March 19-23, 2018

We are in the home stretch of First grade! This week we will send home a reading calendar.  In second grade the students will be asked to track their reading minutes.  We want to help you and your children make this a habit!

This Thursday, we will be going on our final field trip to ZACH Scott Theater.  We will be watching Goodnight Moon.  There are a few things I need you to do.

1.     Your child needs to wear their 1^st Grade shirt or a Caraway shirt.

2.  Your child will need to bring a lunch from home.  We will eat in the classroom before we leave.

3.   We will leave by 11:00 & return by 2:00.

4.  We will eat a snack when we return.

We will be able to accommodate 1 parent from our class.  Any of you are welcome to come, but you will be required to provide your own transportation and purchase your own ticket, which will be $16.

Reminders:
Monday (3/19): Welcome back!
Tuesday (3/20): Tuesday folders will come home. 

                             Homework bags come home.
Wednesday (3/21):  Library- No check out
Thursday (3/22): Field Trip to Zach Scott Theatre. 

Friday (3/23): 

This week in Reading and Writing workshop...
We will continue our exploration of Poetry as readers and writers! We will begin to look for sensory language in Poetry.  We will listen for details make us think of something we see, hear, smell, touch or taste.  We will think about how this type of language engages us as readers.

As writers we will also think about the "ingredients" that poems need. When writing poetry we write about things we care a lot about! It helps us, as writers, think about the meaning of our poetry.  We will focus on "showing, not telling" to help the readers of our poetry feel our poems in their souls!

This week in Social Studies...
We will be wrapping up our unit on economics.  We will read about different ways citizens make choices to meet their needs in our community.

This week in Science...
We will be learning about Birds! This will help us prepare for our Project Based Learning activity! We will learn about the external characteristics of birds, movement, food and habitat as well as their life cycle! 

In First grade we hatch chicks!! Our eggs will arrive next week!! It will be a very exciting 21 days as we wait for our babies to join us! Our estimated hatch date is April 18th!

This week in Math...
We will continue relating Addition and Subtraction.  We will use objects and picture models to solve word problems that involve joining , separating and comparing sets of numbers.  

This week’s life skill is Common Sense: to use good judgement.  We will discuss different ways we can use common sense at school, at home and in our community.

Have a great week!

Important Dates:

Mar. 22: Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater (wear 1^st Grade shirt!)

Mar. 28: Spirit Night

            Chick eggs arrive!

Mar. 30:  No School

Apr. 6:  Family Fit & Fun Night

Apr. 18:  Chicks Hatch!

Apr. 27: Field Day

              Skate Night

May 8: Spirit Night

May 28: Memorial Day Holiday

May 29: Last Day of School (Bad Weather Make-up Day)

          End of the Year Party!

March 19-23, 2018

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you so very much to all of you for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts I received this past week.  All of you are so generous, and I am grateful for every single one of you!

Thursday, March 22, we will be traveling to ZACH Scott Theater.  We will eat lunch in the classroom before we leave.  We will leave around 11:00 and return around 1:00.  We will have a snack after we return to school.  If you have not sent the field trip permission slip back, please remember to do so when we come back from Spring Break.

This next week is Spring Break!  I hope everyone finds time to relax and rejuvenate.  Stay safe, but have fun!

Reminders:

Monday (3/19):  Homework bags come home

Tuesday (3/20): Tuesday folders will come home.  

Wednesday (3/21): Library Check-out. Return books!

Thursday (3/22):  Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater.  Wear 1st Grade shirt!

Friday (3/23):

In Reading Workshop…

This week we will continue to learn about the different elements of poetry, and we will discuss the different strategies we can use while we are reading poems.

In Writer's Workshop…

This week we will begin learning to write different types of poems..  We will write a sensory poem where we will use sensory details.  We will write a poem in the shape of what our poem is about.  We will write emotion poems too.

In Math…

We will continue learning how addition and subtraction relate.  We have learned about Fact Families, and now, we will use that knowledge to solve problems using both addition and subtraction.  The idea of this unit is to get the students to think about addition to do subtraction or vise versa.  For example, if I need to find the answer to 7-4=___, I can find the answer if I know that 4+3=7.

