5- Tie Dye Day
4/12- Favorite Baseball Shirt/Hat Day
4/18- Spring Party
4/19-4/28- Spring Break
March News
Reminders:
3/1- Favorite Book Character Day
3/6- BOE meeting
3/8- Western Day
3/13- Spring Pictures
3/15- Irish for a Day (wear green)
3/19- PTA Meeting 6:30
3/22- Spring Colors Day
3/26-3/29-1:00 Dismissal
3/29- School Spirit Day
During Reader’s Workshop, first graders will kick off the month of March by celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America Week. Students will enjoy reading a variety of books by this well-loved author. We also worked with Mrs. Wonderlin's third graders. We read a Dr. Seuss book with our pal, then we illustrated a scene from the book. We worked really well together. We will see our pals again mid-March so we can create math games. We will also continue to work on tackling tricky words, fluency, and comprehension strategies. Encourage your child to visualize, make connections, share predictions, ask questions, and make inferences as they read books at home. Please make sure your child is reading for at least 10-15 minutes each night and turning in book fish every week!
The first graders are continuing to grow as writers. During March, we will begin our opinion writing unit. The students will judge the collections they brought in and write about their opinions. They will also have the opportunity to write reviews about favorite places, movies, books, and more. Students will learn how to give detailed reasons and examples to support their opinions. The first graders are always excited to share their published work during Author’s Celebration at the end of each writing unit.
During Phonics, we will continue to work with long vowel pairs. It is important for students to recognize the first vowel does the talking and the second vowel is silet. Continue to have your child practice reading and spelling common sight words, as well.
As we continue Unit 6 of Everyday Math, students will work on telling time, addition and subtraction strategies, and place value. We will explore geometry concepts in Unit 7. Please make sure your child is practicing addition facts at home to prepare for Rocket Math.
Our Science unit this month focuses on Sound and Light.The first graders love our FOSS science unit on Sound and Light. The students will continue to enjoy hands-on investigations to learn what causes sound, how to identify sound, what is the difference of loud and soft sounds, and how can we make low-pitched and high-pitched sounds. As for light, we will learn what makes a shadow, how can we use the Sun to create shadows, and what happens when different materials block light.
February News
February is here and it is a short month, but so much to celebrate! We have the Superbowl, Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, 100th day of school, Black History Month, Dental Health month, Chinese New Year, and President's Day!
2/1- Super Bowl Day- wear your favorite football shirt
2/8- Career Day- Dress as what you want to be when you grow up.
2/12- PTA meeting 6:30pm
2/13- Valentine Boxes and valentines due
100th Day of School!
2/14- Wear Red or Pink
2/15- School Spirit Day!
2/18- No School!
2/20- Book Fair- Parent Night
2/22- Neon Color Day
2/25- Dr. Seuss Day- wear stripes or favorite Dr. Seuss attire
2/26- Dress like a "tacky" tourist
2/27- Wacky Wednesday- Dress as wacky as you can
2/28- Wear your pajamas
3/1- Dress like your favorite book character
During Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, the first graders are really enjoying our nonfiction units. The students have turned into experts as they teach others while writing their very own nonfiction chapter books. As we wrap up our informational writing unit, the students will use everything they have learned to publish a favorite piece in a hardcover book. The first graders have also been learning a lot about a variety of topics as they read nonfiction books. We are currently working on research projects on winter animals. The students are broken up into groups of three or four. They are researching, finding information, and then will create a poster. Then they will present to the class. We will also read biographies during the month of February to learn about famous Americans. Students will have the opportunity to interview a classmate and write their own biographies.
During Phonics, we will continue to work with endings. Continue to have your child practice reading and spelling common sight words, as well.
As we continue Unit 5 of Everyday Math, students will learn more about place value concepts, measurement, and comparing numbers. We will be moving into Unit 6 of Everyday math by the middle of the month. Please make sure your child is practicing addition facts at home to prepare for Rocket Math.
At the beginning of the month, we started our next Social Studies unit on Map Skills. During Science, the first graders are going to be enjoying our hands-on sound and light investigations. This will start at the end of the month.
During February, we will also celebrate the 100th Day of School and Valentine's Day. Please make sure your child brings in his/her Valentine's box and cards by February 14th.
