Thirtieth Day of School

In Writing today, we learned how to use the Narrative Writng Student Checklist to check our writing for all of the required elements in order to meet the writing standard.

September's Reading Log is due tomorrow.

Twenty-Eighth Day of School

In Writing today, we attempted to use the writing period to see how far we could get in finishing a story in a limited amount of time as this is how the test is administered. Planning, drafting, revising, and editing is all completed in one sitting. Test will take place next week.

Twenty-Sixth Day of School

In Writing, we began the editting process with our red pens. We circle words which we suspect are spelled incorrectly, check that names are all capitalized, and check for ending punctuation. This marks the near end of our first unit of writing. Soon we will have our assessment and begin our next unit of informational text. The fist unit of informational writing is generally easier for first graders. They take to it quite quickly.

In Science, we began our second engineering task. This task corresponds to our unit in Physical Science. Today we satifiedthe 'ask' and 'brainstorming' portions of the process.

Twenty-Fifth Day of School

A review of everyone's writing revealed 5 students with all of the necessary elements of a narrative to receive a passing grade so far. In writing.

(Apparently this post did not send Wednesday)

Twenty-Fourth Day of School

In Writing today, the student's work was collected in order to be checked for the necessary standard elements;

• Beginning (setting)
• Sequenced events
• Transitions
• Closure

Please find your child's Math test and conference form in their folders today. Also please return their lunch application if they received one today.

Twenty-Third Day of School

In Math today, our sub-unit culminated in the writing of a report to show our ability to move from concrete to abstract modeling. Results of completed reports are posted in the classroom.

In Writing, we revised adding details to our plans by adding speech and thought balloons. On a subsequent lesson we will learn how to turn the balloons into narrative text.

In Reading we worked with a partner to make an entry in our reading journal. We also learned about Sequoia National Forest and the Abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Twenty-Second Day of School

In Writing today, we reviewed and empahsized the importance of including transitions in our writing.

In Social Science, we learned the needs of survival (tested). In order they are:

1. Air
2. Water
3. Food
4. Shelter
5. Additionally: clothing and companionship

We will receive our Math tests on Monday; (hopefully, no one will forget to return them again).

Twenty-First Day of School

In Writing we began revising in blue ink. Our process for revising is:

1. Reread
2. Ask yourself:
• Is it clear?
• Is it interesting?
• Is it complete?
3. If the answer to any of these is 'no', add or change as necessary.

Today we added details for interest. We also checked to make sure our writing includes transitions words as these are necessary to obtain a rubric score of 3. In your own writing make sure each page begins with a transition. It is instructed that 'And then,' is not used as a transistion in first grade.

In Math, we took our second progress check test for chapter 1.

Math Test

Of the 22 students taking the second chapter 1 progress test, 20 students passed with an adjusted score of 12 or better. Four students managed a high score of 20. The modal average was 16.

Twentieth Day of School

In Reading today, we learned about the Saquoyah and how he contributed to the Cherokee Nation Indians.

In Writing today, the students were offered time to sit with the teacher to receive individual help if they felt they needed it. Two students took advantage of the offer. This was a test to see which students would seek out extra help.

In Health, we discussed making wise choices, saying 'no', feelings and anger management.

Note: in P.E. only one student fell down today and it just so happened to be a child wearing inappropriate school shoes. Some students have been excluded from P.E. class due to imappropriate foot wear. Please make sure students come to school with shoes which tie or secure to the foot with straps.

There will be a Math test tomorrow.

Nineteenth Day of School

In Reading today, we listened to and discussed a biography about Roberto Clemente. We learned why he is considered an American hero. We then generate a list of question about his life:

• Where was Roberto Clemente born?
• What was Roberto Clemente know for?
• What kind of person was Roberto Clemente?
• How did he want to help Puerto Rico?
• How did he die?
• How was Roberto Clemente honored?

We will become experts on th lives of several people who tried to make the lives of others better.

In Writing, we learned the important skill of being able to end a writing piece. The 2 strategies we discussed were to use a superlative (best, worst, longest), or to end with an emotion. Reminder: as an example to your child, keep th plans for your stories simple. The plans should be quick sketches with labels rather than illustrations. Later, plans may be revised just like the writing when it is time to add more details.

Seventeeth Day of School

In Writing, we began to write the drafts of our narrative. We wrote beginnings and 2 sequenced events. If parents are working along with us at home, try to keep this intitial draft simple. This task should be accomplished in only 3 sentences written on 3 sheets of paper underneath your plan.

Seventeenth Day of School

In Writing, we began our plans for our first narratives.

Reminder: when you are telling your oral stories at home make sure to begin with the characters and setting, or listen for your child's beginning.

In Reading, we compared and contrasted 2 non-fiction mentor texts from earlier in the week.

In Science, we examined a collection of solids and generated a list of properties for them.

Sixteenth Day of School

In Writing today, we chose the first story we would tell and told the story out loud in three parts.

In Reading, we read a biographical selection about Garret Morgan.

Note

If your child's reading log goes missing, simply turn a monthly reading list for the month with your signature on the last school day of the month.

Reminder: children are to wear socks with their shoes everyday. Shoes should be secured with laces or straps.

Fifteenth Day of School

In Writing, we had our final immersion lesson and listed the people who would likely populate our personal narratives.

In Reading, we read a selection on planting a community garden and found the main idea.

In Health, we learned about good character and its various components such as respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, and citizenship.

Fourteenth Day of School

In Reading today, we considered the questions:

• Why do people get invloved in their community?
• What do people do to become involved in their community?

The comprehension strategy we will work on this week is identifying main ideas and details in order to better understand a text. In your child's work you should find a piece where your child gave clues to a main idea by showing details.

We did not have time to work on writing today.

Reminder: as discussed at Back-to-School per the CA Education Code, students should wear socks to school everyday. For safety reasons, shoes should be secure with a lace, secure buckle, or velcro closure. 

Additionally, please note, we will not celebrate individual birthdays during class time. Please do not send treats for your child's birthday. Traditionally, we celebrated everyone's birthday on the 100th day of school.