Weekly Update

Hi Everyone; Happy Friday!

I hope you're excited for the weekend!  Jonah and I have our Puppy Bowl snacks ready to go, and we are excited to watch all the action.  Just a quick update for you this week...

First Grade Music Program:
Please click HERE for a note from our music teachers about the First Grade Music Program. Planning has begun for this fun program, which will be held in May.  Thank you! 

100th Day of School:
The 100th day of school is coming!  Weather permitting, we will mark this special day on Wednesday, February 12th.  (If we have more snow days between now and February 12th, we will adjust the date so it aligns with our 100th day.). The 1st grade teachers and I have been busy planning for this fun day!  As part of our fun, the students are invited to dress like a 100-year old boy or girl, or make and decorate a t-shirt with 100 items for our 100th day celebration.  There's more information to come about our 100th day, but I'm passing this along so you and your child can start thinking about these optional, at-home projects, and whether you'd like to complete them.  

Valentine's Day Party:

Mark your calendar...our classroom Valentine's Day party will be Friday, February 14th from 11:45-1:15 in our classroom.  All families are welcome to attend. The kids will exchange Valentine cards at the party, and I sent home a class roster last week for those of you wanting to get a start on those. The card exchange is completely voluntary, although historically, the majority of the class participates.  If your child brings Valentine cards, 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. Please watch for more details regarding the party soon!

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will continue our non fiction unit.  We will practice becoming super smart about nonfiction topics by chatting about pages, reading across words, and noticing text features.
• Writing:  We will continue our All About Books unit, in which we teach our readers about a selected topic.  We are including nonfiction text features, such as sections with headings, diagrams, different kinds pages, captions, glossaries, and tables of contents.
• Math:  We will continue our addition unit.  We will learn strategies for solving addition facts, and we will learn that addition is a process of 2 parts coming together to make a whole, so:   Part + Part = Whole
• Science:  We will begin our Force and Motion unit.  We will talk about pushes and pulls, paths of motion (forward, backward, and sideways), and sound and vibration.

Please let me know if you have any questions about anything I've written here. Have a fun weekend!  Enjoy the game!

Weekly Update

Happy Friday!

Our 3rd quarter has begun!  It's the sweet spot of the school year when we're between testing seasons, there are no long breaks coming up, and we can simply learn!  Thank you for your support during our first half of the year...our second half of first grade is going to be fantastic!

Quarter 2 Report Cards:

Second quarter report cards will be issued today.  Report cards will be issued electronically; I will not send home a paper copy. Your child's report card will be available for viewing in your ParentVue account.  If you need assistance logging into your ParentVue account, please contact Mrs. Sciortino in our school office.

First Grade Music Program:
Please click HERE for a note from our music teachers about the First Grade Music Program. Planning has begun for this fun program, which will be held in May.  Thank you! 

100th Day of School:
The 100th day of school is coming!  Weather permitting, we will mark this special day on Wednesday, February 12th.  (If we have more snow days between now and February 12th, we will adjust the date so it aligns with our 100th day.). The 1st grade teachers and I have been busy planning for this fun day!  As part of our fun, the students are invited to dress like a 100-year old boy or girl, or make and decorate a t-shirt with 100 items for our 100th day celebration.  There's more information to come about our 100th day, but I'm passing this along so you and your child can start thinking about these optional, at-home projects, and whether you'd like to complete them.  

Valentine's Day Party:

Mark your calendar...our classroom Valentine's Day party will be Friday, February 14th from 11:45-1:15 in our classroom.  All families are welcome to attend. The kids will exchange Valentine cards at the party, and I sent home a class roster last week for those of you wanting to get a start on those. The card exchange is completely voluntary, although historically, the majority of the class participates.  If your child brings Valentine cards, 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. Please watch for more details regarding the party soon!

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will continue our non fiction unit.  We will practice becoming super smart about nonfiction topics by chatting about pages, reading across words, and noticing text features.
• Writing:  We will continue our All About Books unit, in which we teach our readers about a selected topic.  We are including nonfiction text features, such as sections with headings, diagrams, different kinds pages, captions, glossaries, and tables of contents.
• Math:  We will begin our addition unit.  We will learn strategies for solving addition facts, and we will learn that addition is a process of 2 parts coming together to make a whole, so:   Part + Part = Whole
• Science:  We will begin our Matter unit.  We will explore the 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) and conduct some matter experiments. We will test whether certain liquids mix and whether certain solids will dissolve in hot and/or cold water.  

Questions, comments, and feedback are welcome.  

