January 26th Update

Weekly Blog Update – January 26, 2014

Dear Parents,

Almost everyone turned in their homework on Friday this week! I am so proud of the kids for this.  Our reading, spelling and math practice is really helping us in class as well.  If your child is still having trouble learning their math facts, I would encourage them to use xtramath.com or the Math Magician website that is linked to this blog on the sidebar.  Thank you for encouraging and helping your child as they become more independent with their homework. 

In writing, we are working on writing “teaching books” and most students are working on their second or third book. We looked at ways to add to our illustrations to make our books even better! We are also reading non-fiction books to help us look at the text features commonly found in non-fiction writing. 

In reading, we are meeting in our guided reading groups and working on comprehension skills and reading for meaning. We discussed the importance of re-reading when something doesn’t make sense and trying to self- correct our reading errors. 

In math, we are learning about counting and number patterns to 120 as well as beginning place value.  We have also been playing addition war and subtraction war using playing cards to practice our math facts as well as xtramath and games on jmathpage in the computer lab. 

Please remember library books on Monday and Sneakers for P.E. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

I hope you are enjoying this weekend. Its great to see the sun shining!

Tips for studying math facts and building fact fluency

Alternative “Fact Practice” Ideas

1)   Make flash cards and practice by showing cards quickly

(3 seconds).  Make a pile of incorrect and a pile of correct, record each session, try to get more correct next time you practice.

2)   Roll 2 dice, add them, write an equation, or subtract them and write an equation.

3)   Play “War”.  Each player puts down 2 cards and adds them then says the sum.  First player to say the sum gets the cards. OR Put down 2 cards and subtract them.  First player to say the difference gets the cards.

4)   Use dominoes.  Pick a domino and write the addition fact shown on the domino horizontally then vertically.

5)   Roll a die and double the number.  Roll a die, double the number and add 1.  Roll a die, double the number and add 2.  Write the equations horizontally then vertically.

6)   Take a deck of cards and remove the face cards.  Draw 2 cards without looking and add or subtract them depending on what you’re working on.  Write the equations horizontally then vertically.

Tips for studying spelling words

Spelling Activity Suggestions

·      Spell words with letter macaroni or cereal.

·      Spell words with magnetic letters.

·      Use alphabet stamps.

·      Cut letters from magazines or newspapers to make words.

·      Use WikkiSticks to bend into the shape of the letters.

·      Use Crayola window markers and write words on the windows or bathtub.

·      Make a word search or crossword puzzle at Puzzlemaker.com.

·      Student writes the word with pencil then goes around it several times with colored pencils to make a rainbow effect.

·      Use Scrabble tiles or give each letter a number value and after writing the word the student can find the “value” of the word.

·      Write words in white crayon then water color paint over to make them appear.

·      Give a written practice spelling test.

·      Spelling bee-orally spell the words.

Weekly Update - Jan 20, 2014

Weekly Blog Update – January 19, 2014

We took our first formal spelling test on Friday and most of the kids did very well! Our fifth grade buddies gave us our tests since we have individualized lists.  Your child brought home their test on Friday.  They are also bringing home their words for next week that follow the –ea spelling pattern.  Please study these words at home to prepare for next week’s test. New spelling words will come home every Friday.  We will be doing spelling activities in class to help study as well. 

We are working on writing “teaching” books in writing workshop.  They are writing nonfiction books about things they are “experts” on. Most of us have started our second book. Ask your child to tell you about the teaching books. 

In reading, I have completed mid year assessments and I am very pleased with the class’ progress. Reading homework is a critical part of their success and they should be reading at home for at least 20 minutes a night 5 times a week.  Thank you for supporting your child’s reading and encouraging them. 

I will be sending home Math homework every Monday and it will be due on Fridays.  There will be worksheets and a page to keep track of fact practice.  If your child has difficulty with the math homework, please let me know so we can make a plan to helper them.  Starting good homework habits is an important life skill for our children and I appreciate your help with this. 

I hope you are having a terrific three-day weekend. The kids will be brining home a project we will be doing in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tomorrow. 

Weekly update

Homework: 

1.   Reading – 5 nights per week for 20 minutes. Calendars due every Friday. (or a note from you if your child loses their calendar)

2.   Spelling – new list comes home every Friday. Study words at home every night. Each child has their own individualized list. Many of these words are based on our weekly spelling pattern. Tests will be given every Friday at school.

3.   Math facts – practice addition and subtraction facts at home at least 3 times each week. If you need sign in information sent home again for xtramath website, please let me know. I can check your child’s progress through this site.  New website posted on blog for fact practice– Math Magician.  Jmathpage.com also has many games for practicing addition and subtraction. You can also use good old fashioned flash cards. First grade students need to master their addition and subtraction facts with sums to 10 by the end of the year.  Thank you for your help with this. 

4.   Math Practice pages: I will send home practice pages on Mondays. These are due by Friday each week.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful two weeks off and were able to spend some special time with family and friends.  I am anticipating that our first week back to school will be a bit of an adjustment for the kids.  We will be starting many new things in January, but will try to ease into them as best we can.  Please check our blog each week for important updates.  We will be starting a formal spelling program this month and we will also be having more homework, including spelling and math. 

WINTER CLOTHES FOR RECESS:

Please pack winter clothes for recess and include shoes to wear in the classroom.  You may also want to pack an extra pair of socks (or clothes!) in case they get wet outside.  Mittens should be waterproof. Knit mittens and gloves just aren’t warm enough for them to be out for 30 minutes playing in the snow. 

Thanks so much for your help with this!

ALSO, LIBRARY BOOKS DUE MONDAY!

HAPPY 2014!!!!