January Two in One Post

Hello families.  Sorry about my lack of a blog on Sunday, life was a little busy. Since we skipped last week, and tomorrow is already Friday, I am going to make this a two for one post, covering last week and next week all at once.  Kind of an extra scoop of information all at once!  Here's what we have going on in room 9...

Math:  This week we revisited making two expressions equal (the meaning of the equal sign) and how to fix a false number sentence with teen numbers.  This was quite a challenging concept, and not one I expected mastery of.  I was quite pleased with how well the students did with their understanding of this, having done similar lessons with smaller numbers and recalling their prior knowledge.  This wrapped up Module 2 and we are finally done with Operations and Algebraic Thinking (at least for the time being)!  Woo hoo.  Wednesday we were able to start our unit on Measurement and Data.  We begun this week with learning how to measure and compare the length of up to three objects (longer than/shorter than).  Next week we will learn to measure with standard length units (centimeter cubes).  

ELA:  Last weeks boot camp was a huge success, and just the reminders and reset our kiddos needed to implement Daily 5 successfully this semester.  They are really taking their Daily 5 time seriously, and doing a much better job implementing the strategies and structure involved in making the program successful for themselves.  This is allowing me to work with children in reading groups using our leveled readers from our NatGeo or work on site words without interruptions (or at least a lot less interruptions 😉).  Our Nat Geo stories have been about Animal Features.   We are also doing a book study on the story "Over and Under the Snow."  We will use this to discuss what animals do to survive the winter, learn about prepositions, and learn new vocabulary.  We will wrap up our study with an art over and under the snow art project.

Science:  This week we learned about counterweight and it's importance in placement in making an object balance.  Next week we will continue to explore balance and introduce terms such as balancing points and stable position.  

Social Studies:  The students will continue their geography unit with Mrs. Ogg.

Martin Luther King Day:  We will spend time tomorrow (and perhaps Monday if needed) learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, his life, and his contributions to our society.  Did you know he would have been 90 years old this year?  Please remember Monday, January 21st schools will be closed for MLK day.

Report Cards:  All report cards (and our first grade progress reports) went home last Friday.  Please keep the reports, but make sure to sign and return the manilla envelopes they went home in.  By signing them I know you received and reviewed your chid's progress report.  By returning the envelope I will have it for the next time around.  Without it, I may not.

*Change in Dismissal*:  As of Wednesday there has been a change in our dismissal routine.  When the bell rings there will no longer be any announcements dismissing any groups of children.  Instead, all children are to be dismissed when the bell rings.  In first grade we are going to let the parent pick-up's, walkers, FACTS, bike riders, and Co-Op kids go first, and then have the bus riders follow.  However, there is not much time allotted in between.  The bus riders are walking to the gym where they are lining up in their respective bus lines.  This is where they will load the buses from.  First grade teachers will be on bus duty every 5 weeks, starting next week.  This means that on my duty week I will not be available to be in my room with students to be picked up.  Therefore students who do not have parents at the door on my duty week will be able to find their kids in the office waiting for them.  During the weeks I am not on duty I am perfectly fine with the parent pick ups waiting with me in my room until you can make it in.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

As always, I feel like I am forgetting something but cannot think what it might be.  Science fair info will be coming soon.  Kinder registration is next month.  If I think of anything else, I will send out an email and amend the blog.  Hope you all enjoy your three day weekend. -Ms. Shaw