Week 22 - February 16, 2018

Curriculum

Reading

We've continued to explore character traits over the last week.  This week, our focus was on Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.  Next week, we will learn about Ghandi and try to come up with character traits to describe him.  In learning words, the students will be learning how to make words plural.

Book Baggies:
Students have 6 books in their bag (two below their reading level to help them work on fluency, two at their level to focus on good reading skills, and two above level to continue to push and grow as readers).  These bags will stay at home all week for students to practice reading.  It is good to encourage reading and rereading of these books!  We will exchange books on Fridays, so please have students return these books next Friday.  (Just FYI, Library books are sent in on Thursday.)  If a student forgets or is absent one week, they will need to return them the following Friday. 

Writing
This week, we began working on our personal narratives.  The students learned about imagery and how to use imagery in their writing.  Next week, we will continue to write our stories adding more and more author's craft such as onomatopoeia.

Math
This week, the students learned to tell time to the hour and half hour.  Next week, we will learn to use strategies to add two digit numbers.

Unit 6 Skills
o I can tell time to the hour and half hour.
o I can find equivalent names for numbers.
o I can tell the value of each digit in a two digit number.
o I can use strategies to solve subtraction problems within 20.
o I can use strategies such as near doubles, helpers, and making 10 to solve addition facts within 20.
o I can add two digit numbers.

Unit 6 Study Guide - You may use this to guide you in helping your child study for this Unit 6 Assessment.

Unit 6 IXL Skills - If you would like to, students may use IXL to help them practice these skills.

Social Studies/Science
This week, the students decided to work in small groups to explore the different seasons and the weather in those seasons.  We began by exploring temperature - what it is and how to measure it.  Next week, students will begin researching the average temperature of their season with their groups.

Purposeful Play
Students are really enjoying the opportunity to be creative and use their imagination.  I enjoy seeing the problem solving and collaboration that happens. Ask your child what he or she created!

Please see the Purposeful Play tab on the blog to learn more about our weekly Play Time and donation items we could use for it!

Homework

• Read every night
• Work on a math skill (i.e. adding and subtracting to 20 - play a board game for this, telling time, counting coins, measuring - length and volume -  have your child cook with you to practice this, talk about shapes - 2D and 3D - find items around your house, etc.) 
• January Homework - This is all "Play based" to encourage the students build fine/gross motor skills, creativity and imaginative skills.

Henry Ford Museum

Over the next month we will be learning about the past, maps and character traits.  As a first grade, we think it would be fun to continue our learning about these things at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.  We were thinking we could meet on Saturday, March 3rd at 9:30 AM by the Oscar Meyer hot dog mobile.  This is through the lobby just inside the entrance.  The museum has many exhibits that would compliment our learning on the past, maps and character traits.  This is not a mandatory trip; it is completely optional, we just thought it could be a fun family learning opportunity.  Siblings and families are welcome!  We will be bringing our families as well.  You will be walking around on your own, so you can spend as little or as much time as you like at the museum, whatever fits your schedule for the day.

You can check out the website for directions, cost, parking and more information.

https://www.thehenryford.org/

Important Dates

February 19-20 - Midwinter break - No School
March 3 - Henry Ford Museum (meet us there if you would like)
March 30 - Good Friday - No School
April 2-6 - Spring Break - No School
May 18 - PBL Presentation (AM) - more information to come, Celebration of Learning (PM)
May 28 - Memorial Day - No School
June 15 - Last Day of School - 1/2 Day (12:30 dismissal)