September is over and it seems fall is surely setting in. We have been learning so much in first grade yet it feels like the year has just begun! Below you will find descriptions of what we’ve been learning and what is to come.
Riggs
We have finished reviewing letter strokes and are continuing to review the first 26 phonograms. As we spend time strengthening our base for reading and writing with the review of the phonograms, it would be very helpful for you to spend time reviewing them at home with your child.
Support Idea(s):
- Review the phonogram cards with your student as often as possible. Students should practice saying and correctly forming the phonograms. Get creative with how you help your student practice! Here are some ideas:
- Use salt dough to form and say phonogram sounds
- If you’re making cookies for your family, have your student help you by forming the dough into phonograms!
- Using a tray filled with rice or cornmeal, have your student trace the phonograms.
- Use sidewalk chalk to form the phonograms outside.
IEW
We have been reading, reciting and examining poetry during IEW time. In the poems Rope Rhyme and Jump and Jiggle, we have been looking for verbs and synonyms. The students have been trying to memorize Rope Rhyme, and, when they’re ready, they’ll each have a chance to recite the poem in front of the class. (The students each have a poetry booklet that includes poems form the Core Knowledge sequence. They are encouraged to take that booklet home when they need extra practice on a poem, and then to return it to school as we will be using it throughout the year.)
Support Idea(s):
- When reading with your student, ask them to identify the verbs (we say: “Verb, verb, action word!”) in the text.
- Help your student read and recite the poem, Rope Rhyme. Have them practice reciting it to friends and relatives.
Reading
During read aloud time, the students have been listening to both fiction and nonfiction texts. They have been working on: identifying information in the text, finding the moral in fables, retelling stories, and identifying the main characters and the setting in stories. During guided reading groups, the students have been working on many different skills to improve reading and comprehension. Some of these skills include: book sense, retelling, and identifying genre, characters, main idea, setting, information and table of contents. They have also been working on remembering their phonograms through hands-on games.
Support Idea(s):
- When reading with your student, ask them to identify the front cover, title, back cover, spine and title page of the book. Ask them to tell you what type of story the book is (i.e. fiction, nonfiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, fable).
Math
During math, these are some of the concepts we have been and will be working on:
- Big Ideas: number and operations, process skills, algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis and probability
- fractions are used to name equal parts of a whole
- the appropriate arithmetic operation must be chosen to solve a problem
- mathematical language is used to tell the place and position of something when things are in a row
- there are different pattern rules
Support Idea(s):
- Creative math: use food to show understanding of fractions and ordinal numbers!
- If you’re feeding your child something that can be cut into equal parts, give them a fractions mini-lesson. (i.e. cut a sandwich into four equal parts to show one-fourth, cut an apple in half to show one-half)
- If your child is eating Cheerios or another cereal, have them lay out 12 pieces and count the order. Quiz them by asking questions such as, “where is the fourth Cheerio?”
History
During history, we have been learning about the early civilizations of the Americas. The Maya, Incas and Aztecs were some of the first people groups to create civilizations in the Americas. The students have learned that civilization is a big word that means “city” in short. We will continue to learn a little bit about each of these early civilizations, and then culminate this unit by celebrating with an “Early American Civilizations Lunch” (see below for details).
Support Idea(s):
- Talk with your student about what they have learned during our science and history lessons at school. Ask questions and see if they are able to answer them. If they are unable to answer your questions, provide extra support for them by reading books (from the library), or finding appropriate websites on the topics we're studying. Ask questions during and after the reading to encourage involvement and comprehension.
Early American Civilizations Lunch, Thursday, October 11th, 11:00-11:45AM
First grade will be eating lunch like the Maya, Incas, and Aztecs on Thursday, October 11th! You are welcome to help with the setup, cooking, and gathering of supplies for this low-key event. You may also just join us to share in the tastes of these early civilizations. Please R.S.V.P. or ask how you can help by contacting our first grade room parents, Mrs. Bethke and Mrs. Gilliam. Students will not need to bring or buy a lunch that day (unless dietary restrictions will prohibit them from enjoying the food). The menu will include: corn tortillas (Maya. Ingredients: masa, water), quinoa with pinto beans and potatoes (Inca), and honey-sweetened “hot chocolate” (Aztec. Ingredients: dark chocolate, honey, cinnamon and/or cayenne pepper, hot water).