Enjoy the weekend!  Jonah and I love the Puppy Bowl, which is before the Super Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday.  We are going to find some fun things to make for the Puppy Bowl...like Puppy Chow (sweet Chex mix), mini hot dogs, etc.  Any suggestions?  :)

Weekly Update

Happy Friday!

This feels like our "real" first week back from break!  I wonder if the kids are as tired as me?  As we settle back into our academic routines, it feels good to get back to normal!

Quarter 2 Report Cards:

Second quarter report cards will be issued Friday, January 24th. Report cards will be issued electronically; I will not send home a paper copy. Your child's report card will be available for viewing Friday afternoon in your ParentVue account.  If you need assistance logging onto your ParentVue account, please contact Mrs. Sciortino in our school office.

No Homework Next Week:
I will not send home paper homework next week due to the shortened week. Don't forget to read!

Valentine's Day Party:

Mark your calendar...our classroom Valentine's Day party will be Friday, February 14th after lunch in our classroom.   The party will start between 11:45 am and 12:00 pm and will last until 1:15 pm.  All families are welcome to attend. The kids will exchange Valentine cards at the party, and I sent home a class roster today (I'm sorry I missed getting it into Thursday folders yesterday!) for those of you wanting to get a start on those.  The card exchange is completely voluntary, although historically, the majority of the class participates.  If your child brings Valentine cards, 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. Please watch for more details regarding the party soon!

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will continue our non fiction unit.  We will practice becoming super smart about nonfiction topics by chatting about pages, reading across words, and noticing text features.
• Writing:  We will continue our All About Books unit, in which we teach our readers about a selected topic.  We are including nonfiction text features, such as sections with headings, diagrams, different kinds pages, captions, glossaries, and tables of contents.
• Math:  We will finish our measurement unit. 
• Science:  We will begin our Matter unit.  We will explore the 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) and conduct some matter experiments. We will test whether certain liquids mix and whether certain solids will dissolve in hot and/or cold water.  

As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

Enjoy the weekend!  Monday is our wedding anniversary!  Leo and I have been married 24 years.  I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry because it means I am sooooo old!  

Weekly Update

Hi Everyone!

Happy Friday!  I feel like we had 3 weeks off for Winter Break with our snow days this week. 

I'll be pushing rewind on most of my lesson plans for the week because we didn't get to very much with the snow, so I'll keep my update super short this week!

Mid-Year Literacy Testing
I have started our mid-year literacy testing.  Please be sure your child is reading every night, and is practicing retelling stories in sequence using the characters' names and providing as many details as possible.  Please refer to the front of your child's weekly homework packet for more specific information about reading with your child.  

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will begin our nonfiction unit.  We will read nonfiction books about a variety of topics.  We will study nonfiction text features, such as tables of contents, glossaries, diagrams, bold words, and captions.  We will summarize nonfiction books by stating facts we learn from the book.
• Writing:  We will begin writing our All About Books.  We will choose a topic about which we are experts and write a book to teach others about our topic. 
• Math:  We will continue our measurement unit.  We will practice measuring with nonstandard units, such as paper clips or bears.  We will practice measuring with rulers.  We will discuss the concepts of length, weight, capacity, and temperature. 
• Science:  We will continue talking about winter changes and adaptations people, plants, and animals make to prepare for winter.

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy New Year and Quick Check In

Hi Everyone!

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year!  I have had coffee, cookies, and too many carbs. I have read books, slept late, spent endless days in my workout clothes (even if I never got around to working out!), and binge watched Hulu. I suppose it's time to return to routines, wear pants with buttons, and cook something with vegetables.  

Next week, school will also be about reestablishing routines, reminding the kids about rules and expectations, and reconnecting as a classroom family.  

Here's the rest of your classroom news:

Mid-Year Literacy Testing:
Over the next month, I will administer the mid-year Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).  Remember, the DRA tests a student's ability to decode words, read fluently, and retell / comprehend a story.  In preparation for our mid-year testing, please ensure your child is reading each night at home.  Please use the discussion guidelines on your child's weekly homework sheet to talk about his/her nightly reading.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will be reviewing our good reader strategies for our mid-year literacy testing.
• Writing:  We will write about our New Year's goals and resolutions.
• Math:  We will begin our measurement unit.  We will practice measuring with nonstandard units, such as paper clips or bears.  We will practice measuring with rulers.  We will discuss the concepts of length, weight, capacity, and temperature.
• Science:  We will talk about winter changes and how animals prepare for winter. 

As 2020 begins, I wish each of you a year filled with joy, peace, and happiness.  I remain thankful for the blessing of your sweet children, you, and the support you offer each day.  Please let me know how I can assist you in the new year!