The big news in Room 108 was finishing up our first reading unit. Students talked about all the good habits they have been building these last few weeks. Some habits include: Taking a sneak peek before reading; Scooping up words in phrases; Reread to smooth out your voice; Set Goals and Do something at the end. I've posted a few pictures of these hard workers in action.
In math we continue to talk about strategies for addition and subtraction. We did some activities with counting on, counting back, doubles and doubles plus/minus 1 using dominoes as our math model. Students also completed a quick assessment to show how they communicate their thinking for solving word problems. I will be sharing this information with you at conferences. In art we continued learning about Picasso and examined some of his work from the cubism era. Students then began their own cubist inspired portrait. This is a 2-part project that we will continue to work on this week. Upcoming Dates Teacher Planning Day - No School Monday, October 29 Assembly: The History of Dance Tuesday, October 30, 8:30 am Wednesday Morning Meeting Wednesday, November 7, 8:20 am Art Infusion Wednesday, November 7, 10:00 Veteran's Day - No School Monday, November 12 Conferences - No School Monday, November 19 - 20
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The highlight of the week had to be Thursday. Two field trips in one day - you bet! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the play starring two of our favorite book characters, Elephant and Piggie. The up close and personal performance is always a great experience plus the actors take questions from the audience at the end. The second trip of the day was walking over to The Portland Nursery with our 3rd grade buddies for Applefest. Tasting all the varieties plus fresh pressed apple cider can't be beat! The weather was perfect for the walk over - what a fun time!
In math we are working on creating fact families. Using three numbers, students explore how those numbers all combine to create four unique equation. For example, 5+3=8 3+5=8 8-5=3 and 8-3=5. Students are exploring the commutative property and interrelationships between addition and subtraction. We will continue with this concept this week. In reading we are finishing our first unit: Readers Build Good Habits. Students are setting goals and working to make good habits such as Rereading to See More and Reading More and More (building stamina). Ask your child what their goal is! We continued our study of Picasso's work by learning a bit about The Rose Period. Students then used colored pencils to blend soft tones of colors to represent a vase of flowers. You'll have a chance to see their first three pieces all together soon. Pictures of the artists at work on on the Photos page! Upcoming Dates Picture Day Retakes Thursday, October 25 Run for the Arts Money Due Thursday, October 25 Harvest Festival Friday, October 26, 5:30 pm Teacher Planning Day - No School Monday, October 29 Assembly: The History of Dance Tuesday, October 30, 8:30 am What a fun week! Two of my favorite days were combined into one with Rainbow Day and Run for the Arts on Thursday. I was so happy the weather cooperated and everyone had a great time. Sponsor sheets were sent back home on Friday. After students have collected their pledges they bring both the pledge sheets and money back to school.
It was so fun to see everyone in blue for Rainbow day. We looked like a scene right out of Picasso's Blue Period - but with smiles! We learned a little more about the artist on Wednesday and then explored mixing different shades of blue paint to create their art piece. Painting is always a challenge in a room without a sink and I was so impressed with how smoothly our first painting went! I've posted a few photos of the artists at work on the Photos page. In math we are using dominoes as a math tool for addition and subtraction. The arrangement of the dots on a domino is an effective math tool that students can use as they develop both their instant recognition of a quantity (subitizing)and the counting on strategy. Upcoming Dates Principal's Coffee Wednesday, October 17 8:15 in the cafeteria Fieldtrip Thursday, October 18 9:15 - 11:45 Apple Festival Thursday, October 18 1:00 - 1:30 Book Order Due Friday, October 19 Picture Day Retakes Thursday, October 25 Run for the Arts Money Due Thursday, October 25 Teacher Planning Day - No School Monday, October 29 We were so thankful to have some sunshine last week as we launched our science unit that explores the science standard: Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted. Students used small flashlights to explore how a shadow changes in size and shape depending upon where the light source is located. The next day we took advantage of the sunshine and went out three different times to trace the sun's shadow for our paper gnomes and students recorded their observations and thoughts about what was happening. I'm posting a few photos on the blog to show our scientists in action.
We have also begun our first artist study. Students will be learning about Pablo Picasso and using his work as inspiration for their own artwork. I love starting with Picasso as his style changed so much throughout his life and it provides a great example of how emotion and life experiences inspire art. The first week we focused on his early works that fit in the Realism category. The Blue Period is next. We also use different media but the same subject for each art period. Speaking of art, Run for the Arts is this Thursday! Please be sure to return the sponsor sheets. Students will run at 9:25. The number of laps they run will be recorded on the sponsor sheets and sent home for students to collect their pledges. Your support for this important fundraiser is so appreciated. Part of the funds go toward artist in residencies. The first grade is in the process of setting up our residencies. Our first artist, Red Yarn will begin in January. Students will learn a folksong and create a puppet to perform the song for families. More information will be available. Thursday is also Rainbow Day. First grade wears blue! Upcoming Dates Rainbow Day Thursday, October 11 - Wear Blue! Run for the Arts Thursday, October 11 9:25-9:55 No School Friday, October 12 Fieldtrip Thursday, October 18 9:15 - 11:45 Apple Festival Thursday, October 18 1:00 - 1:30 |
MS. SCHIADAI teach first grade in southeast Portland where every day brings a new adventure!
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