Math - Yesterday in math I shared an important math rule with the class - whatever you count forward, you have to be able to count backward. For example, if you student can count 1-100, then they should also be able to switch and count 100-1. We have been practicing counting backward from 20-1. Today students will participate in some counting activities with partners.
Word Work - We are working on identifying letter sounds, and matching the first letter of a word to the sound.
Writer's Workshop - Today we will focus on 'unfreezing our characters'. We want to add details to our stories to make our characters move and talk!
Social Studies - Students will share their past/present conversations today! We look forward to hearing everyone share! Then we will begin to talk about holidays and timelines for the remainder of the week.
Every Wednesday we have library check-out and computer lab too!
Exciting news...
*Our classroom read to self stamina is up to 12 minutes!!!
*Friday is Wisconsin Badger (red/white) dress day!
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Monday, September 28, 2015
Back to Work!
Good Morning!
It looks like another beautiful Monday morning, hopefully followed by a Packer win tonight! :)
Today students will be taking a math assessment to show what skills they have mastered, and those which they need continued practice. Look for your child's assessment to come home later this week.
Our word wall words this week are: big, get, tell, they. Students will be practicing writing their word wall words using colorful vowels. We have learned that a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y are vowels. When the students write their words today they will use pencil for the consonants and a colorful marker for the vowels.
Students have a guidance lesson with Miss Eake today. Ask your child what they learned about!
During literacy we will continue to write small moment stories. Students will learn to re-read their work to check for mistakes. We will also continue to build our stamina in read to self and work on writing.
For social studies we will continue to talk about jobs and why adults need jobs. Then we will move to our next topic of past and present. Thank you in advance for taking the time to have a conversation with your student regarding how life was different in the past!
Have a great day!
It looks like another beautiful Monday morning, hopefully followed by a Packer win tonight! :)
Today students will be taking a math assessment to show what skills they have mastered, and those which they need continued practice. Look for your child's assessment to come home later this week.
Our word wall words this week are: big, get, tell, they. Students will be practicing writing their word wall words using colorful vowels. We have learned that a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y are vowels. When the students write their words today they will use pencil for the consonants and a colorful marker for the vowels.
Students have a guidance lesson with Miss Eake today. Ask your child what they learned about!
During literacy we will continue to write small moment stories. Students will learn to re-read their work to check for mistakes. We will also continue to build our stamina in read to self and work on writing.
For social studies we will continue to talk about jobs and why adults need jobs. Then we will move to our next topic of past and present. Thank you in advance for taking the time to have a conversation with your student regarding how life was different in the past!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Wonderful Wednesday!
Today during math we will learn a new addition game called Bump! Students will also practice sequencing numbers and have time to use Dreambox on our classroom iPads. On Friday I will be sending home Dreambox log-in information to use at home!
This week we started an interactive word work notebook. Students will cut, glue, and color different letters, words, and pictures to help them understand phonic concepts. Yesterday we talked about vowels and consonants. Today students will practice sorting pictures according to their initial sound.
Today in the computer lab the students will have a chance to try Raz Kids. This is an online program that allows students to listen to and read book at their independent level. Students are also required to answer multiple choice comprehension questions after each book.
During writer's workshop we will continue to work on writing small moments. Yesterday we learned that a 'watermelon story' would be way too broad of a topic - such as a trip to Wisconsin Dells! We learned that small moments should be 'teeny tiny seed stories' - such as a ride down a big water slide!
For social studies today we will read a story called Families are Different. Students will then be asked to identify at least one way their family is the same and different from their classmates.
This week we started an interactive word work notebook. Students will cut, glue, and color different letters, words, and pictures to help them understand phonic concepts. Yesterday we talked about vowels and consonants. Today students will practice sorting pictures according to their initial sound.
Today in the computer lab the students will have a chance to try Raz Kids. This is an online program that allows students to listen to and read book at their independent level. Students are also required to answer multiple choice comprehension questions after each book.
During writer's workshop we will continue to work on writing small moments. Yesterday we learned that a 'watermelon story' would be way too broad of a topic - such as a trip to Wisconsin Dells! We learned that small moments should be 'teeny tiny seed stories' - such as a ride down a big water slide!
For social studies today we will read a story called Families are Different. Students will then be asked to identify at least one way their family is the same and different from their classmates.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Reminders for the week...
Tuesday
- We will be visiting the Book Fair as a class. If you would like, please send your child money in an envelope with his or her name on it.
- It is also Picture Retake Day. If your child did not have their picture taken at registration in August they will have their picture taken.
Thursday
- There will be an ice cream social for families at 5:00. The Book Fair will also be open at this time.
Happy Monday!
My apologies for only writing one post last week - my goal is to do better this week! :)
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous weather once again!
