Everyday Math

The Scholars have been busy learning all about money and fractions. They have learned how to express dollar amounts using the dollar and cents notation. We are practicing solving and writing money number stories, making change by counting up, and exploring fractional parts of a whole.

Next week, we will continue to learn all about fractions and how to write a fraction notation.

Lastly, please continue to practice the following at home: basic math concepts (addition and subtraction), counting coins and exchanging for equivalent amounts (Scholars should recognize coins and their value), telling time, identifying polygons and their attributes.

Classroom Update

The Scholars have been busy learning how to use a variety of nonfiction reading comprehension strategies to help them better understand nonfiction texts.

Non-fiction Reading Strategies:

Using their schema – activating prior knowledge

Wondering/ questioning

Visualizing

Determining importance of information

Using the text features (table of contents, captions, labeled diagrams, etc.)

Understanding the difference between fact and opinion

Making connections (text-to-text, text-to-self and text-to world)

Organizing new information for understanding – learning and practicing using graphic organizers

Making inferences (still practicing)

Discussing what they learned or wonder with a buddy or parent

The Westerly Creek Second Annual Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday, May 15^th. Students are not required to participate. The top four spellers from my class will compete amongst the other first grade classes.

Next week, we will have our own class spelling bee to determine the top four spellers who will represent our class. The following link has a list of words your child can practice for the spelling bee.

Snack Calendar

Note: Please try to bring dry snacks, avoiding fruit cups or applesauce.

All snacks must be store bought.

Please bring snacks for 21 children.

Apr/May 2012

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
April 9 Eli	April 10 Pedro	April 11 Diego	April 12 Adithi	April 13 Max
April 16 Gabi	April 17 Chase	April 18 Nick	April 19 Maci	April 20 Julian
April 23 Isaac	April 24 Elia	April 25 Juliet	April 26 Grace	April 27 Faisal
April 30 Carter	May 1 Kimora	May 2 Juena	May 3 Ryan	May 4 Holiday
May 7 Frank	May 8 Eli	May 9 Pedro	May 10 Diego	May 11 Adithi
May 14 Max	May 15 Gabi	May 16 Chase	May 17 Nick	May 18 Maci
May 21 Julian	May 22 Isaac	May 23 Elia	May 24 Juliet	May 25 Grace

Dear Parents and Super Scholars,

Thank you for making my birthday so fabulous!

I love all of my gifts and the lovely flowers. I can’t

wait to visit Anthropology – my favorite store!

Again, thanks for your thoughtfulness and making me

feel so special.

Kindly,

Ms. Woodard

Classroom Update

Everyday Math

We have launched EDM Unit 7 - Geometry and Attributes. During Unit 7 the Scholars will investigate attributes and properties of two and three dimensional shapes. In addition, they will learn all about symmetric shapes and designs, and expand their EDM vocabulary.

Scholars discussing the attributes of various shapes.

Reading and Writing Workshop

We have started our All About Unit!

Unit 4 focuses on informational texts. The Scholars will learn all about the features/attributes of nonfiction texts such as: the table of contents, glossary, sections and headers, diagrams, labels, and bold print. They will learn how to use these features to locate and gather information to help build their reading comprehension skills.

The Scholars are busy working on their “All About My Family” books. I am having so much fun eavesdropping on their conversations as they share stories about their families. It warms my heart!

The Scholars will also publish an “All about an Animal” book. This will provide them with an opportunity to practice using what they have learned about nonfiction tools to help them research information. The Scholars will incorporate nonfiction text features into their own books.

We will have a publishing party – date to be announced.

Valentine’s Day Party

Our class Valentine’s Day

party will be on February

14th from 2:30 – 3:30.

Please join us

and share

your love!

Field Trip

On Thursday, February 16^th we will be going to The Museum of Nature and Science.