Fundations (Phonics)
In our Fundations program (phonics) we explored the consonant and vowel sound cards. We explored two letters each day. We practiced the letter sound, practiced writing the letter correctly (uppercase and lowercase) on our white boards, and added words to our word wall
Check out the video below to learn the sound cards for Fundations!
Writing
We became expert journal writers this month! At first the children wrote a few sentences, but now most children are writing pages! In our journals we write about ourselves and our lives. We made a poster to use in case we have writer's block and that seems to be very helpful. Also, the collages that were sent in from home will be very helpful, too. Thank you!
We began our unit on Small Moments this month which focuses on writing personal narratives. A personal narrative is something real and true that has happened in your life. The children brainstormed and mapped out events that have happened to them. We discussed that the events don't also have to be happy, that people write stories about all different emotions.
After brainstorming the ideas, each child chose one idea to stretch into a story. This is the beginning of the writing process and the class did a wonderful job! After writing, each child illustrated his/her story. As the year progresses, we will complete the entire writing process, by editing/revising and finally publishing our stories!
Reader's Workshop
We completed our baseline reading assessments this month and have leveled each child using the IRLA reading program. We began our Reader's Workshop centers and getting into the swing of how the centers work. It's VERY EXCITING!!
We are using Daily 5 during our workshop. This is where children engage in small group or individual activities while I am meeting with a small reading group. This is an opportunity for me to really understand your child as a reader and give them the support to grow.
Social Studies
We complered our unit on Laws, Rules ,and Fairness this month. We generated rules for our classroom and also rules for our daily Morning Meeting. We also began discussing communities and all the different communities we are a part of. We really focused on building our own classroom community! We also discussed what makes a helpful citizen in a community and brainstormed the characteristics of a good citizen.
Math Workshop
Our unit focus this month was on adding, subtraction, and working with data. We began instruction with a whole grooup, but are transitioning to a small group, workshop model. We explored sums, counted and added and wrote expressions that were translated from dot dice. One of the ways we practice our skills and become repsonsible for our learning is through the use of math games. They are a HUGE part of being a math learner. Each month I will list the games we have played and hopefully be able to add a support video to show you how to play at least one! This current unit will be continued into October.
Monthly Games:
Top-It
Low-It
Race to One Hundred
Race to Ten
Number Line Sequence Battle
Check it Off
5 in a Row
Mrs. Menchu - First Grade Teacher
Email: kmenchu@ltps.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/mrs-menchu-reads/home
Location: Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
Phone: (609) 671-5540 (4122)
Twitter: @kimkatmenchu