Do First Graders Have Homework?

Yes!  According to the UES handbook, first graders will have 10 minutes of homework each night.  Our intention is to keep it fun and instill a love of learning with children and their families.  

Every night, help encourage a love for reading.  First graders should be listening to complex stories read aloud. This helps them develop fluency in their own reading.  First graders should also be reading “just right books” routinely throughout the week.  A just right book is one that your child can read the words without struggling. Please contact your child’s teacher if you would like to borrow some “just right” books to read at home.

Every few weeks in math, students will receive a “home link” from the Bridges math program.  This math game or activity is intended for families to enjoy together.  You can also encourage your child to practice math skills on the “SumDog” math computer program (see letter sent home - Monday).  

A few times a week, your child may bring home spelling activities.  Encourage your child to tell you the patterns he/she is learning in their word study group.  

Each month, your child will bring home an OPTIONAL independent project.  This project is an extension of a concept being learned in the classroom.  These projects are fun, engaging, and hands-on!  

We encourage you to participate in your child’s school experience by helping him/her to find enjoyment in learning.   

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  

Reminder about OPTIONAL Insect Project

Buggy About Insects

Optional Independent Project

We hope you enjoyed completing the first independent project at home.  In science, we are studying insects. Our learning focus on how the structure and function insects help it to survive, i.e. the beetle’s “hard shell” is actually a set of wings called elytra that protect its soft flying wings hidden underneath.  The students are so excited about this topic and are enjoying studying different insects each week at school.  Now is their opportunity to explore their own insect that interests them the most.  This project is also optional and can be done as a family or individual.  

Here is what we would like to have included in the final project.  Your child can present it any way they would like, but we would like to see students demonstrate these components:

1.) Choose an insect.

2.) Make a model of the insect (clay, playdough, legos, construction paper, etc.).

3.) Label the model (bug name and body parts).

4.) Have at least one real photograph of the insect (magazine, internet, own photograph).

5.) Where does it live?

6.) What does it eat?

7.) How does it protect itself from predators?

8.) Include some interesting facts about your insect.  

9.) Use your imagination and have fun!

If you have any questions about this project, please send us an email!  

Have Fun!

The First Grade Team

**Please note that projects are due by October 4th, but if they finish it sooner, please send it in.

ECO Schedule

Educating Children Outdoors (ECO)

Parent Volunteer Sign Up

Our First Grade ECO outings will be on Thursdays. We love to have parent volunteers on ECO days because your support allows students to explore and learn beyond the lesson in small groups outdoors. Below is our class ECO schedule. We hope to have many parents on these ECO days. Thank you for your support!

Thursday, October 10th

Thursday, October 31st

Thursday, November 14th

Thursday, December 5th

Thursday, December 19th - ALL FIRST GRADE CLASSES

Assembly

We had our first assembly of the school year last Wednesday.  Students in grades K-2 joined together to review C.A.R.E.S, sing and sign a song, The More We Get Together, visit with screech and receive a challenge from Mr. Hennessey and Screech.  Our challenge is to work on Cooperation in our classrooms.  Students set a goal to earn 200 hoots by October 18th. If we reach our goal, Screech will give us a popcorn party!  Students have been eager to take on this challenge and work together to earn hoots for themselves and their class!

Hopes and Dreams

Last week our class brainstormed ideas about what they want to do and accomplish in first grade.  Every child contributed and as a group, we came up with a long list of hopes and dreams.  Then individually, each child thought about what was most important to them and wrote about their own hopes and dreams for the school year and what they were excited about.  I hope you had the change to read your child's hopes and dreams at open house. If not,  INQUIRE with your child what their hope and dream is for First Grade. If you're a parent or guardian, think about your hopes and dreams for your child.  Think about how we can work together to achieve this hope and dream!  

Sorting and Problem Solving in Math

We've been estimating, counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's, and sorting many many ways.  Our class has doing this using insects, sea creatures, and frogs. INQUIRE with your child what his/her favorite has been and what they sorted them by.  You may wonder what the benefits of sorting are in first grade?  Look at the information  below from the Bridges program to find out why.  

