Week of August 22nd!

"We are all unique!"

Last week we used the vocabulary word unique.  We have learned that each student is very unique.  Ask you child about the Elmer Elephant activity that we did.  I am amazed each day at how special each child is and how each child comes together and shares all of their unique qualities to make this a very special team of first graders. 

This week in literacy the theme is Ready, Set, Go!  We are continuing to blend short a words and the students will learn and begin to identify onset and rime.  We will continue to work on story structure while reading fables and stories in class.  Remember to use the words beginning, middle and end when comprehending books that are read at home.  :)  Our oral vocabulary words for the week are express and movement.  Our high frequency words are (too, yes, it, over).  This week we will also be using photographs to reinforce the concept of labels as we read informational nonfiction texts. 

In grammar we are continuing to learn about complete sentences as we focus on special end marks. 

In religion we are learning all about Heaven.  One of my favorite lessons!  We are focusing on the phrase...Heaven is more beautiful than...  The students are asked to bring in photos or magazine clippings from home to hang on our poster.  Some examples would be flowers, the sky, mountains, etc... The answer will always be Heaven is more beautiful than...the sky...or the mountains...etc.  What a beautiful thing to learn and know!

In math we are working on number bonds!  Wow...what big learning we are doing.  The students are learning to visualize part part whole by using a number bond along with using math sprints to help with memorization and getting used to timed tests.  Ask your child to make you a number bond at home.  :)

Spelling is great!  We are working on the th sound in words.  We are also learning that some words are spelled the way that they sound but some are not.  We will use our own names to help us with this concept.  How fun!!

This week in vocabulary we are focusing on the word community.  We will break up the word community and really understand the meaning by defining the word, using the word in a sentence, coming up with a picture for the word and finding a synonym and antonym for the word community.  Wonderful!!! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  I am having such an amazing time teaching your children and cannot wait to return after having my baby to continue this very exciting journey. 

First week of school!

" God Is Good All the Time...All the Time God is Good!"



The first week of school went great and the second week is off to a fantastic start!  The students are excited and did a fantastic job transitioning into first grade.  It is going to be a wonderful year full of new learning.

I look forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night this Wednesday at 6pm.  Here is some information regarding Curriculum Night. 

 1.  Curriculum Night for K-5th Grade Parents - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2011
This is opportune time for parents to hear from your students’ teachers on the events and expectations for the year. We will run three, 20 minute sessions on the night for any parents that have multiple students, so they have the opportunity to meet with all of their teachers.  The first session will run from 6:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m., the second session from 6:25 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., and the third will be from 6:50 p.m. - 7:10p.m.  If you only have one student, feel free to stop in for any one of the three sessions.  Art, Music, PE, and Spanish will be in the Library.  We hope to see all of you there!  

During the first week the students learned all about our first grade routines! 

This week we dove right in and the students were excited to use their workbooks.

In religion we are learning that God is Our Father.  The students are learning and reflecting through prayer that we can talk to our Father just like we talk to our fathers on Earth.  When I asked the students why God made us they replied..."Because God Loves US!!!!"  Absolutely!!!

In literacy this week we are working on blending short /a/ words.  We will be working on character and setting in stories and focusing on the strategy story structure.  In grammar we are working on sentence vs. fragment.  Ask your child what a sentence is... they should respond..." A group of words that tells a whole idea (we even have hand motions that go along with it)".  :)  We will be learning that nonfiction text and photographs give us information.

We also are starting Singapore Math this week (our new math series).  the students and I are excited to dive in and explore the wonderful world of math together! 

We love working as a team and the students are doing a great job working together to be REAL  Christian Leaders.  For any new families...our student learning expectations call for the students to be REAL (Responsible Christian Leaders, Effective Communicators, An Independent Thinker, and Life-long Learner).  WOW!!  We sure are off to a great start!  I am very proud of the students in 1B.

We are doing many wonderful things here in first grade.  I will try and post some talking points each week so that you can discuss with your child all the wonderful things going on in first grade.  When i receive all of the photo release forms I will post some pictures of the amazing learning going on as well!