Field Trip to Wildwood Recreational Area, October 12th, 2012
Our first field trip of the school year will be to Wildwood Recreational Area on October 12th, 2012. In addition to paying close attention to the wildlife at Wildwood, we will use our imaginations to go back in time and think like the earliest man, from hunting and gathering to farming and settling. Field trip Fridays are considered regular school days and students must be present at school for a full school day. On the day of the field trip, please send your student to school with:
- A regular uniform on OR red field trip shirt, jeans, and comfortable shoes. We will be outside all day and the students will most likely need a red sweater and a jacket.
- A sack lunch, snack, and a full water bottle.
Classroom Wish List
- Medium-large succulent plants for the classroom
Here are some supplies we still need and will be using in the classroom over the next few weeks that you may have lying around your house. Please do not purchase any of these items, but search your home and send any that you have and do not need to school with your student:
1. Shoe boxes (4 more!): Any shape and size welcome! Send in more than one if you have extra.
2. Tiny plastic toys: Do you have any tiny plastic toys laying around that your children are tired of that can be donated to our Mesoamerican artifact collection? Send them in!
3. Gold spray paint: Did you happen to buy gold spray paint and then forget about it? Send it in!
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Birthdays
We appreciate individual family traditions for the celebration of individual achievements such as living a year longer. Please be sensitive to family traditions that do not celebrate birthdays and other holidays. If you do wish to acknowledge your child's birthday in a public way, please respect the guidelines outlined in the student planner.
Jog-a-thon
Pledge sheets were due on 10/4/12! Please make your student turns this in by Monday if they haven’t already. Want to help out at the Jog-A-Thon? Find Mrs. Stores on Monday and she’ll get you connected where help is needed! Lap Markers, Cheering Section, Water Bottle Fillers, Cheering Section, Pledge Counters, Cheering Section, General Help...and, of course a Cheering Section!
V.I.P. Day (formerly known as “Grandparents Day”)
Attend the Jog-a-thon, the book fair and/or some class time with students on Monday, October 8th! The VIPs for 1st grade should show up at 8:50AM near the track for a morning welcome by Mrs. Denman. The 1st graders will be running at 9:00AM, and there will be coffee and tea for the VIPs and other adults helping with the Jog-a-thon.
Low Cost Internet Access
The link below is information about inexpensive internet access for people in need. If you are getting this email you already have internet service but please spread the word to those you know with a need for inexpensive service. Not having internet access at home can make school a bit more difficult and this is an nice opportunity for families to be able to afford service. http://www.internetessentials.com/how/default.aspx
Lunch Room Volunteers
The good weather will last a bit longer, which is wonderful at lunchtime: it reduces our need to clean the cafeteria! But when the rain starts we will again need volunteers to help sweep and mop the cafeteria floor every day. If you are able to commit to a day or more per week, from 12:30 to 1:30, please contact volunteer@chpcs.org We appreciate your support!
Family Night Out is Coming
Mark your calendars!! CHPCS Family Dinner Nights! Come support our school and enjoy a tasty dinner at California Pizza Kitchen from Tuesday, October 9 through Thursday, October 11. California Pizza Kitchen donates a fraction of their profits to our school. More details to come.
Harvest Festival
Join the CHPCS community on October 18th for a fun filled evening of free family frivolity.
The Harvest Festival is a chance for CHPCS families and friends to get together and celebrate the turning of the season with music, games, and a baking contest. Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, tug o war, and needle in a haystack will keep the young and old entertained for hours. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m.
Are you a baker? Are you the keeper of Great Granny’s apple pie recipe? Now’s the time to put on your chef hat, dust off your apron, and whip up your favorite apple or pumpkin themed recipe! The baking contest is open to all adult/child pairs. Baking with children is not only fun, but is great math practice and provides one on one time that encourages open communication. All baking entries are due on October 18th no later than 3:30 p.m. for judging. After ribbons are awarded, the baked goods will be sold at the Harvest Festival for $1.00 a piece.
Calendar at a Glance:
| Saturday, October 6th, 2012 | Riggs Class for Parents |
| Monday, October 8th, 2012 | Jog-a-thon, V.I.P. Day and Book Fair |
| Thursday, October 11th, 2012 | 1st Grade Early American Civilizations Lunch (Maya, Inca, Aztec), 11:00-11:45 |
| Friday, October 12th, 2012 | Field Trip to Wildwood Recreational Area |
| Thursday, October 18th, 2012 | Harvest Festival, 6:00-7:30PM |
| Thursday, October 25th, 2012 | All School Assembly, 2:45PM (7th Grade Hosting) |
| Monday, October 29th - Friday, November 2nd | Parent-Teacher Conferences |
Thank you for your continued support and have a great week!
~Mrs. Varis
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