Solids and Liquids

Our 1st graders engaged in a variety of science experiments this past week to culminate our unit on solids and liquids.  

At the start of the week we made sensory bottles.  The children combined salt, glitter, glue, and water to make their shakeable concoctions.  






At the end of the week we made our much anticipated SLIME!  The children dissolved borax in water and combined the mixture with glue, water and food coloring.  











Up next, we will shift our focus to the study of maps in social studies.  

100th Day Ideas

Looking for some inspiration for the 100th Day on Wednesday?  

Girls: glasses, canes, pearls, skirts, dresses, heels, wigs or gray hairspray, makeup for wrinkles
Boys: glasses, canes, suits, suspenders, mustaches, wigs or gray hairspray, makeup for wrinkles

Here's a quick glimpse into our 100th Day last year for some additional costume ideas!











We're looking forward to seeing the creative 100-year old outfits on Wednesday!

Pen Pals

You may have noticed that your 1st grader recently came home with a letter from a new friend!  This year we will again be partnering with a 1st grade class in Allentown to be pen pals.  We have received our first letter from our Allentown friends and have successfully written back to them.  We discussed the 5 parts of a friendly letter.  (See if your child can sing our song and name all 5 parts.)  We also learned that in friendly letters we SHARE and CARE.  We share by answering our friend's questions and telling them about ourselves, and we care by asking questions that we'd like to find out more about.  



The excitement on the children's faces when they received their letters was priceless. Consider having your child write a friendly letter to a relative or friend!  

We will be having a picnic to meet our pen pals in person later this spring!

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!