December 4th - December 8th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Flippy Dolphin accuracy strategy (instead short “a”, flip the sound and try long “a”)

Using vowels to chunk words into syllables and parts

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: little, very, after, get, where, could

Word Work: _ar

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Adding detail our audience wants to learn

Math:

Topic Topic 6: Graphing

collecting and organizing data into three groups

Comparing data (greatest, fewest, how many more, how many fewer, etc.)

Ordering data (least to greatest or vice versa)

Theme:

Graphing December weather

Sand temperature experiment

Sun as energy source

“Lost in the Artic” experiment

Ronald McDonald House

Mrs. McKinney’s class is collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House, and I want our class to help! Here is a list of items that you can donate to help this great program:

Magic Erasers         

Lysol

Small Trash Bags        

Bathroom Cleaner

Comet     

Windex

Clorox Wipes      

White Bath Towels

Disinfecting/bleach spray cleaner

Holiday Party

Our Holiday Party will be December 21st from 9:00-10:00. Feel free to come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

December 14th: All Pro Dads Breakfast

December 21st: Holiday Party & dismiss at 12:30

December 22nd-January 3rd:  Winter Break (no school)

November 27th - December 1st

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Accuracy strategy: Descriptive words: words that describe us

Character traits: outside vs. inside traits

Noticing characters’ feelings and actions to infer inside traits

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: my, made, did, down, over

Word Work: Short and Long u

Word Family: _ay

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Adding more details by organizing under headings

Writing and using a table of contents

Math:

Topic 5: Addition and Subtraction

Finding missing numbers in equations

True or false equations

Adding 3 numbers

Word problems with 3 numbers

Theme:

Parts of a map

Cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west

Making a compass

Me on the Map project

Book-It

I am so proud of all my friends who read 20 books last month and earned their FREE PIZZA from Pizza Hut!  I sent home a new recording sheet for December.  It is SO important that your kiddo reads at home with you.  Remember, you can read the paper books I sent home.  These books are on your child’s reading level. When they finish the books, send them back and I will send home more.   Also, they can access eBooks from the Raz Kids website.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Happy Reading!

Holiday Party

Our Holiday Party will be December 21st from 9:00-10:00. Feel free to come and enjoy the fun!

Dates to Remember

November 22nd - 24th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

December 21st: Holiday Party & dismiss at 12:30

December 22nd-January 3rd:  Winter Break (no school)

November 13th - November 17th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Accuracy strategy: Descriptive words: words that describe us

Character traits: outside vs. inside traits

Noticing characters’ feelings and actions to infer inside traits

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: see, no, make, who, people

Word Work: Short and Long i

Word Family: _ed

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Using illustrations to teach (zooming in)

Considering our audience and what questions they might have about our topic

Math:

Topic 5: Addition and Subtraction Equations

Finding missing numbers in equations

True or false equations

Adding 3 numbers

Word problems with 3 numbers

Theme:

The First Thanksgiving

Cornucopia writing project

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so grateful for each one of you and for the opportunity to get to work with your amazing kiddo! Have a great holiday and a great break! 

Fall Weather

I know it is hard to believe, but fall weather is coming!  Please make sure your child is properly dressed for outside recess. We will go out every day as long as the weather is 32 degrees or above and the wind-chill is 25 degrees or above. There is a strong wind that blows across the playground.  Your child needs to have a jacket, so they can enjoy recess comfortably!

Pictures

I uploaded several pictures onto our classroom website. Click on the Classroom Pictures tab and check them out!

Dates to Remember

November 22nd - 24th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

December 21st: Holiday Party & dismiss at 12:30

December 22nd-January 3rd:  Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

October 30th - November 3

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Accuracy strategies

Cross-checking: Does it look right? Does it sound right? Does it make sense?

Scentsy Skunk: Checking to make sure what you read makes sense.

