JANUARY NEWS IN GRADE ONE

Important Reminders

*No school on Monday the 16th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

*Please send appropriate winter clothing (ski pants, boots, etc….) Weather changes so quickly we never know if it will be inside or outside recess.

*Please send shoes to change into.

Like each and every month the first graders are busy learners.  In Math we are finishing up unit 4 and will soon begin unit 5.  This unit is called Fish Length and Animal Jumps.  Students will gain an understanding of what length is and get a sense of linear measurement using nonstandard and standard units.  They will compare lengths to determine longest and shortest.  They will work with accurate measurement techniques, and they will describe measurements that are in between whole numbers of units.  In this unit we will continue to gather and collect data. We will also do some calendar work and identify and name coins. **Review skill of counting forward and backward counting sequences with numbers up to 60**

We have started MMF (mastering math facts)  The students are super excited to “rocket” through their math facts.  This is an individualized and structured program for sequential practice of math facts. Successful practice on math facts requires that students practice and learn few enough facts at a time so that they can simply remember and memorize answer.  

“The more you read the more you know”  We are doing lots of reading daily.  Target skills for comprehension are compare and contrast, making generalizations, and cause and effect.  We also are working with questioning and summarizing.  Each day we are working towards fluency.  Spelling words may be getting a bit more “challenging” as we begin digraphs and the long vowel sounds using rules of consonant - vowel - consonant - e.  We are pleased with the progress on tests thus far and returning of the spelling contracts.  

In Science we have started Seasonal Patterns.  One goal is for students to learn that the seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth...Big concept for these little scientists!

 We are really working on accurate and neat letter formation.  Please take the time to look over, encourage, and practice this concept with the children.

Thanks for all the support!