March 18-22

Dear Parents,

     We had a great week last week in First Grade! This is such a special time of year to see the amount of growth each child has made in becoming a life long learner. We had a wonderful time at the Atlanta History Center, where the children got to be “time travelers” and visit an 1860’s farm. This field trip couldn’t have come at a better time, as we near the end of our “Heroes” unit.

 One major concept that I feel is important for children to understand is the idea of “technology.” Many of us have learned that the term technology only refers to those electronics such as: computers, ipads, ipods, and other types of machines that require a source of power. Although these are types of technologies, we found that technology is a much broader idea. The actual definition of technology is “a quicker and easier way to do something.” This has become a huge part of our class’ study of our central idea: discoveries and investigations of individuals influence culture.

   As 21^st century learners, we are living in a constantly changing world where people are inventing better ways to communicate, travel, and produce goods. I believe that the students’ are beginning to see the important role that they will have as the younger generation. This has been very motivating to them!

          We have also been focusing on making our writing more interesting and exciting for our readers by including more details specifically through the usage of adjectives and richer vocabulary. We made an “awesome adjectives dictionary” that the students are now using as a guide in their writing.

We also completed our last unit in Math and will now be focusing on “Understanding Place Value.”

Here’s a look into the curriculum this week:

Reading:

Making Inferences in all texts. Using our “schema” (ideas that we have prior to readings) and information given in the text to draw conclusions.

Phonics:

We will continue to study Closed Syllables. A Closed Syllable is when a single vowel is followed by a consonant. ex: chil-dren (2 closed syllables)

Grammar:

Introducing the concept that present tense verbs that end in y and make the /ie/ sound drop the y and add “ied” to become past tense. Ex: cry (cried), dry (dried), deny (denied) Reviewing: Synonyms and Capitalizing Days of the Week.

Social Studies/Science:

Continuing our study of American Heroes and completing a couple of activities in celebration of our upcoming Grandparents or Special Friends’ Event.

Math:

Introducing Place value with tens and ones. Beginning addition of double digit numbers and solving story problems relating to place value.

Writing:

Writing an opinion piece while making revisions to follow the First Grade Writing Checklist.

Important Announcements/Reminders:

• This Tuesday, March 19^th there will be a General PTA meeting where you will have the opportunity to meet our new Principal for the following School year!

•  Wednesday, March 20^th we will be having our First Grade Hero Parade. Please make sure your child has completed and rehearsed their paragraph about their hero and comes dressed up or with props in hand. It might also be a great idea to have their hero’s name written somewhere on their costume so that the other grade levels will recognize them.

• Also on Wednesday, March 20^th 3^rd quarter progress cards will be coming home in your child’s yellow folder as well as a craft for International Travelers Week to complete with your child. (information will be enclosed with the craft)

• Thursday March 21^st- 28^th the Spring Book Fair will be taking place at our campus. I will send you information regarding our days to “view” and “purchase” this week so that you may choose to attend if you can.

• Friday, March 22^nd will be our Grandparents/Special Friends’ Day. First Grade’s celebration will be from 10:00-10:45 in the classroom. This week our class will prepare some exciting surprises for our grandparents and special friends.

• Next week, beginning on March 25^th is the first day of our Spring Portfolio Parties. Please return your slip to confirm or reschedule your time slot. I would be happy to work with you if you need to change your time or day.

There will be no tutoring during Spring Conferences so please plan for your child to take their regular mode of transportation.

Thanks for your continued support!

Mrs. Peake