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: will, how, up, them, she

Word Work: Beginning Blends-fl, gl, pl,&sl

Word Family: _ag

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Choosing a strong topic for individual books

Parts of a non-fiction book (beginning/ introduction, middle/facts, ending/ conclusion)

Math:

Subtracting on a number line

Subtracting on 10s frames

Finding the missing number in an equation (9-?=6)

Theme:

Researching and writing nonfiction facts about bats

Created a bat craft to accompany our writing

Conferences

Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come and discuss your child’s progress with me.  I really enjoyed visiting with everyone.  If you were unable to make it this week, I would love to reschedule for another day. 

Book-It

I am so proud of all my friends who read 20 books last month and earned their FREE PIZZA from Pizza Hut!  I sent home a new recording sheet for November.  It is SO important that your kiddo reads at home with you.  Remember, you can read the paper books I sent home.  These books are on your child’s reading level. When they finish the books, send them back and I will send home more.   Also, they can access eBooks from the Raz Kids website.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Happy Reading!

Dates to Remember

November 3rd - 7th: NO SCHOOL

November 22nd - 24th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

October 23rd - October 27th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Identifying characters and settings in the stories we read

5 Finger Retelling

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: there, can, your, said, do

Word Work: Beginning Blends

Word Family: _an

Writing:

Nonfiction Writing/Teaching Books

Including headings in our stories like real nonfiction books

Math:

Subtracting on a number line

Using known addition facts to figure out subtraction equations

Making 10 to subtract

Theme:

Researching and writing nonfiction facts about bats

Created a bat craft to accompany our writing

Conferences

Conference week is NEXT week. I am super excited to meet with you and discuss your kiddo’s progress in first grade so far. During the student-led conference, your child will lead you through various activities in the hallway. There will be “parent prompts” on the wall or in a basket for you to read and remind your child what to do. After 15 minutes, you will meet with me.

 I sent home reminders in your child's take home folder Thursday to confirm the time and date you chose.  I have conferences schedule in most time slots.  I will try my hardest to stay on schedule, but please forgive me if we start your conference a little late.  If I am running behind, just have your kiddo continue working through the centers in the hallway.

Let me know if you have any questions! See you all soon!

Dates to Remember

October 20th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 30th & November 2nd: Conferences

November 2nd: Picture Retakes

November 3rd - 7th: NO SCHOOL

November 22nd - 24th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

October 16th - October 20th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Identifying characters and settings in the stories we read

5 Finger Retelling

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: nice, ride, play, zoo,& thing

Word Work: Beginning Blends

Word Family: _ay

Writing:

Using all the writing strategies we know to  write one more small moment/true story

First quarter district narrative writing prompt (this piece will be scored using a rubric and will be reflected on your child’s grade card)

Math:

Topic 3: Adding facts to 20

Topic 3 Assessment

Theme:

Prior knowledge about pumpkins

Researching questions about pumpkins

Parts of a pumpkin craft

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be October 30th and November 2nd.  I sent an email out on Thursday with a link to help you electronically sign up. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please sign up quickly so you can get your preferred time.

Sign up at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0D4EABA82BA1F94-fall

Data Sheets

I started updating the data sheet in your child’s take home folder this week.  Checkout the paper to see how your child is doing on sight words. I also wrote their current reading level in it as well.

Dates to Remember

October 20th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 30th & November 2nd: Conferences

November 2nd: Picture Retakes

November 3rd - 7th: NO SCHOOL

November 22nd - 24th: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

October 2nd - October 6th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

Making connections in books we read (text-to-self, text-to-text, & text-to-world)

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: had, I, have, not, from

Digraph: “ph”

Word Family: _all

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Bringing characters to life by using dialogue and making our characters move

Math:

Topic 3: Adding facts to 20

“Counting On” to add

“Counting On” using an open number line

Using doubles facts

Theme:

What do we see, hear, feel, smell, and taste during fall?

Acorn craft

Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be October 30th and November 2nd.  I sent an email out on Thursday with a link to help you electronically sign up. The times are on a first come, first serve basis, so please sign up quickly so you can get your preferred time.

