We are up and running!!!!!!

First grade is up and running!  The children have been working hard the past couple of weeks learning new routines and making new friends.  Below you will find a bit about what we have been doing in the classroom.

In Fundations, we have learned all the letters, corresponding sounds and pictures (a-apple /a/).  We are now learning to tap out CVC (consonant-vowel-consonat) words on our fingers.  Ask your child to show you how to tap these words out:  map, lip, rug, set
We are also using our tapping for spelling.

In math, we have worked hard to add and subtract to 10.  We have worked with word problems and missing addends.  The children really seem to enjoy watching the video which teaches the main concept of the lesson.  Ask them about the funny robot in the beginning!

In writing, we have started writing small moment stories across pages of a booklet. In the next week, I will be sending home a note asking families to generate a list of topics that your child can write about during Writer's Workshop.

We also have started reading groups and introduced centers.  The children have done a great job independently transitioning throughout their centers and also reading with me in group.  Ask your child to tell you about a story they have read with me!

Reminders/Updates:

*  A quick note to let you know that from time to time your child will be coming home with unfinished math pages.  Don't be alarmed if this happens!  It doesn't mean your child didn't complete the assigned work.  This is because I have selected problems for them to work on which pertain to the skill being taught.  Our new program comes with many opportunities to have children practice.  If you do see a math page with unfinished work, feel free to work with your child on the incomplete problems, but don't feel you have to.

*  Homework-Homework will officially start the first week of November.  The first grade team is still in the process of deciding what this will look like.  For now,  I will start sending home Poem notebooks on Thursday nights (please return these on Friday) and Book Envelopes on Mondays (please return them by the end of the week-most families read a book a night, but do what works best for you.  You can always read the same book each night if it's easier!)

That is all for now!  Next post, I hope to have some pictures of my hard workers that I can share with you!

Heather

Welcome to First Grade!!!

Welcome first graders! 

I'm so excited to see you on Wednesday!  Today was MY first day of school.  I had a lot of meetings and worked hard to get the classroom ready for your first day.  We are going to have fun on Wednesday.  When you get off the bus, there will be teachers to help you get to our classroom.  Don't worry about the bus or the first day because I will help you with everything:). I labeled all your cubbies, and put name tags at your seats.  I will even come to lunch with you:)

Enjoy your last day of summer vacation tomorrow and I'll see you on Wednesday!!!

Mrs. Herring:)

Thank you!

Thank you to all the families that donated so we could buy Sophia her gifts for the holidays.  Today was the drop off day, so here are all the wonderful things we were able to get her. As you can she, she loves the movie Frozen and will have a beautiful comforter, pillow, and blanket set in her bedroom.  This is one of the few items she asked for.  Happy holidays to all of your families and thank you again for your generous donations.  It feels good to know we helped a family during the holidays!!!!

Happy holidays!

Dear families,

Happy holidays to you!  This is a busy time of year with all the holidays and conferences!  I really enjoyed meeting with all the families to discuss your child's progress.  

I would like to thank all the families that donated to our Gifts for Kids program.  I'm so grateful to be working with such caring families.  We have raised over $175 for Sophia.  With this money we will be able to get her the Frozen comforter she wanted as well as, a Frozen pillow and blanket, books, arts and crafts, socks, pajamas, and a few other things. Thank you again!  It means so much to me!

Here are a few things going on in first grade...

Math- We have been working hard on making survey questions, collecting data, and making representations of the data.  The children really seem to be getting the hang of this.

Writing- we are taking a break from narrative writing (small moments) and have switched gears to informative writing.  The children are busy writing teaching books where they teach their reader about something the know a lot about (dogs, cape cod, riding a bike).

Reading- We continue to work hard at retelling stories that have a beginning,middle, and end.  We have also focused on nonfiction texts as well.

Science-We have started learning about organisms (plants and seeds).  We planted seeds last Friday and today some have started to grow roots!

Reminders...

Just a gentle reminder to please return book envelopes on Fridays.  This is the day we switch over our books for the next week.  Thank you!

Volunteers...hopefully everyone got the signupgenius invitation to come into the classroom and volunteer.  If you didn't get the invite or those times don't work for you, lemme know and we will figure out a different day/time for you to come in.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at hherring@email.medfield.net 

Thank you,

Heather

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween to all families! We had such a great day on Friday.  A big thank you to Mrs. Careau, Mrs. Drummond, Mrs. Baker, and Mrs. Bergstrom for throwing a great party! The children had a blast!

Dear Families,

We had a short but productive week in first grade :) In reading group, we have been working hard at retelling a story from the beginning to the end.  We have learned to use character names and retelling the words not the pictures. In math, we continue to practice addition strategies such as counting all, counting on, and using known facts.  We focused on making combinations that equal 10 this week (5+5=10, 3+7=10, etc.) In writing, we have learned how to make our stories come alive by adding movement in our pictures and speech bubbles to make people talk.

Here are some things to ask your first grader...

* tell me about a book you read in reading group this week
* what are you writing about in Writers Workshop
* tell me how you can earn a star for extra recess by doing 2 things in the hallway (super straight, super quiet)
* show me a whole body listening look
* tell me 2 facts you learned about bats
* can you read me a book on raz-kids


Reminders....
Please send back book envelopes on Fridays.  This is the day we switch over our books for the next week.

Have a great weekend!
Heather