FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR WEEK APRIL 21-25

The countdown just keeps going! As of Monday April 28 there are only 14
more instructional days, and that is scary. We have one of those days,
Friday May 9 as a field trip day, and the last day of school is the
annual carnival and picnic day. So folks, that leaves 12 days to get all
the skills into first grade computer brains for next year’s second grade
resources. Many things we are doing right now are review, but we are
still meeting some new skills along the way.

One of the areas we are still meeting new skills is Math. We are
starting the unit on linear, weight, and liquid measurement. Keep asking
your child what we are doing in Math, as this unit is probably the most
difficult. It is one that they don’t use on a daily basis, and have not
been exposed to a lot. We are working on: inch, feet, and yard,
centimeter, and meter, cup, pint, quart, and gallon, pounds and ounces.
We try to relate it as much as we can to their everyday life, which
makes it more meaningful and easier to remember. So we are asking for
them to ask you their birth weight, and do some investigating with
weights and measurements when they go shopping with you. So please
remember to take them along and ask them questions when purchasing milk,
juice and fruit or meats. We also talk about pop, gas and food they
consume. Accelerated Math is getting more difficult but challenging.
Flash math is coming along well, and the kids love the competition with
themselves. Hopefully, this will help them with second grade math.

In Science and Social Studies we are discussing and learning about our
water cycle. We went on a cleanup and wellness walk on Tuesday for Earth
Day. It was fun! It was a beautiful day to do the activity.

Tuesday April 29 we will go to the high school gym at 3:00 to meet the
Governor of Nebraska for a Wind Tower presentation. It is for the entire
community, so you can come too. On Friday, May 2, there will be a 1:50
dismissal for a teacher’s in-service, which is not on the calendar. Then, on
Tuesday, May 6, is the Reading Counts picnic in the multipurpose room to
celebrate all the books we read. Please bring a salad or dessert to
share with everyone for a potluck supper at 6pm. On Friday, May 9, we
will travel to our field trip and be back for bus time. Reread all the
information that was sent home as to being prepared for the day. Be
looking for a letter of information on the last day of school. It will
have lots for you to think about and how you can share the day with your
child. Any questions, please feel free to call me.

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR WEEK APRIL 16-18

In Reading we are moving along. We are working with base words and
adding endings to them. We find some are easy and just need to be added
on, while others we have to double the consonant to keep the vowel
short, drop the silent e and change the y to an i and then add the
ending. That is a lot to remember! We are adding to our reading counts
charts daily. We keep proofreading sentences and correcting them. We are
working on the correct form of a friendly letter and sending our last
one to our Pen Pals in Omaha. It has been fun writing to them. This time
we are including a video of ourselves and pictures we are bringing from
home. We keep reviewing all the skills we have met so far this year, so
our computer brains will remember them for second grade.

In Math, we are working on number families and finding how easy it is to
write two addition and two subtraction facts from each family. We are
trying to get good at finding the missing addend from a number sentence.
We are also trying to solve number problems by using the information
they give us to figure out the correct process we need to find the
answer. Friday is the big day, we get to go to Mrs. “B” Store and buy
with our money. Be sure to ask us what our purchases were, and if we use
the correct change. They are all excited and have been asking for days
when it is happening. We will be starting a unit on linear and liquid
measurement. This unit is always a tough one and we will be spending
some time one it.

In Social Studies and Science they are working on current events and
reading skills. They read their Weekly Reader and gain lots of
information from it.

We are finished with standard testing in all areas. The reporting needs
to be done locally, so you will receive a copy of your child’s result. I
hope you all read your letter at mid-term and found them helpful. Any
questions please feel free to call and ask. We have 20 instructional
days of school left. One of those days is May 9, which is our annual
field trip. You will find a letter in their mail explaining details
about this trip. Please read the entire letter and fill out the
permission form and lunch menu and return by Thursday May 1. Also the
end of the Year School Picnic will he held the 15 of May. More
information will be coming on that.

