Thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us at the Florida Aquarium last Thursday. It was a wonderful trip. The children were so excited to see so many of the fascinating creatures of the sea. Many came in today excited to tell me what creature they have chosen to research for their next project. I posted many pictures to our class shutterfly site. If you have pictures to add, please do! You may also send pictures to me as we will be making a slideshow for our program.
Each Monday morning we are taking a little quiz on the ocean animal studied the previous week. The children use "clickers" to give their answer to ten questions. They love doing this! Last Monday we took a quiz on Dolphins and we answered everything correctly! This morning we took a quiz on whales and only had a couple of misses! Today we began learning about sea turtles. Hopefully, you will be learning some things about these amazing creatures this week from your child!
What else is going on in our class?
Reading/Language Arts: We continue reading non-fiction books as we practice using all the features of non-fiction texts such as the table of contents, headings, sub-headings, index, and glossary. We are learning how to research and find information in these texts. In essence, we are learning to read and reading to learn! We continue to practice using the many reading strategies and comprehension strategies that we have been working on this year. When reading with your child at home, please model appropriate expression with them. When reading many non-fiction texts, we practice using our "Discovery Channel voice" - ask your child about this!
Please remember that the words that your child is bringing home on their Ocean word ring are also the spelling words for the week. Each week the words will be vocabulary for the main sea creature that we will focus on that week. This week's words are listed to the right. Please be sure to practice these words daily with your child. The children need to be able to read them, spell them, and know their meaning. This will help in their understanding when both reading and writing.
The children will be bringing home books on the sea turtle this week. It is again IMPERATIVE that everyone return the book and the response journal no later than Monday.
Writing Workshop: We continue to use mentor texts to help us with non-fiction writing and will continue working on "All About..." books.
Math: We have begun unit 9. In this unit, we will continue to identify patterns in the number grid and use these to help us practice place value and add 2 digit numbers. We will also continue to learn more about fractions and have some fun with symmetry.
Science: This week we will be focusing on the different kinds of sea turtles found in our oceans. We will be reading and researching about them, writing about them, observing them, comparing their sizes, and exploring their shells and bodies. We also have a research lab set up in our classroom where we are using our skills that we are learning in reading to research lots of other interesting sea creatures as well.
One of the most exciting parts of this unit are the dissections that the children participate in! Upper division science teacher, Lisa Peck, partners with us to bring this exciting learning opportunity to our first graders! Last Friday, she brought squids to dissect. I will post pictures on our class shutterfly site soon! This Wednesday, she is bringing sea urchins and starfish to dissect with our students. On Thursday, May 17, she will bring blue crabs. On Monday, May 21, we'll dissect dogfish sharks! This is always a highlight in our unit! We can't wait! Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to help out with any of the dissections!
Volunteers this week:
* Tuesday - Art - Mary Harris (12:05)
* Wednesday - Math Game - Mai Nguyen (1:15)
* Thursday - Library Check-out - Kimberly Burke - 12:05
* Friday - Parent Reader - Kelli Cross (2:15)
Other Important Reminders/Dates/Information:
First Grade Program: Commotion in the Ocean is Friday, May 11th at 8:30 a.m. Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss the best show at Shorecrest! The children made t-shirts to wear to the program. They should wear jean shorts/skirts/or skorts with these t-shirts. The shirts will come home Thursday, May 10th.
Splash Day May 18th. A flyer will be coming home Tuesday. Children should wear swimsuits under their uniforms. They need to have a towel, water shoes, or a change of shoes, to wear the rest of the day. Please be sure to send underwear and socks to change into as well.
End-of- the- Year Party - Thursday, May 24th - Students again may wear their "Commotion in the Ocean" t-shirts with jean shorts, etc.
Last Day of School - Wednesday, May 30th, noon dismissal
Have a great week!
Susan
Susan
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