January 2018 Newsletter
Rm. 25
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that
it is January 5, 2018 - WOW! Time is going by very quickly.
We have had a great week at
school – everyone seems happy to be back and to be with friends. We are getting
back into a routine and are ready to do some serious learning! Second semester
will be exciting in all curriculum areas. Please read on for an update:
Reading
If you were to walk into
our classroom during language arts, you would find a group of confident, strong
readers. During a recent conversation with my group, I asked, “How is reading
going for you?” Their response was “Great.”
“It is fun!” Their interest is high and they enjoy reading books that
are “just right” for them. They also enjoy word games, word work and
conversations with peers. We continue to focus on comprehension and will learn
the terms “schema” and “inferring” soon. The more we focus on books and reading
as a part of life, the more we become ongoing learners and life-long readers!
Thank you for your support
in reading. We hope you find the home reading log a useful tool to document
books that are read at home.
Writer’s Workshop
Each day someone asks, “Do
we have Writer’s Workshop today?” It continues to be a favorite part of our
day. Our focus for the next few weeks will be “opinion writing.” We informally began this unit by having
several classroom debates. We debated questions like, “Should Breck School
serve dessert every day?” “Should first
graders take naps” – once we learn how to verbalize our opinions, we will begin
writing them.
Science
Our yearlong study of the earth
and how it is ever-changing continues. We
have reviewed our brainstorm of “What would you like to learn about rocks?” and
added a few details to our journal. We also enjoyed using the rock tumbler before
break and watched how our rocks “changed.” We displayed our rocks in the “First
Grade Rock Museum” and enjoyed receiving comments and compliments.
Soon we will begin our focus
on the water portion of the earth - specifically, oceans. Students will brainstorm what they already
know about “What is in the ocean?” As we bring in books, films, posters, and
guest speakers, students will have the opportunity to record information in their
Ocean Journals. As a part of this unit we will visit the Minnesota Zoo. Our
visit to the Zoo will be soon - January 31st.
Social Studies
Social Studies are an
integral part of our everyday lives at school. We continue to talk about
current events, family news, school events or special holidays. It is an
interesting time for these first graders to be developing a sense of self and a
sense of community. This month we will
be learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and will focus discussions and
activities around his life story and the contributions he made to our society.
Our new C.A.R.E. is “perspective”
– perspective is the way you view something.
Perspective taking is understanding another’s view.
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is exciting
for first graders. We will celebrate on February 14th – it will be a
red, white and pink non-uniform/casual day. Students will be asked to bring
valentines for all classmates (I will send a letter home in a few weeks with
more specifics). Our school policy is
that no candy or edible treats are
allowed in valentines.
Dates to Remember:
Jan. 15 Martin
Luther King Jr. King Day (No School)
Feb. 14 Valentine’s
Day Party
Feb. 19 NO
SCHOOL – President’s Day
As you can see, our days
are full. We appreciate the enthusiasm your children display each morning as
they enter the classroom. Thanks for giving them extra rest and appropriate
outdoor clothes.
Sincerely,
Marie Murphy and Carly
Skates
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