Q:  What is the value of having students do so much sorting? 
A:  Young students enjoy sorting the buckets of buttons and plastic bugs and sea creatures in this 
unit. They inspect the buttons or creatures closely and arrange them into groups in a variety of 
ways, according to different features. Bringing order to a large group of objects in this way 
provides many opportunities to create groups of things that can be counted (by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and 
10’s), combined (addition), and compared (subtraction). In addition to providing a context for 
counting, adding, and subtracting, sorting is the first step in finding patterns, organizing data, 
and solving problems of all kinds. 

These pictures are from an activity where students had to work COOPERATIVELY to sort their buttons in a variety of ways.  Working together as a cohesive group is not always easy for first graders but students continue to work on improving their ability to talk and share ideas with one another.  

We have been using our knowledge of insects to create math story problems.  Our class has been looking closely at butterflies, praying mantis, and beetles, noticing various characteristics of each and studying the similarities and differences of their life cycles. INQUIRE with your child what the difference between a butterflies life cycle is compared to that of a praying mantis.   To create our math story problems we used insect stamps and came up with a variety of different stories about insects. We used addition and subtraction to solve the problems. It was a challenge for many of our students to show their math thinking as opposed to just giving an answer.  INQUIRE with your child what it looks like to "show their math thinking."  I hope you enjoy working on solving students math problems in the packet sent home.  Have your child show you various ways that they could solve the problem.  (This is an optional activity to do at home).  

Insects

Students are wrapping up their study of insects.  They have learned about beetles - ladybugs in particular, ants, and bees over the last few weeks. This week we'll look closely at fireflies.  These scientists have observed the structure of insects using magnifying glasses and observation journals, played insect bingo, read a variety of insect nonfiction books, labeled diagrams of insects, sang songs, read poems, and much more. INQUIRE with your child what they learned about insects. Can they sing you the head, thorax, abdomen song? 

CAFE

To help our students have a visual place to house the reading strategies they are learning, we use the C.A.F.E. menu (Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expand Vocabulary).  The strategies we are learning to help us become a better reader are listed on posters behind our meeting area under one of these headings. We point to the card where the strategy is listed and practice these strategies as a group, before we begin to use them on our own.  The "C' stands for Comprehension.  The students are learning that good readers understand what they read and to help support this, we are learning how to, "check for understanding." INQUIRE with your child about how they, "check for understanding."  

 How can you help your child with this strategy at home? 

1. When reading to your child, stop periodically and say, “Let’s see if we
remember what I just read.  Think about who the story was about and
what happened.”  Do this 3 or 4 times throughout the story.

2. When reading to your child, stop and have them practice checking for
understanding by saying, “I heard you say…”

3. Ask your child the following questions:
• Who did you just read about?
• What just happened?
• Was your brain talking to you while you read?
• Do you understand what was read?
• What do you do if you don’t remember? 

Self Portraits

In first grade, we will continue to look closely at our selves and create 3 self portraits over the year.  I was quite impressed this year how close each of the children's drawings looked compared their actual selves.  I hope you enjoyed seeing these portraits at the open house.  They'll be up on the back wall all year so stop by and take a peek at some point!  They certainly brighten up our classroom!

Weekly Walks to Harrison Field and Forest

Every week we continue to take walks to Harrison Field.  This outdoor excursion can land on any day of the week, although we try for Thursdays.  It is very helpful for children to have outdoor shoes any day of the week - even if it's in their backpack.  This allows children to explore in the woods, stay safe on the sidewalks and play movement games in the field.  Last week, students worked cooperatively together in team relay races.  Children moved like insects, ants, fireflies and many other kinds of insects.  It was great to see the encouragement and excitement as children cheered for their teammates.  Last week we also spent a short time in the forest, using our owl eyes to notice how things have changed over the summer.  INQUIRE with your child what "leave no trace" means!

Thanks for a wonderful evening!

These last few weeks have been amazing. Thank you for your continuous support whether it be getting your kids to school on time, sending in snacks, giving them hugs, reading email, talking about their day, and most importantly, joining us this evening to see the learning that has taken place and the community that continues to grow each and every day.  We had 100% participation tonight of families - WOHOO! I'm so bummed not to get a chance to chat with you all for longer!  I also wanted to apologize for the absence on the blog - these last two weeks have involved too much travel, preparation, and on top of it an annoying head cold for me!  I'll be much better in the coming week.  In the meantime, enjoy this slideshow (turn your sound on and go directly to the blog for viewing)!

