End Punctuation

From time to time I will post things on our blog (a central location) that I plan to use to teach/reinforce a skill.  Punctuation can be a very hard skill for many students to master.  Although this is a short video I like how the sentences used are simple and the tone of voice makes it clear what punctuation should be used.

Junie B. Jones

We had a great trip to the Flynn Theater this morning!  Students were an incredible audience and the musical was very entertaining.  Ask your child what part he/she liked the best!

Got Rekenreks?!?!?

Unfortunately, I got too caught up in beginning to teach students about our new math tool the 'rekenrek' to take pictures. However, I am posting a great video (it's long) that explains this excellent math tool, why it is important, and how students use it. Developing number sense and being able to decompose numbers is a huge part of math in first grade.

RAZ-Kids!

Today was the first day that students began to login to their RAZ-Kids account. Each child will access this site at least once a week (their share day) at school, but please feel free to use this program at home as well! It helps with fluency, comprehension, and decoding.

Reminder about our Field Trip!

We will be leaving promptly at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30th for the Flynn Theater.  We have arranged to switch our lunch time that day so students WILL have the option to have hot lunch (it's pizza day after all!) when we return.  Thank you!
                                                                         

What Timimg!

We had just opened a book (about police officers) and read the first sentence when two of our Colchester school officers walked by the door! They agreed to let us take a group photo. Fun moment'

Some Decoding Strategies

During reading workshop I have explicitly taught 5 decoding strategies so far. Oftentimes we ask children to 'stretch out words' and although that works for some words it doesn't work for all. Being able to use a variety of reading strategies will help your child improve his/her reading.

First Grade Self-Portraits

Unfortunately, with the iPad app I used (a free version) I had to create 3 separate videos. If you do not see your child in one of the videos please check the others. Boys and girls worked incredibly hard on this project and they will hang in our room for the duration of the year. I hope you'll see them in person at Open House on October 8th!

Tracy's Video

Tracy's Video

My Video

Videos for Learning

One site we use a lot to introduce or review new content is called 'Brain Pop Jr'. This morning we watched a video about characters. Students then used that information to read with a partner and determine the main character of their story.

Social Studies - Community Helpers

This week we have started our first official social studies unit - community helpers. On Monday in addition to your child's math homework you will also find the letter below. Please help your child answer the questions so that they can share what they learned at school. Thank you!

Sight Word Song Music Video

I find that music and engaging videos are a great way to help students learn and remember their sight words.  Below is one example.  If you like these videos check out the site 'have fun teaching'.  They have lots and lots of resources!

Great Job!

Our class did a fantastic job teaching about Constitution Day at school meeting this morning!

School Meeting Practice

First thing this morning our class joined the other first grade classes in the gym space to practice audience behavior with a big group. Students did a great job and demonstrated great self-control. We are so excited because our first school meeting is Monday and we get to lead it!

Guidance with Mrs. McCleary

Today we talked about the 4 zones of regulation. Students are learning that they can control their emotions and their responses in different situations. The blue zone is when you have pretty low energy. The green zone is when you are feeling happy and comfortable. The yellow zone means you may be feeling frustrated and starting to get upset. The red zone refers to being out of control.

Important Dates!

Just a few reminders...

1. Tonight (September 16th) is the UMS BBQ at Bayside Park from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

2. Tomorrow (September 17th) is UMS school picture day.

3. October 8th is Open House from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Partner Reading

Today students practiced reading EEKK (elbow to elbow and knee to knee). Partners did a great job sharing their books and knowledge!

First Grade Math

This week in math we have been focusing on using tally marks to help organize data. Students have practiced grouping tallies by 5 and then counting their work to make sure it's accurate. Additionally, we've been trying stations at math. Playing math games, using the iPads, and working in our journals have been just a few of the activities. Ask your child to show you how we do 'cross crawls'.

Gum

In first grade on most Fridays we will have an informal spelling 'check up'. I like to allow students to chew sugar free gum during the check up. Some research shows the act of chewing activates memory. I think it just helps reduce anxiety around the idea of a 'test'. Please let me know if you would prefer that your child not get gum. Thank you!

What is Down Syndrome?

Today Mrs. Isham (Charlie's Mom) came in to talk with us about Down Syndrome. We learned that it is caused by one extra chromosome. People with Down Syndrome can do everything people who do not have Down Syndrome do - it may just take them longer to learn how.

Read to Self Time - Building Stamina

Stamina is the ability to do something for a long time without stopping. This is what reading workshop has focused on for the last two days. Each day as a part of reading workshop children will have 'read to self' time. This is when students have 'good fit' books to read independently and I conference with boys and girls to help improve their reading in specific ways. Choosing their own spot to read allows children to feel comfortable. Keep watching to see when the loft and bathtub open as reading spots!

Writing Workshop

Yesterday we launched writing workshop! There is so much to talk about, but for now we are: building routines, discussing use of materials, and learning the 3 steps to writing a personal narrative story (we will call them 'small moments').

In Search of...

Hi everyone!  If you are looking to get rid of old scrap booking paper, wrapping paper, or any type of paper with color/prints/designs we would gladly take it!  We will incorporate the paper into our self-portraits.  Thank you!

A Funny Version of Tag

Ask your child about playing toilet tag with Ms. White's class today! I promise - it's fun!!

Math in First Grade

I realized that I have not been very good about taking pictures at math time...yet, but we have been hard at work. This week we focused on counting by 1's and 5's, estimating, and then checking our estimates by counting using a variety of strategies. We have some great thinkers in our room!

Self-Portraits...Next Step

Over the last two days everyone has had an opportunity to paint the background for their self-portrait. Students had to choose either a warm color set or cool color set. This project is carefully scaffolded so that everyone can feel proud of the end result.

'Red' Words

This week we practiced reading and writing the 'red' words (high frequency words that cannot be sounded out): the, I, and can. Next week's word will be 'see'. Although students are expected to read the first 100 Fry sight words by the end of the year there is also a handful they will be responsible for knowing how to spell. Those will be referred to as the 'red' words. Although we have not begun homework yet I would highly encourage you to read with your child and start practicing the 'red' words.

Sound Slides

This morning during word study students created their own sound slides using pipe cleaners and beads. The purpose of this tool is to provide students with a tactile way to break words apart and hear each sound. Then they can slide the beads back together to say the whole word. Making words and breaking them apart is a large skill as it is important for both reading and writing. 

Self-Portraits

One of my favorite projects each year is the creation of self-portraits. As a first step students have been coloring and decorating large name tags that will hang with their portrait. I discovered that this class likes 'bling!'

Guided Discovery of the Bus

This morning Mrs. McCleary came in to remind us what expected behavior is for the bus. We then took a short ride to Creek Farm Plaza to practice.

Doodle Ink!

Today students were able to use 'doodle ink' during our word study time. Ask your child how doodle ink works!

Student Online Accounts

As you may have noticed I have been sending home login information and parent letters over the past few days.  At UMS we are very fortunate to have building-wide access to several academic programs.  Although your child should be familiar with DreamBox Learning (math), RAZ-Kids (literacy), and EDM (our math program) sites from kindergarten I have not yet explicitly taught them how to use the programs yet this year.  Please feel free to allow your child to use these sites at home. As the year progresses your child should become quite independent with these programs. If you cannot find your child's username or password for a site please let me know!