Week 5

Happy Friday 1B Families,

Can you believe that the first month of school has came and went? It has been a wonderful month getting to know your precious children.  They have worked so hard to settle into life as a first grader.

I hope you and your family enjoy the first long weekend of the school year! 


In the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness,
Ms. Dawson


Homework
Nightly: Read for 15 min. using the book bags.
Please have your child practice our monthly poem for 1 minute each night. A copy of the poem will be sent home or find it here.
Phonograms to practice nightly: e, k, l, v, x, er, ir, ng, oi, oy
Monday: No School
Tuesday: Spalding words: my, up, last, not, us, am, good
Wednesday: Spalding words: time, have, chance, little, are, blue, charge
Thursday: Review all words and phonograms
Friday: Please read a book of your child's choice for 15 minutes. 

Calendar
Monday, September 2nd: No School; Labor Day
Wednesday, September 4th: Math Groups (sign up here)
Thursday, September 5th: Reading Groups (sign up here)
Wednesday, September 11, 6-7:00: Curriculum Q&A 
Saturday, September 21st: Daddy Daughter Dance
Tuesday, September 24th: Picture Day

Academics
Poem for September: The Pasture by Robert Frost. (Recite on 9/27). We will practice this poem daily in class. Please help us by practicing it for one minute each night. 

Idiom: We will review all idioms learned thus far: The Golden Rule, Sour Grapes, and, A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.  

Grammar/ Writing: Students will read and write about passages from Rumpelstiltskin. 
Spalding: We will learn 7 new words on Tuesday and 7 new words on Wednesday. On Thursday, we will review all 14 words. On Friday, we will have a test on all 14 words and 10 phonograms.Math: This week we will continue to explore addition. Students will learn various strategies to building number sense and addition fluency.
Literature: This week we will begin our Cinderella Around the World unit.  Students will enjoy and respond to various versions of Cinderella.

Geography:  This week we'll review maps, continents, and oceans and take a final assessment on our geography unit.

Science: We will be learning about the animals of the savanna and how they've adapted to life in the grasslands. We will also explore the temperate deciduous forest.

Week 4

Happy Friday 1B Families,

It was a joy seeing all of you at curriculum night this week.  Thank you for taking the time to invest in your child's academic life. I understand that schedules and things come up so if you were not able to join us, do not fear! We will have an informal Q&A on September 11th from 6-7 to answer any questions you may have.

Reading and math groups started this week.  I will be emailing a sign-up genius for parents who would like to volunteer in this important work.

Thank you so much for your commitment to your child's learning and to our class. Have a great weekend!

In the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness,
Ms. Dawson


Homework

Nightly: Read for 15 min. using the book bags.
Please have your child practice our monthly poem for 1 minute each night. A copy of the poem will be sent home.
Monday: Spalding Page and math workbook pages 25-26
Tuesday: Spalding Page and math workbook pages 27-29
Wednesday: Spalding  Page and workbook pages 30-31
Thursday: Spalding  Page and Test B 
Friday: Please read a book of your child's choice for 15 minutes. 

Calendar
Tuesday, August 27th, 8:00 am: First Grade Coffee Shop conversation in Arete library
Monday, September 2nd: No School; Labor Day
Wednesday, September 11, 6-7:00: Curriculum Q&A 
Saturday, September 21st: Daddy Daughter Dance
Tuesday, September 24th: Picture Day

Academics
Poem for August: The Caterpillar by Christina Rosetti (we will recite on 8/30).We will practice this poem daily in class. Please help us by practicing it for one minute each night. 
Idiom: “The Golden Rule“ Meaning: Treat Others as You Would Like To Be Treated
We will practice this idiom throughout the week in class through activities and worksheets. 
Grammar/ Writing:  Scholars will practice using and identifying nouns in written and oral sentences. Students will learn that a noun can be a person, place, thing, and sometimes an idea. 
Spalding: We will learn 5 new words on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On Thursday, we will review all 15 words. On Friday, we will have a test on all 15 words and 10 phonograms.Math: We will take a number story test on Monday and will explore addition stories, number bonds and other methods of addition the rest of the week.
Literature: We will read Thumbelina and Little Finger of the Watermelon Patch this week. Students will review all of the Tom Thumb type stories we have read and will take a short quiz on Thursday.

Geography:  We will learn some interesting and amazing facts about the 7 continents!

