Update October 26th

*This Wednesday, October 31st at 11:45am, is our Harvest Party.  Thank you to the parent volunteers and parents that have signed up to donate items for the party! Students may wear costumes in school only during the Harvest Party.  The costumes should be brought to school in a bag with your child's name on it.  No face paint, masks or weapons will be allowed.  

*In Math, we will practice counting on the number line, counting to add/subtract and skip counting.

*In Social Studies, we will begin our Economics unit.  Our focus will be on businesses that provide goods and services.  Businesses that provide goods sell items that are made or grown.  Businesses that supply services provide work that someone does for someone else.  This person is usually specially trained.  

*In comprehension, we will continue to learn about Non-Fiction features.  Students will begin writing their own Non-Fiction book: All About Me. 

*In Spelling, we will work on pattern words that rhyme with -all, -ill and -ell.  I will continue to send home spelling lists.  The activities are optional assignments.

*Star of the Week: I will be the first Star of the Week in our class.  On Friday, I will share personal photos, collections and some of my favorite things with the class.  Each Friday we will choose a new Star of the Week.  Every student will have a chance to share.  When your child is chosen, you will receive a letter with information and a poster for your child to fill out.  My hope is for everyone to have their own special time to share a little bit about themselves.

Looking Ahead

October 31st at 11:45- Harvest Party

November 7th- Author Visit- Salina Yoon

November 11th- No School (Veteran's Day observed)

November 14th- Mrs. Conway has Jury Duty

November 16th- Author Visit- Emile Boon

November 19th- No School, 2-8pm Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 20th- 2 Hour Delay- 8:30-10:45 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

November 21st- 12:20pm Early Release

November 22 & 23- No School

Update October 19th

*Thank you for sending in donations for the Westford Food Pantry.  We will continue to collect donations through the end of the week.  On October 30th, two other first grade classes will deliver the canned goods to the pantry and stock the shelves.

*Thank you for sending in donations for our three school parties.  I will go out this weekend to get supplies for our first party, the Harvest Party!

*In Math, we will finish Unit 2 and begin Unit 3.  Our focus this week is finding the parts of a number story and their totals.  We will also play domino top it.  Domino Top It is a game you could play at home if you have a set of dominoes.

*Domino Top-It*

1.    Place all of the dominoes on the table face down.

2.    Each player turns over one domino and counts the dots on each end of the domino.

3.    In turn, players say the number model corresponding to their domino; i.e., 4 + 7 =11 (for 4 dots on one end and 7 dots on the other).

4.    The player with the largest sum takes all of the dominoes from that round.

5.    Play continues until all dominoes are gone.

6.    The player with the most dominoes at the end of the game is the winner.

*Reading Groups are going really well.  Some of you have noticed students coming home with reading response journals in their reading bags.  Most of the time I send these home just so you can see what we're working on in reading group.  If I'm expecting the students to do any work in them at home, I will mark that on the reading log.  If you're child hasn't come home with a response journal yet, they will be soon.

*Mr. LaCoste will come to our room this week to read our next Care to Read book called, All Are Welcome.

*We will begin to learn about Non-Fiction features this week.  We will find features in a read aloud book and then students will explore other non-fiction books from our classroom library to find features.  

*In Writing, we will learn about what an "inside story" is.  When writing a story, the outside story is what happened (what everyone could see.)  The inside story is how you felt about what you were doing (i.e. I had a great time or It was boring.)  Students will make sure they use inside stories in their writing.  We will also practice using a writing checklist.

Looking Ahead

October 31st at 11:45- Harvest Party

November 7th- Author Visit- Salina Yoon

November 11th- No School (Veteran's Day observed)

November 14th- Mrs. Conway has Jury Duty

November 16th- Author Visit- Emile Boon

November 19th- No School, 2-8pm Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 20th- 2 Hour Delay- 8:30-10:45 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

November 21st- 12:20pm Early Release

November 22 & 23- No School

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

Update October 5th

*No School Monday, October 8th for Columbus Day

*No School Tuesday, October 9th for Professional Development

*This week we will not have a spelling list since we have a short week.  Students will receive math homework on Thursday only.

*Last week, the students welcomed a new fish into our classroom.  They voted to name him Frank.  His full name is Frank Gummy Bear Rex Denisavich.  Students are taking turns feeding Frank and reading to him during Read to Someone.

*Yet again, the class filled up the pom pom jar by showing expected behavior.  They voted to pick a prize from my prize box.  Today they will come home with a sticker, pencil or eraser.

*In Math, we will practice using a calculator and work on change to more number stories.

**In Writing, we are writing "small moment" stories.  Small moment stories are taking a big story like going on a trip and picking one small moment from the trip to write about.  For example, the plane ride or your favorite ride at Disney.  

*In Science, we will observe the seeds we planted a couple of weeks ago.  Students will be observing leaves this week.  We will also talk about what body parts help different animals to survive.  We will observe our new fish, Frank.

*On Friday, we will have an all school community meeting to discuss the items the Food Pantry needs.  A list of items for donations will be sent home next week.

Update September 30th

*On Friday, we practiced our first ALICE Drill.  During our first drill, we evacuated and the second drill, the students barricading the door and were ready to counter.  I was incredibly proud of all of the students.  Everyone remained calm, worked together and showed great leadership.  You should all be very proud of your kiddos!

