First Grade News

Curriculum Highlights

September 19, 2011

Math time to the hour, explorations, money Science Unit Weather Short Vowel review, phonological matrices, affixes Writing Workshop Writing Cycle Plan, draft Reading Workshop decoding strategies and genre boxes

Reminders

October 13th & 14th - Parent/ teacher conferences - no classes for students. Monday 25th Sept Parent volunteers begin

Word Study
Review short vowel sounds a e i o u a cat map e pen get i tin lid o got rod u cut fun
Whats the difference between a short and long vowel?

News From Ms. Tindalls Class

Application of concepts taught in class is a real test of how well your child is learning. If you are looking for extensions the best homework is to involve your child in your real life daily activities. When you start thinking about it, the possibilities are endless. For example, ask your child if theyd like to go to the movies on the weekend. Together check the calendar to see which day you are free (math, planning). Get on the internet to find the cinema page and read the reviews (tech, reading). Choose a movie based on the review and rating (critical thinking, comprehension). Choose the date. Find the show times. Figure out what time the movie will finish based on its length. Plan what time you will have to leave your house to arrive on time. Will you need to purchase tickets beforehand on-line or will you arrive early enough to buy them at the cinema? What is the cost for an adult/ child? How much money will you need to pay? With what notes can you make that amount or if you pay with a 50RM/100RM note how much change will you get? How much does popcorn and a drink cost? Parking? How much will the whole outing cost altogether? How many chores at home will I have to do to earn the price of my ticket? How long will the whole outing take? (math) What did you think of the movie afterward? Would you recommend it to others? Write your own review. Send an email to a friend or relative telling them about it. (critical thinking, writing) Imagine the possibilities of going to the supermarket, the park, the airport, preparing dinner, inviting a friend to play! In partnership, Ms. Tindall

Monday Reading; What strategies do you use when you come across a word you dont know? Word study: Review short vowel sounds a e i o u. Draw a picture next to each to remind you of the short sound each letter can sometimes represent. Practice writing each vowel in NSW Foundation print. Remember: Posture, pencil grip, start at the dot, follow the arrow. ***Adapt for your childs needs. The basic expectation is short vowel sounds. Once mastered go to long vowel combinations. EG do the same for long <i> combinations i_e, igh, etc Math: Homelink 2.5 Coins are great for addition practice in 10s, 5s and 1s. We are using coins a lot in this math unit. Use currencies that you have at home - no need to use USA vocabulary. Tuesday Reading: Retell the story what happened in the beginning, middle, end? Word study: Find words with the short e sound in a book. Be sure to say each word aloud so that you can hear short e. Dont be tricked by words that contain the letter e but dont make the short e sound. * Can you see any pattern of where <e> makes the short sound? (or long e) Math: Homelink 2.6 Wednesday Reading: How are your Just Right choices going? Take another look at the Goldilocks rubric on our blog. Word study: Repeat yesterdays work with short i. (or long i) Math: Homelink 2.7 Thursday Reading Word study: Repeat yesterdays work with short u. (or long u) Math: Homelink 2.8 Friday Reading Poem collection: Recite and sing poems and songs from your poem collection to family members, friends and neighbours. Put your finger on each word as you read it. Return poem collection to school on Monday. Science: Take a close look at clouds over the weekend. What different types of clouds can you see? Think about shape, colour and height in the sky? What do you think a rain cloud would look like? Can you make a weather forecast for the afternoon based on the clouds you see in the morning?

a____________________ _____________________ e____________________ _____________________ i____________________ _____________________ o____________________ u____________________ _____________________