December News
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
December Dates to Remember
12/7 Flannel Day
12/8 PTA Breakfast with Santa
12/12 Report Cards, 1st & 4th Grade Chorus Concert - BRHS 7:00
12/14 Festive Friday
12/18 Grinch Day
12/19 Gingerbread Day
12/20 Holiday Party
12/21 Half Day, PTA Pajama Day
12/24-1/1 Winter Break - Happy Holidays!
The students have been working so hard during Writer’s Workshop! We have been learning all of the important features of writing a how to story. We are learning how to use transition words and label our pictures to show what we are teaching. We will continue our how to stories and learn what an introduction and conclusion is to the story. We will also write our own gingerbread story. We will create our own setting, characters, problem, and solution.
In Reading Workshop, we will be reading various books about gingerbread people (Gingerbread Man, Gingerbread Baby, Gingerbread Girl, Gingerbread Cowboy). We will learn the story elements of each story and compare and contrast the different gingerbread stories. In word study, we will continue to review short vowel sounds.
During Phonics Workshop, the first graders have been learning a lot about words during our second unit on the mystery of the silent e. Students are working on spelling words with magic e, vowel teams, and double consonants. We are also going to investigate compound words and contractions during December. As always, please continue to have your child practice reading and spelling sight words.
We will begin Unit 4 in Math. We will be learning about measurement. We will continue to do Rocket Math, a timed test to see if we can beat our personal goal. Please have your child go on to xtramath.org to help reinforce addition facts.
Please make sure your child is completing homework with a pencil and writing neatly. Please make sure you fill out bookfish. Please remember to have your child go on to www.raz-kids.com and read. You may fill out bookfish for books read on Raz-kids. We are keeping track of how many books each student has read. Each student should turn in at least 4 bookfish a week!
In Science/Social Studies, we will be finishing our unit on Air and Weather and we will be studying holidays around the world.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
November News
We are so thankful in Room 211! Thank you to all!
The students have been working so hard during Writer’s Workshop! We have been studying all of the things famous authors do to make their stories so special. Students have been trying out these new craft moves in their own small moment stories. We will have an Author’s Celebration this month to share stories and celebrate all of their hard work as authors. We are learning about the writing of author, Kevin Henkes. The students know terms such as: show not tell, dialogue, and comeback lines. Our next unit will focus on writing “How-to” books. Students will teach others how to do things through their writing. They will use transitions words and learn how to write detailed steps. They will revise their writing and have another author celebration at the end of the month.
During Phonics, we've started our second unit on the mystery of the silent e. Students will learn how to read and spell long vowel words with magic e. We will also continue to learn and memorize new first grade sight words.
During Reader’s Workshop,students are excited to be "word detectives". They are using many strategies to look at words closely and decode trickier words. Students will learn new reading strategies as they continue to grow as readers. Students have been working hard to decode new words when reading. Students are learning to mark interesting parts with post-it notes and talk about books with reading buddies. During November, students will also learn how to pay attention to punctuation and read with fluency and expression. Please make sure your child reads for 10-15 minutes every night and continues to turn in book fish! J
We just got to 900 book fish! Please keep them coming in each and every day!
As we begin Unit 3 of the Everyday Math program, students will continue learning new addition and subtraction strategies. We will also continue to practice solving number stories. The kids have been working hard to memorize addition facts through our Rocket Math program. The ConnectEd website has fun math games your child can play at home to practice math skills.
The first graders love our FOSS science unit on Air and Weather. This month, they will participate in many investigations to learn more about air, wind, clouds, and other weather topics.
November is going to be another busy and exciting month in first grade! I look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you at parent/teacher conferences. happy Thanksgiving to all!
10/1- Wear yellow
10/2- Wear red
10/3- Wear green
10/4- Wear white
10/5- Wear black & gold and your favorite hat
10/8- No school - Teacher Inservice
10/12- Silly Socks Day
10/16- PTA meeting 6:30pm
10/20- Trunk or Treat and Harvest Dance
10/19- BOE meeting 7PM
10/23- Progress reports go home
10/26- Black and Orange Day
10/31- Halloween Parade (10:50) - 1:00 Dismissal
October News
Are you ready for a Spooktacular Month in October? We are been working very hard in all areas of first grade! I am super proud of the students in Room 211!
The first graders are turning into awesome authors during Writer’s Workshop. They are busy writing small moment stories. In September, we focused on gathering ideas, building writing stamina, adding details like our mentor authors, and sharing writing with others. During October, students will learn how to add sensory details to help readers picture the story in their minds. Students will also work on revising and editing a piece for our first Author’s Celebration. We will also start learning about authors as mentors. We will read and write like Kevin Henkes!
