Here is an update of all that is going on in our classroom!
Phonics: The children have been learning about consonant clusters and changing first and last letters in words to make new words. We also have been reviewing syllables. Please continue to work on sight words at home. This will strengthen their reading.
Reading: The children are all blossoming as readers. Please continue to have them read the books in their reading bags nightly. I will be working one on one with the children in reading during the next few weeks. Therefore, you may not see many new books home. This is a great opportunity to read books together and discuss the characters, setting, problem and solution.
Writing: The children are really enjoying the process of becoming authors and telling their own stories. We are working on unfreezing their characters, making them talk, feel and think.
In our WYNN groups some students are working with the reading teachers while others are working on math fact fluency. A great app for aiding fluency is math number run.
Math: We have been working on subtraction and continue to work on problem solving.
Social Studies: We will discuss the process of voting and Election Day.
Have a great week. Stay warm!
Monday, November 4, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
34 Days in First Grade!
We are all settled in to the routines of first grade. I believe that the children really enjoy being in school all day long. They are eager to get out for recess and go to specials. They enjoy the time experimenting in science and working in reading groups. The following are a few updates for this week.
In phonics we are continuing to do a lot of word work. The children are changing part in words to make new words. They are learning that if you know one word it helps you to read or write another set of words. Please continue to practice high frequency words at home a few nights a week.
I switched some reading groups around and collected books. You will be seeing some more books come home this week. Continue to read nightly with your child. Have them read to you as well.
In math we have been working on math facts and problem solving. At times, the homework refers to 5 group cards. We are not using them right now so you can have your child skip questions that refer to those cards.
In science we are experimenting with shadows. The children are really enjoying this unit. Please ask them about the experiment we did on the soccer field. High Touch-High Tech will be visiting all the first grades on October 29th to culminate our unit on Sunshine and Shadows.
The firefighters came to visit last week to talk to the children about fire safety . The children will be assessed on their knowledge of fire safety for Social Studies.
The children have once again filled their super behavior jar and have earned a special treat. I am allowing them to bring in a small item for Show and Tell on Friday. It must fit in their backpacks. The children also have to be able to tell us 3 things about their special item.
Have a great week!
In phonics we are continuing to do a lot of word work. The children are changing part in words to make new words. They are learning that if you know one word it helps you to read or write another set of words. Please continue to practice high frequency words at home a few nights a week.
I switched some reading groups around and collected books. You will be seeing some more books come home this week. Continue to read nightly with your child. Have them read to you as well.
In math we have been working on math facts and problem solving. At times, the homework refers to 5 group cards. We are not using them right now so you can have your child skip questions that refer to those cards.
In science we are experimenting with shadows. The children are really enjoying this unit. Please ask them about the experiment we did on the soccer field. High Touch-High Tech will be visiting all the first grades on October 29th to culminate our unit on Sunshine and Shadows.
The firefighters came to visit last week to talk to the children about fire safety . The children will be assessed on their knowledge of fire safety for Social Studies.
The children have once again filled their super behavior jar and have earned a special treat. I am allowing them to bring in a small item for Show and Tell on Friday. It must fit in their backpacks. The children also have to be able to tell us 3 things about their special item.
Have a great week!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
End of September already?!
It is so hard to believe that it is fall and almost the beginning of October. We are in full swing in our room and the children have adjusted to their new classroom, classmates and teachers nicely.
The children have a few new faces this year. Mr. Moretti as their PE teacher, Mrs. Schdiman has their music teacher and Mrs. Ramano as our para professional in our classroom. Mrs. Lubbers, Mrs. Kovack and Mrs. McCauley are our reading specialist who the children join during WYNN. Also your child may see Mrs. Sampieri, Mrs. Sekelsky or Mrs. Quinlan during WYNN as well. Just wanted you all to know the names in case they came up around the dinner table.
A few other names you may be hearing are Kevin, Donald, George and Cynthia. As in Kevin Henkes, Donald Crews, George McClement and Cynthia Rylant. They are amazing mentor authors who we refer to often during Writer's Workshop. The children are blossoming as writers and enjoy writing about themselves through small moment stories. Ask them about Writer's Workshop.
The children are also becoming mathematicians and embracing our new math modules. I am really impressed how they are grasping the concepts of part-part-total and addition. We have been working on problem solving everyday as well. Ask them about their math journals.
We are also beginning our science unit about sunshine and shadows and we will be doing some experiments this week.
Please remember to have your child read the books in their reading bags and read to them nightly for pleasure. It also helps their fluency to hear strong readers .
Most importantly, enjoy this month of beautiful afternoons before it begins to get dark quick. Play outside, go for walks and spend time talking to them about their day. Remember, they will only be this young once.
Have a beautiful week,
Mrs. Crenwick
The children have a few new faces this year. Mr. Moretti as their PE teacher, Mrs. Schdiman has their music teacher and Mrs. Ramano as our para professional in our classroom. Mrs. Lubbers, Mrs. Kovack and Mrs. McCauley are our reading specialist who the children join during WYNN. Also your child may see Mrs. Sampieri, Mrs. Sekelsky or Mrs. Quinlan during WYNN as well. Just wanted you all to know the names in case they came up around the dinner table.
A few other names you may be hearing are Kevin, Donald, George and Cynthia. As in Kevin Henkes, Donald Crews, George McClement and Cynthia Rylant. They are amazing mentor authors who we refer to often during Writer's Workshop. The children are blossoming as writers and enjoy writing about themselves through small moment stories. Ask them about Writer's Workshop.
The children are also becoming mathematicians and embracing our new math modules. I am really impressed how they are grasping the concepts of part-part-total and addition. We have been working on problem solving everyday as well. Ask them about their math journals.
We are also beginning our science unit about sunshine and shadows and we will be doing some experiments this week.
Please remember to have your child read the books in their reading bags and read to them nightly for pleasure. It also helps their fluency to hear strong readers .
Most importantly, enjoy this month of beautiful afternoons before it begins to get dark quick. Play outside, go for walks and spend time talking to them about their day. Remember, they will only be this young once.
Have a beautiful week,
Mrs. Crenwick
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
First Grade is Fabulous!
Please send in an old sock to school so that your child may use it as an eraser for their white board.
Please sign up to be a Mystery Reader or sign someone up in your family. We already have 3 Mystery Readers on the calendar!
Don't forget to work on your child's Map of the Heart for Writer's Workshop. It will help them to generate ideas for writing. Ask the children about the writing process where they Touch and Tell, Sketch and Write. They will also tell you that we listen to classical music during writing. It seems to get their creative juices flowing!
We are working on reading fluently. The goal is to have the children read smoothly and not like robots. This is so important in helping them become successful readers. Some of the books in their bags may seem like an easy read but are they reading like a reader?? Also have them use their strategies when they have a book which is a little more challenging.
Homework will be given each Tuesday and Thursday night.
As you get Math work sent home and you see that the Math sprints are not complete. Do not worry. Sprints are designed to develop fluency. They are fun, adrenaline-rich activities that intentionally build energy and excitement for the students. The students start to recognize their increasing success and improvement is celebrated.
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