Sign up at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0D4EABA82BA1F94-fall

Book-It

This week I sent home a note describing a wonderful program called Book-It. If your child reads 20 books then they get a FREE personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  To help your child read good fit books, I sent home several paper books on your child’s reading level. Please read these books with your child and have them fill out the Reading Log.  Also, your child can visit the Raz-Kids website to access free books on their level as well.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Dates to Remember

October 6th: WOHE Fall Carnival

October 12th: All Pro Dad’s Breakfast

October 20th: Dismiss at 12:30

October 30th & November 2nd: Conferences

November 3rd- 7th: NO SCHOOL

September 25th - September 29th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

“Eagle Eye” reading strategy (use the pictures to solve tricky words)

“Lips the Fish” reading strategy (get your mouth read and say the first sound)

“Chunky Monkey” reading strategy (finding parts in words we know)

DRA Reading Assessments

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: this, his, they, at, be

Digraph: “wh”

Word Family: _am

       

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Ways to spell tricky words

Math:

Topic 2: Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Adding and subtracting on a number line

Adding and subtracting using doubles facts (3 + 3)

Adding and subtracting using near doubles facts (3 + 4)

Using addition facts to solve subtraction facts

Theme:

Apple experiment

Making prediction and observing

Fall Carnival

Our second WOHE fall carnival is quickly approaching! To help with the supplies that we will need to make the carnival a success, first grade is asking for donations for a “Family Fun Night” themed basket that will be auctioned off. We are also asking for Little Debbie or Hostess-like snack cakes to use for the cake walk game. If you can donate any of these items, feel free to just send them in your kiddos backpack! Thank you all so much for your support!

Community Time

Just wanted to update you on our assemblies this year. Instead of having a monthly Tiger Pride Assembly where every grade level gives out PAWS awards, we will be having Community Time assemblies every Monday morning at 8:40. At Community Time, only one or two grade levels will give out awards. So, first grade will be passing out their PAWS awards on the first Mondays of the month. That means our turn has finally arrived! I will send a note in your child’s folder or an e-mail, when you kiddo will be recognized!  I will definitely have a hard time deciding who to recognize! We are all working SO hard this year!

Dates to Remember

October 3rd: Fundraiser Limo Ride Day

October 6th: WOHE Fall Carnival

October 12th: All Pro Dad’s Breakfast

September 11th - September 15th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Listen to Reading” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during “Read to Self,” “Word Work,” “Work on Writing,” & “Read to Someone”

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: with, was, for, are, on

Digraph: “sh”

Word Family: _ap

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Good writers add more to their pictures, more to their words, and use a writer’s checklist

Math:

Topic 2: Fluently Add and Subtract within 1

Adding and subtracting on a number line

Adding and subtracting using doubles facts (3 + 3)

Adding and subtracting using near doubles facts (3 + 4)

Theme:

Fall Wonder Table

How to ask questions like a scientist

How to observe nature like a scientist

Raz-Readers

This week your kiddo came home with information about a website called Raz-Kids in their take home folder. This is a great website that allows your child to have access to hundreds of eBooks. You can also download a free app for your iPad/iPhone or Android device as well.

Website: www.kidsa-z.com

User Name: Orchard1b

Happy Reading!

Fall Wonder Table

Last week I send home a letter requesting fall items to place on our Wonder Table.  These can be pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, etc. These items will help us learn about observing, asking questions, and investigating answers.

Dates to Remember

September 19^th: Picture Day

October 3^rd: Fundraiser Limo Ride Day

October 6^th: WOHE Fall Carnival

October 12^th: All Pro Dad’s Breakfast

September 4th - September 8th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Word Work” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina for reading

Readers think about what they already know before they begin to read

Readers add to their schema as they read

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: he, is, that, you, & it

Digraph: “ch”

Word Family: _at

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Good writers add more to their pictures, more to their words, and use a writer’s checklist

Math:

Topic 1: Solve Addition and Subtraction Problems to 10

Review and Topic 1 test

Theme:

How to handle conflict

What to do when someone is “bugging” you

Reading Levels

I have had a few different parents ask about their kiddos reading level, so I wanted to let everyone know that in first grade we spend the first four weeks of school establishing routines and building students’ stamina to be able to work independently. This way we can successfully have reading groups. Your kiddo has not yet been assessed on their reading level this year. We will do the reading assessments starting the week of September 18th.  At that time, I can give you more specific information about how your kiddo is doing in reading. Until then, it would be very beneficial to work with your kiddo on the sight words in their take home folders and read together every day.

