First Grade News November 10, 2014

Curriculum Highlights

Math complements of 10
Science/ Social Studies Field to Table
Writing Workshop - Organization/ Planning
Word study long a - single silent e
Reading Workshop - Fluency and Expression

Book Recommendations for Parents: For the rest of the semester well be studying a

Social Studies unit called Field to Table. Below are a couple of great books to help get
you into the theme. All of these books have contributed to me becoming more aware of
how my daily food choices impact, not only myself, but our world community and the
environment too. Id love to hear what you recommend as must reads - some of my
favourite books of all time have been suggested by the parents of my students. Here
are my recommendations for this unit: The Omnivores Dilemma Michael Pollan
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Barbara Kingslover and family, The Food Revolution John
Robbins

Reminders
Choice Time, 2:10 - 2:40pm. Every Friday students enjoy a free playtime. Play is
very important for this age group (actually all ages) and is often forgotten as the
pressure to do more and learn more is put on children by modern society. What
adults often forget is that children are naturally inquisitive and play is a selfmotivating way to learn. Children need lots of hands-on experience and interaction
with their environment to form concepts about the world around them, a chance to
think for themselves and be creative with no adult direction and a chance to
practice social skills in child led situations. For the rest of the school year, please
feel free to join us to play whenever you see Choice Time on the schedule. Do let
me know in advance if youre coming as sometimes things pop up in the schedule
causing us to change the date or time. It is a lovely way to make a home/school
connection and interact with your child in a situation where he/she takes the lead.
Feel free to bring a game or craft, just come along to join your child in play, or chat
with other parents.
Food production Choice Times are also great chances for you to support our
science and social studies units. For November and December it would be great if
you could bring in small food production activities. Simple things like popping
corn or making butter by shaking cream are perfect for first graders. The idea is to
show kids how natural resources can be changed into the products we commonly
use. It would be neat if you could bring a prepackaged version to show, such as a
tub of butter, and then demonstrate how the product is made. You would set up at
a table and kids could choose to come to your centre if they wished. Let me know if
youd be interested in joining us.
November 11 International t-shirt day
November 12 Flag Parade and International Dress Day
November 14 International themed Choice bring something from your
country EG story, game, snack.

Monday
Reading: How does context guide your expression? Think about whats going on in the story and
change your voice to match.
Math: Play the coin exchange game. Take turns rolling a dice, collect that number of 1 sen coins.
When you have enough, exchange for 5 sen and 10 sen coins. First player to make 100 sen / 1RM is
the winner.
Social Studies: The next time youre in the grocery store be a detective and find out where
different fruits and vegetables come from. Which ones are imported and which ones are grown
locally? Do you notice a difference in price?
Tuesday
Reading: How does context guide your expression? Think about whats going on in the story and
change your voice to match.
Math: Practice skip counting from different numbers. Use a number grid to guide you.
Start at 10, count up by 5s
Start at 16, count up by 2s
Start at 19, count back by 2s
Start at 30, count back by 3s
Wednesday
Reading: How does context guide your expression? Think about whats going on in the story and
change your voice to match.
Word Study: Optional word study review (attached)
Math: Write these numbers. Guess my rule? What would the next three numbers be?

10, 12, 14.

15, 20, 25,
90, 80, 70,
3, 6, 9,
Thursday
Reading: How does context guide your expression? Think about whats going on in the story and
change your voice to match.

Math: Play shop at home. Choose a few things from your room and make price labels for

them in sen/ cents. Ask an adult to come to your shop to purchase some of the things
you put price tags on. Make sure they give you the correct amount of money or that you
give the correct change.
Friday
Poem collection

If I can spell late I can also spell:

l
ate

***Challenge: Separate these words into base word and suffix.

What happens to the single silent e when you add a vowel suffix?

Example:

coming

come + ing

giving

= ______ + _____

loved

= ______ + _____

caring

= ______ + _____

saved

= ______ + _____

joked = ______ + _____

1. Segment, then blend these words remember to use

the short vowel sound. EG c a p...cap
2. Add a single, silent e to the end of each word.
3. Read the words again using the long vowel sound.

cap__
tap__
mat__
fat__
plan__
mad__
sam__
hat__
past__
bath__
rag__

what happens to the sound

when g or c are followed by an
e?

Practice writing long a combinations in NSW Foundation

Handwriting. Pencil grip, posture, start at the dot,
follow the arrow.

ay__________
ai___________
ate__________
ake__________
ale__________
ane__________
ape__________