Mittens, Mittens, Mittens

First grade students have been reading and comparing the two Mitten books:
The Mitten by Alvin Tresslet and The Mitten by Jan Brett.
Both books have a little boy who looses a mitten in the snow and animals that decide to get warm by climbing inside. The books differ by the kinds of animals and the way the mitten is made.
We enjoyed reading, discussing and thinking about the story last week.

In addition, we read the Missing Mitten Mystery by Steven Kellogg. We imagined what a mitten could be for the forest animals. Some ideas were a nest for a bird, a sleeping bag for a mole, or a blanket for a mouse.

In addition the main character imagines that mittens can be planted and grown on trees!

This led to a discussion on which is best:
gloves verses mittens.

Math Progression Video

 Here is a video from Math Guru, Graham Fletcher, that help  explain Math Progression Understanding.


Progression of Addition and Subtraction

Measuring Length and Height

In this chapter, your child will learn about length and height. Some of the skills your child will practice are:
1. Comparing lengths using the terms tall/taller, short/shorter, long/longer and longest, shortest, tallest
2. Using a common starting point
3. measuring lengths using non-standard units (paper clips, shoes, mittens, etc)

Holiday Sing

Standing room only for the Captain Annual Holiday Sing.

Singing  Mambo Santa

Singing. "I'm a little Cookie"

Holding hands as they sing. So cute.

Kindergarten

Captain's Chorus is open to 3rd through 5th grade students.

Winter Read-In

The kids loved wearing Pajamas and reading with the adults that came to our class. Thank you all for the Winter Holiday gift to Target. I really appreciate it.
Special Thanks to Angela Liebermann for getting our Scholastic book order to our classroom just in time for the holidays.

Gingerbread Men

Last week and this week we are reading about the folktale, The Gingerbread Man. We will be read many different versions looking for similarities and differences. Then we will make gingerbread to put on the refrigerator.

by Karen Schmidt

by Jan Brett

by Jan Brett

by Lisa Campbell Ernst

November News

November News 2018

Reading: We started our new unit NonFiction. Children will study word solving, vocabulary, comprehension,  and fluency. We will use partners that taps into the  social power of peers working together to help each other become more strategic readers and talk about books. We will learn all the parts of nonfiction: table of contents, captions, index, and glossary. Students will learn that readers can start anywhere in the book unlike fiction books that have to start in the beginning. Students will continue to read just-right fiction books to increase their stamina in reading.

Writing: We start our new unit: Nonfiction Reports, All About The students will write all about a topic and include many features of nonfiction books. They will learn to include captions on pictures, a table of contents and/or a glossary. Everyday, students are sharing their writing with their partner to make sure it is readable. We have been working on spelling words that are "no-excuses". These are words must be spelled correctly. We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished short vowels: a, o, u i and just started e.

Math:  We Started Ch. 8- Addition and Subtraction to 20. We will many strategies to add to 20. They include:
1. putting the two numbers together. 7+5= 12
2. Making a 10 and then adding. 9+4 is the same as 10+3
3. Adding on starting with the bigger number. 12 +3. Say 12 and count on 3 more to get 15.
4. Knowing Doubles, 3+3
5. Knowing Neighbors, since 3+3 = 6 then 3+4 = 7
These are just strategies to help them know their math facts fluently. The goal is be able to add and subtract up to 20 in their head. Being able to see the numbers in their head and manipulate them to get the answer they need will help them later with word problems. Computer math sites that reinforce these skills are:

www.gregtangmath.com
https://www.prodigygame.com/

Social Studies: We spent time before Thanksgiving learning about the Pilgrims. We learned that 100 Pilgrims came to America, but only 40 survived the winter. Most of these were children. We talked about why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. Many of our activities focused on how hard the Pilgrims had coming to this country and we tied it to how hard immigrants have coming to a new place. Currently we are learning about Maps and Globes. So far...students know: map key, compass rose and how to make and read a map. We will focus on globes next.
Looking Ahead:

Early Release: Friday, Dec 7th and Dec 21st. 

Winter Holiday Sing: Thursday, December 20 at 2 p.m.

Winter Holiday Party: Friday, December 21, Early Release day
                                       Kids wear PJs to school, bring a blanket and pillow.
                                      All school Read-in. starting at 9:30 a.m
 Winter Break- No School- Dec 22 through January 2rnd. School Resumes January 3rd

Scholastic Book Orders will be coming home. Orders are due: Friday, Dec. 7 th.

If you order, there are 2 ways to pay:
A) Return order sheet and a check made out to Scholastic.
B) Online order with your credit card.
1. go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
2. use my class activation code: fmr3g
3. shop and pay.