Today during math we will continue to practice ways to make ten and identifying 'dots and empties' in ten frames. We will also learn about sequencing numbers forward and backward. Counting backwards from any number is a great skill to practice at home or in the car!
Our new word wall words for this week are: are, her, him, with
Students will have an opportunity to work with Dreambox, our online math program, while we are in the computer lab today. Look for more information to come home at the end of the week regarding how to access Dreambox from home.
This afternoon during writer's workshop we will continue to write Small Moment pieces. The focus of our lesson today will be to identify ways to spell words.
We will continue to build our stamina for read to self and work on writing time!
During social studies today the students will be drawing pictures of their families. We will talk about ways families can be the same and different!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous weather once again!
Today during math we will continue to practice ways to make ten and identifying 'dots and empties' in ten frames. We will also learn about sequencing numbers forward and backward. Counting backwards from any number is a great skill to practice at home or in the car!
Our new word wall words for this week are: are, her, him, with
Students will have an opportunity to work with Dreambox, our online math program, while we are in the computer lab today. Look for more information to come home at the end of the week regarding how to access Dreambox from home.
This afternoon during writer's workshop we will continue to write Small Moment pieces. The focus of our lesson today will be to identify ways to spell words.
We will continue to build our stamina for read to self and work on writing time!
During social studies today the students will be drawing pictures of their families. We will talk about ways families can be the same and different!
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Monday Monday!
I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend! It was great to see the Packers get their first win this afternoon!
This week is our first full week of first grade! Tomorrow morning we will have Heidi Farber joining our classroom. She is currently a student at UW-Whitewater who is working toward a degree in early childhood education. She will be joining us for a few hours each Monday for the next ten weeks to complete her fall field study.
During math tomorrow we will continue to explore five frames and combinations of ways to make five, for example 4+1, 5+0, 2+3...
During word work students will be introduced to our new 'word wall words' for the week. This week's words are: going, on, off, you. Students will also practice writing these words. We will not have spelling tests in first grade; however, students will be expected to spell these words correctly in their writing pieces since they will be posted on the 'word wall'.
Tomorrow afternoon we will have an all school rotation to learn about our school expectations. We will learn about the expected behaviors for arrival and dismissal, on the playground, in the bathroom, in the lunchroom, in the hallways and more. Please ask your child to tell you about the expected behaviors in our school.
This week is our first full week of first grade! Tomorrow morning we will have Heidi Farber joining our classroom. She is currently a student at UW-Whitewater who is working toward a degree in early childhood education. She will be joining us for a few hours each Monday for the next ten weeks to complete her fall field study.
During math tomorrow we will continue to explore five frames and combinations of ways to make five, for example 4+1, 5+0, 2+3...
During word work students will be introduced to our new 'word wall words' for the week. This week's words are: going, on, off, you. Students will also practice writing these words. We will not have spelling tests in first grade; however, students will be expected to spell these words correctly in their writing pieces since they will be posted on the 'word wall'.
Tomorrow afternoon we will have an all school rotation to learn about our school expectations. We will learn about the expected behaviors for arrival and dismissal, on the playground, in the bathroom, in the lunchroom, in the hallways and more. Please ask your child to tell you about the expected behaviors in our school.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Good Morning!
Good Morning!
If you scroll all the way to the bottom of this blog page you should be able to find a calendar. I will be posting important school and classroom events on this calendar! If you have trouble locating it, please let me know. From what I can tell if you are using a mobile device to access the blog you will need to click 'View web version' in order to see the calendar. I will keep playing around to make it as user friendly as possible!
Every Wednesday we will be visiting the library. If your child wants to check out a new book they need to return the book they checked out last week. Basically your child needs to return their books on Wednesday morning and then they will be able to check out something new!
Last night our nightly math homework sheets started coming home. Please help set a routine for your child to complete their math homework and 20 minutes of reading each evening. This additional practice at home will increase their progress in the classroom!
If you scroll all the way to the bottom of this blog page you should be able to find a calendar. I will be posting important school and classroom events on this calendar! If you have trouble locating it, please let me know. From what I can tell if you are using a mobile device to access the blog you will need to click 'View web version' in order to see the calendar. I will keep playing around to make it as user friendly as possible!
Every Wednesday we will be visiting the library. If your child wants to check out a new book they need to return the book they checked out last week. Basically your child needs to return their books on Wednesday morning and then they will be able to check out something new!
Last night our nightly math homework sheets started coming home. Please help set a routine for your child to complete their math homework and 20 minutes of reading each evening. This additional practice at home will increase their progress in the classroom!
Monday, September 7, 2015
Happy Labor Day!
