Monday, March 26, 2012

Weekly Update ~ 3/26/12


We had another super week in first grade!

Language Arts
-In Language Arts, we read The Kite, a chapter from the beloved book, Days with Frog and Toad, written by Arnold Lobel. The children enjoyed reading about Frog and Toad and their efforts to fly a kite. We learned a very important lesson, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again!” Throughout our lessons, we practiced visualizing, or painting a picture of the story in our heads. We also practiced retelling the main idea of the story. 








Extending the Learning in Language Arts
For additional practice, check out the following sites:
Broadhollow’s educational presentation of The Kite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTLpiHIQLQc



Spelling
-In Spelling, the students were introduced to long i, spelled with letters -i, -y, and -igh.  The students took part in many spelling activities throughout the week to practice their new words and sentences.  Please be sure that your child completes his/her nightly spelling homework neatly!  Also, the children should be using proper letter formation in their daily writing. 



Extending the Learning in Spelling
For additional practice, click on the following links:



Grammar

-Our Grammar lessons focused on accurately using the verb see, sees, and saw to complete sentences.  We also practiced correctly using commas in the date, after a city, and in a greeting and closing of a letter. 

Extending the Learning in Grammar
For more practice, check out the following links:



Math
-In Math, we completed Chapter 14, Practicing Addition and Subtraction.  The students practiced using strategies to solve both addition and subtraction problems.  We reviewed fact families, related facts, and practiced finding the missing number in addition and subtraction sentences.

Extending the Learning in Math
For additional math practice, check out the following sites:



Computer Class
-Your first grader is beginning to learn keyboarding skills!  Below, Mrs. Iannessa introduces computer keys with the Keyboard Town Pals.  The children were introduced to left hand friends Amy, Sam, Dora, Frank, and George.  They loved practicing typing skills with this interactive program! 

 


Feathered Friends
-The PTC hosted another wonderful assembly for the staffand students.  Feathered friends from the Aviary visited McCormick, and the children were thrilled!  Here are some highlights:





Monday, March 19, 2012

Weekly Update ~ 3/19/12





We're Feeling Lucky in

First Grade!



Language Arts
- In Language Arts, we read a nonfiction selection about César Chavez, a Mexican-American labor leader, who helped crop pickers earn fare wages for their work on farms.  César Chavez worked with the grape pickers to help them get better pay and houses.  We practiced retelling main events in each of the stories we read throughout the week. 



Extending the Learning in Language Arts
For additional practice, check out the following sites:





Spelling
-In Spelling, the students were introduced to long o, spelled with letters -o, -ow, and -oa.  The students took part in many spelling activities throughout the week to practice their new words and sentences.  Please be sure that your child completes his/her nightly spelling homework neatly!  Also, the children should be using proper letter formation in their daily writing. 


Sidewalk Chalk Spelling Practice 




Shamrock I-Spy Spelling Word Search




Extending the Learning in Spelling
For additional practice, click on the following links:



Grammar
-Our Grammar lessons focused on accurately using go and went, and did and do verbs to complete sentences. 

Extending the Learning in Grammar
For more practice, check out the following links:


Math
-In Math, we are working on Chapter 14, Practicing Addition and Subtraction.  The students are using strategies to solve both addition and subtraction problems.  We reviewed fact families, related facts, and practiced finding the missing number in addition and subtraction sentences.




Extending the Learning in Math
For additional math practice, check out the following sites:






St. Patrick’s Day Fun
-We had a fabulous Friday full of giggles, green, and St. Patrick’s Day fun!  We started the day off with a Shamrock I-Spy Spelling Search, followed by a Mystery Reader, and finished the day off enjoying some reading and writing with our 5th Grade Buddies!  The luck o’ the Irish is with us ALL! 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Weekly Update ~ 3/11/12

What a busy week of learning and fun we had in first grade! 

Language Arts
- In Language Arts, we read several stories about having fun with family members.  Our main selection story, Gram and Me, sparked some great conversations and stories about the many things we do with our grandparents! 


Our focus skill was identifying character and setting, which we further explored through each story we read. Who is your favorite story or movie character? Why?

*BONUS CHALLENGE*
Write a story about your grandma or grandpa.  Be sure to include a setting.
Please include a picture too!

