Ocean Life

Throughout the year we will be learning about different groups of animals and their needs.  We will examine how their environment provides them with their needs and how their bodies are made for the environment in which they live.

Our first focus is on sea life.  We have read several Magic School Bus books to learn about sea life as well as discuss the difference between fiction and non-fiction text.  We have also read many fiction selections about sea life while we learn about the setting and characters in stories.  We have ordered story events and discussed problem and solution, also.  During TSI, the students are working in groups to research specific sea animals. 

For fun, check out some non-fiction about sea life with Oceanlife for Kids.  Read the information about the various animals.  You may even want to take the quizzes to check your understanding.  When done, write (in the comment box) about something you learned while visiting the site.  Anyone from the CHES first grades who posts will receive a reward.  Remember to post your first name so you can get your prize.

HOMEWORK 9-27-12

This week we began working with digraphs. A digraph is a combination of two consonants that make one sound; you cannot hear each letter when the two are together. The digraphs we are using are sh, ch, th, wh, and ck. When your child is reading, point these out so s/he becomes familiar with them and also begins to recognize them. Tonight you will have a chance to work with some digraphs. Watch the presentation below. For each picture, read the sentence and decide what word should go in the blank. HINT: Each word you use will have a digraph. For each picture word, have your child tap the word. Each word will have 3 taps. Your child has been tapping words since kindergarten. To make sure s/he is doing it correctly, follow these instructions for tapping the word 'shop': 1. Say the word. Shop. 2. Tap the digraph sh by tapping the pointer finger to the thumb and making the sound sh. 3. Tap the o sound by tapping the middle finger to the thumb and making the sound of short o (as in ox). 4. Tap the p sound by tapping the ring finger to the thumb and making the p sound. 5. Blend the sounds together by making each sound as you run your thumb across the tips of each finger (except for the pinky because you did not use it for this word). 6. Say the word again. Shop. COMMENT BOX: In the comment box, tap and write the word for each picture. Please write them in order. Remember to include your first name. The comment will not appear until I release it.

HOMEWORK 9-26-12

This week one of the skills we have been working on is writing and solving number sentences to match dice.  Tonight you are going to practice this skill using virtual dice.  Click the words 'virtual dice'.  When you get to the site, hit the 'roll again' box.  Each time you do this, write and solve the number sentence that matches your 'roll'.  Do this ten times. 

COMMENT BOX:  In the comment box, record the ten number sentences that match what you rolled.  Be sure to include your first name so you get credit for your homework.  If you do not want to post in the comment box, bring your work to school on a piece of paper.  Remember the comments will only appear after I release them.

HOMEWORK 9-20-12

View the presentation and follow the instructions. Please give the presentation time to load before clicking the arrow. It takes about a minute for it to be ready to go. COMMENT BOX: Write the word for each picture in the comment box. Be sure to include your first name in the box so you get credit for your homework.

HOMEWORK 9-19-12

Tonight we will be focusing on matching number sentences to a pictorial model.  We are going to use an activity on IXL called Addition Sentences - Sums to 10.  To get to this activity, simply "click on" the words "Addition Sentences - Sums to 10".  Play for 10 minutes or until the time runs out (unless something has changed, IXL only allows so much practice time each day unless you have a paid account). 

COMMENT BOX ASSIGNMENT:  Answer the following question in the comment box:

Sue has 9 fish.  Some are blue and some are yellow.  If two are blue, how many are yellow?  Explain how you know. 

Remember to sign your first name and to click the 'anonymous' box before selecting 'publish'.  Your comment will not appear until Ms. Kristin releases it. 

Seahorse Giving Birth

In Ms. Kristin's class we read Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle. We learned that it is a work of fiction, but we could still learn true facts from it. After reading the book we watched a YouTube video showing a male seahorse giving birth to its babies. Several of the children wanted to be able to see the video again, so I am posting it here. PLEASE be careful when allowing your child to view videos in YouTube. Although there are lots of fantastic things posted on their site, it is also extremely easy to access something that is inappropriate as well. Your child may also like to research some more about seahorses. If you find out a cool fact about the seahorse, post it in the COMMENT BOX so others can enjoy. :)

HOMEWORK 9-13-12

In class we are using groups of five and ten to quickly count a number of objects.  To practice this skill, play Ten Frame.  Although this may seem easy, it takes practice.  The goal is to get children to "see" groups of objects and be able to identify how many there are without having to count each one.  This activity enables students to build a solid foundation for the place value skills we will develop this year.  Games 1, 2, and 3 will be the most beneficial at this time and correlate more to the skills we are working on now.  Game 4 delves further into addition and has multiple steps for adding two addends. This activity is optional. The homework requirement is to play Games 1, 2, and 3 for a total of 10 minutes.  Please sit with your child while he does these activities.  You will need to make sure he understands the questions as they change from time to time.  Often, children anticipate the question and give an answer to the question they think is being asked.  Be sure to ask him how he knew the answer.  Being able to explain HOW an answer is found is equally important as finding the right answer.

COMMENT BOX ASSIGNMENT:  To complete tonight's homework, answer this question in the comment box.  Remember to sign your first name.  The comment will not appear until I release it either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Imagine that you have 2 tens frames.  One is filled with chips and the other one has 6 chips in it. 

Answer each question:
(a)  How many chips are there in all? How do you know?
(b)  How many more do you need to fill the second frame? 
(c)  How many will you have if both are full?  How do you know?

Trick Word Practice

Welcome to online homework! Tonight you are going to practice your trick words. To do this, you will need to press the arrow button on the presentation below these instructions. You will read the word that appears. You will then spell the word by clapping and saying each letter (like we did in class) and then repeating the word after the spelling. For instance, for the word 'and', say the word 'and'. Then clap one time while saying "a", one time while saying "n", one time while saying "d". Finally say "and". Follow this procedure for each word. A grown-up should listen to you read each word. Each time you need a new word, press the arrow. Do this for each word (when it is done, it will not advance further). To complete the assignment, choose 3 of the trick words. In the COMMENT BOX, write one sentence for each of the 3 trick words. Write your first name in thee COMMENT BOX so I know it's your work. Submit the work. It will not show until I release it for viewing so don't worry if you do not see your comment. I release them later in the evening or in the morning. If you have any problems completing this work, write a note to your teacher. :)

Trick Words on Prezi

Sassy's Weekend