Well have a good weekend and love the weather we FINALLY have for SPRING

MRS. “B”

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR MARCH 31-APRIL 4

Well what a week of weather!  Start with a snowstorm and end with 60 degrees.  That’s Nebraska for you.  But time is rolling along.  We have 29 school days left to get everything done.  One of those days will be our field trip to the Royal area.  We will be going after the busses come in on Friday May 9 and returning before bus time that afternoon.  We need no extra supervision as Mrs. Johnson will be going with us.  We also will have an end of the year carnival and picnic.  More information will be coming on those two events as time draws nearer. 
In reading we are starting our ninth theme, with one more to go.  We now are just increasing our word usage, skill knowledge, and practicing them.  We go over the story elements and keep reading our reading counts books.  We are working on writing as we write in our journal daily along with extra writing in our language skills.  We keep working on base words and adding endings.  We are finding out that we need to look at the vowel sound in each word and look at the structure to see if we need to do any changing before adding the ending.  Spelling always uses words that have the skills we are working on. 
In Math we are working on money and oh is it fun.  We added the half dollar and it really gets confusing if count a mixture of all the coins.  Keep working with your bank at home, as this skill is one they will use in their daily lives.  We find there are many ways to make the amounts of money, and some are easy and some just take less coins.  We know we always start counting with the highest amount coin.  That way counting is easier.  We are also working on addition and subtraction facts to 20.  This is not new as we have some of these facts in our flashmath everday.  Many of us have gone through the addition and the subtraction and are back at the addition doing more of them in one minute .

Mid term is coming the end of next week.  I hope to get out a letter report of just where everyone is and things they need to improve on and work on during the summer months to help their second grade life next year.  The skills that are worked on over the summer really help the student adjust to the new grade level.
Well enjoy the weekend and if any questions feel free to call me.

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR THE WEEK MARCH 25-28

In Reading we are working on the skills we have been on all year.  We work on proofreading sentences, new spelling words, and reading stories.  We worked on writing and informational paragraph and you should have received that Wednesday.  They did very well with that and their research papers were very good also.  It gives them a bit of a look into what is to come in the future years of reading. We will have two theme books to get through before the end of the year.  So we are putting things in high gear and going to get as much done as we can.  We keep reading books and our charts are filling up and changing many times. 
In Math we have been working on time digital and analog.  Money came up next and we are working on counting pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and will hit the half dollar also.  We have a bank made with real money and work with it daily, I told the students they should have one at home and be working with it.  We are counting a collection of coins, finding the right coins to make the right amount, and challenging our classmates to tell us an amount for us to count out.  We will be going to MRS. “B’S” store and purchasing items, as long as we have the correct change.  It is a fun and interesting unit.
  We have started the Standards testing.  All the testing is done one the computers.  Some of the testing has been on an individual basis, and some we do as an entire group in the lab.  These are State Standards that are reported to the state the all first graders are to be taking and passing.  Ask your child about what an experience it has been.  These tests are taken in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  We did not take the Stanford tests, they are for second grade on up. 
REMEMBER:  EARLY OUT FOR TEACHER INSERVICE WED APRIL 2
MID TERMS WILL BE COMING OUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK
ONLY 34 SCHOOLS DAY LEFT TO THE END OF THE YEAR
FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIP TO ROYAL AREA MAY 9
READING COUNTS keep reading those books

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR THE WEEKS FOR MARCH 10-14  AND 17-21
MATH:  We are working on time : telling the hour, half hour, half past, and by five minutes, telling the elapsed time, the difference between two times, and reading tables and determining which is happening first, next, and last.  Check your child at home to see if they know these skills.  We also know about analog and digital clocks.

READING:  We finished a unit and spent this week on our RESEARCH paper.  On Monday we each chose a topic, and filled out a K_W_L  worksheet.  We wrote three things we knew were facts about our topic under the K for what we know.  Under the W we wrote three questions that we wanted to find out about our topic that we didn’t know.  Then we went to the library and Mrs. Howder helped us find at least one resource for our topics.  We then read and recorded things we found to be facts and put them under the L- what we learned from our resources were true about them.  We learned that you can only put facts into a research paper.  On Tuesday, we wrote our first draft.  On Wednesday, we are going to proofread it and make the corrections.  Thursday we will write our final draft.  Be looking for them to come home next week!

