January 4-8

Hello First Grade Families!
We made it through our first week back! Yes, that's what it felt like for many - making it through, especially during the beginning days of our week! The winter break left some feeling a bit lethargic, but  by the end of the week we were all getting back into the swing of things. Our Friday afternoon science lesson really perked us up! You can read about that and more in our sneak peek at our week!

Writer's Workshop
We began the final bend in our nonfiction writing unit. Each of our friends is working on their final "All About" book. Thanks so much to those of you who were able to send your writer back to school on Monday with a list of potential All About ideas along with chapter titles. These have been a really nice guide. We focused in this week on our table of contents, introductions and conclusions. Mentor authors like Gail Gibbons and Anne Schreiber helped us with both. Most of the kiddos have also had a chance to get on the site www.kidzsearch.com to find a photo to go with their book. We were specifically looking for a photo that would help their reader to learn more about their topic. Next week we'll zoom in on nonfiction text features that we can add to our books. We've been learning about them during Reader's Workshop, so now we can use them in our own writing!

Reader's Workshop
We finished up our nonfiction unit by demonstrating our learning of main topic and key details with a final project. This can be rather tricky! I recommend that as your child continues to bring home nonfiction texts or you check nonfiction texts out at the library, have him/her determine the main topic and key details of the texts. Looking at small sections of the book - chapters - rather than the entire book is very helpful. For example, in a book about ladybugs, just focus on one area such as 'body parts.' Then determine the KEY DETAILS - the most important information.  It is an end-of-year expectation that first graders do this independently with grade-level texts. 

Math
On Monday, we did a 2016 Calendar Scavenger Hunt! We learned a lot about the upcoming year! 
 On Tuesday, we began unit 4 in math where we're exploring teen numbers. Our learning is focusing on the understanding that teen numbers are a ten group and extra ones. We're also adding decade numbers to other two-digit numbers. This may seem like hefty work for first graders, but they are really up for the challenge!

Ask your first grader to tell you how Squirrel discovers his New Year's Resolution. What were some of the other woodland animals' resolutions?

Reflections & Resolutions
We spent Monday morning reflecting on 2015 and setting goals for the year ahead. Everyone did such a great job with this! Our projects are all decorating our hallway. If you happen to be visiting Stormonth, please stop by to see them!

Reflections on 2015 & Resolutions for 2016

                                           
The Stormonth Way
The specialists held a mini boot camp on Thursday to remind us of the Stormonth Way in the hallways, bathrooms and lunchroom. We reviewed our classroom Social Contract as well to help keep us on track with behavioral expectations into the new year. We also met with Mrs. Grimm-Nilsen on Wednesday morning. She applauded the positive behaviors we have demonstrated during recess and in the lunchroom. This semester, we are focusing on our hallways. With all of our winter gear, our hallways can get to be quite a mess, so we're making an extra effort to keep them tidy.

Science
We began our new science unit where we'll be learning about States of Matter - Solids, Liquids and Gases. Our first lesson had us first thinking about all we know about solids and liquids and how they can change. We then recorded our observations of a liquid (water) and a solid (effervescent tablet). Our next step was to combine the liquid and solid and record those observations. I was so impressed when some of our friends made connections to our last unit, specifically the water cycle! Such GREAT thinking! Ask your first grade scientist to tell you all about it!

We looked AND listened when we added the tablet. We could hear a fizzing sound!

We learned how to waft during science experiments!

                                             

Using a magnifier to look closely at what changes were happening in our cups.

We used our sense of touch to see if the temperature of the water changed.

We recorded our observations before and after our experiment.

Important Reminders:

Please remember to turn in your child's permission slip and payment for our field trip to Marquette to see Ivy & Bean. Please also be sure to turn in your child's slip for Bedtime Story Night if your child will be joining us that evening. Thanks much!

Next week we'll begin our new reading unit and finish up our current writing unit, including a celebration on Friday. We'll also be part of The Melting Race! I bet you can't wait to see/read what that's all about! 

Until then...

Michelle Mullen

Mark Your Calendars!

January 13: Early Release Day

January 18: No School

January 22: Ivy & Bean at Marquette

January 27: Early Release Day

February 2: PAJAMA DAY!

Bedtime Stories First Grade Event 6:30-7:30

February 10: Early Release Day & Conferences

February 11: Conferences

February 12: Valentine's Day Celebration

February 15: No School for Students/ Conferences in PM

February 24: Early Release Day

March 9: Early Release Day

March 25: No School

April 13: Early Release Day

April 19: Schlitz Audubon 

April 22: No School for Students

April 27: Early Release Day

May 11: Early Release Day

May 25: Early Release Day

May 30: No School

June 9: Last day of first grade