Our first unit in Phonics is going very well! We are studying names, using our short vowel power, and identifying blends and diagraphs. We will also continue to work on memorizing first grade sight words. Please practice sight words daily.
During Reader’s Workshop, students have been learning strategies and habits good readers use as they build reading stamina. The first graders have been enjoying choosing “just right books”, reading in their cozy “book nooks”, and reading and discussing books with partners. This month, students will continue building good reading habits and learn how to attack unfamiliar words using decoding strategies. Students will learn the tricky word strategies. The children will be using beanie baby strategies to decode words. The children will mention Eagle Eye, Lips the Fish, Chunky Monkey, Skippy the Frog, and Stretchy Snake. Students will practice these strategies during independent and partner reading. The students will also begin meeting with their guided reading groups.
Book Fish are sure swimming into Room 211! We had over 100 on our first two weeks. Please keep reading and handing them in. Raz Kids will be up and running this month so don't forget to fill in book fish for each book read on Raz Kids.
During Unit 1 of our Everyday Math program, first graders worked on skip counting, counting on and back using the number line, solving number stories, and using and counting tally marks. In Unit 2, students will start exploring addition and subtraction strategies.
During Social Studies, the first graders will continue to learn about American symbols. Students have learned about the American flag, the bald eagle, and the Liberty Bell. In October, students will learn more about famous landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and the White House.
Students will also learn about Christopher Columbus and fire safety this month. At the end of October, we will celebrate Halloween with our annual parade and party! We are very excited this month!
September Dates to Remember
9/5 Meet & Greet - 1:00-2:00
*Please bring all school supplies to Meet & Greet.
9/6 First Day of School for Students
9/13 Back to School Night - 6:00
*Session 1 - 6:10-6:35, Session 2 - 6:45-7:10
9/14 Picture Day
9/18 PTA Meeting - 6:30
9/19 No School
9/28 PTA Bingo 6:30-7:30
Welcome to first grade! We have a very exciting year ahead of us. During the first few weeks of school, we will be busy learning about our classroom procedures and getting to know our new classmates. Throughout the year, first graders will grow tremendously as readers and writers. Please encourage your child to read and write every day! Students will also be exposed to new Math concepts and explore exciting Science and Social Studies topics. First grade is going to be a FANTASTIC year!
May Dates to Remember
5/4 Progress Reports/Star Wars Day
5/11 School Spirit Day
5/15 2nd Grade Chorus Concert
5/18 Grade Level Day - wear blue
5/23 PTA Ice Cream Social & Art Show
5/25 Half Day/ Red, White & Blue Day
5/28 Memorial Day - No School
5/30 1st Grade Field Trip to Howell Living History Farm
May News
During Reader’s Workshop, students will focus on learning more about characters in stories and using comprehension strategies as they read longer books. Encourage your child to visualize the story and make predictions, connections, and inferences as they read. Also, have them discuss the story elements of each story ( setting, characters, problem, and solution). Please keep those book fish coming in as well~
Students have started writing exciting realistic fiction adventures during Writer’s Workshop. The kids enjoy creating their own characters, settings, problems, and solutions. They are learning to include exact actions, dialogue, and feeling to bring their stories to life. At the end of the unit, students will publish their very own hardcover chapter book.
As we continue Unit 8 of Everyday Math, students will learn more about geometry and fraction concepts. The first graders will also continue to practice telling time to the hour and half hour. We will also practice counting money at the end of the month. Students will continue to work on memorizing addition and subtraction facts for rocket math.
During Science, the students are enjoying our Plants & Animals unit. They are learning a lot about each animal group. During May, we will plant grass and seeds to learn more about how plants grow.
The first graders are also excited about our field trip to Howell Living History Farm on Wednesday, May 30th.
April Dates to Remember
3/30-4/4 No School - Spring Break
4/5 & 4/6 School Open (due to snow days)
4/10 PTA Meeting 6:30
4/13 Favorite Baseball Shirt/Hat Day
4/20 Tie Dye Day, PTA Prince & M.I.S.S. Dance 7-8:30
4/23 PTA Trenton Thunder Game 7:00
4/26 Take Your Child to Work Day
4/27 Super Hero Day
April News
Spring has sprung in Mrs. Crowell's class...
