3/9 - 3/13

This week, we will have a busy week getting ready for student-led conferences next week!

MATH:  This week we are continuing to explore 2-D shapes.  We are learning how shapes are the same and different from each other.  We will also learn to make new shapes by combining other shapes.

Making triangles with different length sides

WORD STUDY:  For this week, word study lessons will begin on Tuesday (instead of Monday).  On Tuesday, your child will receive his/her home sort for home practice (it is not included in the homework log this week).  Keep an eye out!

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
This week, we are working on a special powerpoint presentation to present at our student-led conferences.  In this, each student is reflecting upon our subject areas.  We can't wait to present them to you next week!

INSECT PROJECTS
READING:  This week, we are continuing our research on our insects.  We will research habitat, life cycle, and interesting facts about our insect.  Have your child check out Pebble Go at home to learn a little more about his/her insect.
WRITING:  This week we will begin taking our research about insects and compiling it into a non-fiction All About Book.  We will learn about the parts of an All About book and how to organize our information into chapters or sections.
HOME PROJECT:  Please see the homework log this week for a description of the INSECT MODEL project that will go along with your child's in-class work.  Your child may use a variety of materials to create this model at home: construction paper, papier-mâché, tissue paper, paints, clay, play dough, household items, etc.  We will display them at student-led conferences.  Get creative! :)
THIS MODEL WILL BE DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH.

Researchers searching for information on beetle habitats

SOCIAL STUDIES: MAPPING PROJECT
This week, we are working on creating maps of important places in our lives.  We will compile our maps in a book of maps to present to you at student-led conferences.  Your child will have two maps to create at home:  (1) Bedroom map & (2) Neighborhood map.  Check out the project description in your child's homework log.  To create these maps, your child will need to:
* include a map title
* consider space & location
* use symbols to represent other things
* create a map key to tell what symbols mean
* use important labels
If your child would like to do more maps to include in his/her book, please feel free to get creative! (I will send out the template via email for more copies).
MAPS ARE DUE MONDAY, MARCH 16TH.

Working on our first map:  A Map of our Hearts <3

IMPORTANT DATES:
*Monday, March 26th: Report Cards go home
*Thursday, March 19th: HALF DAY for Student-Led Conferences (1-4, 5-8 pm)
Remember, you are signing up for the initial 10 minute time-slot, which begin at the teacher center.  Then your child will lead you to other centers from there.  Please plan to attend for 30-40 minutes.
Click here to sign up!

3/2-3/6

A few days late of my goal but here's this week's update!

MATH:  In math we dabbled in some 2 digit-addition early this week by using base ten blocks.  We will return to this tricky topic.  We have also been continuing to work on the idea of ten more and ten less.  This week we also started our Geometry Unit!  We learned to identify open and closed shapes and to identify a shapes sides and corners.  In thinking about the sides, we learned there are different types of lines that make up the sides of shapes: straight, curved, and slanted.

Explore sides, corners, and lines.

 Place Value Puzzles

Ten More, Ten Less Puzzles

WRITING:  In writing we have been working on adding to our how-to writing pieces.  We used the questions how?, where?, and why? to add to each step.  We learned to add a closing, a tip,  and labels to the pictures to be more clear.

WORD STUDY:  First Grade groups met again this week.  Have you been working on your sorts at home?  Remember go here for ideas.

READERS WORKSHOP:  This week we learned what to do when the buddy we are reading with makes a mistake.  We can say, "Check that!"  Then we can talk about what makes sense, sounds right, and looks right.  When your child makes a mistake reading at home, try saying, "Check that!" to start the conversation.
We also began a new adventure in our study of non-fiction.  We began insect research projects!  We all chose insects we are interested in learning more about.  We thought about what we already know and what we wonder about that insect.  Then, we began reading about it!  This week, we searched our books for information about the food our insect eats and its body structures.  Our First Grade researchers really dove right in!

