Thirty-Eighth Day

Don't rush with homework. I will collect all back homework on Wednesday. Please find November reading log in homework folders.

Have a fun and safe evening.

A passing score of 17 or greater on our recent math test was achieved by 21 out of 24 students. Six students scored greater than 25.

Some parents asked me when the district "quarterly" math test would be. The first grade will take the test in two sessions on the 9th and 10th of November. Please see post on the 37th day for some sample questions. Additionally, students should understand that in order to show that they know an answer is correct, they need to reform an equation using the principle of inverse operations. For example: I know 3 + 4 = 7, because 7 - 4 = 3.

Unit 2 Week 2 Preview

This week we will be discussing helping and cooperation in connection with our larger theme Family and Neighbors. We will discuss how we are able to contribute to tasks which need to be accomplished. We will read and listen to several versions of The Little Red Hen for comparison. We will focus on the order of events to retell (R 1.2.7). We will use our fourth thinking map (Flow Map) to write a retelling. We will then learn to write ordered instructions for completing a task.

Our focus in phonics will be the short-vowel 'e'. We will focus on high-frequency words: eat, no, of, some, and who. We will discuss and practice plural nouns with an emphasis on those which require '-es'. Our robust vocabulary words are: appreciate, cooperate, partner, responsibility, and scrumptious.

In social studies we will observe how the environment/weather of three different climates affects lifestyle. We will also examine the division of labor in and the process of raw material to final product.

In science we will work further with solid forms of matter.

Thirty-Seventh Day

We listened to the folktale Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. We took a dictation test on words with short-vowel 'o'.We read a non-fiction story about baby animals. We also read the poem: Down in the Meadow, for which we discovered the rhythm of the poem and then used rhythm instruments to play along with our choral reading.

We took Topic 6 math test. Results can not be posted at this time due to the number of students with incomplete items on their test. It was our longest test to date and probably one of the more difficult. One concept which some students understandably struggle with in first grade is comparing dissimilar equalities, for example in the expression 6 + 3 = ___ + 5. Another past struggle seems to be with matching an expression with a value. For example: which of these express the same value as 12: 8 - 4, 8 + 4, or 9 + 4. We will be working on some these more difficult ideas next week in preparation for the district math exam.

Thirty-Sixth Day

Today we compared the school experience from the past to today's school experience by looking at very old photographs. We read a nonfiction selection about baby animals and another about animal parents. We reviewed and recorded the main idea and details about the selections.

Math test tomorrow

Thirty-Fifth Day

We discussed how animal parents protect and provide for their baby animals using our robust vocabulary for the week. Our total through seminar is now 11 and 4 students have completed their Unit 1 project (we are now working on Unit 2).

We worked on balance today in P.E.

Our Topic 6 math test will be on Friday.

Thirty-Second Day

We are focusing on short-vowel 'o' in phonics and spelling. We read a nonfiction selection called Hello! Hello! to learn the difference between a summary (a comrehension strategy) and a retell while learning about the main idea and details (comprehension skill). We have changed focus from examining the self and have moved on to examine the importance of family and friends.

We took a trip to the book fair to find three titles each to put on our wish list, just for the fun of it.

For topic 6, we've been working on different strategies to use when adding in lieu of using fingers to count.

[U2/Wk1/D1]

First Parent Discussion Question

From time to time I would like to post a question on a topic which I would appreciate parent input. I would like parents to share their experiences, if any, with the PearsonSuccessnet resources. Things to consider:

• The ease/difficulty of creating an account and navigating the site
• The usefulness/benefit of the resources to you and your child
• Any impressions, comments, questions which you would like to share with other parents this year
• How you've been able to use the resources

Just as a side note: this blog has received over 500 hits so far from 7 different countries.

Thirty-First Day

If memory serves correctly, (we had several false starts) 2 students made it through seminar today before our earthquake drill. Behavior (from our class) was very good during the drill. That brings our total to 10 through seminar. We listened to our weekly oral vocabulary story "Roberto Clemente" today and learned why he was a true American hero. We used clues from the story to determine the author's purpose for writing the story. We blended words with final consonant blends. We read a high-frequency word story called I Like to Help. We wrote a personal narrative journal entry about doing something with a friend.

We took the Topic 5 test today. With 24 students taking the test, 21 passed with a score of 16 or better. Three students earned a perfect score, 3 earned 21, 7 earned 20, 2 earned 19, and 4 earned 18. Tests will be in backpacks tomorrow.

P.S. Slip-on shoes still coming off.

[U1/Wk5/D2]

Thirtieth Day

We are up to a total of 9 for seminar. We discussed teamwork and why it's important. We revised earlier statements about pets. We began work with final consonant blends.

