Math Update for November

During number corner (calendar) time this past month, we learned about time and fractions.  Children are learning how to break something into parts - or a fraction of the whole.  They are identifying 1 whole, 1/2, and 1/4.  We are also learning about clocks- and how to tell time to the hour. We will move on to half hours later in the year. We are also trying to understand 24 hours a day, am/pm, and what time of day we do certain activities. This coming month (December) we we will be focusing on three dimensional shapes.  

We continue to count each day in school. We are so excited there are less than 50 days until day 100!  Today marked the 58th day.  Students are learning about groups of ten and ones in double digit numbers, and learning to add these together as we approach the 100th day!  INQUIRE with your child how they figure out how many days until the 100th day!

During our fluency activities each day, students have been practicing counting - forward and backward by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's.  

Seeing the relationship between addition and subtraction is an important and challenging concept for first graders.  As we continue to explore the idea of subtraction, students are working on finding a variety of ways to solve these complex problems.  Students are learning to count up on a number line to solve a subtraction problem, in addition to counting backwards.  They are encouraged to think about the way that makes the most sense.  Some of these problems are more complex - and don't necessary have students solve a quick 9-3 (had 9 of something, 3 were taken away).  An example of a problem from this week had kids thinking - should I add or subtract?  Understanding math story problems and solving them in a variety of ways can be challenging, and kids are working hard each day to understand them. (There were 9 laces and velcro sneakers. 3 of them were velcro. How many were laced? 9-3=6 or 3+_=9)  We will continue learning about the addition/subtraction relationship as the year progresses.  We continue to have time during our  math block for math games, that give kids more practice in the skill and help them to become more fluent with number sense and math facts.  

These next few weeks we will begin looking at finding more efficient ways to solve problems by looking for the friendly ten when adding more than 2 numbers, and also when adding on to 8 and 9.  

In addition to all these components of our math block, students were introduced to a new program on the ipads today, which we will explore further in the next few weeks.  Here is some information from "Zearn."

"Zearn is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help every child learn and love math. In our classroom, Zearn helps personalize learning for every student. It does this in a couple ways. Your child will learn and practice math with engaging digital lessons that challenge and support them precisely when they need it. Zearn Math also helps me spend more time teaching in small groups, focusing on exact areas your child needs support. If you would like to learn more about Zearn, visit their website at www.zearn.org, scroll down and view their orientation video."  

Visitors

There are some families who were interested in coming into the classroom to be guest reader.  Many parents/grandparents have enjoyed sharing their love of reading with their child's class in years past and I'd love for you to come visit too, if you'd like.  Mornings would be best, directly after morning meeting, but we'd also have you join us for morning meeting/arrival with your child at 8:15.  We would go no later than 9:00. Is there a day that works best for you? Maybe a different time works better for your schedule?? Just let me know, and we can accommodate your schedule to get you into our classroom for guest reader.

Do you have another interest/talent/special project you'd like to integrate into our day? I'd love to have you join us to share.  Let me know what works best in your schedule!

Story of the Pilgrims

Last week, we learned about the story of the first thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. We have looked closely at the life of the Pilgrims and the hardships they faced and made connections to our community unit. Students noticed that the Native Americans showed empathy toward the Pilgrims when life was not going well for them and together they created a community that lived, worked, played, and celebrated life together.  As first graders completed a response to the text, they increased their knowledge of complete sentences, and proper punctuation while thinking deeply about the events of the past and how they relate to today. INQUIRE with your child about the book, "The Story of the Pilgrims."

How-To

We have been immersed in reading and writing procedural (often called how-to) pieces of writing over the last few weeks. This unit of study introduces students to informational text writing and is preparing them for a unit on writing nonfiction all about texts. We have been reading a variety of informational texts on how to complete a certain task. Last week, we completed a shared writing as a class on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We've read about how to feed fish, how to brush our teeth, how to get ready for the day, how to ride a bike, etc. We've explored a variety of topics that would be good to write about - those that we know a lot about and can actually teach a friend to do by reading them specific instructions. Through this writing, students are learning how to use transition words (First, Second, Next, After, Finally, etc) to help make our writing more smooth, how to elaborate using visualization, how to make comparisons, and how to include labels and captions in our drawings.  INQUIRE with your child what some of their how-to books have been about.

In connection with our learning about how to write how-to books, students created imaginary turkeys before thanksgiving, then as a class worked together to write out the steps in the process.  