During Reader’s Workshop, students will focus on reading with fluency and applying comprehension strategies. Encourage your child to visualize the story and make predictions, connections, and inferences as they read. The students will also get to participate in some fun Reader’s Theater performances this month.
Students will continue working on persuasive reviews during Writer’s Workshop. The kids enjoy trying to persuade classmates to share their opinions about a variety of topics. They are learning to write detailed reasons to support their opinions about favorite restaurants, movies, books, and more. We will also meet with Mrs. Benson's class and share our opinions of a book review. During April, students will also learn how to write several different types of poems to celebrate National Poetry Month. We will share our poems with our writing partners.
As we continue Unit 7 of Everyday Math, students will begin to explore geometry concepts. The first graders will also learn about fractions and telling time in Unit 8. Students should continue practicing addition and subtraction facts to prepare for Rocket Math.
During Science, we will begin our final unit on Plants & Animals. Students will love the hands-on activities. We will kick off the unit with a visit from the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday, April 13th.
April is sure to be another busy and exciting month in first grade! We will also make spring projects, learn about Earth Day, and have bring your child to work day!
March Dates to Remember
3/1 Pajama Day
3/2 Read Across America Day - Dr. Seuss Day
3/9 Western Day
3/10 PTA Purse Bingo
3/13 3rd Grade Chorus Concert
3/15 Go 4 the Goal Event
3/16 Irish for a Day
3/20 Report Cards sent home
3/23 Spring Colors Day
3/26 Half Day, Spring Conferences
3/27 Half Day
3/28 Half Day, Spring Conferences
3/29 Half Day, Spring Party
3/30-4/6 No School - Spring Break
March News
During Reader’s Workshop, first graders will kick off the month of March by celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America Week. Students will enjoy reading a variety of books by this well-loved author. We also worked with Mrs. Wonderlin's third graders. We read a Dr. Seuss book with our pal, then we illustrated a scene from the book. We worked really well together. We will see our pals again mid-March so we can create math games. We will also continue to work on tackling tricky words, fluency, and comprehension strategies. Encourage your child to visualize, make connections, share predictions, ask questions, and make inferences as they read books at home. Please make sure your child is reading for at least 10-15 minutes each night and turning in book fish every week!
The first graders are continuing to grow as writers. During March, we will begin our opinion writing unit. The students will judge the collections they brought in and write about their opinions. They will also have the opportunity to write reviews about favorite places, movies, books, and more. Students will learn how to give detailed reasons and examples to support their opinions. The first graders are always excited to share their published work during Author’s Celebration at the end of each writing unit.
During Word Study, we will continue to work with long vowel patterns. It is important for students to recognize the differences between short and long vowel words when spelling and reading. Continue to have your child practice reading and spelling common sight words, as well.
As we continue Unit 6 of Everyday Math, students will work on telling time, addition and subtraction strategies, and place value. We will explore geometry concepts in Unit 7. Please make sure your child is practicing addition facts at home to prepare for Rocket Math.
Our Social Studies unit this month focuses on Map Skills. Students will learn about the various features of maps and globes. Students will also identify continents, countries, states, and cities to enhance understanding of our location in the world.
February Dates to Remember
2/2 Super Bowl Day
2/9 Camouflage Day
2/14 100th Day of School & Valentine's Day Party
2/16 School Spirit Day
2/19 No School - Presidents' Day
2/21 Book Fair Parent Night 5-7
2/23 Book Fair
February News
February is here and it is a short month, but so much to celebrate! We have the Superbowl, Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, 100th day of school, Black History Month, Dental Health month, Chinese New Year, and President's Day!
During Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, the first graders are really enjoying our nonfiction units. The students have turned into experts as they teach others while writing their very own nonfiction chapter books. As we wrap up our informational writing unit, the students will use everything they have learned to publish a favorite piece in a hardcover book. The first graders have also been learning a lot about a variety of topics as they read nonfiction books. We are currently working on research projects on winter animals. The students are broken up into groups of three or four. They are researching, finding information, and then will create a poster. Then they will present to the class. We will also read biographies during the month of February to learn about famous Americans. Students will have the opportunity to interview a classmate and write their own biographies.
During Word Study, we will continue to work with long vowel patterns. It is important for students to recognize the differences between short and long vowel words when spelling and reading. Continue to have your child practice reading and spelling common sight words, as well.
As we continue Unit 5 of Everyday Math, students will learn more about place value concepts, measurement, and comparing numbers. We will be moving into Unit 6 of Everyday math by the middle of the month. Please make sure your child is practicing addition facts at home to prepare for Rocket Math.
