Pumpkin Project

Hurricane Sandy has certainly put a bit of a damper on Red Ribbon Week and our Pumpkin Project.  Please bring your projects to school when we return to school.  As of now, we plan to go ahead with the Gallery Walk on Friday.  I hope you have had fun making your pumpkins.  I know I loved making mine!

Fun Stuff

It looks like we are in for quite a weekend of inside time as Hurricane Sandy visits.  I hope you are taking time to work on your Pumpkin Patch Project.  I will be working on mine today!  If you need a fun break and we still have electricity, check out Halloween Math and work on your addition and subtraction facts. 

Do you like to play Memory?  Here's an addition game called Candy Corn Addition.  Match the sum to the addition sentence.

I will edit this post as I find more fun stuff for you to do.  :)

HOMEWORK 10-25-12

Words can be put into different categories.  Nouns are words that name people, places, or things.  Adjectives are words that describe nouns. 

To practice identifying the difference between the two, you are going to play two games.  The first one asks you to find the noun in a group of words.  The words are definitely harder than what most first grade students can read.  A proficient reader should read the words to the student and then let the student choose the noun.  This game will help promote good vocabulary.  Play Noun Explorer until the round is over.

The second game is called Adjective Adventure.  Again, the words are mostly above what a typical first grader can read.  This game will expand vocabulary and help students understand the difference between nouns and adjectives.  Play the entire game.

OPTIONAL:  Although we have not discussed verbs, your child may have fun playing the Grammar Tutorial.  For this activity, students can select a noun, adjective, and verb and see their creation come to life.  The concept of what a verb is will definitely be understood easily through this activity.

COMMENT BOX ASSIGNMENT (mandatory):  Find a noun in your house.  Name it and write it in the comment box.  Write two adjectives to describe it.  For example:

                                       noun:  ruler              adjectives:  yellow, long

Remember to include the student's first name in the box. 

HOMEWORK 10-24-12

We are learning about how addition and subtraction are related.  We have used part-part-whole charts (look on the front of previous math pamphlets to see some...they have a rectangular shape divided into two equal parts and then a small square on top to represent the whole) to show how the parts equal the whole.  Then we write addition and subtraction number sentences to match the chart.  We have also used triangular cards to do the same thing. 

To practice this skill, play Fact Family Addition and Subtraction.  Play for 5-10 minutes or until the game ends.

COMMENT BOX:  Using the numbers 8, 2, 6, write the two addition number sentences and the two subtraction number sentences that belong in that fact family.  Remember to include your child's first name.  :)

Moon Phases

We are learning about the phases of the moon.  In class we watched this and the kids loved it.  I thought you may want to check it out at home.  :)

HOMEWORK 10-18-12

This week we introduced the 'silent e' or 'bossy e' rule for long vowels.  In words with silent/bossy e, the vowel is long and says its own name, but the 'e' at the end is not heard. 

For example, the word bit becomes bite when the 'e' is added; the 'i' says its own name when the word is said.

To practice, play Make a Word.  Then do the COMMENT BOX ASSIGNMENT.  You will need the list of words that you make during the game to complete the assignment.

COMMENT BOX:  Write one sentence for each word that you made in the Make a Word activity.  Please remember to include your first name in the box.

NEW TRICK WORD PRACTICE PREZI

THIS IS NOT HOMEWORK FOR 10-17-12. FOR TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK, SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT BLOG ENTRY. IT IS ENTITLED: HOMEWORK 10-17-12. This is the new trick word practice presentation with our new trick words: says, would, other.

Trick Words on Prezi

HOMEWORK 10-17-12

In class we have been using subtraction sentences to compare two groups.  We have also learned that we can use subtraction to solve stories that involve separating groups.  Tonight you are going to practice using subtraction to solve problems.  Play SUBTRACTION on IXL until your practice time for the day has "maxed out". 

In the COMMENT BOX, solve the following word problem using a subtraction number sentence:

Frank has 10 rocks. Will has 8 rocks.  How many more rocks does Frank have?  Explain with a subtraction number sentence.

Remember to put your child's first name.

First Grade Common Core Workbook

The 2012-2013 school year is the official implementation year of the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Math.  According to the Common Core Mission Statement, the Common Core State Standards "provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy."  To find out more about what your child is expected to know, check out the Common Core State Standards Initiatives website. 

