Friday, May 23, 2014

First Grade this Week

Poetry

Circle Poems, Acrostic Poems, Alliteration, oh my!  First graders have been reading and writing poetry.  They've explored a variety of types of poetry.  They've even used poetry to work on building their fluency.  Poetry is great for this!

                                               

 Here is a great website for Poetry.  Poetry4Kids

Rock Shop

You have probably heard but plans are underway for our upcoming Rock Shop.


This week's rock shop accomplishments:
                 * Named the Rock Shop
                 * Determined jobs needed
                 * Determined number of workers for each job
                 * Worked on the marketing part of the rock shop



The Simonds' School First Grade Rock Shop for 2014 is called...

Rockin’  Rock  Shop

Math

This week we reviewed double-digit addition and subtraction with regrouping.  We also worked on balancing equations.  For example:     7 + ___ + 4 = 16 -2

Students can practice subtraction with and without regrouping at:   




Chaperones

We have plenty of volunteers to chaperone our upcoming field trip to Polar Caves on June 9th, but if you haven't contacted one of us and would like to join us it's not too late!  The fee for chaperones is $11.50 to be paid the day of the trip.  Please let us know ASAP if you are able to join us.  Thanks!


Have a great long weekend!  Let's hope we see a lot of that thing that use to be in the sky.  :)












Thursday, May 15, 2014

This Week



Book Orders
The last book order for the year was due back on the 14th.  A couple students have said they have forgotten their order so if they can bring them in tomorrow that would be fine.  We will place the order this weekend.  Scholastic Book Clubs is a great way to purchase books at discounted prices.  




If you'd like to order online head to:  http://www.scholastic.com/readingclub

                                            Mrs. Houle's Class Activation Code is: GLNJT

                                            Ms. Marsh's Class Activation Code is: MDK6H

Assessments
This week we spent a lot of time, like all the other grades at Simonds conducting assessments.  We spent a lot of time talking about the importance of checking their work and what that really means.  Our first graders have been hard workers all week.  They approached the tests with a great attitude and most truly enjoyed taking the tests.  They have a lot to be proud of!


JGB

In Junior Great Books this week we read "Rumplestiltskin."  We did a lot of inferring with this story.  We conducted little skits based on the story and made posters about what they could envision would be in Rumpelstiltskin's hut.
Math

In math we spent more time on place value and using our knowledge of place value to help us with comparing numbers and increasing mental math.  While on the ride to do errands ask your child to use mental math for some equations you give to them.  


This Weekend
 
On Saturday the PTO will be having their "Nearly New Used Clothing Sale."  With summer on it's way it might be a great opportunity to fill up your child's closet, at a low cost.  All items are $1.00.  Also, if you'd like to donate items they can be dropped off at school by tomorrow afternoon.  The PTO does so much for our school - by supporting this event and all PTO sponsored events you are supporting your child and all the children of Simonds.  Thank You!