During Science, the first graders are really enjoying our hands-on weather investigations. Ask your child to teach you about clouds, air, and wind. At the end of the month, we will switch to our next Social Studies unit on Map Skills.
During February, we will also celebrate the 100th Day of School and Valentine's Day. Please make sure your child brings in his/her Valentine's box and cards by February 14th.
January Dates to Remember
1/1 No School - Happy New Year!
1/5 Winter Themed Clothing Day
1/12 No School - Staff Inservice
1/15 No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/19 Career Day
1/23 Family Math Night 6:30-8:30
1/25 Jonathan Sprout Assembly
1/26 Disney Themed Day, PTA FROG Dance 7:00
1/31 Progress Reports
January News
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and break! We are starting 2018 by making resolutions and learning how we can be better students in the new year.
During Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, the first graders will begin exploring the wonderful world of nonfiction. Students will read about a variety of topics, identify features of nonfiction text, and learn strategies for remembering information learned. The first graders will also write their very own nonfiction chapter books. Students will include all of the features found in mentor nonfiction texts. At the end of our informational writing, the kids will be able to publish in hardcover books. Please make sure the kiddos are reading and handing in book fish each week. Remember, Raz kids counts as book fish!
During the first few weeks of January, students will review short vowel patterns, digraphs, and blends during Word Study. Afterwards, we will move into long vowel patterns. It is important for students to recognize the differences between short and long vowel words when spelling and reading.
As we continue Unit 4 of Everyday Math, students will learn more about measurement. Students will explore place value concepts in Unit 5. We will use base ten blocks. Please make sure your child is practicing addition facts at home to prepare for Rocket Math.
During Science, the first graders will begin learning all about air and weather. The kids will be sure to love the fun hands-on investigations.
During Social Studies, the firsties will learn about Martin Luther King jr. We will learn what a great man he was to our country.
We will also be reading many winter themed books and doing fun projects for winter.
Stay warm...
December dates to remember
12/1- School Spirit Day
12/2- Holiday Workshop 9am-12pm
12/8- Comfy Day- wear sweats
12/12- Report Cards Distributed
12/13- Holiday Concert
12/15- Holiday Colors Day
12/19- Grinch Day
12/20 Gingerbread Day
12/22- Pajama Day and 1:00 Dismissal
12/23-1/2- School Closed
December News
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
The students have been working so hard during Writer’s Workshop! We have been learning all of the important features of writing a how to story. We are learning how to use transition words and label our pictures to show what we are teaching. We will continue our how to stories and learn what an introduction and conclusion is to the story. We will also write our own gingerbread story. We will create our own setting, characters, problem, and solution.
In Reading Workshop, we will be reading various books about gingerbread people (Gingerbread Man, Gingerbread Baby, Gingerbread Girl, Gingerbread Cowboy). We will learn the story elements of each story and compare and contrast the different gingerbread stories. In word study, we will continue to review short vowel sounds.
We will begin Unit 4 in Math. We will be learning about measurement. We will continue to do Rocket Math, a timed test to see if we can beat our personal goal. Please have your child go on to xtramath.org to help reinforce addition facts.
Please make sure your child is completing homework with a pencil and writing neatly. Please make sure you fill out bookfish. Please remember to have your child go on to www.raz-kids.com and read. You may fill out bookfish for books read on Raz-kids. We are keeping track of how many books each student has read. Each student should turn in at least 4 bookfish a week!
In Science/Social Studies, we will be finishing our unit on Sound/Light and we will be studying holidays around the world.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
November Dates to Remember
10/31 Half Day - 1:00 Dismissal, Halloween Parade 11:00
11/3 Favorite Sweatshirt Day
11/9 & 11/10 No School
11/16-11/22 Half Days - 1:00 Dismissal
11/16 Parent/Teacher Conferences 2-7
11/17 Peter Muschal Shirt Day
11/20 Parent/Teacher Conferences 2-7
11/21 First Grade Pilgrim & Native American Games
11/22 Thanksgiving Colors Day
11/23 No School - Happy Thanksgiving
11/24 No School
November News
We are so thankful in Room 503! Thank you to all!
