May/June Concepts and News!
Language Arts: We finished our last theme by sharing the masks that all the students in first grade made at home. The children really enjoyed seeing all the creative masks that were favorite characters from the stories and sharing how they were created. During May and June we will end our school year with two themes, "Tell Me a Story" and "Watch Me Grow". The class is currently reading a Russian folk tale called "Stone Soup" and then we will enjoy an African tale about animals called "Lazy Lion". Our last theme involves growth and change and connects very nicely to our study of life cycles in Science.
Everyday Math: Unit 9 has begun and will review fractions and place value and then build on the students knowledge by developing skills to add and subtract multiples of ten mentally. Our knowledge of fractions expands to include comparing fractions that are not equivalent. We are also continuing to review facts and will assess on every other Friday, giving two weeks to learn each group of facts. We are currently learning +10. Unit 10 in math is a year end review and assessment. In class we will continue to work on fact recall and problem solving strategies as we review important concepts introduced during our year. The last unit also provides summer home link activities and ideas for parents and students.
Science: We have begun the unit that involves Agricultural Engineering and the topic of pollination. A story called "Marianna Becomes a Butterfly" is set in the Dominican Republic, which gives us an opportunity to learn about a new culture, and tells the story of a little girl trying to solve a problem she has in her garden. A plant that was given to her as a gift will not grow berries. We will learn about the engineering process as we try to solve her problem.
Social Studies: This week after vacation has been very busy! Mother's Day is coming soon and we are getting ready. In June we will plan for Father's Day. These two holidays are very special to first graders. We will also be discussing Memorial Day and Flag Day as well as summer safety issues.
We will not have a regular Wed. schedule for reading volunteers for the month of June. If you have not had a chance to volunteer yet during our school year because of conflicts on Wed. please let me know by sending in a note and we'll schedule you on another day. We have many activities in June to schedule around!
Below is a list of important dates coming up:
June16- First Grade Field Day- 9:00-11:00
June 15- PTO event to honor Mr. Shea
June 19- First Grade Picnic- 11:15, in the courtyard
June 22- Grade Four "Buddies" Ice Cream Party
Weeks of 6/8 and 6/15- Review of phonics concepts, Red Words and math facts for assessment
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