Updates August 19th-23rd

Hello Mustang Room 9 Families. We are entering our second full week of school. Last week was an adjustment to those full, long days - and the heat did not help. This week should be a little easier, although it appears as though it will be hotter still. We will also begin homework this week. Please read on to learn more about this.

Math:  The students spent time last week discovering all the ways there are to make 6 and 7 (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). This week we will work on the same for making 8 and 9.  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, probably on Thursday.

ELA:  This week we will begin using our NatGeo Curriculum and this means students will start reading from our readers, and we will begin our spelling program.  Last week during Daily 5 we practice Reading to Self (building stamina so we we learn how to read for longer periods of time everyday)-which we will practice more of this week. We will also learn how to pick good fit (or just right) books. Last week we learned how to use Word Work (where the students have 6 options to choose from to help learn their weekly spelling words) and this week we will add Read to Someone (which has very specific roles for each child, and very specific language for them to use) and Listen to Reading, which will have them scan a QR code to hear a story and then draw a picture and write a few sentences that correlate with the story. 

Each student will need their own pair of earbuds of headphones for Listen to Reading. Please purchase, label, and bring these in ASAP. Thank you!

Social Studies:  Social Studies and Science will often alternate. We will begin the year with a quick social studies unit on Families. This coincides with our ELA NatGeo story. You will notice that our social studies and science units often align with our ELA curriculum. 

Homework:  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, a page of breaking up our spelling words into their sounds, and a page or so of math. 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. 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 28th is our Open House from 5:30-7:00. I do not have much information at this time other than it will not be our ordinary meet the teacher, we did this during the back to school BBQ. This will be full of much more important information regarding what is pertinent to your child's educational success in the first grade. What is our focus for them this year and how can we partner with you at home to maximize your students educational success. As far as where you will be and at what times, stay tuned for those details. Please mark your calendars, I believe this will be an important night for all to attend.

Parent VUE Codes:  Some of you may have received a letter in your child's backpack in regards to a Parent VUE activation code. If you did it is because you have not activated your online Parent VUE account yet. You need Parent VUE to log on and finish the beginning of the year registration process. All parents that are in our system have access to Parent VUE; however, only one parent needs to complete the process. Please keep in mind, if we do not have this documentation on file, your students will not be completely registered for the school year. This will affect computer and iPad use as well as other important academic needs.  Please make sure your Parent VUE is active and your registration is complete by the end of this week. The registration can be done through this link https://www.fusd1.org/Page/15517. Thank you.

Dates to Remember:

• Wednesday, August 28th - Open House - 5:30-7:00 pm

• Monday, September 2nd - School Closed - Labor Day

• Wednesday, September 4th - First PTO meeting of the Year in Library - 4:30-5:30 - Childcare is Available

• Wednesday, September 18th - Picture Day

• Friday, September 27th - Mustang Gallop (More Info to Come)

Hope everyone had a restful weekend. -Ms. Shaw