We will take our test on Topic 4 tomorrow.

Conference forms are in backpacks; please return as soon as possible.

Week Preview and Home Project Idea

The last instructional segment of our unit on All About Us will center on what we like to do with friends. Our robust vocabulary words include: focused, offer, charity, admire, and challenging. In phonics we will focus on final consonant blends ('-nd', '-st', '-ng', and '-nk'). In social studies, we will also discuss symbols of the United States. In science we will continue our work with forms of matter.

Election day will soon be upon us and in order to mark this date (Nov. 8th) we will be holding our very own election for class president complete with speeches. If your child is interested in holding the office of class president, please help them to formulate a speech which they might deliver to the class on this date. I will tape the speeches, as usual, using an Apple program. They can easily be transferred to a flash drive for those interested parents.

Twenty-Ninth Day

Two more seminars completed.That's 6 for anyone keeping track other than me. We listened to a nonfiction selection Animal House about pets from the White House past. We took a dictation test on words with initial consonant blends. We read another nonfiction selection What Pets Need and compared it to our fantasy selection Flip. Inspired by Flip we drew and wrote descriptive sentences about a pet.

We completed more work with parts of 10. We will have a test on Topic 5 on Thursday.

[U1/Wk4/D4&5]

Twenty-Eighth Day

Two more students made it to seminar for a total of 4. We read our main selection of the week Flip and analyzed for plot. We read a decodable about how things were made in the past. We continued work with initial consonant blends with 'l'.

In math we discussed parts of 10 using a tens frame.

For social studies we again discussed traditions and tolerance for other cultures.

[U1/Wk4/D3]

Twenty-Seventh Day

Two students were brave and ready enough to take on seminar today. We've been concentrating on initial consonant blends with 'l' this week (cl-, sl-, etc.). We listened to a Puerto Rican story about a naughty boy and his pig and analyzed that for story structure. We used Along Came Toto as a model for descriptive language and tried our hand at some as well.

You should find our Topic 4 test results in backpacks along with some student's unsatisfactory notes. Please sign and return to indicate you received the notice. Conferences will be scheduled the week of the 24th of October. There were a few students who were just barely borderline in a subject or two so I sent a notice as simply a 'head's up." Again, your child needs to know nothing about the contents of the unsatisfactory notice at this point. We can keep the particulars between the teacher and the parent.

In science we put are hands on and used our senses with various samples of solids to observe properties (vocabulary) including temperature.

Twenty-Sixth Day

Today I recorded one student being completed with the Unit 1 Project. Soon students will be ready to go to "seminar." This means they are ready for the revision step of the writing process of their personal narratives. I will be reporting regularly how many students have completed the seminar process. During this process they will receive positive and constructive feedback of their writing from their peers.

Today we analyzed the structure of a fantasy selection. We discovered the elements of a plot.

We began Topic 5 where we will explore the utility of the the "tens frame." We also took the Topic 4 test and of the 24 students taking the test 17 passed with a scaled score of 14 or better. Two students earned a 23, 1 earned a 22, 2-21, 2-20, 3-19, and 2-18.

[U1/Wk4/D1]

Twenty-Fifth Day

Today we started the final step of the rough draft of our personal narrative. We used our Tree Map to right details about what we can and like to do etc. We also began the finishing detail of our Unit Project. We anlyzed the structure of a cause and effect informational text.


For science/health today we went into first grade detail about how we grow. We discussed how genes, nutrition (balanced diet), and exercise all play a part in our growth. We discussed how a disease may interfere with growth if left untreated.

Many students returned to school today with either incorrect math classwork or incorrect homework. All incorrect math was sent home to be corrected. Today we applied the principles we've been learning about parts of a whole to solve story problems. We will most likely have our Topic 4 test tomorrow.

[U1/Wk3/D4&5]

Twenty-Fourth Day

We continued with our personal narrative today by using our Bubble Map to construct descriptive sentences about ourselves. We continued work on our Unit Project. We also had a dictation test on '-in' and '-ip' patterned words. We read a nonfiction selection about growth and analyzed the text for structure and compared the text to earlier selections.

Please look for incorrect/incomplete math classwork today and return corrected/completed to class tomorrow along with the homework. We had limited time due to the shortened afternoon and some students may need some extra input. I will be gauging understanding tomorrow to decide what day will be best to give Topic 4 test.

For social studies we discussed the meaning and difference of the terms rights and responsibilities and discussed the meaning of community and citizenship.

Twenty-Third Day

We listened to a nonfiction selection about the growth of tiger cub to adulthood. We analyzed the text for structure and augmented our growing robust vocabulary words for the week. We read another nonfiction selection reinforce sight word learning of: run, ride, and be. We used our Circle map about us to begin our personal narrative rough draft.

