ISB Grade 1

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The month of January had many highlights, please check out the photos to see your children creating, learning and cooperating.

The students created survey questions and collected data with a partner. Then they made representations of their data and shared the results with the class. In some of the photos you can see the students begin to learn about linear measurement. In these photos they are measuring fish to find out if they are “keepers”.

We also enjoyed a class visit from our 5th grade buddies. Ms. Mc Aloon read and then gave us a copy of Baby Brains the Rock Star. We practiced turning and talking and making predictions about the book with our buddies. You can see from their faces how much they loved the story.

On Friday we celebrated the 100th day of school. The children rotated through the five first grade classrooms and participated in fun learning activities that had to do with the number 100.

January 25 – January 29

January 25, 2010

Dear Parents,

Recently I read something that I thought would be great to share with you.  I read that rather than praising your child with “You are so smart!” or “Wow, you did a great job!” it is more effective, rewarding to your child if you tell them exactly what it is they did.  For instance, if your child finished a hard homework, you may say, “You did a great job of finishing this hard homework by not giving up.” By telling them what it is that they did well, your child will be able to recreate their success in other places.

Upcoming Events/News:

Monday, January 25: ES After School Activity registration begins
Tuesday, January 26: Class Photo Day
Tuesday, January 26 at 7:45 AM: ES PTA Meeting

Monday, January 25

-Book to read to you
-Math: Homework Page 18, some children may have page 17 to finish also

Talking Point:

Tuesday, January 26: Ms. Hoogland says No Homework for Australia Day!!

-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Wednesday, January 27

-Book to read to you
-Math: Homework page 21
-Word Sort: Speed Sort or 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:

Thursday, January 28
-Book to read to you
-Math:
-Word Sort: Word Search: Look for words with the parts/sounds that your child is studying this week

Talking Point:

Friday, January 29

-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Have a wonderful weekend!

We are learning about measurement.  We are learning how to make accurate measurements and how different units can be used to measure objects.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Here are some photos from our writing celebration, respect assembly, science and math.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

January 18 – January 22

January 18, 2010

Dear Parents,

I’m read a great book on how children have different minds and ways of learning.  As a teacher we all know this, but still need to stay current on latest research and strategies to help work with students to help them learn to the best of their abilities.

One way the book said parents can help their child do their best at school is to provide healthy food and enough sleep.  Thank you for helping your child learn.

Upcoming Events/News:

Tuesday, January 19: 1:00 Early Dismissal
Wednesday, January 20: ES Make-Up Photos
Friday, January 22: ES After School Booklet Goes Home

Monday, January 18

-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Tuesday, January 19

-Book to read to you
-Math: Family Letter

Talking Point:

Wednesday, January 20

-Book to read to you
-Math: Homework Page 3

Talking Point:

Thursday, January 21
-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Friday, January 22

-Book to read to you
-Math: Family Letter

Talking Point:

Have a wonderful weekend!

We invited our parents to show off how much we have grown as writers and how much we have learned about revision.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

January 2010

In January, Grade One will begin a wonderful unit in writing called Authors as Mentors.  In this unit, students will study how one or more authors tell a story.  Your child will become an apprentice under these wonderful writers and try to emulate what they do.

In this unit, children will look closely at what an author has done in order to write well.  They will then be encouraged to try it in their own writing.  Some of the larger understandings and habits students are encouraged to gain from this unit are:

•    Notice a writer’s craft and how they use it often as a technique in their books
•    Think about why an author uses certain techniques and then emulate the author by using them in their own writing
•    Approach their own writing by thinking not only about the topic, but how to write it well by using the techniques used by others, including feelings, thoughts, repetitions, show not tell, and details.
•    Learn about stories that are many moments
•    Use literary language
•    Increase their stamina in writing

At home, think about authors you and your child like to read.  Reread them with another lens and study what makes the author’s stories so engaging.  Look to see if they are using any writing techniques (bold words, punctuation, ellipses, pause lines, repeated words, and etc.) repeatedly in their writing.  Talk about what the author is doing, pay close attention to how it allows the reader to understand the story better or encourage readers to read the story in a certain way.

I’m sure you and your child will come away with a greater appreciation for children’s literature and it’s purposeful complexity.  This is a fun and educational unit for children.

Classes are working on a new unit in mathematics called What Would You Rather Be? This unit is about data—the facts or information we collect about people and things in our world. Students will be sorting objects and information, posing questions, collecting data, and making representations of the data they collect.

Click here to download the complete Math Parent Letter Unit 4

January 11 – January 15

January 11, 2010

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year!  The school year is already half way through, can you believe it?  Your children were great today.  They remembered and followed classroom routines and rules.  It is amazing to see how much they have matured in these last few months.  I’m sure they will continue to grow academically and socially.

As we enter the new year, I would like to thank you for all the support you have given the children and the class.  The holiday activities you prepared, attendance during PJ day, and volunteers at ES Games was wonderful.  Again, thank you.

This week the class will continue to finish up some writing.  They will be publishing a story and submitting them to the school library.  Ms. Tara, our lovely librarian, has agreed to barcode the books and put them in the library so others can enjoy the great small moments your children have written.  Our class authors are so excited!

Word Sorts will not be sent home this week.

Upcoming Events/News:

Tuesday, January 19: 1:00 Early Dismissal
Wednesday, January 20: ES Make-Up Photos
Friday, January 22: ES After School Booklet Goes Home

Monday, January 11

-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Tuesday, January 12

-Book to read to you
-Math: Family Letter

Talking Point:

Wednesday, January 13

-Book to read to you
-Math: Homework Page 3

Talking Point:

Thursday, January 14
-Book to read to you
-Math:

Talking Point:

Friday, January 15

-Book to read to you
-Math: Family Letter

Talking Point:

Have a wonderful weekend!