Dear Families,
We had a great week together at ABS. A highlight this week was visiting the Book Fair! Thank you parents for talking to your children at home about our ABS expectations. It was a huge success!
Here is our week in review:
Social-Emotional Learning:
This week we focused on ways in which we can show a growth mindset at school. The students reviewed how they can use “the power of yet” to turn statements such as “I can’t do it” into more positive statements such as “I can’t do it yet”. They practiced how they can “train their brains” into approaching challenges with patience, resilience and a positive attitude. They also practiced how it is okay to make mistakes because mistakes lead to new learning. In math, for example, the students also celebrated with each other when they practiced having a growth mindset. They learned that effort and a positive attitude can go a long way.
The students filled the classroom buzzy jar for being safe, kind, and responsible. This time, they celebrated with extra choice/play time.
We had another restorative circle with Ms. Nicole this week too. This time, the students learned more about the importance of being tolerant and kind when other people share a different opinion and perspectives on a particular topic/issue. To practice our unique differences, the students drew pictures of an unfinished piece to show their creativity and imagination.
You Can:
You can support your child’s growth mindset at home too. Some of the skills we worked on this week were:
Training your brain to try different things
Mistakes lead to new learning
I can’t do it yet, but with effort I can!
Consider encouraging your child to use strategies to self-regulate when things get hard and/or boring. For example, if your child cleans up his/her room, encourage your child to choose a strategy before you step in and co-regulate. Ask your child to count down from ten and then try again, or how about encouraging your child to do some belly breathing before resuming the task. It is crucial for young learners to experience moments of small frustrations in order to grow into confident and resilient students.
Reading:
This week, first grade readers participated in groups and whole class reading activities. They practiced trick words too, going on word hunts and using various sensory materials to write and read targeted trick words.
This week, first grade readers also participated in a series of new read alouds. We have collected brand new early reader chapter books for our classroom library and the students are encouraged to challenge themselves to read more complicated, connected texts.
You can:
Thank you for supporting your child’s emerging reading skills at home too. Consider using Lexia daily, or a few times a week along with the decodable texts from school. Don’t forget to read your child’s library books and/or books from the Book Fair!
Writing:
This week, first grade authors continued to build an understanding of how to effectively and persuasively write opinion pieces. They shared their thinking about several different topics and wrote three different reasons to back up their thinking.
This week, first grade authors also wrote stories on several different topics proposed by the Williston Observer. All students in our class submitted at least one piece for its special Spring edition, coming out soon. Fingers crossed that some of our pieces will be published. Regardless of the outcome, all writing pieces will be published in our own classroom! We will host a special End of the Year Celebration of Learning Event on June 6th between 7:35-8:35 am. Family members are invited to join us for a classroom celebration of writing, reading, and math.
Math:
This week, first grade mathematicians continued to build their understanding of 2-and 3-dimensional shapes and their corresponding attributes. They also learned to use that understanding while exploring fractions. In first grade, mathematicians learn about equal parts of a whole. They folded various paper shapes into halves and fourths (quarters) to manipulate equal parts of a starting whole. They did great. The students look forward to sharing their fraction booklets with you at our Celebration of Learning on June 6th.
You can:
Math is everywhere! Consider having conversations about the math learning we’re doing at school at home too. Math should be a social activity and organically flow and build as we share our understanding, ideas and wonderings with the people around us! Consider doing a shape scavenger hunt at home. How many cubes can you find? How about rectangular prisms? What is the difference between a circle and a sphere? Want a challenge? How about asking your child how many faces are on a rectangular prism and how many bases? Or, how about asking your child what the difference is between a triangular pyramid and a square pyramid?
Consider using math vocabulary related to fractions at home too. Help your child understand the importance of equal parts by adhering to proper vocabulary. Young children have a tendency to say “the bigger or smaller half”, for example, when talking about food. Now they are learning that you can have bigger or smaller parts. Halves and fourths are mathematically always equal to each other in relation to the whole.
News and Reminders:
The Art Show will be on Wednesday, May 15th from 5:30-7 PM. All students are included. Please see the information provided in your child’s Home Folder for more information.
There is no school on Monday, May 27th (Memorial Day)
Harmony House will host an end-of-the-year Celebration of Learning on Thursday, June 6th between 7:35-8:35. Families are invited to visit our classroom to celebrate their child’s outstanding work in reading, writing, and math. We look forward to seeing you then. This is an informal event so please feel free to drop by anytime that morning between 7:35-8:35 am. Your child will show you around the classroom and parents will take home special pictures and writing pieces. Thank you.
Have a great weekend,
Maria
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