K-1

Happy 2014!

We began the week by slowly coming back to school routines and expectations. We greeted each other with enthusiasm and shared a bit about our vacations.

In Language Arts the children were introduced to their Writing "Frog" Books. The children call them "frog books" because there is a drawing of a frog on the front cover. The books have pages with blank areas for drawings and lines for writing. The children, as you know, are not new to drawing and writing. Back in the fall they created their own books, as they developed knowledge and confidence in all levels of writing. Each child works at his/her own pace and level of development. There is a mini lesson before the children sit down to draw and write. The mini lesson covers one or two conventions of writing - anything from spelling/phonics, punctuation, story structure, to how to draw a letter, etc. As always the children also receive individual instruction as they are working. This week we reviewed some lower case letters. Ask your child to show you how some lower case letters go fishing. Also this week during mini lessons we reviewed/practiced how to sound out a word, listen for the sounds, and write them down. The children were told that they are writers and illustrators, and that writing one letter to represent a word is writing, so everyone is a writer.

Also in Language Arts we began an author study. We will be studying author and illustrator John Burningham. The children love his books. This study is still in the making - more about it later.

Your child might have come home talking about volcanoes and earthquakes. The children showed interest in this area one day at morning meeting, so I read them books on the subjects during one of our language arts slots.

In Science with Kate the children began an exploration of MOTION. The children had a great time discussing, and engaging in hands on activities about PUSH and PULL. Many continued their explorations, on their own, during free choice time in the block center. After Tuesday morning science class, the children were so excited about "motion" that we continued the discussion into language arts.

First Grade Math - We began the week by exploring calendars. We looked at our calendars since September and counted the days we were in school each month. We added them all up to come up with a total number of school days from the first day of school to the last day before the break. This took two math sessions because the children broke up in groups to figure out the total using counters, numbers lines, and number charts. We concluded by meeting to share the strategies we used. We are continuing with our unit on geometry. The children used the pattern blocks to fill in a shape outline using fewer or more shapes according to directions. Also we practiced "Start with Get Go" which consist of counting on from a given number. Also we read The Greedy Triangle and talked about turning it into a play to act out.

Enjoy the photos! I don't have one for every activity.

First grade math