We have really been enjoying this winter sunshine! We have one more week of our nonfiction units in reading and writing. In reading students have been working on identifying the topic of their text and then telling at least two key details about what they read. We had lessons around how the title can be sometimes be the same as the topic but not always. We ask ourselves, "What is this book about?". Understanding the difference between a key detail and a supporting detail can be tricky so we worked on determining importance and ask ourselves, "What does the author want me to know?".
In writers workshop students continue to write on topics of their choice. They are also working on a final project using the online app Book Creator. Students are enjoying selecting photos of their animal to add to their pages and adjusting the size and style of their font. When finished, they will be shareable with families. In math we are continuing to work on identifying and counting coins. We are also creating graphs and writing about the data. This is all in addition to keeping our computation skills sharp. We worked with the open number line again this week to solve subtraction problems. The first grade auction artwork is on display in the showcase so stop by and admire the colorful collages! Wednesday, February 26, 2:30 - 3:00 pm Rock Wall Open House Saturday, March 7, 5:00 - 9:00 pm Glencoe Auction Tuesday, March 10, 8:15 am PTA Meeting March 21 - March 29 Spring Break
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The week ended on a high note with our valentines celebration. One of the things I love about this is watching the genuine delight as students open and read their cards and then search out their friend to say thank you. I loved my cards too - it was a real love fest!
One of our Toolbox tools for this month is the Taking Time tool. The phrase that accompanies it is, "I take time-in and I take time-away". Time-in means taking some time to check in to see what we need or are feeling. It's an opportunity to think things through or cool down. Taking a Time-In doesn't always require a physical removal from a situation; it is more of a turning inward in order to have a period of self-reflection. We had a great discussion on listening to our bodies and identifying feelings - taking time to look "in". Time-Away allows us to physically remove or distance ourselves - allowing us space to calm down and understand how we are feeling and thinking. During our discussion we identified when this is helpful. We also talked about what spaces were available where we could take time away. It was nice to hear all the different ways students are taking this time away at home and school. I shared with students how this is a tool for everyone - that there are many times when I need to take time away and think about how and why I am feeling a certain way! Our 100th Day of school was on Wednesday so we did a few fun activities to celebrate - and we are still going strong! We another special activity on Wednesday. As part of the Techsmart grant that has provided the K-3 classes with a half-class set of chromebooks and a part time coach, there was a lab day where coaches came in and led a lesson in our classes. Our class learned a new app called Book Creator. Students worked in pairs to create a page or two for an All About Us book. I am learning more about this tool and think it will be a great addition to ways students can express themselves in writing. There is also a way to share this through See Saw so once I figure that out I hope to get it out to everyone! Monday, February 17 President's Day Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Art Infusion Training Friday, February 21, 6:00 pm Family Movie Night Saturday, March 6, 5:00 - 9:00 pm Glencoe Auction Two of our favorite activities were highlights of the week. One Tuesday we went to the Newmark Theater to see the play Dragons Love Tacos. This is one of our favorite books and it was so much fun to see the dinosaurs come to life. I was so proud of how everyone was a polite, enthusiastic audience.
On Friday we had our latest Art Infusion lesson. I am so appreciative of our parent volunteers who plan and lead these lessons. This week students learned about space and our galaxy, studying where they saw dark and where they saw light in the book Galaxies Galaxies! They also got to see photos from the Hubble telescope. Students used watercolors to create a piece inspired by what they saw. We continue our nonfiction reading and writing units. In reading we looked at two books on the same subject (snow) to talk about what information was the same in both books and facts that were different. We worked together to write a fact that was the same and then sentences for each book of what was different. Students then added more facts on their own. We will continue working on this skill during readers workshop. We finished our snow booklets during writers workshop and then went back to writing on a topic of our choice. We then started adding chapter headings to organize our pages and looked at how a table of contents is connected to these headings. Valentine's Day is coming up! A note went home with a list of student names. If you need another copy, please let me know. Remember, as an inclusive community, if your child would like to bring valentines - they need to bring one for each student in the class. Report cards came home on Friday. Please keep the card but sign and return the envelope. I will reuse this envelope in April when the next report card is sent home. I am excited about all the learning to come during the second half of first grade! Tuesday, February 11, 8:15 - 9:15 am PTA Meeting Wednesday, February 12 100th Day of School Friday, February 14 Valentine's Day Friday, February 14 Spirit Day - Favorite Color Monday, February 17 President's Day Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Art Infusion Training Saturday, March 6, 5:00 - 9:00 pm Glencoe Auction Our time with Red Yarn as our artist in residency was fabulous. A great time for everyone involved. A parent in Mr. Roddis' class who is a videographer has been shooting behind the scene footage - I will let you know more about this when I can. Thank you for supporting our little artists!
Speaking of artists - I believe there are still slots for a couple more volunteers for this Friday's art infusion lesson. You can check out the information on Konstella. Big plans are underway for the upcoming Glencoe Auction. Envelopes went home asking for donations to support the Auction on behalf of first grade. Be sure to write Schiada or Room 108 on the envelope when returning the envelopes. I'm working on putting together an after school craft activity as my donation to this wonderful event. More details to come! Valentine's Day is also coming up in a couple of weeks! Students will decorate a bag in class to hold the valentines from their classmates. If your child would like to bring valentines, I am sending home a separate letter with a list of classmates' names.. Tuesday, February 4 Fieldtrip to the Newmark Theater Friday, February 7, 1:00 pm Art Infusion Tuesday, February 11, 8:15 - 9:15 am PTA Meeting Wednesday, February 12 100th Day of School Friday, February 14 Valentine's Day Monday, February 17 President's Day Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Art Infusion Training Saturday, March 6, 5:00 - 9:00 pm Glencoe Auction |
MS. SCHIADAI teach first grade in southeast Portland where every day brings a new adventure!
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