Update December 16th

*Thursday- All school holiday sing-a-long.

*Friday, December 23rd- 12:20pm Early Release

11:00am- Winter Party- No snack is needed this day. We will have snack at our party.

No School December 26-January 2nd.  We will return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

*We will finish up Unit 4 of Everyday Math.  The students are excelling in making sums of 10 and adding 3 numbers together.  We will assess students progress in math during the week.

*There will be no spelling list this week or the week we get back from vacation.

*In Science, we will answer the question: How Are Shadows Made?  We will experiment with light and paper gingerbread people.

*We will continue learning about holidays this week.  Our focus this week will be on:

*Las Posadas

*Kwanzaa

*Eid & Ramadan

*St. Lucia Day

*Christmas

*I want to wish you and your families a happy winter break.  Thank you for all you to do to support your child at school.  They are all excelling and showing great growth.  Thank you!

Update December 11th

*This Tuesday, we will have school store for first grade in the morning.

*We will begin to learn about Fall/Winter holidays this week.  The holidays we will focus on throughout the next two weeks are:

Diwali

Hanukkah

Las Posadas

Kwanzaa

St. Lucia Day

Christmas

*In Math, we will finish Unit 4 of Everyday Math.  Our focus this week will be on combinations of 10, adding 3 numbers together and 10 more/10 less.

*In Writing, we will continue to talk about adding ending punctuation, adding fancy words and details to our stories.

*This week in Science, our focus will be on whether light goes through all materials.  We will do an experiment focusing on using a flashlight to shine light through many materials.

*As our weather turns to snow in the forecast, please remember that students need proper attire to play in the field at recess.  Please consider sending in snow attire in a reusable shopping bag with your child's name on it.    Reusable shopping bags stand up on their own and do not break which is helpful in our crowded coat room.  In order to play in the field, students need:  boots, snowpants,  a winter coat and gloves.

Looking Ahead:

*Friday, December 23rd- 12:20pm Early Release

We will have our holiday party this day.  You do not need to send in snack.  Thank you Ruthanne Madsen for organizing this party.

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2nd- No School

We will return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Update December 5th

*This Thursday, December 8th is a 12:20pm Early Release.  We will have snack in the morning.

*On Friday, we will walk to Crisafulli for Book Buddies.  We will leave around 9:15 and return around 10:30.  Please dress appropriately for the walk through the woods.

*In Math, we will collect and represent data through graphs, work on double facts (2+2, 4+4) and explore with shapes.

*Last week, students produced pieces of writing to show all they've learned so far in first grade.  I was so impressed with their writing.  I will be making copies and sending them home this week.  Additionally, this week we will work on adding fancy words and interesting endings to our stories.

*In Science,  we will begin a new unit called "Light and Sound." This week, we will observe how light can help you see.  We will play a game called "spotlight," observe different types of light and write a story about light.

*Mrs. Kane will come to our classroom on Wednesday to read our next Care to Read book, The Other Side.

Update November 28th

It was nice to meet with all of you last week to discuss your child's progress in first grade.  Thank you for taking the time to come in and meet with me!

*In Math, we will begin Unit 4.  Unit 4's focus is on measurement.  We will make estimates and measure objects with standard and non-standard units of measurement.

*In Spelling this week, we will practice writing words with and without King-ed.  For example cut and cute.

*In Writing, we will work on our end of unit Writing Prompt.   I will look for students to use all of the elements of writing we've talked about since the beginning of the year.  Students will be expected to: 

*Use best handwriting- with spaces between words

*Capital letters at beginning of sentences and for names

*Periods or exclamation points at end of sentences

*At least 3 sentences

*Lots of details

*Outside and Inside Feelings

*In Social Studies, we will finish making our products and we will sell to our classmates on Wednesday afternoon.

*We will finish our Non-Fiction Features book this week.  We will also go to the library on Wednesday to learn more about features.

Looking Ahead:

Thursday, December 8th- 12:20pm Early Release

Friday, December 23rd- 12:20pm Early Release

No School- December 24-January 2

Update November 20th

*I hope you and your family are enjoying your weekend!  I'm looking forward to spending more time with family and friends over next weekend's holiday break.  We spent our weekend in New Hampshire with friends and even visited Santa at the North Pole.  Arya had a great time!

*I'm looking forward to greeting all of you at Parent/Teacher Conferences this week. Just a reminder, Progress Reports will not be shared during this conference time.  If you have a question about your conference time, please send me an email!

