Math Update

This week in Math, the students learned all sorts of games to practice some fundamental skills. The games are an engaging way for students to interact with a partner to build their number sense. Here's some partners in action:

On Friday, I introduced the students to a new routine in our classroom: Math Tubs. During math tubs, students rotate through two different tubs/stations. The tubs are filled with games or activities we learned during the week. There is also a station on the rug where students read math books and a station on the computer where students can engage in a variety of math activities. I change some of the activities in the tubs each week, and the students have different tubs/stations each week too. This is a great way to get the students engage in all kinds of different activities independently around the room. Once the routine is in place, this will allow me time to pull small groups of students and provide extra practice/teaching with particular skills.

Here are a few pictures from Friday!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Happy Friday!!

Don't these adorable self-portraits just put a smile on your face?? :)

Our Favorite Books

Earlier this week in Reader's Workshop, we continued our discussion about our identities as readers. We brought in our favorite books from home and compared them to learn more about our interests as a class. Several readers brought in books about dinosaurs, dogs, and horses, so we determined that a lot of students like reading about different animals. We even had someone bring in a really neat picture book about presidents! We shared with each other why these books were our favorite and what others might find interesting about them. Then, I gave everyone time to share their book with a buddy!

The books are being displayed in the room for everyone to enjoy and share. They will return home next week! :)

A Few Quick Things!

Thank you to everyone who has sent in a note offering to volunteer in the classroom! A form will be going home this week. Please fill out the days/times you are available and send it back. I am hoping to be in contact with everyone interested by the end of the weekend to set up a schedule.

Also, we have a new member of our classroom: Mrs. Palenstijn! She is going to be with us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until the end of December. Mrs. Palenstijn is coming to us from Curry College to complete some of her practicum work. She will be observing and assisting small groups of students around the classroom. I am very excited to have her join us!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of my "blue" friends tomorrow. Have a good night!

Red Day Tomorrow!

Just a reminder that we will start our color unit this week. Don't forget to wear something red tomorrow! :)

Different look, same blog!

Hello families!

As you can see, our first grade blog got a little facelift! I am loving the new look and hope you do too!

What a busy week we've had. Your little learner has probably come home tired all week, and rightfully so! It will take a few weeks for them to build their stamina and get adjusted to being in school all day. Don't be alarmed if your first grader is coming home saying we "did nothing". The first few weeks are all about routine, routine, routine. It is important we establish the expectations in the classroom now so that everyone can work independently on tasks as we move into the year.

Speaking of routines and expectations, we've been talking a LOT about how to be a good listener, and practicing this at all times throughout the day on the rug. It is important that everyone is focused and listening during mini lessons when I'm talking/teaching, and also when classmates are sharing a writing piece or a math strategy with others too.

We've done a bunch of "getting to know you" activities, like this one where we compared and discussed the number of letters in our names.

We also started on Thursday discussing our identities as readers and shared some of our favorite places to read.

 I'm looking forward to next week when we will start to get into the basics of our workshop routines. More information to come about what this entails as we dive into it! Happy Saturday and enjoy this beautiful weather!

First Day of School Pictures!

Thank you for sending in permission slips this week. Here are the first day of school pictures I promised! :)

 

If you did not see your child's picture, it means that I have not received the permission slip I sent home last week. Please send it in next week and I will be sure to add your child's picture!