Behavior Procedures - School Wide

As a Responsive Classroom (RC) and Positive Behavior Interventions Support (PBIS) School our school-wide expectations are based on C.A.R.E.S: Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-control.  These areas also comprise the Personal Development section on your child's report card.

At the beginning of each school year, behavioral and social expectations for the classrooms (including Interactive Arts) and all of our common areas (playgrounds, hallways, cafeteria, bus, and auditorium/All School Assemblies) are taught, modeled and practiced.  Our focus  is on  appropriate and caring behaviors across  all settings  in order for greater learning for all of our students.  

Teachers/staff strive to consistently follow the following steps to prevent and to respond when help is needed in making good choices:

Step 1: Creating positive relationships between adults and children in a caring community that takes into account the child’s developmental level and individual skills and needs.

Step 2:  Use of positive Reinforcements,  a Reminder and/or Redirection (3 R’s of RC).

Adults at UES encourage students by using common prompts such as  “show me what’s expected,” “keep this small,” “you can get this turned around,” “check your engine,” etc.

Step 3: Provide a child the chance to step away to regain composure by completing a Stop  & Think sheet*** (identifying unexpected choice and  what caused this choice.)

Step 4:Redirection at the Buddy Teacher **spot to think about continued unexpected choices (sometimes it is easier to regain self-control when away from their class).

Step 5: Visit to Excel/Behavior Room because the steps above have not been sufficient enough to help the child make better choices.   

Step 6: All processing forms go home so that our parents may help reinforce this new learning.  The Excel one needs the parent to sign and return to the classroom teacher.  

Birthday Invitation Reminder

If you plan to have a birthday party outside of school, we ask that invitations do not get sent via school transport, unless every child is invited.  Thanks for your support in helping our classroom show empathy! This is also the case for students in other classes as well. If you have any questions about this, please let me know! 

Teamwork

During math, students have been learning about growing patterns. Today, they were given a team task to make the pattern and continue it.  The challenge - working together, "the first grade way."  Working as a 5 person team was more challenging than each thought.  What if someone wants to do their own? What happens if I don't like how they do it? What if I want to put that piece down?  Many problems came up throughout and children had to use patience, flexibility and cooperation to complete the task.  In first grade, students will be given many team building activities to work through and conquer.

Big Bugs, Little Bugs

Our students taught Mrs. Wrigley's class a new song at morning meeting on Wednesday.  INQUIRE with your child about singing it aloud for you (it's pretty easY!)  My students designed each hand movement to connect the motions to the words.  

Review of Words

We have been reviewing Kindergarten trick words this week. This is a fun activity to do with your child - see if you can beat the speaker and read the word before she does!

Thursday Walk

Upon arriving  to Harrison Field today (we're trying to take a walk every Thursday here) students noticed that the sunflowers had bloomed. They were gorgeous (of course I forgot to snap pictures of them!)  While at Harrison today, Mrs. Wrigley's class and ours explored the area learning about the boundaries. Students had free time and pranced around playing imaginary insect games, tag, etc.  Before leaving, we joined together for a song and a cooperative game of fishy fishy cross my sea.  INQUIRE with your child what the first grade way of playing looks and sounds like.

Absences

There will be times throughout the school year that I'll be out of the classroom.  When this happens, a guest teacher will guide your child through their day.  Students are expected to follow the same classroom rules. I check in with the guest teacher and follow up with your child about the decisions they make. It is always nice to hear the guest teacher share how hard the students work!  It will help your child on these days to be most prepared by having a conversation with them about the expectations while I am gone.  Of course, I will do the same in the classroom.  I try and let parents know if it is a planned day off.

Throughout the year, teachers need to take professional development days for  a variety of reasons.
This fall, I am going to be taking a course here at Union.  This class will occur on four days - September 17th, September 24th, October 29th, and October 30th.

Also next week, (poor planning by my cousin) I will be traveling to a family wedding in Rhode Island. I will be out of the classroom all day on Monday for this celebration.

I'm encouraging you to speak with your child on Sunday night/Monday morning and then again Monday/Tuesday about how they go about showing C.A.R.E.S. in my absence.  

