Dear First-Grade 'Ohana,
It feels like we are really starting to get into a groove in the classroom at this time of year. The students know what to expect in the daily schedule. They know the classroom guidelines (and like to share them with guest in the classroom on occasion!). They are also getting used to the workload and expectations.
Please regularly check Power School to monitor your child's progress, and let me know if you have any questions. Last week was our first week of homework using IXL. I was happy to see that most students completed the homework! Just a reminder that I will be putting weekly assignments on this page, so please make sure you are aware of the homework. I understand some students may want to work ahead and do other parts of the IXL program. They can choose do this if they would like, but I will only be grading assigned work. As much as I think programs like IXL can strengthen student's skill building, it is only one small part of their educational experience in first grade. The best and most important thing each student should be doing at home is reading! Reading to you, being read to, etc... Read, Read, Read!
With reading in mind, I have enrolled our classroom in the Scholastic Books Program. If you are not familiar with Scholastic, it is a great way to get new books for your keiki that follow their interest, and it is also a great way for us to get free books for our class! WE WILL ONLY BE DOING ONLINE ORDERS FOR SCHOLASTIC.
Here is the link to our class code and welcome letter to the Reading Club.
Please browse the Scholastic Web site, and order books! I will be processing the orders of Monday, September 23, so please make sure your orders are complete by then. You can also see books I have recommended for the class, as well as our class wish list. Please let me know if you have any questions, and happy reading!
In the Classroom:
This week I introduced the Rooted to Reading program to the students. It is a Language Arts program based on quality children's literature designed to cover the First Grade Language Arts Common Core Curriculum. Our first book was Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. We used this book to study character traits, vocabulary and to study land forms as well. I really look forward to using this amazing Language Arts program in class this year!
We have also been working on a STEM project to build a crayon box. The students' have done most of the planning and preparing in class. However, they will be bringing home their design ideas on Tuesday, September 17. They should build their box at home to bring to class no later than Monday, September 23. The whole point of this STEM activity is problem solving and learning. If their idea doesn't work, we will talk about things they could have done differently in class. Failing and having to make adjustments is a huge part of the learning process! Assignments will be graded on attempt, not final project. Please let me know if you have any questions and keep an eye out for the planning papers on Tuesday.
Homework for the week:
- STEM Project (mentioned above). Goes home Tuesday, September 17. Due back Monday, September 23.
- IXL: All homework should be completed at the first-grade level. Math: B1, B2, B3, B4; Language Arts: V1, V2
Classroom Wish List:
- turtle net
- card stock
- 4 small white boards
- globe
- hand-held sweepers and dustpans
- mop
- small laminator
- yard stick
- magnets
- screen material