Today I introduced the children to a new website that we will be using in our classroom and that they may use at home to practice spelling words. We had a blast with it at school today! I have made a link on the right side of this blog that you may click to take you right to SpellingCity.com. Then you can find our class spelling lists by clicking on my name on the left hand side. Then click Lesson 4 for this week. Next week will be Lesson 5. The list will appear and your child can immediately start using it to practice the words. Then click the Play a Game link and you will find a list of games that your child can play with our spelling words. Try out a different game each evening on SpellingCity! I recommend that you do this with your child at first before letting them go on their own. Each week, I will add the new spelling list on SpellingCity.com. The wall words for the week will be included on the spelling list since the children are responsible for learning to spell the words as well as read them. Therefore, there are 15 words on the list for this week. There is also a practice spelling test that your child can take. That would be great practice on Thursday evening as extra practice before our Friday tests! Have fun!
This week at a glance:
Language Arts/Spelling: In spelling, we are focusing on words with the digraph /k/ck/. In addition to reviewing the "naming part" of sentences, we are learning about the "telling part" of sentences (what someone or something does). Learning about the parts of sentences will lead us to learn about nouns and verbs. When reading, we are focusing on the beginning, middle, and end of a story. After reading several pages of a story, have your child stop and think about what has happened so far. Summarizing parts of a story will help your child understand and remember the whole story.
Handwriting: We are continuing with lowercase letters. Ask your child what it means to "bump" the lines. Each child needs to bring in a small sock to use during handwriting lessons (to hold their chalk and erase their boards). If you have not sent one in, please do so this week.
Writer's Workshop: We are learning strategies for adding to a story and that writer's write with many purposes.
Math: In math, we are using the analog clock to practice telling time to the hour, and are developing a sense of the duration of a minute. We will also be comparing the length of objects using rulers as well as using the rulers to draw straight lines. Both the analog clock and the ruler will be added to our math tool kits. We will also be counting pennies, learning about cents notation, and comparing numbers. Practicing these skills at home would be great reinforcement and help your child to develop confidence in math!
Bryce, Sarah, Anna, and Livvi have fun playing 2 Fisted Penny Addition during math!
Science/Social Studies: We begin our study of the human body this week learning about the skeleton and its major functions. This unit always proves to be a favorite in first grade!
Tomorrow we have a very special visitor coming to first grade! Charlie' stepmother, Michelle Clopet, has arranged for a professional zoologist from the Miami Zoo to bring some animals to share with the children. Part of her job is to put on animal shows and we are very lucky to have her come to do this for us!
Things to remember:
Picture Day tomorrow! Please send in the picture envelope tomorrow if you have not already! Everyone will have their picture made whether you are ordering pictures or not. They will be used in the yearbook.
Book order is due tomorrow!
Word rings come back to school on Thursday! Please be sure to have your child practice spelling the words as well as reading them.
Library books need to be returned by Thursday!
Volunteers this Week:
- Tuesday - Art - Ailsa Hudson (art time has changed this week due to the zoologist)
- Thursday - Library Check-out - Valerie Pillot and Kristen Danielson (2:05)
- Friday - Math Game - Valerie Pillot (9:00)
- Friday - Parent Reader - Liz Jack (2:20)
Susan
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