First Grade News November 3, 2014

Curriculum Highlights

Math problem solving explaining thinking
Writing - the 6 traits ideas, audience + purpose
Word Study - Long a - ai
Reading - fluency and expression
Science weather
Middle school visit readers theatre performance

Reminders
October 31 Halloween Dress-Up Day (please no weapons and remember if
your child chooses to dress up they will be in costume the whole day so need
to be able to independently go to the bathroom, play in the playground etc)
November 4 International Fest T-shirt Day
November 7 Terry Fox Day, 10:05 10:50am.

News From Ms. Tindalls Class

We have covered quite a few word study concepts in class. Word study is about
finding patterns amongst words and hypothesizing and testing out rules that might
help us to spell other words. You can help at home by making connections to words
that you see in the environment. EG, Listen, this word has the long a sound, it uses
ay, or Look! Theres the word they, its on your personal spelling list, or the
and thing both start with th. Help your child to look for patterns in words. The
more kids learn to compare, analyze and notice similarities and differences in words,
the better able they will be when faced with new words. For example, some
possibilities for observations may be: these words all have the long a sound; plane
and plate both start with pl; helpful and helping have the same base word; cake,
take, lake and make rhyme; all of these words end with a single, silent e; hear and
ear are connected by meaning and spelling.

In partnership, Ms. Tindall
















Monday Reading: Look at the fluency and expression checklist at the end of this
newsletter. What clues do you see in your reading books to guide your fluency and
expression? Reread your book focusing on fluency and expression.
Math: Play shop. Label some items in your room with prices. Play paying for the items
using the correct amount of coins or getting change if need be.
Tuesday Reading: Repeat Mondays suggestion.
Math: Practice skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. Using a number grid, try skip counting by
3s and 4s.
Wednesday Reading: Repeat Mondays suggestion.
Math: Write yourself 5 addition and 5 subtraction problems. Use a number line or grid to
solve them.
Thursday Reading: Repeat Mondays suggestion.
Word Study: Search for words with the long a sound in your reading books. What are
some different ways you find to write the long a sound?
Friday Reading
Poem Collection: Recite poems to friends and family. Use your best fluency and
expression, and presentation skills to wow them. Return the poem collection to school on
Monday.



Created by Monica Tindall
Wow Poetry Recital!
Loud, clear voice
Words clearly pronounced
Expression

Medium speed
Sometimes fast or slow if
appropriate for the poem
Rhythm

Eyes on audience
Facial expression
Hand actions

Say title
Knows poem by memory