Sunday, September 16, 2018

Family Newsletter

Dear Families,
Another week has passed.  We had some extra outside time this week due to this warm and sunny weather.  It is supposed to last over the weekend.  I hope everyone gets a chance to go outside.  It will get colder before we know it....









ABS Picture Day:
Don't forget we have our annual ABS School Picture Day on Tuesday next week.  Our class will be photographed early in the morning.  Please return the photo order packets if you and your family is interested in having additional pictures taken for home.  Thank you.

ABS Curriculum Night:
We have our annual ABS Curriculum Night next week on Thursday, starting in Harmony House at 6:30.  The teachers on house will share various aspects of our curriculum and answer any questions you might have regarding school, homework and your child's day here at ABS.  Please join us.  As stated before, we understand if you cannot make it.  I will share all information in the weekly newsletters as we cover the curriculum in class and send home any pamphlets handed out.

Science:
We started science in our class this week.  We learned about the scientific method and what it means to be objective in science.  We also talked about how scientists use their senses when making observations.  Lastly, the students learned about the importance of asking questions, making sense and drawing conclusions from data collected.  Next week, the students will practice these inquiry skills in different stations.

Math:
First grade mathematicians are settling in nicely to their new math class and routines.  They just finished their first full week of school with a full hour and 5 minutes of math every day!!!
In addition to building a community of learners together and learning new routines, first graders are also exploring parts of numbers and how we can use different strategies to solve simple equations.  Next week, students will continue to explore the partners to 10, 10 and some more and how the decade sequence 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 can help us solve more complex math problems.







Writing:
The students continued to explore different types of writing in our writer's workshop classes.  This week, we learned about letter writing.  Ms. Jess, my intern last year, sent the class an autographed copy of a books about the Iditarod.  We started a collaborative letter to her.  Some students got to try writing their own letters too.  They should be in your child's Friday folder.  Some students chose to continue their other stories this week.

Reading:
Ms. Kendal subbed for me one day this week when I started reading assessments with the students.  At our school we use the Fountas & Pinnell assessment system and get a reading level for the students based upon their reading accuracy, reading fluency and comprehension.  I will continue next week.  These results will be shared with you at conference times in October when we are scheduled to meet.  In the meantime, please make sure you and your family find time every night to read together.  Sharing a book any time of the day helps build solid relationships, literacy skills and a love of learning.  Thank you.
We will start reading homework next week, ie reading logs will come home for the first time in next week's Friday folder.

Technology:
The students learned to log into their chromebooks and how to take care of them here at school.  Our new Digital Learning Leader, Mrs Pius, joined our class.  We signed a pledge and came up with rules and expectations around using them.  Ms Wilson, our Technology Integration Specialist, also joined the class to discuss digital safety.  The students learned to only use school computers for school related tings, such as sharing what has been learned, or visiting web-sites or platforms that your teacher approves of.  School computers are not used for games or private emailing.





Ms Kendal and Permission slip:
Ms. Kendal is asking for your written permission for the work she is doing with your child here at school and the pictures/photos she might be using as part of her portfolio for UVM.  There is a form in your child's Friday folder this week.  Please read it over and sign it if you feel comfortable with this.  Return as soon as possible.  Thank you.

ABS Buzzy Celebration:
The students at ABS filled the buzzy jar.  We celebrated with a dance party in the court yard.









I hope you have a great weekend.

Maria

1 comment:

  1. What a beautiful day to be out in the nature and learn! So many creative ways to learn math. We appreciate you immensely for all the creative and organic ways of teaching our children. We are so proud of your class! We are so proud of you!
    Jiyon

    ReplyDelete