November 21, 2024

Hi 1A families,

The kids are getting very excited about the Thankful Show! We have been practicing with the other first grade class each day. It will be held in the Kittredge gym on Wednesday, November 27, starting at 9:00 am. Families are invited. It will be short and very sweet! We hope to see you there!

Here are a few of the other things we've been learning about in first grade this week.

• In the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, we focused on a book titled Seahorses: The Shyest Fish in the Sea. In addition to learning many facts about the unique features of seahorses, the kids learned about the aspects of a nonfiction book such as the table of contents, captions on photos, and the glossary. Ask them about the fun partner work we did in class today as they searched through nonfiction books. 
• In conjunction with this work, the students are learning how to write an informational paragraph. Continuing through next week, the kids will use a graphic organizer to formulate a paragraph with their own thoughts.
• In math, we have been learning how to make a group of 10 to add 2 numbers together. This is one strategy that they can use to solve addition problems.
• The first graders also learned about the suffix -s. The are learning to identify the base word and then add the -s to make the noun mean more than one. They also learned that the s can make two different sounds: /s/ in words like "dogs" and /z/ in words like "bugs".
• The trick words for the week: are, were
• The kids created two thankful crafts to celebrate the season. The are hanging in the hallway outside of the classroom if you have a chance to stop by.

Kids Stop Next Wednesday, 11/27

If your child usually attends Kids Stop on Wednesdays, please let me know how I should dismiss them on 11/27. A quick email would be great. Thanks!

Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, November 27: First Grade Thankful Show at 9:00 am (families invited); half day (11:50 am release)
• Thursday and Friday, November 28/29: No school - Thanksgiving break
• Wednesday, December 4: Holiday shop - day 1; early release at 1:45 (teacher professional development)
• Thursday, December 5: Holiday shop - day 2
• Wednesday, December 11: Early release at 1:45 (teacher professional development)
• Friday, December 13: Picture retake day
• Thursday, December 17: 1A winter craft party
• December 20: Term 1 report cards released
• December 21 - January 1: Winter break

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the show next week. Thanks for all that you do!

Katie Barnett

November 12, 2024

Hi 1A families,

Thank you so much for meeting with me for a conference over the past couple of weeks. I truly enjoyed talking to everyone about their wonderful kids!

Thankful Show - November 27

Today, the first graders came home with an official invitation to our Thankful Show. We will be holding the performance on Wednesday, November 27, at 9:00am in the Kittredge gym. Families are welcome to attend! The kids will sing a couple of songs and we will watch a brief slideshow where they can show us what they are thankful for. The show will be about 30 minutes long. I hope you can attend! :)

Food Drive

Last Friday, the students came home with a flyer for the Thanksgiving Food Drive. The first grade is collecting boxed stuffing and bread mixes. All donations are very appreciated! The collection will continue until November 22.

Here is a quick look at what we've been learning about in first grade:

• We wrapped up module 1 of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, How Books Change Lives around the world. Next we are learning about Creature Features. We read a fiction book titled Seven Blind Mice and discussed the central message of the story. Now we are focusing on a book titled Me...Jane that tells the story of how Jane Goodall became a scientist. The kids love it and we are having some excellent discussions.
• In conjunction with that material, the students are learning about paragraphs. So far, they have learned that a paragraph is a collection of sentences that center on a specific topic. Today, they practiced identifying the topic sentence, the supporting details, and the conclusion. We use the analogy of a hamburger to explain it to the kids. Over the next couple of weeks, the students will learn to write their own paragraph using this structure.
  
• In math, the students have been working with addition and subtraction story problems. They have started using a math journal, which they seem to really enjoy. Ask them to tell you about it!
• Another skill that I have introduced is alphabetical order. We have been working on this a few times a week as it can be tricky for first grade students.
• The most recent trick words (sight words) that the kids learned are: you, your, I, they, was, one, said, have, from
• The first graders also learned that quotation marks indicate when a character is speaking. 

Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday, November 20: Early release at 1:45 (teacher professional development)
• Wednesday, November 27: First Grade Thankful Show at 9:00 am (families invited); half day (11:50am release)
• Thursday and Friday, November 27/28: No school - Thanksgiving break
• Wednesday, December 4: Early release at 1:45 (teacher professional development)
• Wednesday, December 11: Early release at 1:45 (teacher professional development)
• Friday, December 13: Picture retake day
• Date TBD: 1A holiday craft party
• December 20: Term 1 report cards released
• December 21 - January 1: Winter break

Thanks for all that you do to support your child's learning. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Katie Barnett