Compass Learning

This week is your child's first math homework assignment in Compass Learning.  Here are the steps to access the website:

1.  Visit our classroom blog.  Students have learned how to access this from the Birmingham Public Schools webpage; but you may choose to Bookmark our blog at home.

2.  Click on the Math tab.

3.  Click on the Compass Learning link.

It will take you to this website:

4.  Type in username and password (found on the yellow log-in sheet sent home today).  Type in "Beverly" in the School box.

5.  Click Login

6.  Click the Math Models folder.

7.  Click on the assignment.  This week it is Homework 1: Comparing Numbers

8.  Complete the activities:

Generally we will have a lesson/activity and a quiz following it.  Those 2 parts are required.  So this week, "A Day at the Beach" and "Lesson Quiz."

However, I will also add a challenge activity.  This activity will be taken from the Grade 2 activities that are related to the same concept we are studying.  Your child is not required to do this; it is just an option for those that need a challenge or want to push their thinking further.

Your child is not required to spend more than 20 minutes per night on Compass Learning.  If your child does not finish the required assignments, you can choose to revisit it another night.  If you child finishes all the work in the homework folder with time to spare, he/she may choose another activity from the Math learning path off the home page:

These are activities based on your child's results from our Fall NWEA test.  Compass Learning places activities that your child still needs to learn or to practice in the Math learning path.  Feel free to visit this folder at any time for extra home learning.

Some of the activities on Compass Learning can be challenging, especially if it is something we have not reached yet in our curriculum.  I recommend you sit down with your child to work on these tougher activities together.  The purpose of the program is exposure - I do not expect your child to learn everything he/she needs to know from Compass Learning lessons.  It is just one tool in our tool belt :)  But please do encourage your child to take his/her time and to think about the quiz questions carefully to build good computer habits.  You may even use pencil and paper to support answering those questions.

Any questions, problems, or concerns, please ask!  Happy learning!

P.S.  Your child should WEAR his/her costume to school tomorrow.  There will not be time or space for changing.  Thank you!

Friday, Oct. 31st

Here is a reminder of our festivities this Friday:

Friday, Oct. 31st is a half-day for students. 

9:45  Halloween K-2 Sing-Along

10:15  Costume Parade

10:45-11:45  Classroom Party

12:05  Dismissal

Parents are welcome to watch the sing-along and costume parade.  Parents are also welcome to come to our classroom party. 

Fun on the Farm

We had some fun on the farm!  We learned about some animals, did a corn maze, took a wagon ride, picked some pumpkins, and had some yummy cider and donuts.  Take a look:

Thank you to our parent chaperones!

Reminders and Annoucements

This week, Beverly students attended an informational assembly regarding Beverly Enrichment Programs.  An informational pamphlet and some permission slips will go home with your child tomorrow.  There are some great opportunities for First Grade students.  The video above explains the programs.



Reminders for TOMORROW:

* Students can wear MSU or U of M spirit gear to school!

* ALL students need to bring a lunch to school tomorrow.

* Students should dress accordingly for the farm field trip tomorrow.

NWEA REPORTS
Tomorrow, your child's NWEA Report will also be coming home.  Click here to view more information about this online assessment.  This is just one form of assessment that we use as teachers and it is a snap-shot of how your child performed in September.

This video may also help to explain your child's progress report.  We can discuss this information further at conferences in November.



School Start Time
The first bell rings at 8:44 am.  At that time, First Grade teachers meet students and walk them down to the classroom.  We begin learning right away! :)  We take care of our materials and get started with practicing Dolch Words, Word Study sorts, Book Shopping, and reading.  This is an important time for students to get settled in for the school day and to practice important skills and routines.  By 9:05, we are cleaning up in order to start Morning Meeting, which is quickly followed by Math Workshop.

When students frequently arrive late, even by 5 minutes, it is difficult for them to complete these important morning routines on time.  For example, book shopping (a student's time to select books to read for the week) happens one day per week for each student;  if that student is late to school, he/she misses that time that is needed to select books and it pushes into other valuable time in the day.  Please make every effort to get your child to school on-time - ready to walk down with the class each morning at 8:44.  Thanks for your support and commitment to our classroom.

Raz Kids is Here!

