Hello families!
This week in first grade we have been busy working on Realistic Fiction in reading and writing!
We read the book The Potato Chip Champ and Pink Tiara Cookies for Three (Both by Maria Dismondy). These two stories are in the Realistic Fiction genre. The Potato Chip Champ is about having empathy for others and we learned the character trait arrogant. In Pink Tiara Cookies for Three, we discussed jealousy and how to get along with others even when things do not go our way.
Our popcorn words this week are: or, for, more, store, porch and sport.
We are in the middle of a new unit of writing called Realistic Fiction.
The students have learned how to pretend a character and give the character a name. They have dreamed up different problems the character could have. Students are writing stories using dialogue to "show and not tell" what the character was thinking or feeling. We have been working on making our characters "unfreeze" in the story. This has been a fun unit of writing and the students have been so creative. We will be wrapping up this unit of writing after the Spring Break.
In math we have learned the defining attributes and non-defining attributes of shapes. For example, a triangle has three sides, three corners and no openings or curves. We have learned the color or size of a triangle is not a way to define it as a shape.
Today we learned something new in math. We looked for number patterns in "what's my rule?" There is a home link tonight to follow up on this new concept.
Please take a few minutes to view your child's report card online for the second marking period. If you need skyward access, please email to let me know!
There is no school next week for Spring Break (April 1-9)! We will return to school on Monday, April 10th.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Scheck
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Week of March 6-10
Hello families!
This week in first grade we are reading the story Little Tree and discussing the message in the story. We read the story yesterday and again today. We did a visual thinking routine called "See, Think, Wonder." We talked about what message the author was telling us. We learned two new vocabulary words: unsure and confident. We will write about the story tomorrow.
Our new popcorn words focus on CVCE words (consonant, vowel, consonant, silent e). We are learning how "I" often says "I" when it has an e at the end in words such as bite, kite, like, etc.
We also are learning the spelling pattern -ight. We will practice these words all week in class. Please remember to do the popcorn words at home to reinforce the patterns at home.
Reading groups - a quick reminder... If your child brings home a book, please have them read it to you and send it back to school the very next school day. We need those books for instruction. If one book is missing it is hard to have enough copies for the group. If a child loses a book, please let me know asap. If you child does not return their book to school, I cannot send a new book until the old one is returned. Thank you in advance for helping your child to remember his or her book!
In writing, we are moving on to a new unit of writing called Realistic Fiction. We will read Henry and Mudge, a chapter book series, to learn what elements make a story realistic fiction. We will discuss how to create characters and how to get a character into and out of trouble.
In math, we are reviewing place value today. Tomorrow we will finish the last lesson in Unit 6. On Thursday we will take a unit test and on Friday we will have a cumulative review test. Please practice adding doubles and near doubles, telling time to the hour, adding two digit numbers, and number collection boxes.
Next week we have a half day on Wednesday, March 15th. School will be dismissed at 12:09 p.m.
First grade is making Leprechaun traps that day! We are asking parents for donations to make our traps. Your child will need a cereal box or a shoe box. We will decorate our traps and construct them on March 15th. We will put our traps out on St. Patrick's day and try to catch a Leprechaun. Any fun items you are willing to donate such as: stickers, rainbows, fake gold, etc. are welcome! Send your Leprechaun trap items to school by Tuesday, March 14th.
Our crazy March weather is unpredictable! Please be sure to send boots to school for muddy days and if it is snowy, continue to send your child to school with snow pants, hats, mittens and boots to be sure they stay warm outside!
Have a great week!
Mrs. Scheck
This week in first grade we are reading the story Little Tree and discussing the message in the story. We read the story yesterday and again today. We did a visual thinking routine called "See, Think, Wonder." We talked about what message the author was telling us. We learned two new vocabulary words: unsure and confident. We will write about the story tomorrow.
Our new popcorn words focus on CVCE words (consonant, vowel, consonant, silent e). We are learning how "I" often says "I" when it has an e at the end in words such as bite, kite, like, etc.
We also are learning the spelling pattern -ight. We will practice these words all week in class. Please remember to do the popcorn words at home to reinforce the patterns at home.
Reading groups - a quick reminder... If your child brings home a book, please have them read it to you and send it back to school the very next school day. We need those books for instruction. If one book is missing it is hard to have enough copies for the group. If a child loses a book, please let me know asap. If you child does not return their book to school, I cannot send a new book until the old one is returned. Thank you in advance for helping your child to remember his or her book!
