Measurement

This month in math we're studying measurement.  Our children are learning how to measure with standard (centimeters) and non-standard (paper clips) units.  Through our investigations we have uncovered 4 tips for measuring:

1. Line up objects by their endpoints
2. Connect the length units
• No overlapping
• No gaps
3. The length units must be the same length

Consider allowing your child to use non-standard units to measure items around your house using the above guidelines.  Children could measure using toothpicks, paper clips, pennies, etc.  Or, if you have a standard measuring tape or ruler around the use the children could measure using centimeters.  1st graders can also practice ordering groups of objects from shortest to longest and longest to shortest.  

Our next investigation in math will involve organizing and analyzing data using charts and graphs.  You can prepare your child for our upcoming topic by reviewing how to draw and read tally marks to match numbers up to 30.  

Making 10 to Add

Upon our return from Thanksgiving break we began module 2 in math which focuses on an introduction to place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  At this point in the year, after finishing module 1, we hope to have 1st graders that are able to add fluently within 10.  Knowing those basic addition facts with sums to 10 is a building block that should be in place as we move forward to more complex addition strategies.  The quicker your child is able to recall those facts the better!  Especially important are the sums/partners of 10 i.e. 1 and 9, 2 and 8, 3 and 7, etc.  If your child could use extra practice with these facts consider playing the following game at home with a standard deck of cards!

As you can see from the homework this week, students are now using these skills to make a group of 10 to add since 10 is a "friendly" number.  When adding with three addends we're looking to circle the two addends that make 10 and then add.  For example, 6+4+5 would become 10+5.  Moving forward students are then training their thinking to make a group of 10 when adding with 9 or 8.  To get more of an understanding of this concept you can watch the following YouTube videos:

Making 10 to Add - Drawing a Picture Strategy

Making 10 to Add - Decomposing Strategy

Our children are really getting the hang of this skill!  Ask your child to explain this concept to you and I bet they'll be able to teach you just as they were able to teach their partners today!

As always, Reflex is also a great way for your child to practice their math facts as well.  You can download the app or go to REFLEX to login.

Nonfiction Writing

1st graders LOVE to be the teacher!  They are experts on many topics.  Naturally, they enjoy teaching others about their favorite topics, whether it be cheetahs, hockey, how to take care of a pet, or how to add and subtract.  

Over the next two months we will be writing informational, or teaching books.  The children will inform their readers about topics they feel they know A LOT about.  Two weeks ago an 'Expert List' was sent home to help your child brainstorm topics that they would be able to write many facts about.  This will help them along their journey of informing their readers.  

Encourage your child to read nonfiction books at home, or consider taking them to the library to select a few new titles!  Point out the text features that nonfiction writers use to share information such as headings, labels, captions, diagrams, etc.  

Most importantly, share in the excitement of your child!  Ask them what topic they're currently writing about each day.  Have them share the facts they know about their topic.  Perhaps even help them research a few more facts to support their topic by looking online or in a text.  

We can't wait to share some of the finished products with you!  

Happy Thanksgiving =)

November Dates

Important dates to remember in NOVEMBER:

November 3rd, 7th, and 10th - Conferences

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's progress throughout the first trimester.  We will celebrate successes and set goals for the coming months.  A reminder was sent home with your scheduled date and time.  Should a conflict arise please contact me to reschedule.

November 4th - Book Fair

November 8th - No School

November 23rd through 28th - No School: Happy Thanksgiving!

Social Studies

Since the start of the year we have been focusing on the topic of communities in social studies.  Our 1st graders learned about families, rules, citizenship, and community helpers.  Our children wrote about what they want to be when they grow up, and their projects are displayed in the hallway for you to see during conferences.  

Two weeks ago we had the privilege of meeting and learning about some of our very own Quakertown community helpers.  The Quakertown firefighters came to QE to discuss fire safety.  







  

After Halloween we will conclude our unit on communities by discussing the three different types of communities: urban, rural, and suburban.  Then we will begin our first science unit of the year, weather!  

Math Homework Helpers

Our first module of math this year is entitled: Sums and Differences to 10.  We have been working on combinations to 10 since the beginning of the year.  For instance, the combinations of 8 are 0+8, 1+7, 2+6, 3+5, and 4+4.  Our 1st graders have been playing a variety of games and completing number bond dashes to be able to recall these facts quickly and easily.  Look for an upcoming blog post on games you can play at home to help your child with their fact fluency!









Your child is coming home this evening with a large white packet of homework helpers.  This packet should be left at home and can be used to assist you with the vocabulary and set up of your child's homework.  There is one homework helper sheet for each Eureka homework sent home.  You can find the corresponding homework helper by looking in the top right hand corner of your child's homework for the lesson number.  See below - 





If you have any questions regarding the math homework or need any assistance deciphering any of the new language or formats used within our new Eureka math program please feel free to contact me!

Phonics and Reading

Our first graders are off and running!  

Sight Words/Word Wall Words:

To begin the year we reviewed K sight words, and now we are into our second week of 1st grade sight words.  Sight words (or word wall words) are words that we want our children to know automatically since their irregular spelling patterns make it difficult to "stretch/sound out" i.e. the, have, are, etc.  These are also words that will appear most often in our texts so the more practice the better!  You can find the weekly sight words listed on the cover page of the homework packet each week as well as on the final page of word cards.  Please work with your child on reading these words and keep all the word cards in a safe place at home to consistently review throughout the year.  You can have your child make a second set of the words on index cards and play the traditional memory/concentration game!

Phonics and Spelling:

Throughout the next few weeks we will be focusing our phonics and spelling on short vowels.  Last week we were introduced to Scaredy Cat A for short vowel A, and this week we met Icky I for short vowel I.  All of our spelling words follow the pattern for the week.  You can ask your child about these characters and what they say and practice reading and writing short vowel words with A and I.  Next week we'll be introduced to our next phonics friend to go along with short vowel O.  

 

Reading Strategies:

When our first graders get stuck on a word while reading we encourage them to utilize a reading strategy.  Students have been introduced to three reading strategies so far this year.  In your child's Reading Folder you see a bookmark that depicts the reading strategies.  When reading with your child at night please encourage them to use these strategies to solve unknown words.  The following strategies have been introduced:

If you haven't already done so please enter your email in the box to the right of this webpage to receive an email each time there is a new blog post.  I will begin to update this site with ways you can help your first grader at home as well as important events and dates.