Reading Workshop

We continue to study nonfiction texts. Students learned about  many nonfiction text features and their purpose (how they help the reader). We are now moving into how to read nonfiction texts. For example, some nonfiction needs to be read sequentially, but a lot of it can be read in pieces and parts--you can skip around and find topics that interest you, the answer to a question, etc. Features of nonfiction such as a table of contents and index can help you find the part of the text you need. Also, we will be looking at comprehension skills with nonfiction texts, such as thinking about the author's purpose, questioning, understanding and analyzing text, reading for meaning, and recalling and restating facts. 

Math - Fast Facts and Number Families

Fact practice is the main theme of our current unit in math. Students were introduced to Name Collection Boxes and Fact Families. Our goal is for students to automatically know the +0, +1, doubles, and complements of 10 facts by the time they leave first grade.  We have also been working very hard on a variety of strategies that help students solve 'trickier' math facts as well.

Students working with Mr. Carter on a very tough math facts game.

These students are using their ''fact triangles' to quiz one another on math facts.

I introduced some new iPad apps this week that are great not only for math fact practice, but help with Base-10 and telling time as well.

Spanish Counting Video

Technology allows us to access many helpful tools.  During our study of Mexico I'm finding YouTube very helpful in teaching Spanish words and songs (I took eight years of French).  The video below is one we've been using to learn our numbers from 1-10.

Mexican Bark Art Paintings

Social Studies:
We are having fun with our Mexico unit, and last week we focused a lot on learning some Spanish words. We spoke in Spanish for our greeting, learned color words, and even used Skippyjon Jones books to learn some new Spanish vocabulary! The Amate Bark paintings in our hallway look beautiful and they are hanging proudly in the hallway. Coming up soon--more Mexican art and Spanish word learning and learning about Mexican food! This will include some cooking projects and sampling of a variety of fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico!

D.A.R.E.

Students had their second DARE lesson yesterday.  Officer Foutaine focused on how we can stay safe.  Specifically, he talked about medicine and who should decide when children need medicine.  He highlighted the fact that many medications can look like candy so students should never smell, eat, or touch something that they don't recognize.

Reading Workshop - Nonfiction Texts

This week we have kicked off our study of nonfiction text during reading workshop.  Although we talk about, read, and and explore nonfiction a lot in first grade this unit specifically focuses on the features of nonfiction and their purpose.  Additionally, students learn how nonfiction is different from fiction and how to read and interpret informational text.  Below you can see students fully engaged while they look for examples of photographs and illustrations.

Indoor Recess Fun!

Having recess inside on a cold day can feel a lot less fun than playing in the snow, but students were thrilled when we took out a new activity - play-doh!

D.A.R.E.

Students had their first of four D.A.R.E. lessons in 1st grade on Wednesday. Officer Fontaine of the Colchester Police Department is teaching these lessons. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Wednesday's lesson was about the importance of rules and why we have rules and laws all around us. Students had lots of great and relevant points to add to this conversation. For more information, please visit the D.A.R.E. website: http://www.dare.com/home/about_dare.asp. 

Flynn Theater Trip

Skippyjon Jones at the Flynn

The first grade classes are going to see a theatrical production of Skippyjon Jones at the Flynn Theater on Wednesday, January 30th at 12:00 noon.  Please remember that due to the time we need to leave UMS our students will not be able to eat lunch in the cafeteria that day.  Each child will need a bagged lunch on the 30th.  

Holiday Party (a little late)

Early on Friday before our holiday party I gave students a little present that was wrapped with 19 bows and everyone enjoyed taking their turn to help open the surprise!  We ended our day with a fun party and many family members joining us to celebrate!  Students enjoyed decorating Christmas cookies, putting a penguin thermometer together (thank you Mrs. Phillips), and of course eating some tasty treats!