Hi Everyone! Happy Friday!
Today marks the end of our second quarter. As I reflect on the progress the kids have made this year, I am proud of their hard work in the classroom, and of their hard work in building a community in our little corner of the school. Thank you for your role in supporting their growth!
Math Fact Fluency:
To build and practice math fact fluency, I will begin administering timed addition and subtraction tests next week. I sent a note home in yesterday's Thursday folder about a program we'll be using called "Smart Cookie Math." With Smart Cookie Math, the timed tests alternate between addition and subtraction, and they get progressively more challenging as the kids "level up." As they pass each level, they get a little cookie sticker to add to their "Smart Cookie Jars." There's a super cute app that goes along with this program called "Smart Cookie Math." The levels in the app align with the levels of the written tests. You can purchase this app in the app store for $1.99. We have it on our classroom iPads, and the kids seem to really like it. The Smart Cookie Math app is similar to Reflex math in that it allows the kids to practice fact fluency. However, I believe the Smart Cookie app is more user friendly to 1st graders. Beginning in 2nd grade, the kids will be required to use Reflex Math each week, so it's a great program with which to become familiar now. However, some 1st graders can get easily overwhelmed by the pace and presentation of Reflex Math. I've found the Smart Cookie app helps to build the same skills, but the kids take to it more easily than Reflex.
Operation Comfort Cases:
Our school is participating in a community service project in support of an organization called Comfort Cases. Comfort Cases aims to support children in the foster care system by providing them with a new backpack or duffel bag filled with both essential supplies and comfort items to help when transitioning to a new home. Each grade level is collecting a different supply for the Comfort Cases, and in 1st grade, we are asking for donations of new stuffed animals. Pinebrook will host a community-wide Comfort Cases Packing Party on Saturday, February 17th. More details will come as the event gets closer, but for now, please consider donating a new stuffed animal to be included in a Comfort Case. You may send the donation to school with your child. Thank you!
Valentine's Day Party:
Mark your calendar...our classroom Valentine's Day party will be Wednesday, February 14th from 12:05-1:15 pm in our classroom. All families are welcome to attend. The kids will exchange Valentine cards at the party. If your child brings Valentines, please be sure he/she has one for every student in the class. If your child wants to attach a little "something" to his/her Valentine cards, please don't attach candy or food... little items like pencils, erasers, tattoos, stickers are fine. Our Room Moms will be providing bags for your child's Valentine cards. Please watch for more details and a food permission slip soon!Today marks the end of our second quarter. As I reflect on the progress the kids have made this year, I am proud of their hard work in the classroom, and of their hard work in building a community in our little corner of the school. Thank you for your role in supporting their growth!
Math Fact Fluency:
To build and practice math fact fluency, I will begin administering timed addition and subtraction tests next week. I sent a note home in yesterday's Thursday folder about a program we'll be using called "Smart Cookie Math." With Smart Cookie Math, the timed tests alternate between addition and subtraction, and they get progressively more challenging as the kids "level up." As they pass each level, they get a little cookie sticker to add to their "Smart Cookie Jars." There's a super cute app that goes along with this program called "Smart Cookie Math." The levels in the app align with the levels of the written tests. You can purchase this app in the app store for $1.99. We have it on our classroom iPads, and the kids seem to really like it. The Smart Cookie Math app is similar to Reflex math in that it allows the kids to practice fact fluency. However, I believe the Smart Cookie app is more user friendly to 1st graders. Beginning in 2nd grade, the kids will be required to use Reflex Math each week, so it's a great program with which to become familiar now. However, some 1st graders can get easily overwhelmed by the pace and presentation of Reflex Math. I've found the Smart Cookie app helps to build the same skills, but the kids take to it more easily than Reflex.
Our school is participating in a community service project in support of an organization called Comfort Cases. Comfort Cases aims to support children in the foster care system by providing them with a new backpack or duffel bag filled with both essential supplies and comfort items to help when transitioning to a new home. Each grade level is collecting a different supply for the Comfort Cases, and in 1st grade, we are asking for donations of new stuffed animals. Pinebrook will host a community-wide Comfort Cases Packing Party on Saturday, February 17th. More details will come as the event gets closer, but for now, please consider donating a new stuffed animal to be included in a Comfort Case. You may send the donation to school with your child. Thank you!
Valentine's Day Party:
Focus Areas for the Coming Week:
- Reading: We will explore nonfiction text features, such as tables of contents, headings, maps, diagrams, and glossaries.
- Writing: We will complete some Groundhog Day writing activities as we focus on editing for mechanics, punctuation, and proper sight word spelling.
- Math: We will finish our place value unit.
- Social Studies: We will continue our Famous Americans unit, in which we discuss the lives and contributions of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Benjamin Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Don't forget - no school on Monday due to a Teacher Workday. Meantime, enjoy your weekend!
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