SOCIAL STUDIES:  This week we began exploring our maps.  Thank you for sending in so many wonderful examples.  I'm hanging onto them for a few more days as we continue to explore.  We have began noticing and learning about parts of the map, such as the Compass Rose, symbols, and the map key or legend.  We have also noticed that maps show all different kinds of places.  Want to continue the learning at home?  Check out Mapzone!

NEW TO OUR CLASSROOM:  OUT OF THIS WORLD WORK BOARD
This is a place we use to recognize hard and above and beyond work in our classroom!  Congrats David, Parker, and Ella for your work this week!

IMPORTANT DATES
*Friday, March 13th: Boys & Learning, Beverly Bobcat Parent Academy 8:00-8:45 AM, Art Room
*Monday, March 16th: Report Cards go home
*Thursday, March 19th: Student-Led Conference 1-4 & 5-8 pm (see email for more information).  This is a half-day of school.

SCHOOL EVENTS
*March is Reading Month: Readbox!
Please read the email flyer for a description but use the Beverly Media Center website to record books.

Re-Capping 2/23-2/27

Our first week back was busy and successful!  We changed seats (always exciting) and dove right back into our learning.  Here's a re-cap:

MATH:  We continued our work around Place Value by learning how to write numbers in different ways, including expanded form (i.e. 45 = 40 + 5).  We also learned how to compare 2-digit numbers, to order numbers from least to greatest & greatest to least, to count by tens from any number using our 120 number grid (i.e. 2, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62. etc.), and to find 10 more and 10 less of a number.

 Writing Numbers in Different Ways

We also introduced a new routine into our daily math workshop: Fact Practice!  Our mathematicians choose a group of cards that work on a specific addition or subtraction strategy (i.e. doubles, tens partners, doubles plus 1, etc.).  Then they work with a partner or by themselves to review the facts quickly:

Take a listen:

WRITING:  We have been working on procedural non-fiction writing in our How-To unit.  We read how-to books to notice what elements our writing should have and generated ideas as to what we were experts in for our writing topics.  Then we learned to picture the steps and plan out the steps by staying them out-loud and touching and telling our paper.  We learned to sketch pictures to show each step and to use clear words while writing each step.

WORD STUDY:  This week we did some word study within our own classroom by learning about compound words.  Compound words are two words (that have their own meaning) being put together to form a new word (with new meaning).  These words go great along with our chunky monkey reading strategy!  We found compound words within our reading and practiced making and sorting compound words.  Want to continue the learning at home?  Click here to play some online compound word games!

READING WORKSHOP:  This week we focused on solving tricky words within our non-fiction reading.  We discussed 3 questions that can help us decide upon and check tricky words while we read:  What makes sense?  What looks right? and What sounds right?  We are becoming such skilled readers! :) As your child reads at home, make sure you incorporate these important questions into your word-solving.

SCIENCE:  This week our butterflies hatched out of the chrysalis!  We spent some time observing their adult form and writing about it.  We also observed the adult darkling beetle.  It has been really neat to see our insects grow and change.

NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR CLASSROOM:

* This week, I introduced some new positive behavior reinforcement in our classroom: Beverly Bobcat notes!  You may have seen these coming home:

Throughout the day I take the time to recognize students who are working hard to follow the rules of our classroom and to be a leader for others.  It's just a small way to recognize students and for you to know at home when your child is working so hard :)  These may be fridg-worthy!

* CLOSING MEETING:  We have changed our end of the day routine to incorporate a little more structure and a closing meeting.  This is a positive and fun way to bring an end to our day.  We may celebrate our accomplishments that day, play a fun game or activity, share about a component of our day, etc.  It's a great way to build community in our classroom and hopefully the kiddos have enjoyed it thus far! :)

*Each week, each Tuesday you can plan to see an update such as this that will give you a run-down of our week.  I hope this helps to keep you informed!

