Happy Holidays
From
1-S
December 10, 2010
Math
In Unit 2, our four main areas of focus
were:
To explore various uses of numbers,
To introduce the analog clock,
To practice finding the values of
various combinations of pennies and
nickels, and
To introduce number models for
change-to-more and change-to-less
situations.
The class had a lot of fun shopping in the
classroom store and working with a
calculator.
In Unit 3, our four main areas of focus
were:
To explore numeric, visual and
concrete patterns,
To introduce addition and
subtraction on the number line,
To introduce the Frames-and-Arrows
Routine, and
To find the values of collections of
dimes, nickels and pennies.
To keep our math lessons fun, I like to
incorporate movement into our topics. The
children often become coins of different value
and are asked to find partners to make a
specific sum or they are asked to make
exchanges. They have kinesthetically solved
mathematical problems and always enjoy
coming to the board to demonstrate how
he/she arrived at an answer.
I am so proud of our Writers! They
have begun to confidently choose
their own topics and complete several
pages with great enthusiasm. At this
stage in their writing I stress the
importance of making sure all
sentences are related, unfamiliar
words are sounded out phonetically
and proper capitalization and
punctuation are used. Before
Thanksgiving, our Writers were
given the task of telling their readers
how to prepare a turkey for dinner in
only 4 steps. Their work is displayed
in the classroom and it is priceless!
Social Studies
We used our discussions on Peace as a springboard to
the events that led up to the first Thanksgiving at
Plimoth Plantation, Massachusetts. Through reading a
series of books and letters, we experienced how a young
pilgrim girl and apprentice sailor journeyed on the
Mayflower. We felt the emotions of a young
Wampanoag Indian as he watched the “coatmen” build
a village and steal dried corn that his tribe safely buried
for planting the next year. On November 16th we
watched a live webcast from Plimoth Plantation. The
class learned about the adjustments the English settlers
had to make in order to survive and how 2 completely
different cultures worked together to create peace and
harmony.
We are currently learning about the different cultural
holidays that take place during the month of December.
 1-S Newsletter Page 2

Our List of Sight Words

Language Arts Introduced to Date
I is and
We love playing “Build A you we my
Word”! Build a word is an
interactive lesson that utilizes
knowledge of vowel sounds, the to of
consonants, consonant blends
and digraphs. Each student is said this that
given a set of letter cards and
an enlarged set is magnetically it would could
attached to the board. They are
challenged with the task of
should he his
building as many words as they
can with the letters provided.
Each student has the have had has
opportunity to come to the
board and share with the rest of was they up
the class.
Shared reading with will
Readinga-z.com. With the use
of on line projectable books, our
class has been able to learn new
vocabulary, reading strategies
and comprehension skills.
Students are able to follow
along with the teacher, read to Upcoming Events
the class, read high frequency
words and work collaboratively
to answer a comprehension December 16th: Christmas Crafts 1:30-2:30
quiz. They are looking forward
to our next shared reading
December 17th: Winter Recess begins @
activity where they will be able
3:00pm
to use the wireless mouse to
highlight words.
January 3rd: Classes resume

January 15th: NO CLASSES -All School

Writing Day

January 18th: NO CLASSES-Martin Luther

King Day