March 17-20

Dear Parents,

We have had a busy and fun-filled past couple of weeks in first grade! One of our class goals has been to become better writers by using adjectives to expand our sentences and make them more powerful to an audience. The students are also working diligently to edit their own papers by correcting capitalization, punctuation and spelling.  I have definitely seen an improvement in their writing. Please continue to make sure that when your child sends in his or her homework that they have checked for any mistakes.

In math, we have also been focusing on adding and subtracting larger numbers to one another by focusing on place value and will continue to work on this next week as well. We have added a couple of new games to our math games tub that help the children practice explore place value and subtraction. The students are always excited to practice new strategies through play with their friends J

The children have LOVED our study of American History and have had lots of questions regarding our new unit of inquiry! Our field trip to the Atlanta History center next Friday, March 20^th will be the perfect way to bring their learning to life as they will better understand what life was like in the 1800’s.

                                           Here’s a look into the curriculum this upcoming week:

Spelling:

Magic ‘e’

make, grade, kite, flute, woke

Red Words: look, has

Grammar:

Identifying base or “root” words with ending and beginning affixes.

Ex: playing (base word is play) unlocked (base word is lock)

Math:

Identifying how place value helps us to add and subtract.

Writing:

Continuing to write an opinion piece.

Reflecting and writing about our progress throughout first grade in preparation for our Portfolio Parties.

Important Updates and Reminders:

Congratulations to last week’s Star Student, Scottie Brown! Scottie is open-minded when she listens to her other classmates and is enthusiastic about learning. We learned many things about our Star Student this week and were proud to display her poster and biography outside our classroom door. Way to go, Scottie!

Our newest Star Student is Sean Pollock! We are proud of Sean for always “thinking outside the box” and participating in all class discussions. We look forward to learning more about what makes Sean so special this upcoming week.

Please mark your calendar for the following dates:

March 16-Teacher workday- No school for kids

March 20- Field trip for all first graders to the Atlanta History Center

March 20- Sarah Smith Auction- Also at the Atlanta History Center

April 6- Spring Break Begins

March 2-6

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe that it is already March! I am so proud of the progress the children have made and am happy to announce that Spring Conferences are coming soon. The following letter will be going home in your child’s Wednesday Folder this week with a time and day to hear your child’s presentation.

I am excited to announce that we will be having spring portfolio parties!  These student led gatherings will be the format for our spring conferences.  This format is similar to the student-led parent/teacher conferences that have been held in the past.  

During each 15 minute time block, small groups of children will meet with their parents to showcase their progress in First Grade. With assistance from the teacher, the children will be responsible for choosing the items that are being shared during the portfolio party.  We know you will be proud as you listen to your child while he/she shares information about the First Grade Year.  Please come prepared with 2 or 3 thoughtful questions to ask your child. The children will look forward to answering your questions. The teachers will act as facilitators as they circulate within the small group.  Report cards will be sent home separately and will not be a part of the discussion. 

Here’s a look into the curriculum this week:

Reading:

Identifying problem and solution throughout texts

Spelling:

Open and closed syllables

Open Syllable Rule: when the vowel is "open”  it makes the long sound (says it’s name)

ex: no, go, so, me

Closed Syllable Rule: When a vowel is “closed” by another consonant it makes the short sound (  ex: /a/ as in apple)

Ex: sack,  nut

Red Words:

like

him

into

Grammar:

Continuing to use adjectives and comparing adjectives to expand our sentences.

Writing:

Completing an Opinion Piece on Superheroes.

Math:

Reviewing different strategies used throughout the year for math fact fluency with addition and subtraction and continuing to use “think addition strategy” to complete subtraction problems.

8-5=____

“5 plus what equals 8?”

Social Studies:

Exploring the influential individuals: Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea and Lewis and Clark.

How did their explorations and discoveries influence our culture today?

Important Updates and Reminders:

  Jackie will remain our Star Student for the week as we had a short 3 day week last week. We look forward to continuing to learn more about our friend, Jackie!

·      Please make sure that your child keeps his or her library books in their book bag so that they may return or continuing reading their book at school. Our library day is Thursday and the children are only able to check-out two new books if they have returned their old ones.

 March 12^th is Spring Picture Day!

Looking forward to having another fantastic week with your first grader!

