February 5,2010

February is here and Valentine's Day is near! What a fun-filled week we had in first grade. This week we reviewed place value using many hands-on manipulatives, as well as the smartboard. We found some wonderful place value lessons. The children had a wonderful time moving tens and ones to make a number. We also did a few of our Harcourt Place Value lessons (chapter 10) right on the smartboard. It is an amazing visual for the kids! We also watched a quick clip of the Groundhog. Yes, he saw his shadow,very exciting! Six more weeks of winter fun.

Again, thank you Miss. Torrey for helping us this week with place value and estimating objects. Estimation Station was also a crowd pleaser...Thank you Mrs. Fiore for the Valentine yo yo's! Looking ahead in math.....we will begin comparing numbers next week (greater than and less than). Please continue to review at home.

As you know, we read The Mitten this week followed by a few activities. The children had fun brainstorming their animal that climbed into the mitten. They then water painted their animals to be put up in our hall of fame outside of our classroom. Great job boys and girls! In reading groups this week, we read different versions of The Mitten (the children may have kept these books in their browsing boxes). The story was a great connection to our focus skill this week: sequence of a story. What happened first, next, then, and last. We will continue reading more of our favorite author Jan Brett next week. We will continue learning about the different reading genres. Realistic Fiction will be on minds this upcoming week. Please continue to read at home, as well as practice all sight word vocabulary. The children are doing an amazing job recognizing their sight words in reading groups. Their vocabulary continues to grow.

Tuesday 2/9/10 is our 100th Day of School! We did it...Horray for us! Both first grade classes will have a day filled with lots of 1ooth day activities. Please take a peek in our folder, we will be making a 1ooth day book.

Thank you in advance for working with your child to complete his/her Valentine box. You are all very creative! If you have any questions about the family project, please do not hesitate to ask. The First Grade wishes you all a fun-filled February Vacation. We are looking forward to seeing all our our friends on Monday, February 22nd, 2010! Shine your star!