News from Ms. Powers’ Class

August 20, 2013

General Information

Students need to bring their own snack daily or save something from breakfast for their snack; we do not have a group snack.  Summer appears to be returning weather wise this week.  Students may keep a water bottle on their desks filled with water only.  This week is spirit week.  Students bring in a quarter to participate.  The schedule is Tuesday-pj day, Wednesday-hat day, Thursday-sports team day and Friday is school spirit day.

Math

First grade is piloting a new math program from Georgia.   This program involves a lot of problem solving, number talk and using manipulatives.  Most concepts are taught hands on using math games.  Your child will not be bringing home a daily math practice sheet.  We are currently working on place value (tens and ones), tally marks and counting to 120 by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s.

Language Arts

In reading we are working on the routine of reading workshop and learning different ways to decode unknown words.  We are able to read for 6 ½ minutes independently, by the end of first grade they should be able to read for at least 20 minutes. Independently.

In writing we are working on writing a story with a beginning, middle and end.  We are trying to include actions, conversation and the setting in our story.

Science

We are working on a unit called An Animals Life.  Soon we will be getting monarch caterpillars to raise in our classroom.  We have started a classroom habitat with different animals we found on the playground.

Social Studies

We are working on a unit that deals with families and how families are different.

Book Orders are attached. If you are interested in ordering please return the order with a check made out to the book club or money by August 28, 2013.

Thanks!