I hope everyone had a relaxing Labor Day weekend! It looks like we really lucked out with some beautiful weather - just a little hot! I'm looking forward to getting back into the classroom tomorrow!
Last week we focused mainly on learning the expectations and procedures in first grade! We will continue to work on our classroom routines and expectations until we master them! :)
This week we will do our best to follow our true first grade schedule! We begin each morning with morning jobs and writing in our planners. Please help your child to come to school prepared each morning with their blue folder, planner and book bag. Also, please make a point to go through the blue folder with your child each evening.
After our morning jobs we meet together at the carpet for morning meeting. This is a time for us to connect as a school family and commit to learning together and keeping everyone safe. This time is followed by our calendar and weather report. Next, students have an opportunity to order milk and enjoy their snack while I read a story. Last week I read stories about the beginning of the school year. This week we will read stories that will help us learn about manners in different parts of our school.
After snack we have our math lesson. Currently we are reviewing math skills, such as number identification, number sequencing and counting. This week we will also practice recognizing dot patterns and five frames. This week your child will begin bringing home a math sheet for homework each day.
Our math time is followed by phonics. This is a time we will be practicing a variety of skills to become proficient with understanding how words are made and can be broken apart. Students will also learn new grade level words, and have time to practice writing and speaking these words.
Each day after phonics we have our 'specials' time. Our schedule is as follows:
-Monday: guidance or computer lab (alternating weeks)
-Tuesday: music and physical education
-Wednesday: library and computer lab
-Thursday: music and physical education
-Friday: art
After specialist time students head outside for recess from 11:05-11:30, followed by lunch from 11:30-11:55.
When we return to our classroom after lunch we have writer's workshop. First, we have a focused mini lesson to each or review a writing skill. Next, students have independent writing time. We will end writer's workshop each day with time for a few students to share their writing with the class.
After writer's workshop we have shared reading time. This is a time when we will read a story together and focus on a specific literacy skill. This is a large group time that will last about 15 minutes.
Next, students will have independent literacy stations. Eventually students will have six different literacy stations each week. Currently, we have just begun building our stamina for read to self. Last week students were able to read to self for 2 minutes without breaking their stamina. Our goal is 15 minutes, so we will keep practicing!!!
Each afternoon we will end our day with a social studies or science themed lesson. During the month of September we will have social studies lessons, which will focus on the themes of citizenship, school responsibilities and holidays.
Thanks for reading to learn a little more about what your child's school day will look like!
Last week we focused mainly on learning the expectations and procedures in first grade! We will continue to work on our classroom routines and expectations until we master them! :)
This week we will do our best to follow our true first grade schedule! We begin each morning with morning jobs and writing in our planners. Please help your child to come to school prepared each morning with their blue folder, planner and book bag. Also, please make a point to go through the blue folder with your child each evening.
After our morning jobs we meet together at the carpet for morning meeting. This is a time for us to connect as a school family and commit to learning together and keeping everyone safe. This time is followed by our calendar and weather report. Next, students have an opportunity to order milk and enjoy their snack while I read a story. Last week I read stories about the beginning of the school year. This week we will read stories that will help us learn about manners in different parts of our school.
After snack we have our math lesson. Currently we are reviewing math skills, such as number identification, number sequencing and counting. This week we will also practice recognizing dot patterns and five frames. This week your child will begin bringing home a math sheet for homework each day.
Our math time is followed by phonics. This is a time we will be practicing a variety of skills to become proficient with understanding how words are made and can be broken apart. Students will also learn new grade level words, and have time to practice writing and speaking these words.
Each day after phonics we have our 'specials' time. Our schedule is as follows:
-Monday: guidance or computer lab (alternating weeks)
-Tuesday: music and physical education
-Wednesday: library and computer lab
-Thursday: music and physical education
-Friday: art
After specialist time students head outside for recess from 11:05-11:30, followed by lunch from 11:30-11:55.
When we return to our classroom after lunch we have writer's workshop. First, we have a focused mini lesson to each or review a writing skill. Next, students have independent writing time. We will end writer's workshop each day with time for a few students to share their writing with the class.
After writer's workshop we have shared reading time. This is a time when we will read a story together and focus on a specific literacy skill. This is a large group time that will last about 15 minutes.
Next, students will have independent literacy stations. Eventually students will have six different literacy stations each week. Currently, we have just begun building our stamina for read to self. Last week students were able to read to self for 2 minutes without breaking their stamina. Our goal is 15 minutes, so we will keep practicing!!!
Each afternoon we will end our day with a social studies or science themed lesson. During the month of September we will have social studies lessons, which will focus on the themes of citizenship, school responsibilities and holidays.
Thanks for reading to learn a little more about what your child's school day will look like!
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