This week we got to listen to Edgewood Middle School's chorus sing a few different songs at a concert at Indian Trail! It was fun to see some older siblings of our first graders!
We also had fun with our mystery reader Mr. Nagasawa this week! Students love the Skippy John Jones book he read aloud.
We also had fun with our mystery reader Mr. Nagasawa this week! Students love the Skippy John Jones book he read aloud.
Literacy
This week our class continued to focus on our anchor text, "King Kafu and the Moon" and practiced our close reading skills. Close reading requires the reader to look at text deeply and is different from a simple recall of key facts. This is why we read and reread sections of our anchor text to support close reading. Close reading results in the reader being able to critically analyze information, synthesize meaning, draw conclusions, and form inferences based on text details. This careful investigation of the text enables the reader to speak and write effectively about what they have read. Here are some ways you can reinforce close reading at home:
This week our class continued to focus on our anchor text, "King Kafu and the Moon" and practiced our close reading skills. Close reading requires the reader to look at text deeply and is different from a simple recall of key facts. This is why we read and reread sections of our anchor text to support close reading. Close reading results in the reader being able to critically analyze information, synthesize meaning, draw conclusions, and form inferences based on text details. This careful investigation of the text enables the reader to speak and write effectively about what they have read. Here are some ways you can reinforce close reading at home:
- Read a variety of text with your child
- Reread the text
- Circle or discuss interesting words
- Discuss the author’s purpose
- Look for specific words that tell you about something in particular, such as the setting of the text, the season, the weather, or the main topic
- Ask them questions that require the child to look back at the text
- Spend time having a discussion about the text
Writing
This week the class continued working on their narrative stories that were made up and included the moon in some way. They learned about how to bring their stories to life by adding "talk" and "feelings" to their stories. Students learned about quotation marks and were encouraged to add at least one spot where their character talks. Additionally, they learned that they can add feelings without actually saying how a character felt. For example, a smile grew across Character X's face. Students are being encouraged to try to add one feeling in their writing as well.
This week the class continued working on their narrative stories that were made up and included the moon in some way. They learned about how to bring their stories to life by adding "talk" and "feelings" to their stories. Students learned about quotation marks and were encouraged to add at least one spot where their character talks. Additionally, they learned that they can add feelings without actually saying how a character felt. For example, a smile grew across Character X's face. Students are being encouraged to try to add one feeling in their writing as well.
Math
This week our class continued to become experts in geometry. We used riddles to eliminate shapes based on their attributes to see if we could guess the shape in the end. Students loved this game and are now making their own riddles to share with each other and see if their classmates can guess their shapes. Below is an example of what students are working on:
This week our class continued to become experts in geometry. We used riddles to eliminate shapes based on their attributes to see if we could guess the shape in the end. Students loved this game and are now making their own riddles to share with each other and see if their classmates can guess their shapes. Below is an example of what students are working on:
Social Studies
We learned about another amazing famous American this week: Ruby Bridges. Students were amazed at the courage that she displayed at such a young age. Ruby is one of my personal favorites to focus on because first graders can easily relate to her since she was in first grade and the same age as my students during her courageous experience.
We learned about another amazing famous American this week: Ruby Bridges. Students were amazed at the courage that she displayed at such a young age. Ruby is one of my personal favorites to focus on because first graders can easily relate to her since she was in first grade and the same age as my students during her courageous experience.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 21st: Early release
Thursday, March 21st- Friday, March 22nd: Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please make sure you have signed up for your conference time. In the event you are unable to attend, the district encourages parents to sign up for a phone conference within the conference timeframe. Below is more information about conference sign-up:
Conference Sign-Up:
Registration for conferences is open through March 15th. Parents will sign up for conferences online through the Indian Trail website(www.nssd112.org/indiantrail). Scroll down to the “news” section and click on Conference sign-up.
Need Support with Conferences:
- Click here for Directions for conference registration
- If you still have issues - Call the Indian Trail main office: (224) 765-3500
If you are out of town or not available to meet on the conference dates, we encourage you to sign up for a conference slot and complete the conference over the phone.
Monday, March 25- Friday, March 29th: Spring Break
Monday, April 1st- School resumes
Thursday, March 21st: Early release
Thursday, March 21st- Friday, March 22nd: Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please make sure you have signed up for your conference time. In the event you are unable to attend, the district encourages parents to sign up for a phone conference within the conference timeframe. Below is more information about conference sign-up:
Conference Sign-Up:
Registration for conferences is open through March 15th. Parents will sign up for conferences online through the Indian Trail website(www.nssd112.org/indiantrail). Scroll down to the “news” section and click on Conference sign-up.
Need Support with Conferences:
- Click here for Directions for conference registration
- If you still have issues - Call the Indian Trail main office: (224) 765-3500
If you are out of town or not available to meet on the conference dates, we encourage you to sign up for a conference slot and complete the conference over the phone.
Monday, March 25- Friday, March 29th: Spring Break
Monday, April 1st- School resumes