Reader's Workshop
We wrapped up our nonfiction unit the first week in May. Readers focused on determining the main idea and key details in nonfiction books. Reader's and Writer's Workshop were closely linked during this time. Much of the work we did as readers carried over into our research writing!
Last week we began our final unit in Reader's Workshop. We will be focusing on fiction books- specifically getting to know the characters in books we read1 This week we packed our suitcases and tagged along with our characters as they went on adventures! We learned that readers pay close attention to where there characters are and when events are happening in the story. We also practiced retelling the most important parts of the story to our reading partners.
Last week we began our final unit in Reader's Workshop. We will be focusing on fiction books- specifically getting to know the characters in books we read1 This week we packed our suitcases and tagged along with our characters as they went on adventures! We learned that readers pay close attention to where there characters are and when events are happening in the story. We also practiced retelling the most important parts of the story to our reading partners.
Math Workshop
We began our last unit in Math Expressions! This unit is a 'sneak peek' into second grade, and students are able to practice many strategies for adding two digit numbers together! Here are the strategies we have learned:
Ten Sticks and Circles
Earlier this year we learned to represent 2 digit numbers with ten sticks and circles. We can represent both two digit numbers with ten sticks and circles and circle the new ten group.
Show All Totals
In this method, we find the total of the 10s, the total of the 1s, and then we add the totals together.
New Group Above & New Group Below
Children add the ones column. If there is a new ten, they put it above or below the tens column- just like when they circled a new 10 group when representing with ten sticks and circles!
Writer's Workshop
During the first week of May, first graders were very busy writing their animal research books! We learned how to take notes from our nonfiction books, organize our note-taking, and put our research into our own words. We also learned how to publish our stories digitally! We used an app on the iPads called Adobe Voice. Each writer wrote 4 chapters about their animal and published it into their digital story.
After the stories were published, I created QR codes for each story. We celebrated the end of the unit by scanning our friends' QR codes to read each story!
Last week we began our final unit in Writer's Workshop- Realistic Fiction! We created a fictional character and created adventures for him/her that included a problem and solution. Next week we will focus on creating mini series about one main character. We will share these with you at our parent picnic next month!
Science
We continued our study on soil. We explored how each of our soils mix with water.
We also planted a cucumber seed in each of the soils. We are eager to see which of the 3 soils will be best for growing!
IMPORTANT DATES!
June 2 11:30am- 1:00pm 1st Grade Parent Picnic
Come and join us for an end of the year celebration! Families are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch outside with their first grader. We will be kicking off the picnic with a short performance. Then, your child will join you for lunch as he/she shares some of the writing and projects throughout the year. Finally, you are welcome to join you first grader on the playground! (In case of rain, please join your child in his/her classroom)
*If you are unable to make the picnic, PLEASE let me know ASAP! I will find a family for your child to join :) You are also welcome to make arrangements for your child to join any family in 1st grade. If you can only stay for part of the picnic that is no problem!
June 9 - Last Day of 1st Grade
Writer's Workshop
During the first week of May, first graders were very busy writing their animal research books! We learned how to take notes from our nonfiction books, organize our note-taking, and put our research into our own words. We also learned how to publish our stories digitally! We used an app on the iPads called Adobe Voice. Each writer wrote 4 chapters about their animal and published it into their digital story.
After the stories were published, I created QR codes for each story. We celebrated the end of the unit by scanning our friends' QR codes to read each story!
Last week we began our final unit in Writer's Workshop- Realistic Fiction! We created a fictional character and created adventures for him/her that included a problem and solution. Next week we will focus on creating mini series about one main character. We will share these with you at our parent picnic next month!
Science
We continued our study on soil. We explored how each of our soils mix with water.
We also planted a cucumber seed in each of the soils. We are eager to see which of the 3 soils will be best for growing!
IMPORTANT DATES!
June 2 11:30am- 1:00pm 1st Grade Parent Picnic
Come and join us for an end of the year celebration! Families are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch outside with their first grader. We will be kicking off the picnic with a short performance. Then, your child will join you for lunch as he/she shares some of the writing and projects throughout the year. Finally, you are welcome to join you first grader on the playground! (In case of rain, please join your child in his/her classroom)
*If you are unable to make the picnic, PLEASE let me know ASAP! I will find a family for your child to join :) You are also welcome to make arrangements for your child to join any family in 1st grade. If you can only stay for part of the picnic that is no problem!
June 9 - Last Day of 1st Grade