Raz Kids is up and running for our classroom!  For your Tech Task this week, you will practice using Raz Kids at home.  Here is what your child should do:

1.  Click on the Literacy tab at the top of the Blog.

2.  Under "Literacy Links" click the first purple link "Raz Kids."

3. Type "mrsaylsworth" (no spaces) as the teacher name.

4. Click on student name.

There are no passwords.  Students should only be clicking on their name.  If problems arise with this system, please let me know.

5.  Click "Your assignment."

There is a set of leveled books for your child to practice with at home.  Underneath each book, you will see these symbols:

Your child should FIRST click the ear to listen to a reading of the entire text.

THEN, your child should click the eye to read the book him/herself.  Your child can click on underlined words for help, if needed.

LAST, your child can click the question mark to take a short comprehension quiz on the book.  When all questions are answered, he/she can click done to complete the book process.

Please support your child in completing ALL steps for each book.  I have noticed during practice that some students were jumping around to different parts or skipping through the listen to reading quickly.  To be most effective, we want to use each part of the process carefully and in order.  Thanks for your support in reinforcing this practice.

So... what if your child's level doesn't match where he/she ended last year?  I assigned beginning levels based on the data given from the Kindergarten teachers and my beginning experiences in reading with your child.  We are currently working on assessing student benchmark reading levels and when that process is complete, I will re-adjust levels as needed.

RECORDING

When your child is reading the book, considering recording the reading.  Use this button to record:

Your child can then listen back to his/her reading.  This can be a great experience for noticing elements of fluency or for catching mistakes in reading.  Give it a try! :)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

* We are still in-need of one parent volunteer to help with our Dolch Word Testing this Thursday.  Please click under parent links ---> to sign up:

* On Friday, Oct. 24, your child needs to BRING A LUNCH to school.  We will be eating early in our classroom so that we can leave for our field trip.  Remember chaperones, you will meet us there. Thank you!

* MICHIGAN vs. MICHIGAN STATE TAILGATE

So I hear this is a pretty big deal around here :)  So on Friday, your child can wear Michigan or Michigan State gear in support of their team!  First Grade will be doing some activities this week to get into the spirit!   GO BLUE!

HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

Friday, Oct. 31st is a half-day for students.  Here is our schedule for that morning:

9:45  Halloween K-2 Sing-Along

10:15  Costume Parade

10:45-11:45  Classroom Party

12:05  Dismissal

Writer's Workshop

Well, these First Grade writers sure have been busy!  In our first unit of study, we work on the idea that First Grade writers tell stories about themselves on paper, we learn workshop routines, and we build our understanding of the writing process.  During our Writer's Workshop each day, we first gather together to learn something new about writing in our mini-lesson.  This is a time that I model things that writers do and we explore how we could apply it into our own writing.
Here are some of the topics of our mini-lessons so far:
* Writers tell stories on paper
* Writers generate ideas for stories by thinking about people, places, and activities that are important to them.
* Writers tell stories, rather than naming the parts.
* Writers include setting and characters.
* Writers touch and tell to make a plan before writing
* Writers use a stretching pen to get more writing done
* When you're done, you've just begun!  Writer's add to the pictures, add to the words, then start a new piece.
* Writers add feelings to their stories to give it heart.
* Writers write stories with a beginning, a middle, and an end.
* First Grade writers record pictures first to save their story
* Writers add labels to give their reader more information
* Writers write stories that stay in 1 place.
* Writers add pages to tell more parts.

After the mini-lesson, students go out to practice writing.  Students are working on all different parts of the writing process and I use this time to conference with students in order to push their writing skills forward.  These conferences look different with each students and depends on what that writer needs at that time.  Students generally write between 20-30 minutes each day.

Then comes sharing.   We gather back on the carpet to share our hard work.  Sometimes we highlight 1-2 students that worked on something specific and sometimes all students share with a partner.  We help each other becoming betters writers by giving noticings and wonderings.  It might sounds like, "I notice... (you added feeling, you labeled, you added lines to your picture to show sound, etc.).  And, "I wonder... (what is your dog's name, what did you eat for dinner, if you could tell me more about...).

So, here's an example of the work we do:

Kyra wrote a story about going to the movies with her dad:

The first time she wrote this page, she wrote, "Then we take a seat and we watched the movie."  However, with the helping a wondering (I wonder what movie you watched?) she added to the words.