Turkey Boogie

We are forever grateful to have such a great community of first grade learners.  We love getting together to share our friendship with other classes.  Last week, Mrs. Wrigley's class taught us how to do the turkey boogie!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Earlier this week we had an impromptu lesson on responsibility.  While walking into the school, we spent a little time learning from Mrs. Pierce's fourth grade class about how well (or not?) our school community is doing showing responsibility to recycle and reuse and compost. The 4th graders are conducting a waste stream audit, and will share the data with us soon.  Thanks to our buddy class for always reminding us of how important it is to take care of our earth!

QR codes..

Keeping up with the newest technology....

In order to log onto SeeSaw, children need to scan a special QR code that will put them right into our class account.  As the children learn, so do I!  As these IPADS are new to the kids, they are also new to me so thanks for bearing with me as I learn new and innovative ways to share our learning with you.  Have you checked out your child's account? Take a look if you haven't (I know there's not yet a lot on there) -it is an exciting new opportunity that we can't wait to learn more about.  

Community Visit

Corporal Kniseley toured us around the Montpelier Police Station this afternoon (with the help of a few other city officers). Students learned about the holding cells, fingerprinting, locked entries, dispatch, the cruisers and so much more! We learned all about how police officers help our community and keep us safe. Police officers ensure that all people follow rules and help community members that have a hard time doing so. One police officer we visited with shared how he had just got back from a traffic accident and how sometimes they help with the traffic - especially in Montpelier these days! Students loved hearing and meeting Jake, a police dog who helps them locate people.  For some, this was surprising - that dogs can be more like people and be so helpful.  Students even met the dispatchers who would answer their call if they needed to call 911!  INQUIRE with your child what they enjoyed at the police station.

Seesaw

Our class just received 8 IPADS for classroom use that will be stored in our classroom.  We learned how to use a program called seesaw this afternoon. Each child has their own account where you can view material that has been created by them.  In the beginning children will be learning the basics of how to handle the ipads, work with various programs, so the work will be simplified (for example today's work of writing our name).  Enjoy connecting your child's learning in conversations together at home.  Here is some info to help you get started viewing their "account."

This year we're going to use a new tool to share what we're learning in class called Seesaw. Your child will have his or her own learning journal, and you can get notified when your child adds new items. It's completely private -- only you can see your child's journal outside of class.

Click on https://app.seesaw.me/s/292-770-577 to sign up -- it takes just 30 seconds.

Once you sign up, you can download the Seesaw Parent app for iPhone or Android, or access your child's journal on the web.

Thanks!

P.S. If you have more than one child using Seesaw, or want to add a new class/school year for your child, follow the link in this email, then click 'Sign in' tab at the top. You do not need to create a new account.

Optional Independent Project

Thank you for supporting your first grader’s interest learning through independent projects this school year. We will continue to explore the concept of place through our social studies unit about community. We have been to walking to different places in our community and students are making connections and learning about point of view. We are beginning to identify important landmarks, and key features of our school community and our downtown community. Students are mapping their local world!

Our new independent project will give your child an opportunity to think about maps, and the places they’ve visited, or wish to visit someday. This project is also optional and can be done as a family or individual.

Here’s what we would like to have included in the final project. Your child can present it any way they choose. We would like to see students demonstrate the following components:

1. Choose any place you have been, or wish to visit, that can be found on a map (Montpelier, Hubbard Park, Montreal, your house/backyard, office building or structure, waterway, vacation destination, etc.)

2. Get a map of the location or make a map of the location  (print from the internet, Chamber of Commerce, photos, etc.)

3. Label the place or places on the map, include landmarks.

4. Include why you visited, who you saw or what you did, and some interesting facts about the place (photos, drawings, labels, fact bullets or charts)

5. Recall, then retell the visit with your family so you can share your story with the classmates

6. Have fun!

If you have any questions about this project, please send us an e-mail! Enjoy learning with your child.

The First Grade Team

*Projects are due by Monday, November 21st , but if finished sooner, please send it in.

Mapping

On Thursday, students continued their learning about community. This week's focus was on mapping and learning how to navigate around town.  Students looked carefully at google maps to plan an alternate route to Harrison Field.  Before embarking on this adventure, first graders walked up to VEDA to get a birds eye view of our school from above.  INQUIRE with your child how we navigated our way to Harrison Forest. Once we arrived on the ridge line of the forest, we learned about erosion and the importance of descending the hillside in a zigzag fashion, as to not make the erosion worse.  We ended our afternoon with two stories told by Ken about a beaver, bear, and raccoon!

Veterans Day

On Friday, first graders set out to thank veterans.   That morning, we learned about how the day is observed to thank those who have served our country in the armed forces. Students held their flags with pride, wearing american flag headbands as they marched down main street.

Sale is On!

