Update January 17th

*This is a reminder that there is No School on 

Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

*Since it is a short week of school, we will home this week's spelling list on Friday.  Students will be working on blends with the letter r, for example: frog, crib, pride.

*In Math, we will focus on finding the difference between numbers and creating subtraction number models (equations.)  We will also begin our mid-year math assessment to see how students are doing with the concepts we've learned throughout the year.

*In Science, we will experiment with sound and learn how movement creates sound.  We will explore using different musical instruments.

*In Writing, we will continue to learn and write about facts vs. opinions.

Looking Ahead:
February 14th- Valentine's Party: I will send a Sign Up soon for volunteers and donations of food.

Winter Break- February 17-21.  We return to school February 24th.

Update January 10th

*In Math, we will measure crooked paths, continue to compare numbers and continue to work with place value (tens and ones.)

*In writing, students will begin our Opinion Writing Unit.  We learn the difference between a fact and an opinion.  This can be very difficult for first graders.  Many of them believe their opinions are facts!  We will begin to make opinions and back them up with facts.

*We will finish our Social Studies unit on Mapping this week. Students will explore and create a map key for the United States.  We will also finish reading the book Around the World, Who's Been There and finish documenting where the character Miss Lewis stopped along her journey around the World.

*In Science, we will begin our Unit on Light and Sound.  This week, students will answer the question: How does light help you see?

*We had a new student start in our class this week.  You can find an updated friendship list using this link:
Mrs. Conway's Friendship List


Looking Ahead:

Monday, January 20- No School MLK JR Day

Update January 3rd

*This Tuesday, January 7th is School Store for first grade.  As a holiday gift, I gave out coupon books to the students.  One of the coupons is for 50 cents to spend at School Store.  Students can "cash in" their coupon at this week's School Store or save it for another time this school year.

*We are in need of empty paper towels rolls (just the cardboard roll that's left over.)  We will use the rolls to make number scrolls in math.

*In Math, we are beginning Unit 5.  Our focus will be on place values (tens and ones place) and working with a number grid and larger number scroll.

*In Social Studies, we will explore maps of Massachusetts, The United States and the World.  Students will identify important landmarks and cities.  They will also create map keys and add compass roses to their maps.

*Spelling and Math homework (Tuesday and Thursday nights) will begin again this week.  Students will also continue to come home with reading books a couple of times a week.  As a reminder, if specific chapters are assigned please only read these chapters. We are working on making predictions and collecting clues in our books.  This is difficult to do if they've already read on.  Thanks!

*There is still time to be a Mystery Reader in our class. The students love having their favorite adults come in to read to their class.  Please send me an email if you would like to set up a time to come in and read!  cconway@westfordk12.us

Looking Ahead:

January 20th- No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Update December 13th

*Friday will be pajama day at Robinson.  Students (and winter party volunteers) are welcome to wear their pajamas to school.  Students can bring slippers to wear in class, but must have regular shoes for recess and to get to and from school.  We will also have a school wide holiday sing-along and a dance party to celebrate making our fundraising goal for the Turkey Trot.  Also, we reached our goal (plus more) for the hats and mittens drive.  Mrs. Boylan will be throwing a pie in Mr. Middlemiss' face at the sing-along.  It is sure to be a super fun day!

*On Friday, we will have our Winter Party.  Thank you for all the volunteers and donations of food and beverages.  The party is from 1:45-2:30.  Volunteers should arrive around 1:30 and donations can be dropped off anytime before 1:30.  Thanks!

*In Math, we will finish up Unit 4 and the students will have a math assessment on Monday and Wednesday.

*We will not have spelling this week.  We also will not have spelling the week we get back from vacation (since it's only a two day week.)

*We will learn about holiday traditions celebrated around the week this week.  Students will learn about Las Posadas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

*We will write and share about our family's holiday traditions this week in writing.

Looking Ahead:

December 21-January 1st- No School, We will return on January 2nd.

January 20th- No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Update December 6th

*If you are interested in volunteering or donating food/beverages for our Winter Party (Friday, December 20th) please follow the link to sign up through sign up genius.  Volunteers would need to arrive by 1:30pm.  Food would also need to be dropped off before 1:30.  Thanks so much! 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4DA8A62BABF85-winter

*This week we will finish Unit 4 of Everyday Math.  Our focus is on making combinations of 10 (addition facts) and adding 3 numbers.  We will learn to play Fishing for 10.  This game can be played at home with a regular deck of cards by taking out the Jacks, Queens and Kings.

*Last week in Social Studies, we explored maps and filled in areas on our Robinson School Map.  Next week, we will learn about cardinal direction and build our own compass rose.  We will also find our house on a map of Westford.

*Please return the Holiday Traditions Homework by Wednesday.  We will use this for writing later this week/next week.

*In Recess Club, we will review the 4 Zones of Regulation and talk about ways to get back in the green zone (ready to learn) when we go into the blue (sad/tired,) yellow (upset) and red (angry/destructive) zones.

Update November 27th

*I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  It was nice to meet with all of you this week to discuss your child's progress in first grade.  Thank you for taking the time to come in and meet with me!  

*This Thursday, December 5th is an 12:15pm Early Dismissal Day.  We will have snack in the morning.  Please send a note if your child's dismissal plans are changed for the day.

*Over the next several weeks, we will begin to learn about Fall/Winter holidays. The holidays we will focus on throughout our time are:

Diwali

Hanukkah

Las Posadas

Chinese New Year
Christmas

If there is a winter holiday your family celebrates that's not on this list please let me know.  I would love to add a holiday your family celebrates to our list to learn about!

*In Social Studies, we will begin our new unit on Mapping. We will explore maps from all over the world and also our school map.  We will learn about the features found on maps.

*In Math, we will focus on collecting data, using tally charts and bar graphs.  We will also practice addition facts.

*Please continue to spend in water bottles to school with your child.  We take frequent water breaks to refuel our body and mind for learning.

*In reading groups, we will focus on character's feelings.  Students will write about how the character is feeling in their reading response journal.

*Our Winter Party is scheduled for Friday, December 20th from 1:45-2:30.  I will send out an email shortly to check in with donations and parent volunteers.  Thanks!

Looking Ahead:

December 5th- 12:20pm Early Release

December 20th- Winter Party/Pajama Day

December 21-January 1st- No School, We will return on January 2nd.

Update November 15th

*In Math, we will continue 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 continue to practice writing words with and King-ed at the end. 

*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

*We will finish our Non-Fiction Features book this week.  

*On Friday morning, we will walk to Crisafulli to meet our book buddies.  Please dress your child for the weather outside.

*On Friday, students will go to the Book Fair in the afternoon.  Students can shop at Book Fair or make a wishlist for you to shop during conferences.

*I am looking forward to seeing you next week to discuss your child's progress.  You should receive an email from signup.com reminding you of your conference time.  However, if you need a reminder, please just send me an email.  

Looking Ahead

November 21st,  - Author Visit- Emilie Boon 

November 22nd- Book Buddies and Book Fair

November 25th- No School, 2-8pm Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 26th- 2 Hour Delay- 8:30-10:45 Parent/Teacher Conferences 

November 27th- Turkey Trot & 12:20pm Early Release

November 28th and 29th- No School

December 5th- 12:20pm Early Release