During our mini lesson on making stories stay in one place, students took out their writing to look for stories that did not stay in one place.  Krya found this piece.  So... we helped her change her ending to help it stay in one place!  Take a look:

She writes, "The last part of the movie was great.  They fight like brothers."

What great work!

The purpose of stories that stay in one place is to get First Grade writers to zoom in and focus on the story.  With this change, Kyra was able to give more details about the true idea of her story - going to the movies with her dad.

We are now wrapping up the end of our first unit.  So we are "fixing and fancying" up our writing to get it ready to share with others.  Last week, each writer chose an important piece that they feel proud of, worked hard on, and/or is special.  Take a look of partners giving noticings and wonderings to help each other add to the pictures and words:

Next week, we will work on:

*Re-reading the words to make sure they make sense

*Adding color and details

*Publishing Party!  Students will share their published pieces with a small group of students

Want to learn more about First Grade writing and get ideas for home?

Here are some extra resources for you:

Why is my kid allowed to make spelling mistakes?

Get Inspired at Home with Photo Writing

First Grade Writing Milestones

To piggy-back of the spelling article above, one part of our First Grade work that will support spelling is our Dolch Word routine and Word Study sorts.  On our new Literacy page (click the tab at the top of the Blog),  you can see that I have added ideas and resources for practicing Dolch Words at home.  I will continue to add new ideas as I find them, so keep checking and switching up the ways you practice at home!  And keep sorting!

I have also added our Dolch Word Volunteering sign up link to the right-hand sidebar --->
This system only works with parent volunteers to help, so sign up for your slot today! :)

Chaperones & Dolch Volunteers

CHAPERONES:

Thank you to everyone interested in chaperoning our field trip to Bowers School Farm next Friday.  The following 6 chaperones have been randomly selected:

Andrea O'Rourke

Elyssa Sardy

Lance Morgan

Kecskemeti Family Parent

Brooks Family Parent

Kylee Froling

There will be other opportunities for chaperoning, if you were not selected this time, and thank you for your support!

We will be sharing a bus with Mrs. Copp's First Grade, so unfortunately there will not be room for chaperones on the bus.  We are asking that chaperones meet us at the farm instead.  Plan to arrive around 12:15, so that you can be there when we arrive.  Click the link above to find the address and further information about the farm.

Chaperones will be responsible for a group of students, taking students to the bathroom if needed, etc.  Thank you for your time!

DOLCH WORD VOLUNTEERS:

We are in-need of 2 volunteers each Thursday morning to support the Dolch Word Study system.  Volunteers are asked to come in at 8:44 when the bell rings. There will be two folders on our outside table. Volunteers take a folder and come in to get their first child on the list. The child brings their home communication folder with them out in the hall and you begin assessing them on their words. When they are finished, you get the next child until you are done with the class list.  With 2 volunteers, the process takes about one hour.Thank you for volunteering and I look forward to seeing you soon! 

Here is the link to our online sign-up:

Dolch Word Sign Up Genius

Words Their Way

Welcome to another week.  This week, First Grade begins Words Their Way, which is our word study program.  Unlike Dolch Words, this program focuses on internalizing word and spelling patterns (not memorizing specific words).  Students are differentiated into groups and classrooms according to their spelling needs.  Today your child met with his/her teacher and class.  Word Study classrooms learned about their first word pattern of study and practiced a word sort with that pattern.

Each week, your child will receive a new word sort on Monday for home.  You will support your child at home in learning that word pattern throughout the week (see pink explanation sheet sent home today for ideas).  Today, your child should practice sorting at home.  It should look like this:

1.  Cut picture/word cards and locate the title pieces to the sort.

2.  Sort picture/word cards, saying each card out loud. 

3.  Check the sort by going through and reading each picture/word card aloud, to ensure that cards were sorted properly.

Keep the sort pieces in a safe place at home (plastic ziploc bag works well) - this sort does not get returned to school.


BEE A READER ASSEMBLY
The celebratory assembly for the summer reading program is this Wednesday, October 15th.  It will be 2:30-3:30 in the Gym.

Dolch Word Updates & Tech Task

Every morning, we have been practicing our Dolch Words from 8:44 - 9:05 in fun and hands-on ways.  Each day, a table gets a different station that rotates throughout the 5 days.  Take a look:

Whiteboards

Write each word 3 times!

Computer

Type each word 3-5 times

Magnetic Letters

Build each word once and record in their Word Study Journal.