Our school adopted this curriculum last year in grades K-2.  One of the resources we are using to implement these changes is the First Grade Common Core Workbook.  It is an incredible compilation of the standards as well as activities that hone the first grade skills.  Having the materials at the touch of my hands is a time-saver.  I wanted to make sure you could access this resource as well so you could help your child in a manner similar to what we are doing in class.  You can download a free sample via this site.  Feel free to create the activities at home.  I especially like the cards that ask questions about literature.  One neat way to implement this at home would be to print them out and put them in a cute box or jar.  After reading a book with your child, select one (or more) card and use it to discuss the book you and your child just read.

Let me know what you like by leaving a comment.  :)

HOMEWORK 10-11-12

We are still working on consonant digraphs -ck, sh, th, wh, ch. It is sometimes hard for the students to decide when to use 'c' or 'k' or 'ck'. Tonight they will practice this skill. Using the presentation, have your child identify the picture, tap it, and write it in the COMMENT BOX. PLEASE remember to include your child's first name so s/he gets credit for the work.

Digraph -ck on Prezi

HOMEWORK 10-10-12

Identifying basic shapes builds the foundation for geometry.  Students should be able to identify basic shapes.  To review, play Shapes.

COMMENT BOX:  Go on a shape hunt.  Find objects near you that are examples of the following shapes:  circle, square, rectangle, triangle.  Write the name of the shape and the name of the object in the comment box.  Remember to add your first name. 

example:  circle=dish  

Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Fun Run

It was wonderful to see so many 1st graders participating in this amazing event!  PROUD OF YOU!!!!  By the way...all of you looked adorable in your pink!!!  :-)

HOMEWORK 10-4-12

Our new trick words are 'give', does', and 'want'. Tonight, practice reading all of the trick words with the Trick Word presentation. COMMENT BOX: Write one sentence for each of the new trick words: give, does, want.

Trick Words on Prezi

HOMEWORK 10-3-12

We have been learning about showing the different parts that can make up the whole in math.  For instance, if you have 10 green and yellow M&M's and 2 are green, then 8 are going to be yellow.  If 6 are green, 4 are going to be yellow.  Understanding the parts and the whole and finding the missing parts builds the foundation for algebra. 

When practicing this at home, you may want to use pennies since each side is different.  To use the pennies to practice, follow these steps to solve the following problem:

There are 8 candles on the cake.  1 is lit.  How many are not lit?  Explain.

1.  Ask your child how many candles in all.  Then have him take out that many pennies, making sure all the heads are "heads" up.
2.  Ask your child how many are lit.  Have your child flip the coins so 1 coin is "tails" up.  Explain that the coin showing "tails" represents the 1 candle that is lit.
3.  Ask your child how many are not lit.  The number of candles that are not lit is shown by the coins that are still showing "heads".  That number is 7.
4.  To explain the answer, the student can draw the coins or write a number sentence.  Some students can apply the subtraction and write 8-1=7 while others can write 1+7=8 or 7+1=8.  Whatever way they choose to show the answer, make sure s/he understands that the parts make up the whole.

This is just one method for solving these types of problems.  Your child may have developed his/her own way to find the missing addend and that is fine as long as s/he demonstrates the understanding that the parts make up the whole.  Often when solving word problems, students automatically want to add the numbers given.  In some cases that works, if the word problem is a joining story that needs the students to find the whole.  However, if given the whole and one of the parts, adding the two numbers is not going to help them find the correct answer.  If your child is having difficulty with this, help by practicing solving both types of problems so they can see the difference.

Tonight's assignment:  
1.  Play Busy Bees for 5-10 minutes.  This game has the student find the number of bees in the hive (the missing part) when told how many bees in all and shown some outside the hive.
2.  In the COMMENT BOX, solve the following 2 number sentences:

*  There are 9 birds on a fence.  2 are blue and the rest are red.  How many are red?  Explain.
*  Three birds were on the fence. 6 more landed on the fence.  How many birds in all?  Explain.

Remember to write your first name so you get credit for the homework. 

Trick Words (updated 10-1-12)

Here is a presentation with all of the trick words from Kindergarten as well as the words we have added this year.

Trick Words on Prezi

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.