In writing, we are moving on to a new unit of writing called Realistic Fiction. We will read Henry and Mudge, a chapter book series, to learn what elements make a story realistic fiction. We will discuss how to create characters and how to get a character into and out of trouble.
In math, we are reviewing place value today. Tomorrow we will finish the last lesson in Unit 6. On Thursday we will take a unit test and on Friday we will have a cumulative review test. Please practice adding doubles and near doubles, telling time to the hour, adding two digit numbers, and number collection boxes.
Next week we have a half day on Wednesday, March 15th. School will be dismissed at 12:09 p.m.
First grade is making Leprechaun traps that day! We are asking parents for donations to make our traps. Your child will need a cereal box or a shoe box. We will decorate our traps and construct them on March 15th. We will put our traps out on St. Patrick's day and try to catch a Leprechaun. Any fun items you are willing to donate such as: stickers, rainbows, fake gold, etc. are welcome! Send your Leprechaun trap items to school by Tuesday, March 14th.
Our crazy March weather is unpredictable! Please be sure to send boots to school for muddy days and if it is snowy, continue to send your child to school with snow pants, hats, mittens and boots to be sure they stay warm outside!
Have a great week!
Mrs. Scheck
Friday, February 24, 2017
Week of February 22-February 24
Hello families!
Welcome back from our Mid-Winter break! I hope you were able to enjoy the early spring-like weather we have been having! Over the break I saw many students in Wixom outside playing, riding bikes, walking and getting some much needed outdoor time.
We are happy to be back to school again in room 109. This week we read the book Wolfie the Bunny. We learned the new vocabulary word smitten. We used the book to discuss view points with the characters in the story. Students wrote about each characters view point on a circle of view points sheet.
Reading groups are in full swing. Please remember to read any books that come home in your child's plastic zip-loc bag and return them the next day! We count on having those books for instruction and if one is missing, it limits the use of that book for other groups.
We are still working on the popcorn words: very, dirty, funny, cry, by and sky. We sorted y endings that sound like a long e. New words will come home next week!
In math we have been working on strategies for near doubles facts. We practiced using "helper facts" to solve a near double facts such as 4+5. We had a home link Thursday night. Next week we will learn how to make 10 and spend more time with place value.
In writing we read books with flaps and learned how to use flaps in our stories to make them more exciting. We also practiced writing many moments stories using a graphic organizer to help us stay on one topic.
In social studies we read the book The Money Tree. We learned the difference between goods and services.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Scheck
Welcome back from our Mid-Winter break! I hope you were able to enjoy the early spring-like weather we have been having! Over the break I saw many students in Wixom outside playing, riding bikes, walking and getting some much needed outdoor time.
We are happy to be back to school again in room 109. This week we read the book Wolfie the Bunny. We learned the new vocabulary word smitten. We used the book to discuss view points with the characters in the story. Students wrote about each characters view point on a circle of view points sheet.
Reading groups are in full swing. Please remember to read any books that come home in your child's plastic zip-loc bag and return them the next day! We count on having those books for instruction and if one is missing, it limits the use of that book for other groups.
We are still working on the popcorn words: very, dirty, funny, cry, by and sky. We sorted y endings that sound like a long e. New words will come home next week!
In math we have been working on strategies for near doubles facts. We practiced using "helper facts" to solve a near double facts such as 4+5. We had a home link Thursday night. Next week we will learn how to make 10 and spend more time with place value.
In writing we read books with flaps and learned how to use flaps in our stories to make them more exciting. We also practiced writing many moments stories using a graphic organizer to help us stay on one topic.
In social studies we read the book The Money Tree. We learned the difference between goods and services.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Scheck
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
100's day and Valentines Day!
Dear parents,
The students had so much fun today! We spent the morning celebrating the 100th day of school...
We wrote numbers to 100, did a 100's day word search, wrote about how we would spend $100,. We also wrote what we will do when we are 100 and made pictures of ourselves at 100 years old!
We had a very special visit from "Zero the Hero!" He came to talk about the number 100 and told us a story about his famous family.
In the afternoon, we started our Valentines Day party with ice cream sundaes. Then we passed out cards. Students made ladybug bags to keep their cards in and we will take them home today.
Last we played Valentine Jingo (bingo) and got prizes.
It was a fun-filled, exciting day!
