Updates for Aug. 20th-24th

Hello families.  We are now entering our second full week of school.  I know our first graders all looked a little tired on Friday afternoon, trying to get back into the routine of full school weeks.  This week should be a little easier.  At the same time, we will be adding more to our regular daily routines.  This will include homework.  Please read on to learn more.

Math:  The students will be discovering all the ways there are to make 6, 7, 8, and 9 (ex: 6 is 4+2, 3+3, 6+0, etc...) and learning that the inverse answer is the same as the original answer (if 4+2 are parts of 6 so are 2+4).  Students will continue to write number bonds for these problems.  Students will also be making their own rekenek bracelet's to help us start working in groups of 10, and we will generate all expressions that equal 10.  At the end of all this we should be taking our first math test of the year, either on Monday or on Friday.  

ELA:   This week I had a parent ask me what ELA stands for.  This was a great question, and I apologize for not clarifying when I use teacher acronyms at times.  ELA stands for English Language Arts, and covers everything in our reading, writing, and grammar block of the day.  This week we will begin our brand NEW reading program, Nat Geo Reach for Reading.  This means the kids will start reading from our new readers, as well begin our spelling program.  During Daily 5 we will learn how to Read to Self (building stamina so we learn how to read for longer periods of time everyday), Read to Someone (which has very specific roles for each child, and very specific language for them to use), and Word Work (where the students have 6 options to choose from to help learn their weekly spelling words).  Again, if you want to come learn about Daily 5, drop on in, my door is always open.

Social Studies:  In tandem with our ELA, we will begin our social studies unit on our families.  What makes a family, traditions in families, and what our families look likes.

Homework:  The moment we have all been waiting for.  We will begin homework this week.  In order for your child to begin establishing healthy study habits now it is best to start developing some sort of homework routine.  Maybe it is a snack and then homework, or first thing after dinner.  Up to you, but a regular spot to work is a good idea.  Our homework will consist of writing our spelling words daily, writing a sentence daily, and a page or so of math.  The sentence is to be checked for capitalization, spacing, letters formed correctly, and proper punctuation at the end.  The math comes straight from our math program, and will always be a review of a concept we already learned in class.  Sometimes the concepts can be confusing to us grown-ups, or we may not be quite clear on what is being asked of our students.  If you visit my staff page via the Marshall website there is a link titled Eureka math homework help.  I have also attached the link here -             https://www.fusd1.org/Page/10110.  The videos have a lady who explains the lesson both visually and orally, and I would suggest watching these if you need any homework assistance.  Also, if you look at the top of your homework page it will tell you the Module (1-1 means first grade module 1) and the lesson that you need to click on.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Open House:  Wednesday, August 29th will be Marshall's Open House.  Our first with Principal Reasor. 😀 The plan is to begin in the gym at 5:30 for a welcoming announcement from Mrs. Reasor and then we will head to our classroom from there so your child can show you around.  Hope to see everyone there!

Supplies:  I just wanted to say a huge thank you once again to all my families for everything you donated for our class!  We are very well stocked and should be for a while!  We even have hand sanitizer.  The only thing we do not have is pencil top erasers.  Just FYI, I looked for some this morning while I was at target, and they did not have any. So if you happen to find some at another store and don't mind, please pick up a pack or two.  Thanks again room 9 families!

Checking Backpacks:  Our students are still trying to learn what goes home and what stays at school.  The only type of folder that should be going home is the blue agenda folder, and now the yellow homework folder.  Please check your child's backpack for any other folder they may have taken home by mistake.  Blue to be finished folders, green math folders, composition books, or any other color or type of folder/writing book stays at school.  I mention this because I have several folders missing, so if you would kindly check your child's backpack and return anything that is not an agenda folder, I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you for helping with this!

Save the Date:

• Tuesday, August 28th - 10% Tuesday Marshall Fundraiser @ Fratelli's Downtown Location

• Wednesday, August 29th - Open House - 5:30-7:00 pm

• Monday, September 3rd - School Closed - Labor Day

Hope everyone has had a restful weekend! -Ms. Shaw