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| Captain's Chorus singing "Santa's in the House" |
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| Always a packed house! |
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Holiday Sing
Friday, December 16 was Captain's annual Holiday Sing. All the students and many, many parents, grandparents and community members get together in the cafeteria and sing holiday songs. Captain's Chorus leads the songs while each grade has a special song to perform. Thanks to all who were able to come and enjoy!
Gingerbread Man
"Run, Run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
This past week we read about the folktale, The Gingerbread Man. We read many different versions looking for similarities and differences. The children ate gingerbread cookies on Friday and commented that the cookies were NOT their favorite!
This past week we read about the folktale, The Gingerbread Man. We read many different versions looking for similarities and differences. The children ate gingerbread cookies on Friday and commented that the cookies were NOT their favorite!
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| by Karen Schmidt |
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| by Jan Brett |
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| by Jan Brett |
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| by Lisa Campbell Ernst |
Thursday, December 1, 2016
November Newsletter
Reading:
We started a New Unit: Readers have Big Jobs to Do. This unit focuses on 4 strategies: First, stop as soon as they encounter difficulty. Second, try a strategy, Third, check to see if they got it right, (does it look right?, does it sound right? does it make sense?) Fourth, practice fluency or read it so it sounds smooth. In order to grow as readers the students read to read, read, read. Make sure they are bringing books home to read that are "just-right" and they are reading every night for about 20 minutes.
Writing: We finished writing nonfiction reports. The students were able to write all about a topic and include many features of nonfiction books. They included captions on pictures, a table of contents and a glossary. Students then shared their writing with their partner to make sure it was readable. Our next unit is Persuasive writing. The students will bring in collections and will learn to explain why their collections are the best. (more info. will be forthcoming) We have been working on spelling words that are "no-excuses". This list is on the back of your child's red writing folder. The students will get a new list after winter break.
We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished the short vowels and are working on digraphs: sh, th, ch, wh.
Math: We Started Ch. 8- Addition and Subtraction to 20. We will many strategies to add to 20. They include:
1. putting the two numbers together. 7+5= 12
2. Making a 10 and then adding. 9+4 is the same as 10+3
3. Adding on starting with the bigger number. 12 +3. Say 12 and count on 3 more to get 15.
4. Knowing Doubles, 3+3
5. Knowing Neighbors, since 3+3 = 6 then 3+4 = 7
These are just strategies to help them know their math facts fluently. The goal is be able to add and subtract up to 20 in their head. Being able to see the numbers in their head and manipulate them to get the answer they need will help them later with word problems. Computer math sites that we are using in our classroom are:
www.mathgames.com, grade 1
www.abcya.com, grade 1
www.gregtangmath.com
Social Studies: We spent time before Thanksgiving learning about the Pilgrims. We learned that 100 Pilgrims came to America, but only 40 survived the winter. Most of these were children. We talked about why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. Many of our activities focused on how hard the Pilgrims had coming to this country and we tied it to how hard immigrants have coming to a new place. Next, we will start Rules and Laws. To launch this unit, we played checkers to learn how important it is to play by the rules.
Looking Ahead:
Early Release: Friday, December 2nd
Winter Holiday Sing: Friday, December 16 at 2 p.m.
Captain Barnes and Noble Book Fair: Sunday, December 4th, So no Book Orders this Month.
Winter Holiday Party: December 21, Wednesday starting at 9:30
Kids wear PJs to school, bring a blanket and pillow.
We serve hot coco and cookies. All school Read-in. starting at 9:30 a.m
Winter Break- No School- Dec 22 through January 3rd. School Resumes January 4th.
We started a New Unit: Readers have Big Jobs to Do. This unit focuses on 4 strategies: First, stop as soon as they encounter difficulty. Second, try a strategy, Third, check to see if they got it right, (does it look right?, does it sound right? does it make sense?) Fourth, practice fluency or read it so it sounds smooth. In order to grow as readers the students read to read, read, read. Make sure they are bringing books home to read that are "just-right" and they are reading every night for about 20 minutes.
Writing: We finished writing nonfiction reports. The students were able to write all about a topic and include many features of nonfiction books. They included captions on pictures, a table of contents and a glossary. Students then shared their writing with their partner to make sure it was readable. Our next unit is Persuasive writing. The students will bring in collections and will learn to explain why their collections are the best. (more info. will be forthcoming) We have been working on spelling words that are "no-excuses". This list is on the back of your child's red writing folder. The students will get a new list after winter break.
We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished the short vowels and are working on digraphs: sh, th, ch, wh.
Math: We Started Ch. 8- Addition and Subtraction to 20. We will many strategies to add to 20. They include:
1. putting the two numbers together. 7+5= 12
2. Making a 10 and then adding. 9+4 is the same as 10+3
3. Adding on starting with the bigger number. 12 +3. Say 12 and count on 3 more to get 15.
4. Knowing Doubles, 3+3
5. Knowing Neighbors, since 3+3 = 6 then 3+4 = 7
These are just strategies to help them know their math facts fluently. The goal is be able to add and subtract up to 20 in their head. Being able to see the numbers in their head and manipulate them to get the answer they need will help them later with word problems. Computer math sites that we are using in our classroom are:
www.mathgames.com, grade 1
www.abcya.com, grade 1
www.gregtangmath.com
Social Studies: We spent time before Thanksgiving learning about the Pilgrims. We learned that 100 Pilgrims came to America, but only 40 survived the winter. Most of these were children. We talked about why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. Many of our activities focused on how hard the Pilgrims had coming to this country and we tied it to how hard immigrants have coming to a new place. Next, we will start Rules and Laws. To launch this unit, we played checkers to learn how important it is to play by the rules.
Looking Ahead:
Early Release: Friday, December 2nd
Winter Holiday Sing: Friday, December 16 at 2 p.m.
Captain Barnes and Noble Book Fair: Sunday, December 4th, So no Book Orders this Month.
Winter Holiday Party: December 21, Wednesday starting at 9:30
Kids wear PJs to school, bring a blanket and pillow.
We serve hot coco and cookies. All school Read-in. starting at 9:30 a.m
Winter Break- No School- Dec 22 through January 3rd. School Resumes January 4th.
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