Happy Valentines Day!
Mrs. Scheck
The students had so much fun today! We spent the morning celebrating the 100th day of school...
We wrote numbers to 100, did a 100's day word search, wrote about how we would spend $100,. We also wrote what we will do when we are 100 and made pictures of ourselves at 100 years old!
We had a very special visit from "Zero the Hero!" He came to talk about the number 100 and told us a story about his famous family.
In the afternoon, we started our Valentines Day party with ice cream sundaes. Then we passed out cards. Students made ladybug bags to keep their cards in and we will take them home today.
Last we played Valentine Jingo (bingo) and got prizes.
It was a fun-filled, exciting day!
Happy Valentines Day!
Mrs. Scheck
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Week of February 6-10
Hello families!
This has been a busy week in First grade!
In reading we read a big book called A Rumble and a Grumble. The students noticed the story had a repeating phrase. We read the book and looked for "bossy r" words. We have worked with ir, ur and or words the last two weeks.
We have begun a new unit in Social Studies called "Earning and Spending." Today we read the book Bearhide and Crow. We discussed trading or exchanging. We learned that a good trade can only happen when both people end up getting something they want!
In writing, we have been working on learning craft techniques. We read Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson. We learned how to write a many moments story. We have also learned how to put a comeback line or repeating phrase in a story. Students are still learning when to use ellipses or "dot, dot, dot." Students have been trying these new techniques and I am seeing great improvements in their writing!
In math, we had a math assessment for Unit 5. The students begin Unit 6 today. A family letter was sent home. We will begin telling time to the hour today. The first math journal will come home today. There may be some pages that were not completed in class. A good idea would be to keep the old math journal and work on those pages anytime you feel your child may need a little "homework" or extra practice!
The Valentine's day party is next week on February 14th at 1:15-2:15. If you have any questions, please email me.
Have a good night!
Mrs. Scheck
This has been a busy week in First grade!
In reading we read a big book called A Rumble and a Grumble. The students noticed the story had a repeating phrase. We read the book and looked for "bossy r" words. We have worked with ir, ur and or words the last two weeks.
We have begun a new unit in Social Studies called "Earning and Spending." Today we read the book Bearhide and Crow. We discussed trading or exchanging. We learned that a good trade can only happen when both people end up getting something they want!
In writing, we have been working on learning craft techniques. We read Do Like Kyla by Angela Johnson. We learned how to write a many moments story. We have also learned how to put a comeback line or repeating phrase in a story. Students are still learning when to use ellipses or "dot, dot, dot." Students have been trying these new techniques and I am seeing great improvements in their writing!
In math, we had a math assessment for Unit 5. The students begin Unit 6 today. A family letter was sent home. We will begin telling time to the hour today. The first math journal will come home today. There may be some pages that were not completed in class. A good idea would be to keep the old math journal and work on those pages anytime you feel your child may need a little "homework" or extra practice!
The Valentine's day party is next week on February 14th at 1:15-2:15. If you have any questions, please email me.
Have a good night!
Mrs. Scheck
Friday, January 27, 2017
January 23-27
Hello families,
This week in first grade I have begun one on one reading assessments. I have been meeting with students for our January reading and writing assessments. This will take a few weeks. As the assessment takes place, I will stop taking reading groups. Please continue to read at home to and with your child daily. Practice retelling the story after reading...include the beginning, middle and end, characters, problem/solution.
We read the book Sheila Rae the Brave by Kevin Henkes. We discussed the character trait "fearless." We found ways the author showed the characters were fearless in the story. We wrote about the book and showed the different characters perspectives on a "circle of viewpoints" graphic organizer.
In writing we have moved on to a new unit of writing called "Authors as Mentors." We will study authors and look closely at craft moves that authors use to engage their readers. This week we have read two books by Angela Johnson, Joshua's Night Whispers and The Leaving Morning. We noticed that both books were small moments. The author kept the story about one thing. She used ellipses or the "dot, dot, dot" to show the writing was not finished or to make a lists over several pages. We are trying these techniques out in our own writing.
In math, we have continued to work on place value. We have begun scrolling! We are noticing patterns in numbers and learning how to write higher numbers. We played the base-10 exchange game. We will be finishing unit 5 next week and having a unit test soon.
In Science we have completed our Solids and Liquids unit. We made butter last week to show how a liquid becomes a solid. We shook heavy cream in a sealed jar and turn the cream to butter. Then we wrote How to Make Butter! Brave students sampled the butter and said it tasted creamy!