In Social Studies…

We will be discussing different jobs in our community.  We will talk about work, income, and how the people that do these different jobs help our community.  We will be asking parents to come into the classroom to talk about their job for the next 2 weeks.  If you would like to come talk with the kiddos about your job and how you help our community, please consider signing up on this Parent Job Presentation Sign Up Sheet.

In Science…

We will being exploring Birds.  We will learn about the body parts, life cycle, characteristics of Birds.  I am always so excited about this portion of our Animals unit, because it means that the Chicks are not far away!  We will get the eggs on Wednesday, March 28!

This week’s life skill is Effort: to do your best.  We will discuss different ways we can put forth our best effort at school, at home and in our community.

Have a great week!

Important Dates:

Mar. 12-16: Spring Break

Mar. 22: Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater (wear 1^st Grade shirt!)

Mar. 28: Spirit Night

            Chick eggs arrive!

Mar. 30:  No School

Apr. 6:  Family Fit & Fun Night

Apr. 18:  Chicks Hatch!

Apr. 27: Skate Night

May 8: Spirit Night

May 28: Memorial Day Holiday

May 29: Last Day of School (Bad Weather Make-up Day)

          End of the Year Party!

February 26-March 2, 2018

We had a super fun time at STEAM Day! We learned all about the jobs that engineers do! We also learned that engineers solve problems just like we do.  There are pictures of our class from this day in a separate email.

**Caraway City Limits Saturday, March 3rd**

I look forward to seeing everyone! I also know that life is busy! Please consider donating if you cannot attend the event!

  

Reminders:

Monday (2/26):  Homework bags come home

Tuesday (2/27): Tuesday folders will come home.  Please return on Wednesday.

Wednesday (2/28): Library Check-out. Return books! 

Thursday (3/1):

Friday (3/2): Read Across America/Dr. Seuss' Birthday

In Reading Workshop…

This week we will think about all of the strategies good readers use as we begin an Author Study of Dr. Seuss!  We will learn all about his life and how he made reading fun for so many children and adults! We will read books that he has written and research about his life!

In Writer's Workshop…

This week we will revisit Small Moments stories.  We will take an event from our life experiences and explode it.  We will explore how authors write their stories and add details to help us really imagine what it was like to be there in that moment.

In Math…

We are finishing up our unit on Addition Strategies.  We've learned how to count on using a number track or number line.  We've practiced making ten and counting the leftovers.  We've used visual models to represent joining two amounts.  Now we will apply these strategies and solve problems!

In Social Studies…

We will be exploring the concept of Spending and Saving.  We will talk about how you must save money for things you want and "just in case".  We will explore what it looks like to budget your money for the things you need like shelter, electricity and water and the things you want!

In Science…

We will being exploring Mammals.  We will learn about the characteristics of a mammal and their life cycle.  We will explore how mammals move, eat and where they live.

This week’s life skill is Creativity: to generate ideas; to create something original or redesign through imaginative skill.

Have a great week!

Important Dates:

Saturday, March 3rd - Caraway City Limits @ Balcones Country Club

Mar. 7: Kinder Round-Up

Mar. 12-16: Spring Break

Mar. 22: Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater (wear 1^st Grade shirt!)

Mar. 28: Spirit Night

Apr. 27: Skate Night

May 8: Spirit Night

May 28: Memorial Day Holiday

May 29: Last Day of School (Bad Weather Make-up Day)

             End of the Year Party!

February 12-16, 2018

Oh my goodness!  The Valentine boxes are super cute!  The kiddos did a great job on them!

Tomorrow, I will let the kiddos begin handing out their Valentine’s (put them in the boxes).  We will open the boxes and see all of the Valentine’s at the party on Wednesday afternoon.

We are talking about the responsibilities of being a 2nd grader.  Over the next four months the expectations in first grade will increase.  My goal for the students is to be independent thinkers who can solve problems, both academic and every day, as well as engage in collaborative experiences with their peers.  My role will be the facilitator.  I will ask questions more often instead of giving all of the answers.  I hope you, as parents, will take on the role as facilitators as well.  When your child asks, "What do I do on this problem?" (in a homework situation) you may want to ask, "Well, what is a good strategy to start with?" The students have the answers and skills they just need a little support to fly solo!

Reminders:

Monday (2/12):

Tuesday (2/13): Tuesday folders go home. 