Science: Our friendly rat explorer will continue to take us to some amazing habitats including the Sonoran Desert. The scholars will also participate in the "Polar Plunge" (hands only) as we explore what adaptations Arctic animals have made in order to survive the frigid temps. 

Week 3

Greetings 1B Families,

Greetings 1B Families,

We have had a wonderful 2nd week of school! 1B scholars enjoyed various science experiments including orbserving and being creative with marshmallows and toothpicks.

Reading and math groups start this week.  We are still in need of several volunteers for reading groups taking place on Thursdays from 10:35-11:05. Please email me if you are interested and available to join us on Thursdays. All volunteers must have a current fingerprint clearance card.

Curriculum night is THIS Wednesday.  Please see the schedule below.  I hope to see you there!

In the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness,
Ms. Dawson

Announcements
Please join us for curriculum night on Wednesday, August 21st at 6pm to learn essential information to ensure a successful first grade year.  The evening's schedule will be as follows:

Curriculum Night Schedule (Gym and Classrooms)

6:00-6:25     Welcome in Gym (Mr. Gillingham, Mrs. Vaughn, Specialist and Mrs. Mason)

6:30-7:30    Grade Level Presentations (In the MPR)

15 minutes: Classroom procedures, routines, homework guidelines

40 minutes: Curriculum and Demo Lessons 

• 10-20 minute Spalding lesson (phonograms, motions, markings, phonograms)
• 15-20 minute Singapore lesson mental math tips, number bonds, bar models, word problems)

5 minutes: Q&A

Homework
Nightly: Please your child select a book of their choice to read with you for 15 min. Nightly reading log and book bags will begin in a few weeks. Please have your child practice our monthly poem for 1 minute each night. A copy of the poem will be sent home.
Monday: Spalding Phonogram Page and math workbook pages 24
Tuesday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Number bonds worksheet
Wednesday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Making Tens Worksheet
Thursday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Test B
Friday: Please read a book of your child's choice for 15 minutes. 

Calendar
Wednesday, August 21st, 6:00 pm: K-2 Curriculum Night
Tuesday, August 27th, 8:00 am: First Grade Coffee Shop conversation in Arete library

Academics
Poem for August: The Caterpillar by Christina Rosetti (we will recite on 8/30).

We will practice this poem daily in class. Please help us by practicing it for one minute each night. 

Idiom: “The Golden Rule“ Meaning: Treat Others as You Would Like To Be Treated

We will practice this idiom throughout the week in class through activities and worksheets. 

Grammar/ Writing:  Scholars will read and write about passages from Pinocchio.

Spalding: We will begin our spelling words in class this week! Each day we will learn 5 new words and review 10 phonograms. On Friday, we will have a test on all 15 words and 10 phonograms. 

**Please: note that a spelling list with all 15 words will be sent home on Monday to use throughout the whole week. A separate homework page will be sent home each night for your child to practice writing their words. Please turn these in on the following morning.

Math: This week is all about addition as we use number bonds to join numbers.  Students will learn the different ways to make 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10!
Literature: This week we will read Tom Thumb stories from around the world including Tom Thumb, Issun Boshi and Thumbelina.

Geography: Students will identify, label and name the 7 continents and the 4 oceans of the world. Students will also compare different bodies of water as well as describe the parts and importance of rivers.

Science:

We are starting an exciting unit on animals and habitats! This week students will learn what a habitat is, and why living things live in habitats to which they are particularly suited. We will then begin to explore our first habitat, the Arctic tundra.

Week 2

Greetings 1B Families,

We had a wonderful first week of school!  It was a pleasure getting to know your children this week.  They all worked very hard to learn our class procedures and expectations. Thank you for all you did to help them adjust into the routine of school.  I know it is going to be a great year!

In the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness,
Ms. Dawson

Announcements

Daily Snacks: We will have two snacks a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Please make sure these snacks are packed separately in the front pocket of your child’s backpack. We recommend snacks that are hearty and healthy such as fruits, vegetables, and crackers, to fuel your child all day long. Please send in a water bottle each day for your child, especially during the hot summer months! 

Family Questionnaire: Thank you to those who have filled out the family questionnaire.  I have enjoyed reading your responses.  If you have not had a chance to please take a moment to complete it here.


Homework
Nightly: Please your child select a book of their choice to read with you for 15 min. Nightly reading log and book bags will begin in a few weeks. Please have your child practice our monthly poem for 1 minute each night. A copy of the poem will be sent home.
Monday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Math Test B
Tuesday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Math workbook pages 15-17
Wednesday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Math workbook pages 18-20 
Thursday: Spalding Phonogram Page and Math workbook pages 21-23
Friday: Please read a book of your child's choice for 15 minutes. 