SPELLING:  On Monday a handwriting paper should have come home that had 4 columns on both sides.  These are our spelling words so far for the entire year.  We are taking part of the list each day and working with the words.  We should know how to spell them as they are all review words. 

SCIENCE and SOCIAL STUDIES: They are working on regions and this week they were in the desert.  They have been talking and writing about these regions.

EARLY OUT THURSDAY 1:50
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY MARCH 21
NO SCHOOL MONDAY MARCH 24

HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY SPRING TO YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. “B”

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR FEBRUARY 25-29

Well not much more than the usual going on this week.  In Math we have been working on skip counting and writing by 2’s 5’s and 10’s.  We colored number grids of 100 to match each one of these patterns and found that some numbers are in all of them.  This also led to learning how to tell even and odds by just looking at the ones place.  If the pattern 0-2-4-6-8 is there it is even, if 1-3-5-7-9 is there it is odd.  We also did some two digit addition with our grids.  Ask your child to show how we do that.  This next week will be starting a unit on measurement.  Time will be first.  We will figure out how long certain activities take us.  It will be fun and interesting.  We are going at a pretty good clip to get everything in that they will need for second grade skills.  So we are moving right along.

In Reading we are working on more ways to make vowel sounds.  We are learning that the English language isn’t always easy and words don’t always sound like they look.  We are reading longer and more difficult stories.  We are working on writing by the Six Traits also.  It is producing some very interesting stories.

In Science we are working on air and the things we can do with it.  We also will be discussing habitats.  In Social Studies we will continue working on maps.

Next week is a busy one.  You should have received two notes about Read Across America.  We will have a guest that day that will read to us and work with us on writing.  We are invited to dress up as our favorite character from any book.  We will have several people read to us, and we are inviting you to come and read a book of your choice to us also.  We would love to have you come.  Just let Mrs. B know if you are coming.  WEDNESDAY EARLY DISMISSAL FOR TEACHER INSERVICE, FRIDAY EARLY DISMISSAL FOR END OF QUARTER GRADING.  So a lot is going on this coming week.  ALSO ON THE 9TH YOU WILL NEED TO TURN YOUR CLOCK FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.  SPRING FORWARD SO MOVE THOSE CLOCKS TO ONE HOUR EARLIER.  OUR SPECIAL LUNCH DAY IS MARCH 10, SO COME AND EAT WITH US.
SO UNTIL NEXT WEEK- THINK SPRING!  AND HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
MRS.”B”

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR WEEK FEBRUARY 4-8

In Math we are working hard on place value.  We have learned there are several ways to write two or more digit numbers.  We call these the extended form EX: 48 is also 4 tens and 8 ones, and it is also 40 + 8 =48.  Ask your child to name you a number such as; what have three tens and two ones. Or, ask them to tell you how many tens and ones are in a given number.  No matter how large the number, they should be able to tell you the digit that is standing in the tens and ones places.  This skill is the introduction into two and three digit addition and subtraction. 
In Reading we are working on story elements.  We have spent a great deal of time on story details.  This involves working with comparison and contrast.  We keep working on correcting grammar sentences and writing in our journal daily.  We are working on writing an answer in a complete sentence from a question.  We find that many words we need in our sentence appear in the question.  We did some work on alphabetizing.  We did our names, first and last, and found we are in different positions when using two different starting words.  We are also working on syllables in words.  We find them by clapping as we say the word.  Then we can take the syllable and sound it out, before we put it back together to make spelling a bit easier for us.
We worked this week on descriptive writing.  Those will be coming home to enjoy next week.  We are working hard to get voice into our reading so it is not so boring.  We use many ADJECTIVES with our NOUNS to have “good word choice”.
In Science we are experimenting and learning about BUBBLES. We learned that they are really air in the water.  How did they get there? Are they always there?  Do they come out?  It is a fun unit to have.
In Social Studies we are talking about good and services.  We are finding out what that means, if we need them, who gives them to us, and why we rely on them.  You give us goods and do services for us, but we don’t pay you for them.  It doesn’t always work that way in the world. These things we are learning.
PARTY TIME PARTY TIME PARTY TIME Next Thursday is the VALENTINE PARTY.  Your child needs to bring valentines for the 11 classmates.  They may put treats in the valentines, or bring them separately wrapped to take home.  We will enjoy food and their cards for the party.  As always you are welcomes to attend, but not required.  I will supply the drink, which they earned from the Chamber Bucks from homecoming.  That seems to be the big and only event on the calendar next week.  REMEMBER:  NO SCHOOL MONDAY FEBRUARY 18 PRESIDENTS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ENJOY THE LONG WEEK END

