Word Building

As the students have been (re)introduced to new letter sounds in our Imagine It serIes, we have been using these sounds to build words in a daily activity we call Word Building. The students each have the same letter card on their desks and as we say the sounds in the word to spell ('man': /m/ /a/ /n/) the students choose the correct card to match the sound. We then say the sounds again, making sure our sounds and letters match before blending the word as a class. 

 

With only 6 letters we made more than 10 words! 

When students are writing and want to know how to spell a word, you can ask them to do the same thing we do in word building: "Say the sounds in the word and write the sounds you hear." 

Number bonds

Last week we began working with number bonds. Number bonds are a way to think about numbers as parts and wholes, and will provide a strong foundation to build on when we begin addition and subtraction.

This week the students began by working with snap cubes and breaking them into different parts to find different ways to build 9. Look at all the ways we discovered together:

Next week we will also use a math balance to find parts and wholes to make more number bonds. It's week the students just explored this tool so they will be familiar with it. 

Ask your student to tell you more about number bonds, and explain their understanding.

Morning Message

Each day as a class we read our morning message together. The message usually has to do with our reading topic (this unit we are learning about school) and has a prompt for the students to share their thoughts. 

This was Thurdays's message: 

Here are some of the things the students in our class like to do best at school:

- trying new foods at hot lunch

- Gym

- watercolor painting 

- making counting books

- bring books home from the library

- Music

- recess (both indoor and outdoor)

- working in math workbooks

- Art

- special days (like pajama day)

- music and movement breaks (especially moving like an animal which we had just done!)

Ask your student what they like to do best at school and see if it is on the list!

Our first full week

What a jam packed full 5 day week we had!!! The students are adjusting well to our daily routines, building their stamina for a full day of learning, and excited about each new experience. This past week we had a few firsts: our first Music class with Ms. Latham, our first indoor recess, and our first chance to check out a library book. Remember, our library day is Tuesday, and students will be able to exchange their book each week.

In Math we have been working on counting and comparing numbers to 10. This chapter has given everyone confidence in their math ability while we work on the language of math--comparing numbers and sets using the words more, fewer, greater than, more than, less than, and same. This week we will continue that work as we begin to learn about number bonds--look for more information on number bonds later in the week!

In Language Arts we are finishing up our Getting Started unit in Imagine It. Each day we worked on a few letters of the alphabet and are finishing up alphabet books. This two week start to our reading and writing program allowed the students time to adjust to routines, while I got to know them as readers and writers. Next week we begin our first unit, along with the systematic introduction of the phonemes (individual sounds that make up words) and the spellings for these phonemes. There are 42 phonemes in the English language and many have multiple spellings--you will be amazed by mid-year at the words students will be reading and spelling!

I am looking forward to another great week!

Mrs. Pawlusiak

Highlights from the first 2 days of school

As we wrapped up our day on Friday, the students shared their favorite parts of the first two days of first grade:

* Having 3 recesses (on Friday)

* Beginning to work on an alphabet book

* Pizza for hot lunch

* No homework :)

* Being together

* Making friends

* Having my own desk

I'm looking forward to another fun filled week ahead of us!!!