All the best,

Jean Peake 

Feb. 23-27

Dear Parents,

We had a fun-filled three day week in first grade and were able to accomplish quite a bit during our short time together! We have completed our unit of inquiry on the polar lands and are about to embark on an exciting journey through time studying some of America’s most famous heroes.

We will be studying leaders such as: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Harriet Tubman, just to name a few!

Here’s a look into the curriculum:

Reading:

JGB “When I Grow Up” poetry selection

Please make sure to follow homework sheet that will go home on Monday, there will be assignments for Monday and Wednesday of this week. Please do not go ahead to any activities that are not outlined on the sheet as they are reserved for classwork.

Spelling:

Ending –ck rule

Words that end in the /k./ sound have –ck spelling after a short vowel.

Ex: Jack, stack, pick, tock, pluck

Red Words:

her, would, make

Grammar:

Identifying and using comparing adjectives properly by adding –er or –est.

Ex: Superman is stronger than Batman.

Superman is the strongest superhero ever!

Math

Understanding the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Social Studies:

Introducing our new unit of inquiry on “Heroes.”

Central idea: Explorations and discoveries of individuals influence culture.

Writing:

Creating an Opinion piece

 Important Updates and Reminders:

Congratulations to our newest Star Student, Jackie Dwyer! Jackie always strives to do her best and is a caring friend. We are proud of our new star and look forward to learning more about what makes her so special!

Thank you so much to those of you who have volunteered as my Thursday Helper! Your help is very appreciated and so is your time!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

All the best,

Jean Peake
jpeake@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Feb. 9-12

Dear Parents,

We had another GREAT week in first grade! The students have been gaining independence through their research project and are improving in reading to find important and specific information. This upcoming week the children will be making finishing touches to their page in our Polar Animal Book.

Our class was SUPER motivated to rack up minutes for the Read A Thon! I was very impressed by how much reading was going on at home and I can definitely tell a difference at guided reading. I believe the results of the Read A Thon winners will be announced some time this week. A HUGE thank you to Kathryn Brown for calculating minutes and encouraging our children! We loved your visits to the classroom and appreciate your time and effort.

It is still a requirement that students read 20 minutes each night so keep up the great reading! J

Here’s a look into the curriculum this week:

Reading:

Comparing Fiction and Non-Fiction Texts.

Phonics:

Ending blends (-ng)

Ex: ang, ing, ung, ong

Possible spelling words: thing, flung, sprang,

Red Words: these, so, some

Grammar:

Identifying and using adjectives.

Social Studies/Science:

Polar Animal Project Wrap Up and studying African American Civil Rights’ Heroes.

Math:

Balancing an equation using the equals sign.

Finding the unknown number to make a statement true.

___+4=10+3

Writing:

Writing an Opinion Piece: Why is my polar animal the best?

Important Announcements and Reminders:

·      Please remember that our Valentine Exchange is Thursday, Feb. 12^th. Prior to this event please have your child fill out his or her valentines to each member of the class. A class list went home in your child’s Wednesday Folder with a special note on the back from your child.

** Please also note that we are a PEANUT FREE classroom**

Congratulations to our newest Star Student, Marco Salazar!! We are all so proud of the way Marco takes learning risks and tries new things. We look forward to learning more about this special friend this week!

Thanks for your continued support! 

Feb. 2- Feb. 6

Dear Parents,

Team Peake had another fun-filled and busy week in first grade as the students continued researching polar animals, reviewed red words, navigated the hundreds chart and much more! Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for Read A Thon with your child! I am proud of how many minutes the children are reading at home after school and on the weekends. We will be wrapping up this fundraiser this upcoming Thursday, February 5th.  Thank you so much to Kathryn Brown, our RAT Representative for motivating our children and communicating important information to everyone!

As you may know, the month of February is Black History Month. In addition to our regular curriculum we will be celebrating some of our country's most well known Civil Rights leaders. If you would like to come to our class and share any experiences, knowledge, or memories that you may have please email me.

Valentines Day is right around the corner and our class will be celebrating this special day by exchanging valentines. Our class will have a Valentines Exchange on February 12th, the Thursday before Winter Break. Our class has 24 students so you may begin planning accordingly. I will send home a class list so that your child may fill out their Valentines prior to our exchange.

