Dear Families,
As many of you have already heard, the schools in our district will be closed on April 8th due to the solar eclipse. Your child has a set of eclipse glasses for this amazing event inside their Home Folders (or book bags if they did not return their Home Folders). More information about the solar eclipse can also be found in the Wildcat Buzz this week.
Here is our week in review:
Social-Emotional Learning:
This week, first graders talked about how we can collaborate with others and focus on compromising in writing and choice time. The students were encouraged to share their ideas and thinking and reach a compromise to find a common solution. During choice time, the students worked together to make a plan and collaborate during play-time while navigating several stations and choices.
The students worked with Ms. Nicole too. We reviewed the different strategies we have learned for showing self-control and respect. We focused on the importance of not distracting peers in their learning. Shouting out, yelling or making loud noises are unexpected behaviors. Allowing others to speak without being interrupted, feeling safe and navigating our school building with safe, calm bodies are choices we should all strive towards mastering.
You Can:
You can support your child’s self-control at home too. Think about how you can facilitate your child’s emerging skills as your child encounters a situation or task that feels challenging or unfamiliar. Having a solid understanding of these strategies and skills can help our young learners develop better stamina, self-esteem and sense of control. Every day for example, we review a special breathing activity for finding those mindful moments. We also encourage our young learners to find a quiet spot, or use some positive self-talk. In our classroom, we also practice restorative chats and circles as a way to resolve conflicts, repair harm and create positive relationship-building skills. Ask your child for a favorite, “go-to” strategy. I am confident your child can teach you some of the skills and strategies we’re learning at school.
Reading:
This week, first grade readers continued working on fluency and small group work. Miss Addie continued reading the Magic Tree House. First grade readers were encouraged to develop independent reading skills during times that they are not with a teacher. This week, first graders learned to navigate some new stations during these independent times.
First grade readers also practiced reading decodable texts and word lists. They are encouraged to read every day to develop self-esteem and confidence as readers. Decodable texts are great for practicing these skills since the words can be “sounded out” since they reflect the skills we have been working on in class.
You can:
You can support your child’s reading at home by encouraging your child to read independently every day. Not only will your child develop reading skills and reading confidence, your child will have opportunities to practice self-control and problem-solving skills.
Writing:
This week, first grade writers learned what fiction and nonfiction books are. We worked on learning how to figure out which books are fiction and which are nonfiction. We created an anchor chart to define those two genres and even participated in a book sort in small groups!
You Can:
Are you reading a wide variety of books at home? Consider having conversations about different types of books with your child. Ask your child to explain what makes one book a fictional story while another book is nonfiction. Go on a book hunt in your bookcase or at the library. Collect a few of each genre and compare.
Math:
This week, first grade mathematicians continued working on problem-solving strategies when working with their math partners and making independent work choices. In our classroom, we say “Let’s compromise” to get ready for our problem-solving steps.The students have practiced choosing between a variety of strategies to solve problems while staying focused on math learning. They are getting very comfortable with choosing between “rock-paper-scissors-shoot”, “eeny-meeny-miney-moe”, “the 3 firsts rule” and “being a flexible and kind friend”. Ask your child to explain more.
First grade mathematicians continued working on the mathematical concepts of equality. They also had the opportunity to show their understanding in our end-of-the unit assessment. Next week, we’re diving into adding three numbers and more place value concepts. Stay tuned.
You can:
You can support your child’s developing understanding of problem-solving by encouraging your child to compromise at home too. Consider using our steps (or even better, create your own that fit your family) and encourage your child to compromise when two parties disagree. Perhaps you are getting ready to play a boardgame but there is a disagreement about which board game to play. Use the strategies to compromise. There are countless situations during the day at home when children (and adults) compromise. Celebrate and praise your child when he/she is showing self-regulation and a willingness to let somebody else decide the task or the outcome.
News and Reminders:
Ms. Addie will start her solo weeks on Monday. She will be the lead teacher for the next couple of weeks and I will be a supporting teacher in the classroom. We are so proud of Ms. Addie and excited for her. We are confident she will do great!
The is no school on Monday, April 8th (solar eclipse)
There is no school on April 10th (Eid al Fitr Holiday)
There is no school April 22-26 (Spring break)
Please see this message from the WCS Theater:
WCS Theater Presents:
THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it's every father's nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met.
Ticket Sale Link: https://willistoncentral.seatyourself.biz
Have a great weekend,
Maria
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