Extending the Learning in Language Arts
For additional practice, check out the following sites:


Spelling
-In Spelling, the students were introduced to long e, spelled with letters -e, -ea, and -ee.  The students took part in many spelling activities throughout the week to practice their new words.  Please be sure that your child completes his/her nightly spelling homework neatly!  Also, the children should be using proper letter formation in their daily writing.
Spelling Smiles

 

Word Work with Wiki Stix

Extending the Learning in Spelling
For additional practice, click on the following links:

Grammar
-Our Grammar lessons focused on accurately using has and have verbs.  We also had a lot of fun as we reviewed compound words. 


Extending the Learning in Grammar
For more practice, check out the following links:

Math
-In Math, we focused on addition and subtraction strategies as we completed chapter 13.  The students compared objects to find the difference.  They enjoyed writing their own word problems and using number sentences to solve them.  The students also took part in a Lucky Charm activity which involved sorting lucky charms by marshmallow type, creating a bar graph to display the data, and then completed addition and subtraction problems related to the data.  The students had a wonderful time working with their first grade friends! 





Extending the Learning in Math
For additional math practice, check out the following sites:
Number Line:  http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/numberline1_5_04/





Sunday, March 4, 2012

Weekly Update ~ 3/4/12


We had another fun-filled week of learning in first grade! 


Language Arts
- In Language Arts, we began Unit 4: Let’s Team Up.  The children enjoyed reading two different versions of the folktale, Drakes Tail.  We focused on making and confirming predictions as we read.  We also compared and contrasted stories throughout the week.  Additionally, we had a blast working with words as we identified rhyming words, practiced blending and segmenting words, and categorized words. 

Extending the Learning in Language Arts
For additional practice, check out the following sites:






Spelling
-In Spelling, the students were introduced to long a, spelled with letters –ai and –ay.  They built rhyming words such as play, day and hay, and rain, gain, and chain.  We also played spelling memory, and practiced unscrambling and building our spelling sentences. 
        

       
Extending the Learning in Spelling
For additional practice, click on the following links:



Electric Company video: http://youtu.be/ScAfL8AkRn4

Grammar
Karyu and Jolie compare their animals. 
Which one is smaller?


-Our Grammar lessons focused on using was and were verbs to complete sentences.  We also reviewed capitalizing proper nouns, and compared objects using –er and –est endings. 
 
Caleigh and Megan compare stuffed animals. 
How are they alike?  How are they different? Which is bigger?



Extending the Learning in Grammar
For more practice, click here:

Math
Mrs. Swisher demonstrates adding 3 numbers.

-In Math, we focused on addition strategies as we introduced chapter 13.  The students identified doubles facts, such as 4+4=8, and doubles plus one facts.  We know 4+4=8, so 4+5=9.  We also worked with adding 3 numbers and solving addition word problems.  We will move into a review of subtraction strategies next week.      



Doubles addition with Dr. Seuss.
Extending the Learning in Math
For additional math practice, check out the following sites:



Addition Word Problems:  http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/word-problems-write-the-addition-sentence

Number Line:  http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/numberline1_5_04/



Picnic Lunch with Mrs. Swisher!

-We celebrated excellent behavior throughout the month of February with a special picnic lunch with Mrs. Swisher!  The students had a delightful time eating their lunches picnic style, while also cuddling up with their favorite stuffed animal and a good book!  Keep up the magnificent behavior throughout the month of March!  I am proud of you all! J




                           Read Across America
-Friday, March 2nd was Read Across America Day, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday!  Thank you to all who joined us in reading throughout the day.  The students loved hearing all of your favorite stories!  Please check out our video for highlights from our day! 
Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, is our Author of the Month for the month of March.  We kicked off our author study learning with There’s a Wocket in my Pocket, a rhyming story about silly creatures hiding around a house.  Peek-a-boo!  We had a splendid time as we created our own rhyming characters hidden inside a pocket.  We can’t wait to have many more adventures in learning through Dr. Seuss’ other books!  Check out Dr. Seuss’ homepage for his biography, books, interactive games, and more!  http://www.seussville.com/

  
Odds and Ends
-March Book-It Reading Lists have been distributed to the children.  March is the final month for the Pizza Hut Book-It Reading program.  Just read the designated number of books, record the book title and author, and return to Mrs. Swisher for your certificate!  (Weekly reading stories count towards the Book-It program!) 

-Please continue to read with your child every night.  Our Accelerated Reader Program will continue through the month of May.  Read an AR book at home (2 or 3 times), and take the test the next day at school.  All first grade students who have earned 25 AR points by the end of May will take part in a school-wide pizza party at the end of the school year!  Keep up the super reading! 

- A BIG “Thank You” for the classroom donations of tissues, band-aids, pencils, and Ziploc bags!  I truly appreciate all of your support! J