As you might have heard, some classmates have took initiative to make a classroom "store."  Students have been working together to make both money and merchandise to sell.  This week, the merchandise was all sold when we had epic turnout and interest from other peers to buy everything.  This was a great opportunity for carrying out a plan and engaging in real life application! 

Spreading Love and Kindness

Last week our class community focused on love and sharing love.  We talked a lot about when kids, adults, or anybody else say unkind words, we can help by showing love to someone. We talked about how love is contagious and that if you are kind to someone, they will carry on the kindness.  Sometimes, it is not right away, sometimes it takes time, but the important thing is for all of us to share our love and kind words and work together to help all people.  

Election Day

On Election Day students learned about the voting process and a little about how our government works.  As we did this, we took two fictional characters from Doreen Cronin's book, "Duck for President" and thought about how and what each candidate would bring.  We then voted for who we thought would be a better president.  Students completed a ballot and put it in the ballot box before we counted the "private" votes.  Later in the day, students visited City Hall to see an actual voting place where people in our community cast their votes.  

Heads Up

If you receive the blog on your email, please don't "reply" to that email with a message to me. I WILL NOT get the message.

Message from Parent's Group

This Wednesday, November 9, from 6:00-7:00 please join the Union Elementary Parents Group in welcoming a special guest, Parent Coach, Kimberly Hackett.  We are so lucky to have her (for free!) coming to present to us. 

Please take an hour to join in this unique opportunity to meet Kimberly Hackett, a parent coach, who helps parents be the parent they want to be but also the parent their child needs them to be. 

Childcare is provided, so don't let this keep you home!

Kimberly will discuss the importance of parent leadership and growing alongside your child. You will leave with new insight into the inner workings of the parent-child relationship. We will discuss:

-       the value of Reactivity for personal growth

-       the need for internal and external Space, and

-       the parent definition of Self-Care

Kimberly is committed to helping parents maximize their parenting years by taking this opportunity for personal growth, healing and repair. When parents take care of themselves, they take better care of their child. When they understand themselves, they better understand their child.

Take an hour out of your busy schedule to focus on you. In the end, we can only give our child what we’re willing to give ourselves.  Feel free to check out Kimberly’s website to learn more about her : 

http://www.kimberlyhackett.com/

See you Wednesday night in the UES cafeteria from 6:00-7:00.  As always, childcare will be provided!  Bring the kids, it's fun! 

Heidi Groff

USPG Chair

Scholastic Book Fair

We are visiting the Scholastic book fair on Thursday, November 10th. Your child may browse or shop at this time. If you would like your child to buy an item, it helps to have a labeled envelope with planned purchases listed on the outside or a note saying that the choice is theirs. If your child is free to choose at the fair, please let me know. I generally encourage students to buy only books when shopping at school. If you would like them to purchase trinkets, please indicate this on the envelope as well, if not I will assume that you will expect books. Families can visit on Friday afternoon after school and evening as well to purchase books. Our classroom will have a wish list available at the book fair of books that could enrich our curriculum. Please consider helping out our classroom library and donating a book.  

Community Walks

This week we have several outings planned if you'd like to accompany us.

Tuesday, November 8th @1:15 - City Hall to view the election process
Thursday, November 10th @1:00- Harrison Field to practice mapping
Friday, November 11th @9:30- Main St to walk (partway) in the Veteran's Day Parade

Please email me if you plan to attend any of these walks with us.

Leaf Art

Thank you to those parents who joined us on our last ECO trip. Please see the schedule on the side bar and let me know if you can join us on any ECO afternoons from 1-230.  This week, we'll be traveling on Thursday. 

Insect Parade

As a culminating activity to our science unit, first graders planned, designed, and paraded around the school sharing with the UES community all they learned about insects.  The focus and learning that was surrounding our classroom was impressive - and FUN! 

Pumpkin Day

Pupmkin day was a big hit in our classroom.  Thank you to all the parents who were able to donate pumpkins so all kids could participate in the many activities throughout the day.  I'm sure you heard all about what each student did with their pumpkin (I think the favorite activity was the balancing!).  Math activities included measuring and weighing, literacy activities involved naming their pumpkin, singing along to pumpkin songs, reading books, such as "Pumpkin Jack" science activities related to sinking and floating, and many more.  Students acted as a community of learners as they shared laughs, encouragement and support to each other throughout the day. 

Insect Collages

Buddies worked together to complete a culminating insect art project.  Check out the amazing work, inspired by Eric Carle hanging out side our classroom.  Students from Mrs. Pierce's class and ours worked together to plan and design their own insect using paper they made in a collage style.