Family Newsletter

Dear Families,
It seems like winter wants to come early this year!  We certainly didn't expect a snow day yesterday.  I hope everyone stayed warm and safe and did not have to travel too far.  I am sad we missed our harmony Breakfast yesterday morning, but I am sure we will try to re-schedule sometime after our Thanksgiving break.  I will let you know.

Reading:
The students are in the midst of our new reading study.  Ms. Kendal launched "Reading books in a Series".  She pulled multiple books from different series from our library and the students are exploring these in our classroom.  Ms. Kendal is reading the books about  "Mercy Watson" to the class.  Throughout this unit, the students will deepen their understanding of character traits and story elements, while also learning skills how to compare characters between books.

Don't forget about reading this vacation!

I hope your child will read many books, but also visit some of our online reading sites.  Don't forget about pebblego.com and storyline online

Writing:

The students continued writing their small moment stories last week.  They learned how to create interesting middle parts, with transition words, dialogue, and sound words.  When we return from our Thanksgiving break, the students will learn how "The 5 Ws" will help guide us as well.  "The 5 Ws" refer to who, what, when, why and where.  Stay tuned.

Math:

First grade mathematicians continued their work on composing and decomposing numbers to 10 and 20.  They also started a new mini-unit on fractions.  In first grade, students are expected to master wholes, halves and quarters.  We used paper shapes that the students folded into these equal parts.  

If your child wants to practice some math over vacation, don't forget about bedtimemath.com

I also have multiple games on the class wiki.

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break!  I will see you all when we return on November 26th!

Warm regards,

Maria

4 Winds

We had another 4 Winds class last week.  We learned about erosion.  The students were challenged to create a protective barrier using materials found in nature to prevent erosion from water.

Family Newsletter

Dear Families,
It is getting chilly outside!  Thanks for sending in fleece jackets or sweatshirts for your child to wear when we go outside for recess or other special events!  Last week went by quickly with lots of new learning in our classroom.  I know November will go by quickly as well with our upcoming Thanksgiving break, starting on Monday November 19th.  The students have no school until the week after, coming back on Monday November 26th.  Ms. Kendal, our fabulous intern from UVM, will do her first solo week the week before Thanksgiving break.  She will do her second solo week the week after Thanksgiving break.  I will be supporting her and the students in various capacities during this time.  Small group instruction will continue and I will still be in the classroom, but in a more supportive role.  Ms. Kendal will have the opportunity to lead all transitions and classes.  We look forward to having her teach!

Reading:
Last week, the students continued their guided reading groups and practiced repeated reading with a partner.  They also used ipads to access reading online.  Your child will start using these digital tools on a weekly basis in the classroom to deepen their understanding of phonics, vocabulary or reading strategies.  I will send out individual emails to parents in regards to the specific programs used so your child can use these at home as well.  The usernames and passwords, however, are student specific; hence, the upcoming emails.  If your child is using Lexia, you already received this information.  The other programs we will use at school are raz-kids and pebblego. Don't forget to check out seesaw as well.  Many children used it last week to share their reading and writing!

Math:
First grade mathematicians are continuing to develop skills in basic number sense and understanding partners to 10 and twenty.  In November, we will also start exploring fractions.  First grade students will learn the differences between a whole, a half and a quarter.  Students will also start exploring subtraction, which has been introduced alongside our addition work in the months prior.  We call them fact families in class.  Your child will also explore concepts such as "how many more..." to a specific number as we're approaching 50 days of school.
Next week, some students will take home a number writing booklet.  Please find the time at home to practice these numbers.  Strengthening number writing skills leads to automaticity in number writing and improved confidence.  It also boosts fine motor skills!

Science:
We continued our scientific explorations in properties of matter last week.  We learned many new words:

• insulating
• weather-proof
• absorbent
• soft
• opaque

The students used this knowledge to construct hats that would soak up their sweat in the hot sun.

Upcoming Events and Reminders:

• Harmony Family Breakfast is scheduled for Friday 11/18 at 7:45-8:30am.  An email was sent out for families to sign up for snacks/foods to bring.  Thank you.
• Ms. Kendal will do her solo weeks the week before Thanksgiving break and the week after.
• Thanksgiving break is 11/19-11?25.  Students return to school on Monday, 11/26.