Upcoming Important Dates

Tuesday, November 4th - Election Day, NO SCHOOL for students
Tuesday, November 11th - Veteran's Day, NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 12th - Evening PTC
Thursday, November 13th - 1/2 Day for Students (11:30 dismissal); Afternoon PTC
Friday, November 21st - Family Share
Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th - Thanksgiving Recess

Equivalent Expressions

In math, the first graders have been thinking about equivalent equations. We now know that equations (or number sentences) can go in many different ways. Here are some examples: 6+4=10, 4+6=10, 10=6+4, and 10=4+6. At first, our students were confused by seeing the total as the first number in the equation, but now we understand that it makes sense!

First graders have also been thinking about balanced equations. For example, we know that 4+6=5+5 or that 5+5=7+3. Test your child at home by asking if an equation is true or false! Or, have your child fill in the missing number of an equation! Here are some examples...

True or False

3 + 3 = 5 + 1

7 + 3 = 4 + 6

2 + 7 = 5 + 7


___ + 8 = 3 + 5

9 + 1 = 8 + ___

2 + ___ = 6 + 5

A Sentence Study

Our next writing unit is entitled "A Sentence Study." After attending a brilliant writing PD for teachers last week, we were inspired to do a study around the mechanics of writing. So, after looking carefully at our students' work, we decided to focus on sentences.

Goals for this unit include:
Learning to capitalize the first letter of a sentence.
Learning to to end sentences with a period, exclamation point, or a question mark.

Learning to use commas to separate single words in a series.

Learning to produce simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences

The best part about this unit is that the first graders get to write within any genre of their choice! Some of us are writing fairy tales, while others are mysteries or personal narratives! Our writing workshop is buzzing with excitement!

We look forward to continuing our study of sentences!

Air & Weather

Today we launched our science unit "Air & Weather" with an inquiry based lesson focused on the question: What can air do?  Students used straws, feathers, cotton balls, and balloons to explore.  After our investigation, we learned that air can: (1) move things (2) be felt (3) pull or push (4) be hot or cold (5) make sounds and (6) fill up space.  Our scientists took their materials home so the fun with air exploration can continue!

sucking in air pulls the feather
and cotton ball to the straw

air fills up space in this balloon

blowing air through the straw
pushes the feather across the table

sucking in air makes the cotton ball
stick to the straw

Harvest Festival

Family Share

Just a friendly reminder our Family Share is this Friday, October 24th from 8:45 - 9:30! Looking forward to seeing you all there. :)

Library Books

Today, most first graders returned their library books and checked out a new one.  So many of our first graders are obsessed with the DK Eyewitness Book Series! Remember to return library books every Thursday!

The Neighborhood Study

Today we launched our social studies unit - the neighborhood study. Students began by responding to the prompt: "Write and draw about what you see in your neighborhood." After the writing assignment, we started reading the book, "A Walk in New York" by Salvatore Rubbino.  

the first graders love this book!

There's lots more to follow in our exciting new study.  Tomorrow, we are going on a neighborhood walk with James to observe places and buildings in our neighborhood.  Soon, the first graders will also have their first "how to draw" lesson around cityscapes. We will use the book "Make a World" by Ed Emberley to learn how to use simple shapes to make a city skyline.

This is just the beginning of our exciting work around our neighborhood! We are so excited to continue our study!

A Note from our Music Teacher, Stephanie

Dear Families,

Our first graders are very excited to share a short song at Monday's School Wide Morning Meeting.  Our SWMM on Monday 10/20 starts at 8:50am.  We would love for you to attend!  The first graders will be sitting on stage for the entire meeting, so you will not be able to sit with your child during next week's meeting.  We hope to see you there!

Thank you,
Stephanie Nantell
Music Teacher

Three Day Weekend

Enjoy the 3 day weekend and see you on Tuesday!

Reading in Sauer Park

Today the first graders spent some time in Sauer Park.  First we read books from our book baggies, and then played, enjoying the beautiful weather! Check shutterfly soon for pictures of our lovely afternoon :)

Upcoming Important Dates

Monday, October 13 -  
No school in observance of Columbus Day

Saturday, October 25 - Fall Ball

Tuesday, November 4 - Election Day (No school for students)

Tuesday, November 11 -  
No school in observance of Veteran’s Day

Wednesday, November 12 - Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, November 13 - 
Afternoon Parent/Teacher Conferences 
(Half-Day for students)

Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28 - Thanksgiving Recess (Schools closed)

Library Contracts

We visited the school library on Thursday and all first graders had a blast looking at books!  In your child's purple you will find a library contract.  Please send sign and send the contact back to school ASAP so your child can begin taking library books home! Thanks for your help.

Nothing beats reading with friends

Self Control

Some of you may have heard about Titi and Toto, our self-control stuffed turtles.  In our classroom, first graders are thinking a lot about self control.  It's something we can always work on - even as adults! The first graders know self control means having control over their bodies and minds.  Like a turtle, we are practicing moving slowly and thinking BEFORE doing.

Our refill station is a place first graders go to REGAIN self control.  Some strategies first graders use to calm down and refocus are: (1) count to 10; (2) think of something happy; (3) take deep breaths.

Titi and Toto love sitting with first graders showing
 self control on the rug or at their tables.