Sunday, April 3, 2016

Math In Focus - Chapter 13

April Happenings

Happy Spring!

We have been super busy working in our classroom. Here's a little update as to what we've been working on....

In Reading, Unit 7 :"I Think I Can" speaks of perseverance. It talks about what it means to persevere. It means trying again after you fail and especially when you feel like giving up. It also covers why it is important to always try your best. We will discuss that if you do not try your best and continue to try, you will never know how good you can be. We will read the following selections that cover this theme: Franklin Rides A Bike, The Kite, The Little Engine That Could, Riddles, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, The Tortoise and the Hare, and Winners Never Quit. 


Unit 7 also introduces the following sounds and spellings /ow/ spelled ow, /n/ spelled kn, /aw/ spelled au_ , aw, /aw/ spelled augh, ough, /oi/ spelled oi, _oy, /r/ spelled wr_, /f/ spelled ph, /er/ spelled ear, long /e/ spelled _ey .  

Unit 7 Sight Words: are, brown, how, about, around, long, know, want, by, into, before, yellow, old, any, from, water, come- students are rocking these works along with all other sight words introduced. If your student isn't automatic and fluent with sight words, please practice at home. 3-5 minutes a night should help. 

In Writing, we will begin writing Personal Journey stories. Please start brainstorming with your child about trips you have taken. It can be Maine, Cape Cod, Great Wolf Lodge, Camping, Lake trips, Beach trips, etc... They will need to include things that they did while on their journey, who was with them, and when they went. We will begin these stories soon. We will also be working on conducting interviews. Your child will be conducting an interview at home soon for homework.  

In Math, we just completed Unit 12- Numbers to 40. In Chapter 13 we will be focusing on addition and subtraction to 40. We will cover addition and subtraction with and without regrouping. We will also cover adding three numbers. Lastly, we will cover real world word problems. 



Other:

*Expo Night- April 21. Students will have work on display. It gives the students the opportunity to bring their families to school to show off some work that they have completed. 

*We are currently working on a research project on Trees! The students have been working with the Library Media Specialist (Karen Landsman) who introduced them to the Independent Investigative Method (IIM). This is a detailed process of  completing research on a topic following specific steps.  Our final product will be shared at a whole school assembly later in the month. Once completed, we will be inviting families in to see our project as well. As soon as we are ready, I will send a date/time for us to share our whole experience. 


* Spring Vacation April 25-29
Thank you for being such an important part of your child's first grade year!
Smiles,

Mrs. Salcito :)