October 28, 2013

Welcome back to a new week of First Grade!

It is hard to believe that it is already the end of October.  As the weather gets cooler and kids are bringing in jackets/sweaters, please remember to have their names somewhere on their jacket/sweater.

Literature/Reading: We will continue to read Frog and Toad in reading groups this week.  If you are able, please sign up for a day to come in and help with reading groups.  In literature this week, we will be learning about the Fairy Tale Jack and the Beanstalk.

Science: This week we will talk about Food Chains and the important role they play in our environment.  We will also assemble our Habitat poster boards.  Finally, we will talk about adaptations and the different ways that animals adapt to their environment.

History/Geography: As we continue to study Egypt this week, we will focus on heiroglyphics, papyrus, and the Great Sphinx.  The kids are having a lot of fun learning about Ancient Egypt, be sure to ask them about all the fun things they are learning.

Reminders: 

• This is the last week to send in items for the Medieval Faire for the auction basket.  http://www2.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CABA92F4-medieval

•  Remember to sign-up to help with the Medieval Faire. Every family is asked to volunteer for 2 - 30 minute shifts at the Faire.  Sign-up lists will be coming soon.  
• Mark your calendar for he Winter Music Concert on December 3.  
• Picture retake day is this Friday, November 1.  

Week of October 21, 2013

Today is the last day of our half-day schedule.  We will be back to our regular schedule next week.  Here are a few of the things we will be learning next week.

Literature/Riggs/Reading: This week we finished up all the Cinderella stories.  Next week we will get to learn the meaning of both "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" and "Practice make perfect."  We will also read and study the story The Pied Piper of Hamelin.  In Reading groups we will be starting our Frog and Toad books.  Please make sure that you have sent it in by Monday.  We have not had as many Riggs tests this week because of the shortened schedule but the tests will pick up again next week.

History: In History, we are still learning about Ancient Egypt.  In particular, we will continue to learn about camels and how they are able to live in desert climates.  We will also start talking about papyrus, scribes, and hieroglyphics  The students will also continue to work on their Egypt books.

Science: Next week we will finish our study of Rachel Carson and learn about the American Prairie habitat.  On Friday, we will complete an animal report together as a class about a prairie animal.  As mentioned in an email, we will be assembling our Habitat poster boards next week so please make sure you have sent in your black poster board.

Reminders: 

• Send in Frog and Toad.
• Send in a black poster board.
• Sign up to help with the Medieval Faire basket: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F044CABA92F4-medieval

Week of October 14

Welcome Back!  I hope that each of you had a nice Fall Break!  It was fun to see our class again yesterday.
Please remember that every day this week the students will be released at 12:15 and 12:30.  Additionally, there will be no tutoring or after school clubs.

Here is a run down of what we will be studying this week.

Literature/Riggs: We will be learning new Riggs words this week and homework will be coming home.  In Literature we are reading more Cinderella stories.  We will focus on Mexican Cinderella and Caribbean Cinderella.  The students have enjoyed seeing how many different Cinderella stories there are and comparing them.  We will be starting to study Frog and Toad next week so please send those books in if you have not yet.

History: Yesterday we started talking about Mummies and the mummification process.  Ask your students how this process works.  Additionally we will talk about beautiful Egyptian artwork and why pharaohs were put into a sarcophagus.  Finally, we will also talk about camels and the important role they played in Ancient Egypt.

Science: We are continuing to learn about climates in science.  Specifically, we will learn about the Underground habitat.  At the end of the week, we will learn about Rachel Carson and the importance of her research.  We are almost ready to put together our Habitat posters so please remember to send in a black poster board if you have not already.

Reminders: 

• Remember to sign up to donate to our Classroom Auction Basket for the Medieval Faire.  You can sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044CABA92F4-medieval. 
• Send in Frog and Toad books.
• Send in a black poster board.
• Mark your calendars for the Medieval Faire on November 16th.  
• Send in all your box tops by the end of the month.