Calendar
Wednesday, August 21st, 6:00 pm: K-2 Curriculum Night
Tuesday, August 27th, 8:00 am: First Grade Coffee Shop conversation in Arete library

Academics
Poem for August: The Caterpillar by Christina Rosetti (we will recite on 8/30).
We will practice this poem daily in class. Please help us by practicing it for one minute each night.
Idiom: "Sour Grapes" Meaning: This idiom refers to something a person decides is not worth having only after they find out they cannot have the desired object.
As the school year goes on, we will spend time in class practicing and discussing our poems and idioms. Sometimes we will read books and complete activities, other times we might recite as a class. 
Grammar/ Writing: Scholars will practice identifying proper and common nouns and using them in sentences. 
Spalding: We will continue to practice proper letter formation for our phonograms. We will review our two letter phonograms and will also learn how to write and use numbers and capital letters. We will have a short phonogram quiz on Friday.

Math: This week we will review numbers 1-10 and will have a test on Tuesday.  A practice review sheet will be sent home on Monday for homework. We will spend the rest of the week joining numbers in number stories using bonds.
Literature: We will continue to enjoy Aesop fables.  We will read A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, The Maid and the Milk Pail, The Fox and the Crane and The Hen that Laid the Golden Egg.

Geography: Students will be learning about the cardinal direction, identifying symbols on maps, and recognizing a boarder is a dividing line between two places on a map!

Science: The students will become scientists as they complete two experiments this week that take them through the steps of the scientific method!

Week 1

Hi there 1B Families,

Mrs. Kiss and I loved meeting all of you on Meet the Teacher night!  Our classroom has been empty all summer and we are excited to have it filled with the smiling faces of your children on Monday morning! 

Each week, this BLOG will be updated with important 1B information. Please use the button to the right to subscribe to the BLOG to receive emails updates when a new post has been added.

I hope you have a restful weekend and are ready for a great year in first grade.  See you Monday! 

Looking forward to a wonderful school year,
Ms. Dawson 


Announcements

Daily Snacks: We will have two snacks a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Please make sure these snacks are packed separately in the front pocket of your child’s backpack. We recommend snacks that are hearty and healthy such as fruits, vegetables, and crackers, to fuel your child all day long. Please send in a water bottle each day for your child, especially during the hot summer months! 

Family Questionnaire: Thank you to those who have filled out the family questionnaire.  I have enjoyed reading your responses.  If you have not had a chance to please take a moment to complete it here.


Homework
Nightly: Please your child select a book of their choice to read with you for 15 min. Nightly reading log and book bags will begin in a few weeks. Please have your child practice our monthly poem for 1 minute each night. A copy of the poem will be sent home.
Monday: Spalding Handwriting page and Math workbook pages 7-8    (math workbook will be sent home with your child each night) 
Tuesday: Spalding Handwriting page and Math workbook pages 9-10
Wednesday: Spalding Handwriting page and Math workbook pages 11-12   
Thursday: Spalding Handwriting page and Math workbook pages 13-14
Friday: Please read a book of your child's choice for 15 minutes. 

Calendar
Monday, August 5th: The First Day of School!
Friday, August 9th: Archway Arete Meet and Greet. Please see family newsletter for more information
Tuesday, August 27th, 8:00 am: First Grade Coffee Shop conversation in Arete library

Academics
Poem for August: The Caterpillar by Christina Rosetti
Idiom: "Sour Grapes" Meaning: This idiom refers to something a person decides is not worth having only after they find out they cannot have the desired object.
As the school year goes on, we will spend time in class practicing and discussing our poems and idioms. Sometimes we will read books and complete activities, other times we might recite as a class. 
Grammar/ Writing: Scholars will be participating in copy work from Little House in the Big Woods and will discover the basic components of a sentence.

Spalding: We will be practicing proper letter formation for single letter phonograms.  We will review how to sit as a spalding scholar, how to hold our pencil, and how to join in and participate. 

Math: This week we will count, read and write numbers 1-10 to build our number sense foundation.

Literature: We will learn what a fable is and enjoy reading A Boy who Cried Wolf, A Dog in the Manger and The Fox and the Grapes.

Science: We will explore the scientific method as we use it to observe apples and complete an experiment!
History: This week will study maps and how to use them.