Mrs. Owen's First Grade Happenings: Week of October 10, 2011

Dear Parents:

The first grade service learning project is in full swing! Thank you so much for the items you have been bringing for the SPCA! Please don't stop! We need more! The bin is outside our classroom in the first grade hallway. We will be taking the items to the SPCA on Thursday, November 3. Here is the link to see the wish list of the SPCA:

http://www.spcatampabay.org/page.aspx?pid=396

Our class earned our first compliment party and we celebrated last Tuesday with pizza, ice cream, and popsicles! A BIG thank you to Kimberly Burke for providing the special treats! The kids are already on their way to earning the next party! Keep up the great work!

Here's a look at what we will be doing in class this week:

Language Arts: This week we are working on words with the digraph /th/ at the beginning of a word, as in that, and at the end of a word, as in path. This week's wall words are: don't her, line, Mr., new, says, and water. We are learning that a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or animal. This week we are concentrating particularly on nouns that name people or places. We will be reading the book, "A Mink, a Fink, a Skating Rink" to help us learn to pick out nouns in sentences. As you read with your child at home this week, have him/her point out nouns to you. This week we will also talk about the genre of realistic fiction, stories that are made up but could happen in real life. We are using a graphic organizer called a story map to help us understand and remember the beginning, middle, and ending of stories that we read.

Last Friday, the children enjoyed watching the play "Stuart Little" by E. B. White in the Janet Root Theater. E. B. White also wrote my very favorite book, Charlotte's Web, which I have begun reading aloud to the class. Mrs. Hensler’s third graders are also reading it as a class novel and we will be partnering with them for some fun activities. Our first visit with them will be Thursday as we begin to talk about the characters and do some "retelling" with character stick puppets that we will be making this week.

Writing Workshop: We are learning that we always have a graphic organizer with us to help tell stories that have a beginning, middle, and ending - our five fingers! We are using our fingers to help us internalize and plan the details of our stories ("first", "next", "then", "and then", "finally"). Ask your child about this strategy! We will also be focusing on the most important part of our story and adding details to that part.

Math: In math, we are reviewing basic number-line concepts by counting, adding, and subtracting on the number line. We will also be practicing telling time to the half-hour, and will be introducing a new routine called Frames-and-Arrows.

Science: This week during our human body unit, we will continue learning about the circulatory system, the digestive system, and keeping our heart and body healthy. We are also looking forward to a visit by Kayla's parents next Monday to help us learn more about keeping our bodies safe and healthy!

Things to Remember:

There will be no school for students this Friday due to a Professional Development Day for Teachers.

Tuesday, October 18 - Picture Retakes

Friday, October 28 - Fall Festival - There will be a sign-out sheet posted for parents to sign your children out when you leave.

Thursday, November 3 - Field Trip to the SPCA - Parents are welcome to join us. If you have not returned the Sage form regarding lunch that day, please do so - even if your child is bringing their lunch from home. Remember that all lunches must be completely disposable.

Friday, November 11 - Poetry in the Park

Volunteers This Week: