Families Near and Far!
First graders were so excited to jump into their new Social Studies unit, Families Near and Far, this week! We kicked off our unit by reading Hey Wall: A Story of Art and Community by Susan Verde. This read-aloud inspired wonderful discussions about the roles of families within our communities. During this study, first graders will develop an understanding of and appreciation for the uniqueness of their own families and the families of others. They will also explore family traditions, such as food and celebrations, across cultures and all the things that diversity brings to our communities.
Math Facts We Know by Heart
First-grade mathematicians are working hard to develop fluency in facts to 10 and 20. They have been playing math games and using strategies to answer equations quickly and accurately. This skill is crucial because it frees up mental energy for more complex problem-solving later on! Students are not just memorizing facts, however; they are developing a deep understanding through strategies like using known facts to solve for unknown ones, number talks, and understanding numerical relationships. This automaticity practice will help our mathematicians shine with confidence!
Feeling Grateful
This week we introduced our study of gratitude and began our gratitude writing! First graders defined gratitude as acts of kindness, generosity, and caring for others. They were also able to identify how practicing gratitude positively helps our own well-being. We created our classroom “Grateful Turkey” and have begun adding feathers of gratitude daily! Our turkey is quickly filling up with feathers! This simple activity is a great way for us to notice gratitude in our everyday lives and helps us brainstorm ideas for our gratitude books.
Upcoming Dates
November 10th & 11th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (11:30am Dismissal)
November 21st – Harvest Feast (11:30am Dismissal)
November 24th-28th – Thanksgiving Break (No School)
