Questions to ask your first grader that will reinforce what we have been learning at school…

• What does it mean to visualize?  What did you visualize when Mrs. Campbell read The Zoo at Night?
• What did you learn about magnets?
• What is a number line?  How can you use a number line to solve addition and subtraction problems?
• How can you tell even numbers and odd numbers apart?
• What was life like for a Native American during Pilgrim times?

 Thanksgiving

You have probably heard that first grade will not be having a feast this year.  In Room 8, we will commemorate Thanksgiving by celebrating our friendship and classroom family.  I will send out a note on Monday explaining what we will be doing and the few things the kids will need from home. 

First Grade T-Shirts

This year first graders will be given the opportunity to create and purchase a special first grade t-shirt.  A letter with more information about this is coming home today.  Last year we did this activity and the kids wore their shirts on all field trips and during special Workman celebrations.  I have a sample if you would like to look at an example of the finished product.

 Conferences

I enjoyed getting to talk to some of you this past week and I look forward to talking with the rest of you next week. 

Math

This week in math, we practiced using a number line to solve addition and subtraction problems.  We also explored number patterns on the number grid and practiced using it to solve addition and subtraction problems. 

Writing

The children began writing their stories across 3 page booklets.  We have learned that stories are told using more than just one sentence.  The children have done a fabulous job of rising to the challenge of writing across 3 pages and adding details to their stories. 

Reading

This month, your first grader is being introduced to a new reading strategy called visualization.  What goes on during your mind as you read?  These mental images that you make as you read create a place in your mind for what you are reading to settle.  Children who are unable to experience reading through visual images have a harder time comprehending and making connections with the text.  One way that we teach children to visualize pictures in their mind as they are reading is through the senses: Can you smell the bacon sizzling in the pan?  Can you almost hear the sound of the police siren?  Did you almost taste the cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven?  Creating these images in our heads as we read help strengthen comprehension and understand of what is being read. 

There are a number of activities that you can do with our child at home to reinforce using mental images while reading.   

• Read a book with your child that has no words.  There are books such as Carl’s Afternoon in the Park by Alexandra Day that only has pictures.  As you “read” discuss the events of the story.  Ask how your child knows what is going on without having words.  Explain to your child that these pictures help us picture what is going on in the story.
• Read a newspaper of magazine article to your child.  Have them draw a picture to go with the article.  Let them share the picture with you.  Ask your child to tell what you the newspaper article is about.
• Read a book to your child without showing them the pictures.  Have them illustrate one page of the book, using only the words to help them draw the picture.

 Ask your child to sing the visualizing song.  It goes to the tune of “London Bridge.”

Make a movie in your mind,

In your mind,

In your mind.

 Make a movie in your mind.

Visualizing.

 Thanksgiving History

The children were introduced to Native Americans this week.  We read a great book called “Tapenum’s Day” that describes a day in the life of a young Wampanoag (the tribe who met the Pilgrims) boy who lived during Pilgrim times.  We also learned about pictographs and made a booklet of them.  We will continue to learn more about Thanksgiving next week.

Have a great weekend!

Back