Fall Wonder Table

This week I send home a letter requesting fall items to place on our Wonder Table.  These can be pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, etc. These items will help us learn about observing, asking questions, and investigating answers.

Parent / Community Newsletter

 Check out the parent/community newsletter Orchard Hills Updates on our Facebook page. It has updates from each grade level as well as notes from Dr. Prevo and upcoming events.

Dates to Remember

September 14th: Fundraiser ends

September 19th: Picture Day

October 3rd: Fundraiser limo ride day

October 6th: WOHE Fall Carnival

October 12th: All Pro Dad’s Breakfast

PJ DAY

I’m extremely happy to inform you all that our class has earned a classroom celebration for awesome behavior! We voted on several activities we would like our reward to be.  The majority of the class chose to wear their pajamas to school. On Thursday, September 7^th, your child is invited to wear their most comfortable pjs and bring a SMALL stuffed animal to school. So, congratulate your child on their awesome behavior and encourage them to keep up the good work.

August 28th - September 1st

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does “Work on Writing” during Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during “Read to Self” and “Work on Writing”

Reading is thinking!

Word Work:

Word Wall Words: the, and, to, in, & of

Digraph: “th”

Word Family: _and

Writing:

Writing small moment/true stories

Picking a topic and writing across pages

Math:

Topic 1: Solve Addition and Subtraction Problems to 10

Math facts to 10

Word problems to 10

Theme:

Building a classroom community

Read the book The Jelly Donut Difference

How to “sprinkle” happiness

Donut craft to accompany our writing

Text Reminders

Make sure you sign up to receive text reminders from me. I’ve only had a handful of families sign up so far. Flip this paper over to see how it works!

Word Wall Words

Each week your child will be introduced to new sight words. I call them popcorn words because they “POP UP” a lot when we read.  Willard has moved away from traditional spelling tests.  However, it is VERY important that you review these words with your child each week.  Even though they will not be tested on these words, please have your child practice reading, writing, and spelling them.  How well your child knows these words will be reflected on their grade card each quarter. 

First Quarter Popcorn Words

     the                   it                         fun

     of                     with                     girl

     and                   was                      his

     in                     for                       they

     to                     on                         at

     he                    are                       be

     is                       am                        this

     you                   car                       eat    

     that                

Dates to Remember

September 1st: No School

September 4th: No School

September 14th: Fundraiser ends

August 21st - August 25th

What We Are Learning

Reading: 

How does Daily 5 look and sound?

Building stamina during Read to Self

Three ways to read a book (read the pictures, read the words, & retell a familiar story)

Writing:

How does Writer’s Workshop look and sound?

District Narrative Writing Prompt

Math:

What does Math Workshop look and sound like?

Introduced the following math vocabulary: add, sum, plus, equal, & equation

Theme:

Building a classroom community

Before you speak, think and be smart. It’s hard to fix a wrinkled heart.

Special Thanks

I want to send out a special thanks to all who donated items from our classroom wish list!  We greatly appreciate your generosity.  These items will help us have a productive year! Feel free to frequently view our classroom website where I will post items throughout the year as we need them.   

Math Homework

First of all, I am not a big supporter of having homework every night.  I am a firm believer that your child has worked hard all day at school, and they need a break at home.  Also, as a mother, I know how important family time is.  Because of this, I will not be making homework mandatory.  It will be sent home but you have the option of completing it with your child.  My hope is that you can use this as a resource to help your child and to understand what we are learning in the classroom. If you complete the homework with your child, that is FANTASTIC! Simply place it back in your kiddo’s folder, and I will celebrate them for continuing to learn at home.

Text Reminders

Make sure you sign up to receive text reminders from me. It will only take a minute to set up!

Dates to Remember

September 1st: No School

September 4th: No School