Geometry

Our current math unit is all about geometry. Last week we focused on basic shapes: squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, trapezoids, hexagons, and rhombuses. We discussed the defining characteristics of each shape and how we could classify the shapes into different categories. We used our knowledge of these shapes to play a new game called "What's My Design?"  Our 1st graders sat across from a partner with a privacy folder separating them. One friend made a design and could then use only shape and positional words to describe their design to their partner who attempted to mimic the design.  The children soon discovered the importance of giving very precise directions. You can play this game at home with shape blocks or cutouts. Need a challenge? Take away the manipulatives and have your child draw the shapes in their design by hand. 

We concluded our week with an introduction to polygons. By analyzing examples and non-examples of polygons we generated a list of characteristics to define a polygon. 

1. Straight sides
2. Closed figure
3. All sides connect (No intersecting lines)

We used the analogy that if a pet were placed in the center of the polygon it should act as a fence and the pet would not be able to escape. We then created our own polygons with straws and twist-ties. (We even had a special guest with us!)

As the April showers bring May flowers, make a rainy day more exciting by taking out some straws and twist-ties and constructing polygons!

Read Across America

Last week we celebrated Read Across America in honor of Dr. Suess. Throughout the week we did a variety of activities involving Dr. Suess' many texts. On Monday we had our Read Across America festival. The children participated in a variety of activities and crafts hosted by our reading specialists and QCHS National Honor Society students. Before we went, we read The Cat in the Hat and fashioned our own hats. 

Later that day we wrote about what we would do if Thing 1 and Thing 2 came to our house. We had some very creative responses!  You can check out these projects currently hanging in our back hallway. 

And for our main event - The Suessasational Readover! This day is one of our favorites in 1st grade. Cuddling up with a book was never so fun!

I apologize for the hiatus in posting throughout February, but I am happy to report that we are back in action with more to share than ever! 

Upcoming Events

As a classroom incentive for positive behavior our 1st graders brainstorm rewards that they would like to earn, and we vote on one to spell.  At any point throughout the day when the whole class is doing an exceptional job, they will earn a letter toward their reward.  So far this year we have earned a C-L-A-S-S  P-E-T and an I-C-E  C-R-E-A-M party.  This past Friday we earned a S-T-U-F-F-E-D  A-N-I-M-A-L day where the children were able to bring in a buddy to spend the day with them!  We'll see what reward the children come up with to earn next. 

This week will be a fun week for the children as we celebrate President's Day, Valentine's Day, and our 100th Day of School!  Don't forget the following:

Wednesday: 100th Day of School - Dress up like you are 100 years old!

Friday: Valentine's Day - Bring in valentines for classmates. 

Fact Power

What is "Fact Power?"  Fact Power is the term we use to relay to our first graders the importance of beginning to know simple addition facts quickly and effortlessly without the use of a number grid or counters.  Similarly to reading a text multipe times to increase fluency, we need to practice our simple addition facts to increase our speed and accuracy.  Currently we are working on +0 and +1 facts.  In addition, we are working on sums of 10 (6+4, 3+7, etc.) and doubles facts (3+3, 5+5, etc.). 

Consider utilizing some of the following resources to engage your 1st grader in some fun addition practice!  Xtra Math is an online resource that we utilize in the classroom for addition practice, which may also be utilized at home.  A set of flashcards with the above mentioned facts was also sent home as a form of extra practice.  In addition, below are two new math games that you may play with your child at home to increase their "Fact Power." 

Shaker Addition Top-It -

All you need for this game is two dice.  One player rolls the two dice and adds up the total of both dice to find the sum.  The second player follows suit and rolls the two dice to find the sum.  Whichever player has the higher sum receives a point.  The winner is the player with the most points at the conclusion of the game.  Need a challenge?  Use three dice to practice adding three addends OR program dice to have digits larger than six.

Addition Top-It -

A deck of playing cards is the only material necessary for this game.  Before playing remove the face cards.  Deal out all numerical cards evenly amongst players.  Play is similar to the traditional game of war - Each player turns over two cards and adds the numbers to find the sum.  The player with the highest sum takes all cards.  The winner is the player with the most cards a the conclusion of the game. 

Happy Adding!

Procedural Writing

We are crazy about nonfiction writing in 1st grade!  Our friends are writing a variety of informational pieces throughout the months of January and February.  We are learning how to write with the purpose of informing our readers.  Last week we took a look at cookbooks, craft books, experiment guides, and toy assembly pamphlets.  What do all of these texts have in common?  They have steps/directions!  How could we possibly learn how to make that coveted starburst bracelet on a rainbow loom or build that dream dollhouse out of legos without the directions?  Our friends determined that a large feature of directions are transition or order words such as first, next, then, finally, etc.  We practiced this skill by generating and sequencing directions for how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, how to make your bed, how to blow a bubble, etc.  

Our recent snow days came at the perfect time as our first independent piece was how to build a snowman.  You can stop by the back hallway to see our projects currently on display.  Finally, each child created their own book of directions of their choosing.  Topics ranged from how to throw a football to how to draw a star.  Ask your child what topic they chose for their direction booklet.  These books will be saved for our end-of-year portfolio.  

Next up - Animal Research Reports!  

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our first grade family to yours!

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these smiling faces each day!

Questioning

Allow us to introduce you to Quincy the Questioner - a game show host that is constantly asking questions with his microphone!

First grade added a new comprehension strategy, QUESTIONING, to their repertoires before Thanksgiving break.  We now know that readers ask questions, before, during, and after reading.  We ask questions before reading to preview and predict by accessing our schema.  In first grade we know the expensive word schema as the little file in our brain where all of our prior experiences and knowledge is stored.  [Go ahead and try asking your first grader what the word schema is - I bet they surprise you!]  We continue to ask questions during our reading, to not just read, but dig deeper into our understanding.  And finally, we ask even more questions after we finish the text because we may (and almost always) still have some unanswered thoughts or wonderings. 

Take a look at our little questioners using their microphones to ask questions while reading a biography about Dr. Suess:

Ask your child who Quincy the Questioner is, and encourage them to ask questions while reading at home!  You can model this strategy by using who, what, where, when, why, and I wonder statements.