*Last week, the class filled up our classroom "expected behavior" pom pom jar for the 2nd TIME!  The class voted to get a class fish.  I was able to fund a fish, tank and all of the accessories through a grant from "Pets in the Classroom." Our class fish will spend its first day in Room 3 tomorrow.  We will vote on the fish' name as a class tomorrow!

*On Monday, the first graders will meet to learn more about our upcoming service learning project to the Westford Food Pantry.  Students will learn about the problem and find out their roles in helping collect food for the pantry.

*On Tuesday, we will visit the Westford Food Pantry with Mrs. Mannone and Miss Dean's classes.  We will survey the shelves and make list of items the food pantry needs.  We will bring the list of items back to our school community and ask all students to join us in collecting food items.  In a few weeks, Mrs. Capobianco and Mrs. Carvalho's classes will go to the food pantry to stock the shelves!

*Wednesday is Picture Day!  It is recommended that students avoid wearing green, as they will stand in front of a green screen for photos!  We don't want any floating heads!

*Looking Ahead: Monday, October 8th (Columbus Day) and Tuesday, October 9th (Professional Development) there is NO SCHOOL.

*Reading Groups are now in full swing!  Students will come home with books to read a couple times a week.  Please read at home, sign off on the reading log and return the next day.

*In spelling this week, we will focus on words with short a, o and u.

*In Math, we will focus on subtraction number models, tally marks, combinations of 10 and addition.

*In Science, we will learn more about the differences in animal and human senses.  Last week, we were able to observe roots growing on seeds and students planted their seeds in soil.

*In Writing, we are learning about the importance of using periods at the end of sentences.  At this point, we're expecting to see students experimenting with periods. 

Update September 24th

*Happy Fall!*

*Starting this week is Spelling Homework.  On Monday, students will receive their spelling list as well as a Spelling Tic Tac Toe.  Students will have activities to choose from to practice their words two nights this week.  New activities are shared each week to work on spelling words.  If you find an activity that works well for your child but isn't on that week's list, please do it!! We will also practice these words in class this week.  On Friday, we will have a spelling check-in.  

*In math we will finish up Unit 1.  We will check student's learning with a math assessment on Monday.  Unit 2 will start on Tuesday.  Our focuses this week are:
*counting on (starting at 5 to count up 3 more)
*turn around facts (1+2=3 so 2+1=3)
*2 Fisted Penny Addition (combos of 10)

*In Daily Five, we continue to practice Read to Self, Read to Someone and Work on Writing.  We will introduce Work on Words this week.  Students will learn strategies to practice their spelling words at school.  We will begin reading groups this week during Read to Self. 


*We will travel to the Cameron Senior Center on Tuesday, October 2nd (11:30-12:30) to visit the Westford Food Pantry. Our class will join Mrs. Mannone & Miss Dean's classes to survey the food pantry shelves.  Students will write list of food and supplies the food pantry needs.  A master list will be used to ask our school community to donate food and supplies.  Please return permission slips to school.  I will be in touch if you are chosen to chaperone the trip.

Looking Ahead:
October 8th- No School, Columbus Day
October 9th- No School, Professional Development for Teachers & Staff

Update September 15th

*On Monday, we will travel by bus to the Day School to visit the Living Lab.  We will leave at 9:20am and return just after 11:00am.  Our focus at Living Lab will be how living things use their body parts and the comparing plants.  Please dress for the outside weather as we will explore the Reed Brook during our visit.

*I hope to see many of you on Monday night (September 17th) from 6-6:45pm for Back to School Night.  We will quickly chat about curriculum and spend time learning about important information for all parents to know.  Please note, this session is for parents/guardians only (no students) in order to discuss what to expect in first grade.

*Starting this week, students will be taking books out of the Library during their weekly visits.  Please be sure to send books back to school each Monday so your child can take out another book.

*On Friday, we will be walking through the Robifulli trail to Crisafulli to meet our 4th grade Book Buddies from Mrs. Boyle's class.  Each month, we will visit our Book Buddies.  We will get to know them and enjoy reading activities together.  Again, please dress student's for the weather.  We will be a Crisafulli from 10-11am.

*September 21st is International Day of Peace.  We hope you enjoy our display of peaceful pinwheels outside when you arrive for Curriculum Night on Monday.

*Students will have a writing ideas homework assignment this week that will be due back to school on Friday.  The paperwork and information about this will go home on Monday.  We will be using these ideas for writing throughout the school year.  Please continue to send it sticky notes on Mondays to help students remember what they did over the weekend. Every Monday, we will write about our weekend and share with our classmates.  Some students get stuck on what to write about and having a reminder from home will be helpful.

*Our Focus in Math This Week:

*data collection

*counting by 1s and 5s

*exploring math materials

*solving simple number stories

*counting larger numbers

*In Science this week, we will explore how animal's body parts help them.  Students will see how animals use their fur, blubber or feathers to keep them stay warm.  

*We will continue building the components of the Daily 5.  Students are building their stamina in Read to Self and Work on Writing.  We will introduce Read to Someone and Work on Words this week.

*In Writing, we will discuss what to do when you think you're done with a piece of writing and how to continue a story.  We will also explore how you can use known words to spell tricky words.