January 27-31, 2014

Math:  This week in math we will continue to explore shapes. We've folded squares to see what other kinds of shapes can be made. We will sort shapes according to their attributes (sides, corners).  We will compare 2 dimensional shapes to 3 dimensional shapes.  We will learn the names of shapes we see all around us.  We will identify shapes that make up other shapes such as a cylinder has 2 circle bases.  This discovery based unit has been a lot of fun so far!!

Reading Workshop:  This week in Reading Workshop, we will be reading Fables.  Just like Fairy Tales, Fables are a type of Folktale.  Fables have animal characters with human attributes and always have a lesson (moral) to the story.  We will read The Lion and The Mouse, Fox and the Crow, The Ugly Duckling, and The Tortoise and the Hare.  While we are reading these stories, we will think about the story structure (characters, setting, problem and solution) and retelling the story by remembering what happened in the beginning, middle and end of the story. 

Word Study:

Green Group:  h, sh, and ch Diagraphs (hose, shack, cherry)

Blue Group:  sp, sk, and sm Blends (spoon, skip, smell)

Red Group:  Words with ir, ire, ier (girl, fire, drier)

Writing Workshop:  As we turn our focus back to non fiction writing with personal narratives this week, we will learn to think about events that have happened in our lives, then focus on only that event. We will learn that all of the things that lead up to that, as well as all of the things that happened after it, are not as important as the details of that single event that we would like to share about with our friends. We will be learning to "zoom in" on our stories.

Social Studies:  Howdy Y’all!  This week we will be learning about the customs and traditions of our community in the great state of Texas.  We will learn about different state symbols such as the Bluebonnet, Mockingbird, Pecan Tree, State Flag, and the Texas Pledge.  We will also talk about the capitol of Texas, our home, sweet, home…Austin.  We will take a step back in Texas history to learn about the Alamo.  Yee haw!

Habit #7:  Sharpen the Saw.  I take care of myself.  I spend time with family and friends.  I find meaningful ways to help others. 

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday.

*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and homework bag every day.

*It helps me tremendously if you leave the reading response notebook and books in the homework bag every day.  We use them at school!

Dates to remember:

January 30:  Science Fair

January 31:  Fairy Tale/Folktale Parade @8:15

February 4:  1^st Grade PE Program

February 5:  101^st Day

      Early Release Day

February 14:  Chocolate Fever Day

       Valentine’s Day Party

February 17:  Bad Weather Make Up Day- We will have school this day!

March 1:  Family Dinner Night

March 3-4:  Turkey Trot

March 10-14:  Spring Break

March 19:  Early Release Day

     Family Skate Night