*Monday, November 21st- 2 hour Delay- School starts at 11:05am.  Conferences 8:15-10:45am  Please send a snack.

*Tuesday, November 22nd- No School. Conferences 2-8pm

*Wednesday, November 23rd- 12:20pm Early Release.  Please send a note if there is a change in dismissal plans.  We will have a snack in the morning. We will all eat together and share what we're thankful for.

ALSO on Wednesday, November 23rd- RACE FOR EDUCATION!!

First Grade will be participating in Race for Education (over $8,000 has been raised so far!!!!) We will be outside from 10:15-11:15 jogging, running, dancing, skipping and hopping to raise funds for our school.  Please remember the following for that day:

1. Dress students in layers.  It may be cold that day.  Come prepared with gloves and hats.  Also, in case the field is wet, it might be a good idea to pack an extra pair of socks.

2. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc. are invited to join us (not expected.)  We will invite you to join the kids in walking, jogging, and/or running if they’d like.  

3. Volunteers will be located at the front entrance to sign visitors and volunteers for the race in and out. Students may be signed out after the race provided that we have permission to do so (grandparent, etc.). 

4. Please email me with other questions.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!

 

Update November 13th

*We are looking forward to a full week of school this week!

*On Tuesday, we will have School Store in the morning for first grade.  Please send no more than $2 for students to spend.

*Also, on Tuesday our class will be attending the school book fair during Library class.  For book fair students can browse and create a wish list for parents to purchase during conferences or they can purchase items using cash or check.  Tuesday will be a very busy shopping day for us!  I will try my best to have students put purchases directly into their backpacks to avoid lost items.

*On Friday, we will welcome our Book Buddies from Mrs. Kost and Mrs. Boyle's classes to our classroom.  We will work on "thankful" projects and read to our Book Buddies.

*Last week in Social Studies, students decided on the businesses that they would like to create.  We had some great ideas from a jewelry shop to a paper airplane shop.  Students are requesting the following supplies to create their businesses.  If you are able to donate that would be appreciated.  

Items Requested:

*Craft Paper

*Colored/Patterned Duck Tape

*Molding Clay

*Cookie Cutters

*Beads

*Paint

*Pasta-wheel shaped, large ziti

*Students will begin to use a new Math program called Dreambox at school.  This program will help with all areas of math and introduce students to new mathematical vocabulary.  For example, a number model is also a number sentence and an equation.  At this point, students will only be using Dreambox at school.  Tomorrow during math, students will begin to use Dreambox independently on the iPads and desktop Mac.

*In Math, we students will take the Unit 3 assessment.  I will share these assessments during conferences next week.

*In Writing, we are working on adding an "inside voice" to our writing.  Students are beginning to write about what they were feeling.  For example:  This weekend, I went pumpkin picking with my family.  We went on a hayride.  I was so excited to go over the big bumps.  

*At parent/teacher conferences next week, we will have an opportunity to talk about your child's progress academically and socially.  If you haven't returned your "November Conference Discussion Sheet" please return it this week. It gives me more information for preparing for your conference time.  A change this year is that Trimester 1 Progress Reports will not be finished by the time of conferences.  Grades close on December 2nd and progress reports will be available on iPass on December 16th.

Update November 6th

*To sign up for Parent/Teacher conferences, please use the online conference sign-up.  The link for sign-up will be available on the Robinson School website from Monday, November 7th at 3:30pm until Friday, November 11th at 3:30pm.  

*No School Tuesday, November 7th- Election Day

*No School Friday, November 11th- Veteran's Day

*We will not be sending home a spelling list this week.  Please continue to practice the 100 Power Words (high frequency words) that can be found inside your child's BEE Binder.

*In Math, we will learn about frames and arrows, which will help us practice addition and subtraction facts. We will also practice using a calculator to help with skip counting.

*In Economics, students will work creating a business.  They will work in teams to decide on a business they can create (paper fans, jewelry, holiday decorations, etc.)  Once students create a business plan with their team, I will send home a list of items we're asking to be donated to help build our businesses.  Students will then work on their products over the next few weeks.  Finally, we'll sell our items to the other "businesses" in our classroom.

*In handwriting, we are working on beginning our lowercase letters.  I'm encouraging students to begin using lowercase letters when appropriate.

Looking Ahead:

November 15th- School Store

November 18th- Book Buddies

November 21st- 2 Hour Delay- conferences

November 22nd- No School- conferences 2-8pm

November 23rd- Race for Education/ 12:20pm Early Release

November 24 & 25th- No School