Families,
Bravo to all our fine poets! It is not easy to write and then read your own poems in public. It takes real confidence and courage. They were so proud. I hope you enjoy the anthology for years to come.
We started to write non-fiction work. We begin this unit with “How To” books. There is a very specific format, unlike personal narrative or poetry. Each child has chosen a topic. There are books about making pizza, brushing teeth, making a snowman, and getting ready to ski. Each child will write several pieces and then select one to publish.
We combine our study of Geometry and Geography in many projects. We studied towns using a survey. We shared the results learning tally marks. Then they were asked to create a 2-D mural of a town that included some of the common municipalities of our local towns. It was a cooperative effort. The mural is displayed in the classroom. They also used their knowledge of shapes to draw a snowscape of their homes. Each child now knows his or her address and town. We are now learning the vocabulary of 3-D shapes: vertices, edges, faces, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, pyramids, cones, spheres, and ellipses.
Story time is a favorite time of the day. I am reading “Freddy Goes To Florida”. It is about a group of farm animals who migrate from Vermont to Florida. We tracked their adventures on our map. Then the children made maps of the story, using a legend and a compass rose. These maps are also displayed in the classroom.
We are reading non-fiction as well. Many of the books have glossaries and an index. The children are learning how to navigate a variety of non-fiction books. Biography is an important genre and we started with Martin Luther King Jr. Now we are studying Abraham Lincoln. As you know each child will report on another biography of their choice. After everyone has reported we will be able to see common characteristics of these amazing people. Some of these people influenced each other (Ghandi, Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther).
Alaska Day was fantastic! We had freshly fallen snow, blue skies, and warm sun!. The children had options like: skating, sledding, ice sculpture, hot chocolate, making Alaskan flags or totems, panning for gold, dog sleds, and s’mores (the favorite of course).
Welcome to our new student, Raseel. Every student has made an effort to make her feel comfortable and welcome. We are trying to learn a few Arabic words. Your child can say “Good Morning” in her language.
We have had a few birthdays. Happy birthday to Timmy, Sam, and Bryce!
Thank you for sending in outdoor gear. All the first graders are well prepared for recess.
Fondly,
Ms. Milani