They even record the consonants in blue and the vowels in red :)

Rainbow Write

Write each word in 3 different colors.  The kiddos write right over the top of the word with the colors so it looks like a rainbow.

Sand

Kiddos write each word 3 times in the sand box with their index finger.

The great part about this system is that it is differentiated for your child.  Your child is practicing the words that he/she needs to practice :)  Remember, that the goal with these words is being able to read (and eventually write) the word automatically (quickly) and correctly the first time.  The Dolch Words are not words that we want to spend time sounding out.  In fact, many cannot be sounded out.  They are simply words your child needs to know quick as a snap! :)  That way, your child can focus his/her attention on more the more challenging words he/she may encounter in texts.  This supports reading fluency.
Click here to read a short article on reading fluency and other ways to support it at home.

Tomorrow, your child will be tested on 5 the words that he/she has been practicing since last Friday and will continue on in the list to discover 5 new words.  If your child does not read a word on the current list automatically, then you may see that word re-appear for another week.  You should see a new post-it tomorrow in the back of your child's folder, with his/her new words to start practicing.  Remember, please keep the post-it and recording sheet in the back of your child's folder.  Thank you!

I can tell all of our hard work is paying off because today we "crowned" our first reading stamina kind and queen!  Take a look:

These two readers were spotted reading the whole time and demonstrating good reading habits during our Read to Self time in Reader's Workshop.  Way to go!  Looking forward to who else may be inspired tomorrow.

TECH TASK

Did you happen to see information regarding TumbleBooks come home in your child's folder this week?  What a great opportunity for your Tech Task this week!

Here is what you do:

1.  Visit the Beverly Homepage

2.  Click on Media Center in the left-hand sidebar

3.  Click on Online Resources (under "Webpages" on right-hand side of page)

4.  Click the TumbleBooks icon.

Explore the site and find some good books to read online.  Teach your child how to get to the site.  Feel free to use this as one option for your child's 20 minutes of reading time.  Have fun!

Reader's Workshop

What have we been doing in Reader's Workshop?  Well, we sure have been busy learning routines!

As mentioned at Curriculum Night, we First Grade uses a Reading Workshop model for reading instruction.  It begins with a whole-group mini-lesson in which we learn reading habits and learn to think like readers.  Here are some of what we have focused on so far:
* Reading memories
* Favorite books
* Favorite topics to read
* Being a book lover by caring for books
* Using the library
* Read to self
* Good reading habits
* 3 Ways to Read a Book:  Read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story.
* How to choose just-right books
* Building reading stamina
* Stepping back into our reading when we get distracted
* Choosing a reading spot
* Making a plan for reading
* Shopping for books

After our mini-lesson, students go out to practice what they have learned.  This is what it looks like:

Looks comfortable!

Reading the whole time.

]

Cool reading spot!

You also can notice that she has a "plan" for her reading.  She has stacked her books in order of what she plans to read.  Then as she completes them, she puts them back in her book box.

This week, we have begun to learn how to Buddy Read.  We learned to sit EEKK (Elbow to Elbow, Knee to Knee) with our buddy, so we can both see and read the book.  We learned this poem:

Elbow to Elbow

Knee to Knee

I read to you

You read to me.

Elbow to Elbow

Knee to Knee

Book in the middle

So we both can see!

Here are our ideas from today as to what Buddy Reading looks and sounds like:

Each day, students will do both read to self and buddy reading.  While they read, I confer with readers to deliver teaching points that fit what each reader needs.  We may work on word-solving strategies, self-monitoring for reading accuracy, or have comprehension discussions.  During this time, I also pull small groups to deliver guided reading instruction.

At the end of our workshop, we gather back together to share how we worked on our reading habits, strategies, and thinking.

So, how can you support your child at home?  Use that daily 20 minute reading time to reinforce these reading habits at home.  Here are some ideas:

* At least one day a week, have your child read to self.  Talk to your child about building his or her reading stamina - maybe use a timer!

* Go to the library to "book shop" for just-right books!

A just-right book is a book that is at a reading level that helps your child to grow as a reader.  The books should not be too easy that your child can read every word fluently and does not need to do much thinking to understand the book.  The books should also not be too hard that your child struggles over many words (so reads very slowly) and struggles to understand the book.  Here is an article and some images that may help you: 

Selecting Just-Right Books

Five Finger Rule