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 28-FEBRUARY 1

In Math we are working on place value.  We started the unit off with talking about us and that we are in first grade so we are first graders.  However, next year we hopefully will be the same people, but in a different place, and will be called second graders.  So we used that theory to relate to the 10 digits we know.  If we place them in certain positions in a two or three digit number they may mean something else.  So we have been working on making objects into groups of tens, and naming them tens and then the number they mean.  For example:  2 tens = 20, 3 tens=30l, and so on.  We also worked with putting a group of straws together into as many tens as we could and then leaving the ones alone that could not make a ten.  We found that so many tens and so many ones makes a two-digit number.  4 tens and 5 ones makes 45.  Some of us picked up on this skill immediately and some of us are still having a bit of foggy weather.  Ask your child to read some two digit numbers and tell you how many tens and how many ones are in that number.  Or ask them to write you the number that says 7 tens and 8 ones.  Good practice!!!
In Reading we are into our sixth theme out of ten.  But as the themes get more involved we move slower.  We are working on harder words, story elements, and different kinds of writing.  Please have your child read to you the papers that they have written or read in class.  All children will benefit from the repetition and review of new words.  Keep children reading their reading counts books.  We have a few who are forgetting to bring them everyday.  I try to have children read to me, who are not taking as many tests as I feel they should be.  Also I have strongly encouraged some to start reading more difficult books.  Tests do not have to be taken everyday.  In Spelling we keep working on different ways to make the vowel sounds.  We will start a new list on Monday.
In Science we have been making a book about sea life.  We have been drawing pictures and discussing events that go along with the pictures.  We are working Social Studies along with the same discussions.
We are midway through this quarter, so we are moving right along.  We have lots of material to cover yet, and not a whole lot of time to do it in.  We have much to be serious about so I am really cracking down on children who are wasting their time.  If your child says that I have put children’s names on the board, that is true and you will probably get a phone call for them.  We just don’t have time for silliness in the learning time.  So please help me reinforce the paying attention and cooperation in the classroom.  It is very important at this time for the year.  Thanks for your cooperation and consideration in this matter.  What we do at school if all for the benefit of your child.  I treat them as if they were my own and I want the best for all my children.
Mrs. “B”

FIRST GRADE NEWS FOR WEEK JANUARY 21-25

Well as you well know we didn’t get in a full week of school.  I’m not sure Wednesday would count for a full day, but we celebrated DAY 100, today.  Be sure to ask your child about the details, but we did a lot of things with 100.  Some they really liked, and some were not so well accepted, but that’s life.  We did some problem solving and some creative writing with 100.  Our new math chapter start with the story the 100th day of school.  They can probably tell you the whole story.  We will start the new chapter with recognizing, writing, and sequencing numbers to 100 and beyond.
In reading we took a theme test Thursday so they should have the papers back to you by the first of next week.  We will just continue with this week’s work next week, seeing how we didn’t get much done with the weather, the testing, and the celebrating.  So keep practicing the spelling list with long o words.  We are working on story elements, cause and effect, and sentence structure. 
Science and Social Studies are carrying over from last week also.  Maps are still be discussed and worked on.  We continue to work with our responsibility in the classroom and at home. 
This is very short this week like the week was.  Thanks for all of those of you that came and shared lunch with us.  If the schedule didn’t allow you to make it feel free to come any time you can make it.  We would love to have you.  We are looking forward to warmer weather so we can get back to an outside recess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. “B”