Here's a glance into the curriculum for this upcoming week:

Spelling:

Ending blends -nk

ex: -ank, -onk, unk

Possible spelling words: shrank, honk, skunk

Red words: many, then, them

Grammar:

Using "see" and "saw" correctly.

Writing:

Continuing our work in writing Opinion pieces.

Reading:

Using our schema and text clues to make inferences throughout reading.

Math:

Comparing numbers by using >, <, and = symbols. Reading math equations and deciding whether they are true or false. ex: 8=2+6 is true 7<4 is false.

Click Here for Extra Practice

Science:

Continuing research and presentation of information on polar animals. 

Important Updates and Reminders:

• THANK YOU to those of you who have sent in emergency snacks and small treasures for our class treasure box! There is still a need for both of these items so if you are able to send in extra snacks or treasures it would be greatly appreciated. 

Jan. 26-30

Dear Parents,

We had a fun-filled week together in first grade and an even more fun Friday as we kicked off Read A Thon with a school-wide Pajama Day! The children enjoyed listening to some of our class favorites, reading independently and reading with a buddy in their cozy P.J's! It was such a treat seeing so many familiar faces at the Barnes and Noble Book Fair. What a privilege it was to be a guest reader! I am looking forward to seeing how many minutes the children have read over the weekend. I have some exciting prizes in store for those who have logged 60 minutes and above! Thank you to our Read A Thon Representative Kathryn Brown for helping our class with this important fundraiser!

Here's a look into the curriculum this week:

Reading: 

JGB Story- Eeyore Has a Birthday

* Please read homework page and complete only what is assigned for Monday and Wednesday, please do not complete any additional assignments as they will be used for classwork. Your child must bring his or her book back to school each day to participate in class discussions. Don't forget to have your child log the minutes for Read A Thon. JGB counts!*

Spelling:

Assessing and Reviewing all previously taught Red Words. 

I will send home a list of these words this week for your convenience as you may want them for extra practice.

Grammar:

Past and present verbs

Math:

Navigating the number chart with numbers 0-120. Analyzing story problems and introducing the hundreds place.

Writing:

Brainstorming, Editing/Revising and Publishing an Opinion Piece.

Important Updates and Reminders:

• Please remind your child to bring his or her Yellow Booklet to school each day to log their minutes at school.
• Thank you for fulfilling the items on our class wish list throughout the year. If you are able to send in some extra treasures (ex: small toys/trinkets, tattoos, glitter pens, fun pencils, etc.) for our class Treasure Box, they would greatly appreciated!
• Please continue to send in a nutritional snack with your child. 

Thank you for your continued support!

All the best! 

Mrs. Peake 

Jan. 20-23

Dear Parents,

I hope that you enjoyed your weekend with your first grader! We have a fun-filled week planned in first grade and are looking forward to beginning the Read-a-thon this upcoming Thursday, Jan. 22^nd at 3:00. I look forward to another great week of conferences with you as we discuss your child’s progress in first grade.

Here’s a look into this week’s curriculum

Reading:

Analyzing non-fiction texts to locate important information.

Grammar:

Using the verbs have and has correctly.

Using the verbs is and are correctly.

Spelling:

Ending l blends ex: bold, shelf, quilt

Red Words: if, she, do

Math:

Exploring word problems involving addition and subtraction.

Science:

Researching Polar Animals with a partner.

Important Updates and Reminders:

·         Read-a-thon begins on Thursday, January 22^nd at 3:00 PM. Your child will be bringing home a YELLOW BOOKLET to keep track of his or her reading. This booklet contains important information so please take a look at it with your child.

·         SRS is having a Spirit Day at Barnes and Nobles this Saturday, January 24th to help kick-off Read-a-thon and raise money for our wonderful school. Mr. Peake, Henry and I will be dropping by around 2:15 to hang out and I will be a guest reader beginning at 2:30! I look forward to seeing some friendly faces at my favorite neighborhood bookstore.

·         Friday is READ ALL DAY IN YOUR PAJAMAS DAY! Please make sure your child wears his or her pajamas and brings his or her favorite book(s) to read throughout the day. Make sure your child has his or her name written inside their book to ensure that it returns home.

·         Congratulations to our newest Star Student, Evan Edwards! Evan is caring to his friends and his teacher and shows lots of enthusiasm towards learning. We are proud of our Star and look forward to learning more about him this week.