Update October 14th

*Last Tuesday, we had a full day Professional Development Day about the new Homework Policy.  The first grade team has decided to try not sending home the weekly Spelling homework this week. We will continue to practice the words in school during whiteboard spelling and work on words times. We will assess students on the weekly words on Friday like usual.  We're trying to assess whether students need the extra practice at home or if they learn and retain the words just from school practice.  We'll let you know what we find out from this week and whether we will reinstate spelling homework the following week.  Thanks for working with us as we make decisions about our new homework policy.

*Last week, I noticed many students were writing "It was fun" at the end of their writing.  We brainstormed a list of other ways to say "it was fun."  I hope many students will choose exciting endings for their stories this week.  We will also brainstorm ways to say "It was NOT fun" this week during writing.

*In Math, we will finish Unit 2 of Everyday Math.  Our focus will be on number stories, using addition and subtraction.  In math games, we are practicing adding numbers together using dice.  I've been encouraging students to find the higher number on dice, putting that number in their head and counting on to find the total. 

*We will finish our Science unit about plants and animals this week.  We'll finish up with finding the ways that parents care for their offspring.

*On Friday, our 4th grade book buddies from Crisafulli will come and visit our classroom.  The first graders will have a chance to read to their book buddies.

*Students are doing great in reading groups!  I'm constantly changing reading groups around as students make gains.  Some students have begun writing about the books they are reading, particularly writing about their favorite parts of the books.

*I had a few students ask for the login information for Dreambox (Math) and RazKids (Reading.)  These are two apps that students can use at home, but are not expected to.  We use both apps throughout the week in school.

Here is the login information for Dreambox.  Students should know their passwords.

To Access DreamBox on a Browser Your student can access DreamBox Learning from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection. If you’re using a browser, use this link: https://play.dreambox.com/login/3aaq/p3wa 

To Access DreamBox on an iPad To download the DreamBox Learning Math app, go to https://www.dreambox.com/ipad, or search for "DreamBox Learning Math" in the App Store. If you already have the app installed, you’ll want to make sure the latest version of the app has been installed so your student receives the most current experience and lessons. When prompted in the app, enter this school code: 3aaq/p3wa

Here is the login information for RazKids. Students should know their passwords.

Kids A-Z Login Instructions Step 1: Go to www.kidsa-z.com Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username, cconway2