Science

This week, the students worked with some parent volunteers to weed the planting beds outside of our classroom. We are planning on planting a variety of bulbs at the end of October. This supports our science unit on Animal and Plant Trait Variation.

What do you notice about plants that are the same kind?

Massachusetts STE Standards

1-LS3-1

Use information from observations (first-hand and from media) to identify similarities and differences among individual plants or animals of the same kind. 

I am also planning on working with the Art teacher to use the garden as an inspiration from watercoloring which we will combine with some original poetry.

Thank You For Coming!

It was a pleasure to meet all of you at the annual ice cream social. The students were so excited to share their work, room and friends with you.

Centers

During our Literacy block, the students have been working to complete MUST DOS and then choosing from a list of MAY DOS. During this time, I am working with small groups on reading, phonics and writing instruction. We are learning routines and procedures that support independent work and collaboration.

Investigations 3- Math Centers

We have been using a variety of materials to practice counting, recording and sorting. Also, we are learning how to work with partners and small groups in a cooperative way. Our discussions have focused on fair shares, ways to settle disagreements, caring for materials and clean-up procedures. As the children learn to work independently, I am able to work with small groups and individuals to support learning and acquisition of new skills and concepts.

Reading - Loving Books

The children have been enjoying all of our special places to cuddle up and read a great book!

Looking for......

Hi All
 I am looking for the following items for the classroom and playground.

Children's Cookbooks--I have 4 in our classroom library. They are very popular.

Wordless Picture Books- I am gathering wordless picture books to support storytelling, writing and oral language.

Kitchen Items- We are so excited about the soon to arrive mud kitchens. We are collecting metal and plastic utensils, dishes and bakeware to be used by the students.

Curriculum Updates

Language Arts

During the month, the children will be learning about our classroom literacy station activities. The station activities will be an integral part of our Readers' Workshop. The children will use a listening station, Big Books ,writing station, poetry journals, word games and other experiences to strengthen their reading skills and comprehension. The children are learning how to work independently which will allow me to focus on guided reading groups and individual reading conferences. 

Fundations- Unit 1

The students will be practicing lower case letter formation. We are reviewing consonant and vowel sounds and key words as we practice writing our lowercase letters.

Math

Our first math unit involves collecting data to add and subtract numbers from 1 to 20.  We will learn how to use tally mark to represent numbers and amounts as we collect data. After collecting data, the children will use how to create charts and graphs to visual display the information.

Social Studies

We are focusing on building connections and the concept of being kind, caring and helpful friends and learning partners.  We will be discussing our hopes and dreams for first grade and what community rules we will need for everyone to feel welcome and safe in our community.

Science

Throughout the year, we will using the Stemscopes Science Program. Our 1st unit of study will focus on light and sound.