April 18-22

Dear parents, 

This week in first grade we have been reading and writing more non-fiction books. We have learned more features of non-fiction such as glossary, index and diagrams. We explored non-fiction texts with these features. We read the book Sharks and the book Raptors. 

In writing we have worked on adding "fancy" words. We learned a strategy for writing longer words. First we clap the word, then we stretch out all the parts writing one part at a time. We also have reread our books and decided where we can add or take out parts. We put a table of contents in our books. 

In math, we have wrapped up Unit 7. We reviewed time to the hour on a digital and analog clock. We have started unit 8, geometry. A family letter came home this week. We will learn the attributes of polygons, we will begin to learn halves and fourths next week. 

Science has been exciting this week. We have learned that mealworms need 4 things to survive. We have learned mealworms start as an egg and when they are born they are in the larva stage. We are waiting for them to change into pupae. We do not know what our mealworms will be as adults and are keeping this a secret until they are full grown adults. 

If you have not turned it your child's field trip money it is due on May 2.

Have a great week! 

Mrs. Scheck 

Week of April 11-15

Dear parents, 

Welcome back from a snowy week off for Spring Break! I'm hoping the weather begins to look more like spring and soon!

This week we have started a new non-fiction unit of writing and reading. In reading we have read two nonfiction books this week, Our Stars and A Frog Grows and Changes. We have learned two features of non-fiction books. We learned headings and captions, and we looked for them on our own books during daily 5. We will learn about labels and key words tomorrow and Friday. 

In writing we are have made lists of things we are experts on. We began writing "teaching books." We practiced using a teaching voice when we read our books. We also learned how to plan out the facts using our fingers and saying 4 facts we know about a topic, then we began writing. The books have been fun to write and first graders love non- fiction.

In math we have learned What's my Rule? This is another way to practice adding and subtracting and it is about finding patterns in math. We will also work this week on telling time on digital clocks.

Science is starting soon, we have begun talking about what we know about insects and generated questions about what we want to learn, or what were wondering. Our first insects will arrive any day this week!

A field trip permission slip went home yesterday, we will go to the outdoor center on May 9!

Have a great week, Mrs. Scheck