It was an especially exciting this week, since Wednesday was Halloween! All of the first graders really enjoyed showing off their creative or spooky costumes. In the afternoon we were able to celebrate with the parade and Halloween Centers. I want to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Mucha and Mrs. Goldstein, our head room parents, and other parent volunteers (Mrs. Hoppe and Mrs. Singer) for planning and organizing our class celebration. The first graders eagerly participated in a treat station, spider darts, Halloween Bingo, pumpkin tic-tac-toe and bucket toss, and spider web weaving. Below are some pictures of the Halloween events:
Also, thank you to Mrs. Freeman for being our mystery reader this week! We loved your book "What if Everybody Did That?" and guessing who you were!
Literacy
This week we continued to focus on our informational text "Going To School" which show how several different students from around the world went to school, what they learned in school and so on. Students focused on the strategy of comparing and contrasting. One way readers understand new ideas in text is by thinking about how things are alike or different. This understanding deepens their comprehension. Comparing and contrasting text assists the reader by engaging them in critical thinking. Comparing involves highlighting similarities and differences. Contrasting focuses only on differences. Below is one of the flip charts we made together this week:
This week we continued to focus on our informational text "Going To School" which show how several different students from around the world went to school, what they learned in school and so on. Students focused on the strategy of comparing and contrasting. One way readers understand new ideas in text is by thinking about how things are alike or different. This understanding deepens their comprehension. Comparing and contrasting text assists the reader by engaging them in critical thinking. Comparing involves highlighting similarities and differences. Contrasting focuses only on differences. Below is one of the flip charts we made together this week:
To reinforce this comprehension skill try the following at home:
1. When comparing two items discuss likenesses and differences of what is being compared. Begin comparing two people or places and then move on to comparing the characters or settings in a story.
2. Look for clue words in text or use these words when comparing texts.
4. After reading two different stories, discuss the following:
1. When comparing two items discuss likenesses and differences of what is being compared. Begin comparing two people or places and then move on to comparing the characters or settings in a story.
2. Look for clue words in text or use these words when comparing texts.
- Comparing words: Clue words: like, as OR Simile – than, as
- Contrasting words: Clue words: but, unlike
4. After reading two different stories, discuss the following:
- How are these stories the same? How are they different?
- Compare the characters in each story.
- How might you compare these stories?
Writing
To connect with our reading comprehension skill of compare and contrast students engaged in doing this with their writing. They chose two characters from "Going to School" to write about their similarities and differences. I was able to work with students one-on-one during writing workshop and help students choose individual writing goals they will focus on.
To connect with our reading comprehension skill of compare and contrast students engaged in doing this with their writing. They chose two characters from "Going to School" to write about their similarities and differences. I was able to work with students one-on-one during writing workshop and help students choose individual writing goals they will focus on.
Math
This week students engaged in activities to support skip counting 5s past 100! As a class we were able to create a quilt inspired by sea stars (that have 5 legs) and then developed mathematical questions we could work together to answer once we observed our quilt. We also engaged in a game that included pennies, nickels and dimes so students were learning how to add, 1, 5 and 10 together using various addition strategies. The first person to 100 was the winner! Next week we will begin Unit 3 which will focus more on addition and subtraction strategies and how addition and subtraction are related.
This week students engaged in activities to support skip counting 5s past 100! As a class we were able to create a quilt inspired by sea stars (that have 5 legs) and then developed mathematical questions we could work together to answer once we observed our quilt. We also engaged in a game that included pennies, nickels and dimes so students were learning how to add, 1, 5 and 10 together using various addition strategies. The first person to 100 was the winner! Next week we will begin Unit 3 which will focus more on addition and subtraction strategies and how addition and subtraction are related.
Social Studies
This week was an all-school cultural celebration. Students engaged in activities focused around the following holidays and compared and contrasted the similarities and differences:
As we learned about different cultures we also focused on the importance of respecting other cultures. Here is what students were encouraged to practice during our study and learning:
This week was an all-school cultural celebration. Students engaged in activities focused around the following holidays and compared and contrasted the similarities and differences:
- Mexico - Day of the Dead
- Italy - Commemorazione dei Defunti
- Japan - Bon Odori Festival
- Korea - CHuseok Harvest Festival
As we learned about different cultures we also focused on the importance of respecting other cultures. Here is what students were encouraged to practice during our study and learning:
- We listen with open hearts and open minds
- We never make jokes, or do anything that makes fun of someone else's identity
- We treat others the way we want to be treated
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 7th: Our wonderful 1D Head Room Parents (Mrs. Mucha and Mrs. Goldstein) are hosting a "Moms Night Out" at Casa de Isaac and Moshies for dinner in Highland Park at 7:00pm. The link to the evite is here: http://evite.me/v6dgWAkBhG . You can simply click on the link, view the invitation, and RSVP.
Thursday, November 8th: Scholastic Book Order Due! Here is a link to this month's flyer and note with more information about ordering: November SeeSaw Flyer. Place your order online at Scholastic Book Clubs.
Wednesday, November 7th: Our wonderful 1D Head Room Parents (Mrs. Mucha and Mrs. Goldstein) are hosting a "Moms Night Out" at Casa de Isaac and Moshies for dinner in Highland Park at 7:00pm. The link to the evite is here: http://evite.me/v6dgWAkBhG . You can simply click on the link, view the invitation, and RSVP.
Thursday, November 8th: Scholastic Book Order Due! Here is a link to this month's flyer and note with more information about ordering: November SeeSaw Flyer. Place your order online at Scholastic Book Clubs.
Thursday, November 15th: Conference sign up deadline. Use this link:
www.ptcfast.com/schools/Indian_Trail_Elementary. And follow these directions: Conference sign up directions.
Monday, November 19th & Tuesday, November 20th: Conferences will be held from 12:00pm-7:30pm
Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break, no school.
www.ptcfast.com/schools/Indian_Trail_Elementary. And follow these directions: Conference sign up directions.
Monday, November 19th & Tuesday, November 20th: Conferences will be held from 12:00pm-7:30pm
Wednesday, November 21 - Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving Break, no school.