Dear Families,
Here is our week in review:
Social-Emotional Learning:
We focused our work on identifying emotions this week. We practiced labeling them, while recognizing that we can experience conflicting emotions at the same time. Students were encouraged to practice active mindfulness, independently choosing between the different strategies we have practiced since the beginning of the school year. The students choose between desk rests, mindful breathing or using our calming corner to name a few strategies.
We also started discussing the differences between small and big problems. We also discussed how we can help ourselves (and each other) match our reactions to the size of the problem. Small problems have small reactions. Big problems sometimes have bigger reactions. Learning how to anticipate other people’s reactions, by carefully paying attention to their facial expressions, tone of voice and body language help us deal with these situations.
Reading:
We continued reading many different books about interesting and important people in history as part of our Black History Month focus and mini-unit on biographies. We learned more about Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, George Washington, the Wright Brothers and Ruby Bridges. We also read the Red Clover nominated book “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander with Cara Clopton. This book is an illustrated poem, which celebrates courageous and sometimes forgotten leaders, athletes, authors and artists from Black History.
Writing:
The students continued writing their opinion pieces this week. They chose their own topics. Some students chose to write about their favorite singers or activities, while others chose to write about why we need longer recess or lunch! We started celebrating our progress as writers together in an “Authors’ cafe”. An “Authors’ cafe” is a time when the students take turns sharing their written pieces, even if they are not done. The audience carefully listens and provides kind and thoughtful feedback and compliments afterwards. We also clap for each other! What a fantastic group of authors!
First Grade Math:
We continued exploring the concept of equality this week, looking at different equations and expressions. We even used body movements to help us understand equality. We used the language “the same as” and “the same amount” to help reinforce our mathematical understanding.
We used math partners in class. We took turns playing games with our new ordering cards. We compared numbers drawn by using “greater than”, “less than” and “equal to” to share our understanding with each other.
We also played a game called “Is it Equal?” with our new math partners. Ask your child to explain this engaging game.
News and Reminders:
We have a new intern from college in our classroom. Mr. Alex joined our room this week. He will be with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays full-time. Welcome Mr. Alex! We are so excited to have you in our room with us.
For the month of February, your child is encouraged to choose between three reading responses for his/her weekly reading. Your child can choose to write about different story elements, sequence the events in a favorite book, or share interesting facts learned. I look forward to reading these responses on Thursdays. Thank you for sending them in!
Please remember that our google meet links have changed. This a school-wide change to ensure online safety of all students. Please access our online morning meetings from the remote learning schedules. This remote learning schedule is updated and shared weekly. Since we now use a Google Meet Nickname Code, your child needs to type in absmccormack It is a good idea to write this down on a piece of paper and tape it on to your child’s chromebook to help with the spelling. Otherwise, it is also entered in the weekly remote learning schedule.
Our Essential Arts has changed. For the next few weeks, we will have PE on Mondays and Tuesdays and Enrichment on Thursdays and Fridays. Please make sure your child comes to school with weather-appropriate gear as Ms. Porter sometimes will take the children outside for PE. Thank you! Don’t forget to pack hats and mittens. It is cold outside!
Please make sure your child’s chromebook is fully charged for our weekly in-person school days. For the month of February, we will use it almost daily while at school. Thank you for supporting your child’s learning at school.
Here's a link to this week's Bell
Have a great weekend,
Maria
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