We continued with subtraction sentences to find the difference between two collections. We will likely have a test on Topic 4 on Wednesday.

Week Preview and First Home Project Idea

This week we will look at how we change as we grow. We will take a look at how animals change as they grow as well. Our robust vocabulary words are: change, adult, learn, imitate, and practice. We will continue our work with constructing descriptive sentences.

Unsatisfactory notices are due to go out this week. Students who are in danger of earning a 2 in district identified high-priority subjects (math, reading, writing) will be receiving an unsatisfactory notice. At this point in the year, it is unnecessary for first grade students to be made aware of the contents of an unsatisfactory notice. They are just to inform parents where a possible deficiency in performance may be. If you receive a notice, please review and return the signed bottom portion of your copy. Conferences will be scheduled soon.

Children not passing one or more math tests will automatically receive an unsatisfactory notice as well as those students not reading at least 30 WPM with comprehension on grade level material.

A reminder: Please make sure your child wears appropriate footwear for active physical education movement every day. A child wearing boots fell during PE last week. Boots are not appropriate footwear for first grade physical education activities. Shoes should also be secured with laces or Velcro straps.

Elementary picture day will be Monday the 10th.

Twenty-First Day

Today we read a nonfiction text about animal locomotion and compared them to kids' movement. We compared this text to Carle's From Head to Toe. We wrote a journal response by drawing a diagram of ourselves combined with an animal characteristic which would help us move.

In math we explored subtraction by continuing our idea of parts of a whole. Everyone should find their PearsonSuccess registration code attached to their math homework.

[U1/Wk2/D4&5]

Instructions For Math Program Registration PearsonSuccessnet

I will be sending home the access code with your child tomorrow.

First time users:
To register in SuccessNet:

1. Go to www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
2. Click Register
3. On the first screen, type the class access code above in the access code field.
4. Follow the instructions to register.Please DO NOT use your full name as your user name.
   Write your user name on the blank line above exactly as you typed it.
5. At the end of registration process, the SuccessNet login page appears.
6. Log in by typing your user name and password.

Existing users:
To enroll in this class:

1. Go to www.pearsonsuccessnet.com.
2. Log in by typing your existing user name and password.
3. From your Home Page, click My Account.
4. Click Add Class/Group
5. Follow the instructions, and use the class access code above to enroll in this class or group.

Twentieth Day

Today we learned about traditions. We compared traditions of indigenous Australians to those of American indigenous cultures. We also briefly discussed the meaning and reasons for traditions. We read a rhyming text and created a modified flow chart for the story in order to retell the story in our own words. We created a Tree Map today which we use to categorize information about ourselves. We will later learn how to use this information to create sentences used to write our personal narrative.

In math we worked with parts of nine. Our math tests should be in our backpack.

Child ID pictures will be taken tomorrow. Elementary school pictures will be taken on Monday.

If you prefer to order your Scholastic books online, our class activation code is JDRR3.

Nineteenth Day

Our vocabulary building oral comprehension story today was from Africa about a clever rabbit tricking hippo and elephant. Perhaps someone can retell the story in their own words at home. Great, if someone can even work in this week's vocabulary. We also read our sight word practice story for the week and retold in our own words. Our sight words are 'over', 'too', and 'it'.

In math we studied parts of 8. Math tests will be returned tomorrow.

Eighteenth Day

We discussed movement and read an informational text, Head to Toe (Carle), focusing on the structure of informational texts. This text did not have a plot, but rather a pattern. There was no rhyming and no setting and no main character. We worked extensively with short-vowel 'a' words, mainly, '-an', '-ap, 'ack'. We read and retold a decodable story called Mack. We continued work on our Unit Project.

In PE we are continuing work on team building, balance, endurance, and locomotion.

In math we began Topic 4 and worked with identifying parts of 6 and 7. We worked with manipulatives, pictures, and stories. Some students were unable to complete classwork in the designated time. Please make sure to check over classwork at home. Additionally, we took the Topic 3 math test. Of the 22 students taking the test, 20 students passed with a score of 14 (score scaled due to level of performance question difficulty) or better. Two students achieved a perfect score, 6 students scored 24, 1 scored 23, 2 scored 22, 1 scored 21, 1 scored 19, and 3 scored 18.

Week Preview

This week we will focus on ways we move and express ourselves through movement. We will compare the ways we move with the ways other animals move. We will learn the importance of movement in our daily lives.

Our robust vocabulary words will include movement, energy, express, exhausted, and stretch. Our spelling focus will be on '-ack', '-ad', and '-ap' words.