Next week we have a half day on February 1. Students will be dismissed at 12:05.
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Mrs. Scheck
This week in first grade I have begun one on one reading assessments. I have been meeting with students for our January reading and writing assessments. This will take a few weeks. As the assessment takes place, I will stop taking reading groups. Please continue to read at home to and with your child daily. Practice retelling the story after reading...include the beginning, middle and end, characters, problem/solution.
We read the book Sheila Rae the Brave by Kevin Henkes. We discussed the character trait "fearless." We found ways the author showed the characters were fearless in the story. We wrote about the book and showed the different characters perspectives on a "circle of viewpoints" graphic organizer.
In writing we have moved on to a new unit of writing called "Authors as Mentors." We will study authors and look closely at craft moves that authors use to engage their readers. This week we have read two books by Angela Johnson, Joshua's Night Whispers and The Leaving Morning. We noticed that both books were small moments. The author kept the story about one thing. She used ellipses or the "dot, dot, dot" to show the writing was not finished or to make a lists over several pages. We are trying these techniques out in our own writing.
In math, we have continued to work on place value. We have begun scrolling! We are noticing patterns in numbers and learning how to write higher numbers. We played the base-10 exchange game. We will be finishing unit 5 next week and having a unit test soon.
In Science we have completed our Solids and Liquids unit. We made butter last week to show how a liquid becomes a solid. We shook heavy cream in a sealed jar and turn the cream to butter. Then we wrote How to Make Butter! Brave students sampled the butter and said it tasted creamy!
Next week we have a half day on February 1. Students will be dismissed at 12:05.
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Mrs. Scheck
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Week of January 4-6
Dear families,
Happy New Year and welcome back to school! We are having a busy, short week here in room 109.
We have gotten back into the swing of school the last two days. We began yesterday by sharing what we did over our winter break. We wrote New Year books about our goals for 2017. Many students wrote about reading and writing goals.
This week we read the book Matthew and Tilly by Rebecca C. Jones. We read the story and practiced retelling the story orally. We talked about connections to the book after reading. We wrote about "Text to self" connections, a new comprehension strategy we will be working on the next few weeks.
We are finishing up our writing unit called Writing for Readers. Today students chose a piece of writing to "fancy up" by fixing spelling and punctuation. We also added color illustrations to our stories. We shared some of our stories in class. We will begin a new unit of writing next week called How-to or procedural writing.
In science we are nearing the end of the Solids and Liquids unit. This week we will work with solids in containers. Next week we will explore mixtures and solutions. We will put several different solids (candy, a cookie, rock salt) in water to watch them dissolve completely then evaporate over several days. We will observe how the water changed the solid. It will be exciting to see what is left after the water evaporates! This is also a fun experiment to try at home!
In math, we have just completed unit 4. We will have a cumulative test tomorrow which will cover units 3 and 4. We will begin unit 5 next week. Look for a family letter to come home detailing the specifics of what we will be learning.
Have a great night!
Mrs. Scheck
Happy New Year and welcome back to school! We are having a busy, short week here in room 109.
We have gotten back into the swing of school the last two days. We began yesterday by sharing what we did over our winter break. We wrote New Year books about our goals for 2017. Many students wrote about reading and writing goals.
This week we read the book Matthew and Tilly by Rebecca C. Jones. We read the story and practiced retelling the story orally. We talked about connections to the book after reading. We wrote about "Text to self" connections, a new comprehension strategy we will be working on the next few weeks.
We are finishing up our writing unit called Writing for Readers. Today students chose a piece of writing to "fancy up" by fixing spelling and punctuation. We also added color illustrations to our stories. We shared some of our stories in class. We will begin a new unit of writing next week called How-to or procedural writing.
In science we are nearing the end of the Solids and Liquids unit. This week we will work with solids in containers. Next week we will explore mixtures and solutions. We will put several different solids (candy, a cookie, rock salt) in water to watch them dissolve completely then evaporate over several days. We will observe how the water changed the solid. It will be exciting to see what is left after the water evaporates! This is also a fun experiment to try at home!
In math, we have just completed unit 4. We will have a cumulative test tomorrow which will cover units 3 and 4. We will begin unit 5 next week. Look for a family letter to come home detailing the specifics of what we will be learning.
Have a great night!
Mrs. Scheck
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