Dear Families,
Here is our week in review:
Social-Emotional Learning:
The students filled the Bee Hive again for being safe, kind and responsible. This time, our entire school celebrated by running laps around the school in the morning! It is one of our all-time favorite celebrations. So fun!
We reviewed and practiced the different strategies we can use when we encounter particularly challenging tasks or problems at school. With so many end-of-the-year assessments in our classes, it is very beneficial to review perseverance, growth mindset and optimism. We practiced taking mindful breaks in the middle of our assessments as a way to work through challenging sections. Since the whole class practiced these calming techniques together, everyone felt empowered. We also talked about how we all complete tasks at different speeds. Some of us finish quickly, while others take more time.
Reading and Writing:
The students participated in our iReady end-of-the-year assessments this week. This is an online diagnostic tool that assesses phonological awareness, phonics, word study and comprehension. The students also read books with me individually using our Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System This latter assessment measures fluency, accuracy and comprehension. The students did an outstanding job showing a growth mindset and practicing stamina through all of this. I am so proud of them. They have all made tremendous progress in all domains of reading. Thank you for supporting their literacy at home. Please celebrate their hard work at home too!
We had the opportunity to get together with our penpals from Mrs. Benoit’s class this week and “go shopping” for books. The organization “Families as Partners” donated money so the school could purchase four (!) new books for each student at Allen Brook! Thank you so much for this generosity, Families as Partners! The students browsed our brand new books with their penpals and read them together. These books will come home next Friday along with your child’s scrapbook, writing and animal habitat creations.
Here is a link to the School Librarian’s recommended summer reading list for different ages.
First Grade Math:
First grade mathematicians are learning more about 3-dimensional shapes in this month’s Number Corner calendar. Each day, we reveal a new shape which is represented by a real-life object. We have noticed that peanut butter jars, markers, and some of our water bottles look like cylinders! Encourage your child to find real-life examples of rectangular prisms, spheres, cubes and cones at home too!
First grade mathematicians also continued to deepen their understanding of adding a one-digit number to another two-digit number. The students worked on their whiteboards to practice new efficient strategies. They are doing a great job listening actively to each other and having an open mind!
News and Reminders:
We will celebrate our unit on animal habitats and nonfiction writing next Friday. Due to Covid restrictions, we cannot invite families to this special event. This year, we have invited other school staff, teachers and the principal to visit our rooms. If your child wishes to dress up for this party, he/she certainly can. Please keep in mind that we have a regular school day, with outdoor recess. We also cannot accommodate change of clothing during the day. Thanks for your understanding.
We will not have any more homework this school-year. If your child wishes to send in some late assignments and homework sheets, please do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, please keep it at home. Unfinished homework can also stay at home--perhaps your child will do it some time this summer?
Here's a link to this week's Bell
Have a great weekend,
Maria
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