The students have been working so hard during Writer’s Workshop! We have been studying all of the things famous authors do to make their stories so special. Students have been trying out these new craft moves in their own small moment stories. We will have another Author’s Celebration this month to share stories and celebrate all of their hard work as authors. We are learning about the writing of author, Kevin Henkes. The students know terms such as: show not tell, dialogue, and comeback lines. Our next unit will focus on writing “How-to” books. Students will teach others how to do things through their writing.
Our Word Study patterns focused on short I and short u word families during the month of October. Students will learn short o and short e word families this month. We will also continue to work on memorizing first grade sight words.
During Reader’s Workshop, students will learn new reading strategies as they continue to grow as readers. Students have been working hard to decode new words when reading. Students are learning to mark interesting parts with post-it notes and talk about books with reading buddies. During November, students will also learn how to pay attention to punctuation and read with fluency and expression. Please make sure your child reads for 10-15 minutes every night and continues to turn in book fish! J
We just got to 900 book fish! Please keep them coming in each and every day!
As we begin Unit 3 of the Everyday Math program, students will continue learning new addition and subtraction strategies. We will also continue to practice solving number stories. The kids have been working hard to memorize addition facts through our Rocket Math program. The ConnectEd website has fun math games your child can play at home to practice math skills.
The first graders love our FOSS science unit on Sound and Light. During November, students will continue to enjoy hands-on investigations to learn what causes sound, how to identify sound, what is the difference of loud and soft sounds, and how can we make low-pitched and high-pitched sounds. As for light, we will learn what makes a shadow, how can we use the Sun to create shadows, and what happens when different materials block light.
November is going to be another busy and exciting month in first grade! I look forward to discussing your child’s progress with you at parent/teacher conferences. happy Thanksgiving to all!
October Dates to Remember
10/4 Kastle Kreations Assembly
10/6 Wear Pink Day
10/9 No School - Columbus Day
10/10 PTA Meeting 6:30
10/13 Fall Colors Day, Fire Prevention Assembly
10/20 Silly Socks Day
10/21 PTA Trunk or Treat 5-6:30 & Harvest Dance 7-8:30 Mrs. Crowell will have a trunk decorated!
10/24 Bee Assembly
10/27 Black & Orange Day
10/31 Half Day - 1:00 Dismissal, Halloween Parade 11:00
October News
Are you ready for a Spooktacular Month in October? We are been working very hard in all areas of first grade! I am super proud of the students in Room 503!
The first graders are turning into awesome authors during Writer’s Workshop. They are busy writing small moment stories. In September, we focused on gathering ideas, building writing stamina, adding details like our mentor authors, and sharing writing with others. During October, students will learn how to add sensory details to help readers picture the story in their minds. Students will also work on revising and editing a piece for our first Author’s Celebration. We will also start learning about authors as mentors. We will read and write like Kevin Henkes!
Our Word Study patterns focused on short a word families during the month of September. Students will learn short i and short u word families this month. We will also continue to work on memorizing first grade sight words. Please practice sight words daily.
During Reader’s Workshop, students have been learning strategies and habits good readers use as they build reading stamina. The first graders have been enjoying choosing “just right books”, reading in their cozy “book nooks”, and reading and discussing books with partners. This month, students will continue building good reading habits and learn how to attack unfamiliar words using decoding strategies. Students will learn the tricky word strategies. The children will be using beanie baby strategies to decode words. The children will mention Eagle Eye, Lips the Fish, Chunky Monkey, Skippy the Frog, and Stretchy Snake. Students will practice these strategies during independent and partner reading. The students will also begin meeting with their guided reading groups.
Book Fish are sure swimming into Room 503! We had over 200 on our first two weeks. Please keep reading and handing them in. Raz Kids will be up and running this month so don't forget to fill in book fish for each book read on Raz Kids.
During Unit 1 of our Everyday Math program, first graders worked on skip counting, counting on and back using the number line, solving number stories, and using and counting tally marks. In Unit 2, students will start exploring addition and subtraction strategies.
During Social Studies, the first graders will continue to learn about American symbols. Students have learned about the American flag, the bald eagle, and the Liberty Bell. In October, students will learn more about famous landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and the White House.
Students will also learn about Christopher Columbus and fire safety this month. At the end of October, we will celebrate Halloween with our annual parade and party! We are very excited this month!
September Dates to Remember
9/6 First Day of School
9/12 PTA Meeting 6:30
9/14 Back to School Night 6:00
9/15 Picture Day
9/21 No School
9/27 PTA Room Parent Meeting 7:00
9/29 PTA Bingo 6:30