THING WE NEED THIS UPCOMING WEEK:

* We are beginning our Social Studies unit around Mapping.  We will begin by exploring examples of maps.  Please send some examples of maps from your home that we might take a look at by TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD.  Make sure to attach your child's name to the map, so that it may be returned.  Thank you!

* We are in need of some extra snacks for our classroom.  If you can donate and send in individually-wrapped packages of snack (i.e. pretzels, raisins, goldfish, crackers, etc.), that would be wonderful!  Thank you!

* Remember, this Friday, March 6th, is a half-day for students!

Fun with Place Value

We have been working hard in place value during Math Workshop.  We have been learning to count, represent, and talk about numbers in terms of tens and ones.

Our mathematical practices are really coming along:

(Note Puzzled Penguin's talking bubbles: "I did not know that," and "Ohh!"  Too cute!)

Working as a group to count a number in terms of tens and ones.

Here, they are labeling the parts of the number.

Build to 101

Our First Graders roll a die and take the number of ones or tens to represent that number.  They add it to their place value mat, count the number, and write it.  Then each student reports his/her number to the group by using a math talk card and the language tens and ones.  The first to reach 101 wins!

Listen to our math talk during Place Value Cover Up:

Want to practice place value at home?  Check our our math learning links and play the games under Number and Operations in Base Ten.

Items of Note for Next Week:

* Addition and Subtraction Strategies quizzes will go home on Monday.  Take a look and talk them over with your child.  

* We are in need of Dolch Volunteers for next week.  Please sign up here if you can help: Dolch Volunteer Sign Up

The following times will work: Wednesday at 2:00 pm, Thursday morning or 2:00 pm, and Friday morning or 2:00 pm.  Thank you!

Enjoy Mid-Winter Break!

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable mid-winter break!  Thank you to all of the families who planned, supported, and attended our Valentines Day celebration.  Here are some pictures from our celebrations last week:

101 Day of School!

Valentines Crafting

Looking for ideas to keep your child busy over the break?  Here's a few:

* Compass Learning

* Raz-Kids

* Daily reading

* Our Math Learning Links

* Arts & crafts

Here are a few parent links for you all:

20 Simple Lego Projects

7 Things You Should Be Doing As You're Reading Aloud To Your Child

100 Books for First Graders to Read

See you in a week!

Snow Day Activities: Compass Learning Assignment

Hello Families,

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm on our snow day.  Maybe even building a few snowmen or snow forts?!

Need some activities to keep your child busy today?  Consider working on your Valentines Mailbox! I have also assigned our Compass Learning Math Models assignments for this week.  Students will be working on adding and subtracting by making a ten first.  This is a tricky strategy, so I recommend that your child start to learn about it today via Compass Learning.
This assignment is listed as  "+-Making a Ten."

A few notes for this week:
* Remember Wednesday is a Delayed Start.  School begins at 10:19 am for students.
* I will be out of the classroom on Thursday and Friday of this week.  Any last minute changes for dismissal on these days should be directed to the Office.  Thank you!
* Monday, Feb. 9th is our music concert rehearsal.  If you have not yet submitted your child's permission slip, please do that as soon as possible.  Thank you!

In math, we have been transitioning into our study of Place Value.  Here are a couple videos for your to enjoy:

Valentine's Day Family Project

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we will be celebrating on Friday, February 13th!

First, your child has a FUN family project to complete at home... the task is to construct a Valentines mailbox!  There are a plethora of ideas online, but I found some great examples:
14 Creative Valentine Box Ideas
20 Valentine Card Holders
Puppy Dog Mailbox
Valentines Mailbox
Cereal Box Valentine Holder

This project will take some time but it will be worth it! :)  Get creative and have some fun!

A note is also going home explaining the project, with a list of names for our classroom on the back.  Your child may address Valentine's for all the students in our classroom - what a great way to practice writing names with a capital letter at the beginning and lowercase for the rest! :)


Your child needs to bring his or her mailbox & valentines to school on or before Friday, February 13th.  Happy constructing!