February 8 – February 12
February 8, 2010
Dear Parents,
We will begin our new Insect Unit today. Some classes have already started, so your child may already be aware of what is going on in grade one. Our science units are inquiry based, which means that it emphasizes the discoveries that children make as they go through the science lessons. With this in mind, I would like to ask you to direct the conversations that you have with your child about this unit on the observations and questions your child may have. One major learning your child will have during the unit is that the lifecycle of the mealworm goes from egg, larva, pupa, then a beetle. Many children at this age believe all larva become a moth or butterfly. Grade one encourages parents to have an active part in their child’s interests and daily learning, but ask that during this unit the discovery be kept intact for your child to experience through their own observation.
New Homework: Beginning last Monday, a new homework had been assigned. Each morning the class has a Making Words lesson where they make words with letters, they eventually try to find a secret word made from all the letters. On Friday, the class reviews the lessons taught during the week and then add high frequency words to the word wall. Each Monday, I will send out a form called Making Words Review, which asks the children to make 2, 3, 5, and more letter words with letters provided. Your child is asked to return this homework on Thursday.
Today’s letters are e, i, c, g, h, n, w. The secret word is ‘chewing’, the emphasis is on the ‘ew’ sound like in words new and few.
Upcoming Events/News:
Thursday, February 11: ES Musical Performance begins “Wizard of Oz’
Friday, February 12: Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) Request Forms go home
Friday, February 12: ES Progress Reports go home
Monday, February 15: PTC Request Forms due back to the office
Monday, February 22: ES After School Begins
Friday, February 25: PTC Invitation Letter goes home
Monday-Thursday, February 22-25: ES International Week
Monday, February 8
-Book to read to you
-Math: Page 19, please help your child measure items at home
-Word Sort: Have your child show you how to sort their pictures or words
Talking Point: Your child will be taking the science notebook they had used to record their observations during the Pebbles, Sand, and Silt unit. Please take a look at it and discuss with your child what they had learned. Ask them to show you a page that shows something they had learned. Mark this page and at school we will write a reflection based on what they chose. Return the science notebook by Thursday.
Tuesday, February 9
-Book to read to you
-Math:
-Word Sort: Try a Tricky Sort: This is an activity where your child will sort the pictures or words, then turn their back and you mix the sort up and try to “trick” them. Your child will then sort again. The kids really enjoy this and think it’s fun.
Talking Point:
Wednesday, February 10
-Book to read to you
-Math:
-Word Sort: Try a Speed Sort: You time your child sorting and see if they get faster each time.
Talking Point:
Thursday, February 11
-Book to read to you
-Math:
-Word Sort: Word Search: Look for words with the parts/sounds that your child is studying this week
-Making Words: Homework is due
Talking Point:
Friday, February 12
-Book to read to you
Talking Point:
Have a wonderful weekend!
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