Family Newsletter

Dear Families,

Here is our week in review:

Social-Emotional Learning:

• We continued our focus on problem-solving steps this week.  The students practiced building independence and confidence relying on their own abilities to solve small problems.  This week, for example, they showed growth in their ability to avoid conflict when getting materials ready for learning.  Ask your child to explain how they practiced waiting when getting math materials ready for class. I am so proud of their efforts and positive attitudes.

• This week, the students also learned about the importance of working together as a team.  Sometimes, we refer to our class as “Team McCormack”. Teams not only collaborate and communicate.  Teams also share ideas and show tolerance and forgiveness to all of their members.  This week, as the students completed different projects for our “Celebration of Learning” next week, the students all worked together to support and help  each other in our efforts to create collaborative art projects.  

You Can: 

• You can support your child at home by encouraging your child to contribute to your family’s tasks and weekly/daily chores.  Young children thrive when they are fully included and valued.  These first grade learners can do anything if they get the chance!  Trust me.  I see it every day.

Reading:

• Thank you parents for helping your child return library books to our school.  All library books were due today.  If your child forgot to return his/her books this week, please return the books next week!  Thank you.

• This week, the students practiced reading decodable and authentic texts while sharing their understanding of the plot with teachers and friends.

• The Bookmobile visited ABS this week.  Please see the informational sheet inside your child’s Home Folder about their amazing summer reading program.  Please consider joining and continue reading every day!

You can:

• Daily reading is important.  Consider making a family plan for how your family can support daily reading even over the summer.  Your child has worked hard this school year but reading skills can easily be lost without repetition and practice.  Be on the lookout for local summer library programs and consider creating daily reading expectations for your child. Let me know how I can help.

Writing:

• First grade authors continued writing poetry this week.  They wrote poems about spring and used sound words as a way to add details and personal voice.  The students will share their poems during our Celebration on Learning.

Math:

• First grade mathematicians learned about measurement this week.  They learned about how we can use standard and non-standard units of measurement to measure objects and compare sizes.  This week, the students used counting sticks, popsicle sticks and unifix cubes.  They also learned that precise measurements do not have any gaps.

You can:

• You can support your child’s growing interest in measurements by including specific math vocabulary into your daily conversations at home.  Have you considered asking your child to think about the difference between a particular object’s height, length or width?  These concepts can be very challenging for young learners.  Ask your child to think about how long a specific object is with different tools of measurement.  What is the difference between how many popsicle sticks long something is compared to inches or any other object?  In first grade, mathematicians are encouraged to develop a conceptual understanding of units so they are ready for standard measurements later on.  Have fun measuring and comparing!  Remember, math is everywhere and a social activity!

News and Reminders:

• Harmony House will host an end-of-the-year Celebration of Learning on Thursday, June 6th between 7:35-8:35am.  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.

• Step Up Day will be on June 12th in the morning.  This is a time when the students get to meet their new teacher and friends for next year.

• Report cards go out on the last day of school, June 14.  June 14 is a half day with dismissal at 11:35.  Please let me know if your child needs a bagged lunch for that day. The choices are ham, turkey or sunbutter/jelly sandwiches.  Thank you. 

Have a great weekend,

Maria