                        Homework bags go home- Due Friday

Wednesday (2/14): Library- Check out

                               Valentine Party 12:30-1:30.  If you would like to take your child home after the party please sign them out at the office.

Thursday (2/15):

Friday (2/16): Class pictures.  The students will also be taking individual Spring Portraits.  The company will send proofs home in a few weeks if you would like to purchase.

**Remember- students do not have school on Monday (2/19) and Tuesday (2/20). **

This week in Reading and Writing Workshop...

Our unit, Readers and Writers Research Together, the students have been researching a topic of their choice and interest.  The kiddos chose a very interesting range of topics.  We will finish up our research and begin our final products this week! 

This week in Math...

We will be learning addition strategies to help us solve problems.  Last week we explored how to make different combinations of 10. 

This week in Science...

We will begin our study of Interdependence of Organisms.  We will explore animals first.  Our unit on Fish will explore body parts, adaptations, habitat and life cycle.

This week in Social Studies...

We will finish our conversation on Needs versus Wants as we move in to our discussion on Good and Services.  We will discuss how people in our community provide the goods and services we need to live everyday.

Our Life Skill of the Week: Friendship- to make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring 

Have a great week!

Dates to Remember:

Feb. 14:  Valentine’s Day Party

Feb. 19-20:  Student Holiday

Mar. 7:  Kinder Round-Up

Mar. 12-16:  Spring Break

Mar. 22:  Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater

Mar. 28:  Spirit Night

Apr. 27:  Skate Night

May 8:  Spirit Night

May 29:  Last Day of School/End of the Year PartyParty

February 5-9, 2018

The 1^st Grade P.E. Program will be on February 6.  If your child is in groups 1, 2, & 3, they will perform at 5:45.  If your child is in groups 4, 5, & 6, they will perform at 6:20.  Every 1^st Grader must be accompanied by an adult and may not just be dropped off at school for the performance.

The 101st day of school is upon us.  We will celebrate 101 days in school this Thursday.  We will recognize this day with fun activities.  Dress up as an old person for this fun day!  You may think about adding a bun, pearls, sweaters, pretend glasses, suspenders, ties, hats or more! (Dressing up is for fun and is optional!)

Homework for this week will be to make a Valentine box.  The box should be big enough for classmates to put Valentine’s cards/treats in.  Shoe boxes work very well!

Your child may decorate their box any way they choose.  Remember that there should be an opening in the box and your child’s name should be on the top or front of the box.

The Valentine boxes are due Monday, Feb. 12.

Reminders:

Monday (2/5):  Daily Folder comes home

                      Homework bag comes home

Tuesday (2/6):  Tuesday folder comes home.  Return on Wednesday!                       

Wednesday (2/7):  Library- Lesson only

Thursday (2/8):  101^st Day!

Friday (2/9):  Send book and homework bag back

                     Caraway Academies!

Monday (2/12):  Valentine Boxes due

This week in Reading and Writing Workshop...
We will continue our research unit.  We have been researching objects in the sky.  We have collected information about planets, stars, comet and more using nonfiction books and Pebble Go.  We are enjoying reading to learn and writing to teach about objects in the sky!

This week in Math workshop...
This week we will start thinking about addition strategies.  We will look at how strategies such as combinations of 10 will help us become better problem solvers.  

This week in Science...
We will learn the difference between living and nonliving things.  We will learn about the characteristics that make something a living thing.  Does it grow?  Does it have needs?  Does it reproduce?

This week in Social Studies...
We are learning the difference between needs and wants.  

Our Life Skill of the week is Integrity.  Integrity means to be completely honest, even when no one else knows the truth but you.
 
Have a great week!

Dates to Remember:

Feb. 6:  1^st Grade P.E. Program

Feb. 7:  Spirit Night

Feb. 8:  101^st Day

Feb. 9:  Skate Night

Feb. 12:  Valentine Box Due

Feb. 14:  Valentine’s Day Party

Feb. 19-20:  Student Holiday

Mar. 7:  Kinder Round-Up

Mar. 12-16:  Spring Break

Mar. 22:  Field Trip to ZACH Scott Theater

Mar. 28:  Spirit Night

Apr. 27:  Skate Night

May 8:  Spirit Night

May 25:  Last Day of School/End of the Year Party