Greetings All,
As we approach the 100th day of Grade 1 and prepare for conferences I am struck by the growth in each child individually and in the group as a whole. The class continues to meet academic, behavioral, and social/emotional benchmarks with grace. Because of this we are able to carve out time for extension activities that support our science and history units.
In math this week we used base ten blocks to explore why four 25's makes 100. We regrouped ones by changing them to tens blocks as we studied the law of conservation of values. For example you must trade ten ones for one ten stick. As we prepare for the 100th day of school we will be exploring how to manage more than two numbers at a time when adding. This is a great time to get out the loose change and begin coin counting at home.
In literacy this week we studied long vowels including vowel teams and r-controlled vowels. We conducted a fun activity using conversation hearts having each student create a sentence for each of the nine conversation hearts in their box. Special attention was payed to capitals, periods, spaces, penmanship, and spelling. We are supporting Lexia practice in class and encourage you to have the students continue this at home. Using a differentiated program students worked on finding the main idea of stories. Students also completed Part 1 of "Six Kids Jog" in our Explode the Code Series.
In history, we continue Black History Month by expanding our perspective on different ways of being. Our literature collection is adding to our experience and is helping us explore a meaningful and often overlooked part of our history.
In science, students are having a great time saving caterpillars and placing them in a habitat we created. We are taking this opportunity to learn about complete metamorphosis and each stage of the life cycle. We are also looking at how butterflies have been viewed by different cultures and different times. I came upon a thousand feet of cord and the students helped divide it between seven spools. Working in groups of 2-3 we are exploring how to spool and unspool cord as well as how to determine how long it is. The students were then given the task of figuring out how to find the middle of their rope. It was interesting to watch how all groups began in simple observation. When prompted to find a more exact way they figured out how to measure by lengths of fence, squares of concrete, or by folding the rope in half.
As always it is a privilege to teach your children and I count myself lucky to interact with them each day.
Thank you,
Jen Boen
As we approach the 100th day of Grade 1 and prepare for conferences I am struck by the growth in each child individually and in the group as a whole. The class continues to meet academic, behavioral, and social/emotional benchmarks with grace. Because of this we are able to carve out time for extension activities that support our science and history units.
In math this week we used base ten blocks to explore why four 25's makes 100. We regrouped ones by changing them to tens blocks as we studied the law of conservation of values. For example you must trade ten ones for one ten stick. As we prepare for the 100th day of school we will be exploring how to manage more than two numbers at a time when adding. This is a great time to get out the loose change and begin coin counting at home.
In literacy this week we studied long vowels including vowel teams and r-controlled vowels. We conducted a fun activity using conversation hearts having each student create a sentence for each of the nine conversation hearts in their box. Special attention was payed to capitals, periods, spaces, penmanship, and spelling. We are supporting Lexia practice in class and encourage you to have the students continue this at home. Using a differentiated program students worked on finding the main idea of stories. Students also completed Part 1 of "Six Kids Jog" in our Explode the Code Series.
In history, we continue Black History Month by expanding our perspective on different ways of being. Our literature collection is adding to our experience and is helping us explore a meaningful and often overlooked part of our history.
In science, students are having a great time saving caterpillars and placing them in a habitat we created. We are taking this opportunity to learn about complete metamorphosis and each stage of the life cycle. We are also looking at how butterflies have been viewed by different cultures and different times. I came upon a thousand feet of cord and the students helped divide it between seven spools. Working in groups of 2-3 we are exploring how to spool and unspool cord as well as how to determine how long it is. The students were then given the task of figuring out how to find the middle of their rope. It was interesting to watch how all groups began in simple observation. When prompted to find a more exact way they figured out how to measure by lengths of fence, squares of concrete, or by folding the rope in half.
As always it is a privilege to teach your children and I count myself lucky to interact with them each day.
Thank you,
Jen Boen