Thanks for helping me communicate clear school expectations with your child at home.

Part 2...

After spending some time completing portraits today, first and fifth grade buddies interviewed one another to find out all about each other.  Students had a list of questions to take turns asking, and each child recorded the information they found out.  In the upcoming weeks, students are going to be putting this information together in a connected writing piece.  INQUIRE with your child what their buddies favorite place to go is!  Did they have any connections with their buddy?

Science

Students are spending time in our science center observing a variety of insects brought in by their friends.  In addition, this week, we are temporarily housing about 50 live ladybugs and 3 tussock moth caterpillars.  Students are taking care of them, feeding them, and making close observation of their behaviors.  On Monday, we began a new focus on ants.  INQUIRE with your child what ants have in common with ladybugs?  

 

Layers

Please help your child dress in layers for school.  The temperature in our classroom is constantly changing and despite the weather outside, it is often the opposite!  We had some chilly kids this week, sweaty kids last week, and a mix of both every other day!  Thanks for helping to remind your child to bring an extra layer to school that can easily be put on or taken off.  Thanks also for helping your child remember to bring a water bottle to school.  This helps keeps all children hydrated in the classroom and keeps the interruptions (leaving room for water fountain) to a minimum. Students are welcome to leave water bottles in the classroom, or take them home. I do require that every Friday, they go home to be washed!  (Please remember, these bottles are for water only!)  Pack juice or milk for your child's lunch or snack.  Thanks for all your help!

It's about time....

Since the first day of school, the students have been checking the office regularly for our new classroom rug.  Waiting patiently since last spring, it finally arrived today.  The children were beyond excited and reflected how cozy and roomy it was.  We are so happy to finally have some extra space! 

Optional Family Memory Homework

Family Memories

Optional Independent Project

At times throughout the year, your child will have the opportunity to continue or enhance their learning projects at home.  These projects are optional and open ended. We invite your family to participate in any aspect of the project.  

This past week, your child has personalized their writing folders to help them during writer’s workshop.  While coming up with ideas and topics to write about, your child will be using their writing folders to prompt thinking and memories.  In the classroom, we have used magazines to begin this process.  We are looking for your child to continue collecting memories and images from home.  Here are some ideas of pictures to bring in.  Remember, the pictures will be glued to your child’s writing folder and may not be returned.  

1.) family photo

2.) pets

3.) trips

4.) favorite foods

5.) activities

6.) family traditions

7.) interests

Remember, these pictures can be photographs, magazine clippings, drawings, or printed images.  Please make sure no picture is bigger than 4x6.  Once your child has collected images, please put them in the attached bag.  

****Please note that projects are due by September 13th but feel free to send it in sooner*****

Monthly Birthday Family Breakfasts

Birthdays are a time for celebration and something we would like to all honor at school.  In first grade, we’d like to continue the tradition of having ‘birthday breakfast’ once a month in  your child’s classroom.  We welcome families to join us for this celebration each month - regardless of whether your child’s birthday falls on that month!  We encourage all families to join us in a morning meeting and participate in a whole class greeting. We then will sing a birthday song, and enjoy a special breakfast as a whole group. 

Each month, we will need your help to make the birthday breakfast a success.  We encourage you to sign up ahead of time to supply a special healthy breakfast treat (1-2 months in advance would be helpful).  Breakfast ideas range from juice, muffins, bread, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, veggie and dip, fruit kabobs, yogurt parfait, granola, etc.  All breakfast items need to be peanut-free so please read the labels carefully. Even if you are not able to attend, you can contribute to the breakfast.  If you are not bringing a birthday treat, we welcome you to join as well!

This is a great chance for you to join your child’s class and celebrate with the whole  class community.  Please sign up for a date that works for you and your family to bring a breakfast item to school. (sign up sheet being sent home Monday) Closer to the date that you sign up for, I’ll remind those that signed up and help to coordinate on who will be bringing what.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Buddy Learning

Buddies came together on Friday to do some exercises to get to know one another.  Students spent time drawing portraits of each other and inquiring about one another's friends, families, and favorites!  Next week, we'll do a connected writing response to go along with these drawings.  INQUIRE with your child what they learned about their buddy.  What do they want to know about their buddy?