Jan 13-17

 Dear Families and Friends,

Have your children been telling you exciting things about elements of fairy tales, telling time, and bodies of water? If not, please ask about these fun things that we’ve been learning about in our second semester of 1^st Grade! Please also be looking for your child’s report card with the Tuesday Folder. The report card will be taken out of the envelope and read, then the envelope signed and returned with your child the following morning. I do not need the report card returned, only the envelope.

More exciting news… we will have a student teacher joining us for the next several weeks. I have not met her yet, but wanted to be sure to let you know about her before your little one comes home and starts talking about this person who is watching us in our room all day. J

She will be writing a letter to introduce herself to you all. You should be receiving that by next Tuesday.

READING

We will continue our unit on Fairy Tales! We've discussed the Elements of a Fairy Tale and how magic is a main theme in these stories. Last week we read Cinderella and discussed the characters, the setting, the problem and the solution.  This week we will read another Fairy Tale and also learn about Fractured Fairy Tales. Fractured Fairy tales are stories that are based on Fairy tales but they have different setting, different plot, or different endings. As we read different fractured Fairy Tales we will discuss how they are different or the same.

WRITING

As we learn about the elements of fairy tales and learn that all stories have characters, setting (where the story takes place), and a problem, we will learn to write our own stories with these elements.  

MATH

In math we will work on comparing and ordering whole numbers to 120.  we will use place value to compare numbers.  We will also learn about the relative position and magnitude of whole numbers to order numbers on open number lines.  We will generate numbers that are 10 more or 10 less than a given number to 120. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

This week in science we will learn about weather. Weather is what is happening in the atmosphere at a certain time.  temperature, wind and precipitation are all parts of weather.  There would be no weather without the sun.  The sun's heat causes clouds, winds, and precipitation to form.

7 Habits of highly Effective Kids

We have already discussed the first two habits:

1.  Be proactive: I have a "Can Do" attitude.  I choose my actions, attitudes and moods.  I don't blame others.  I do the right thing without being asked, even if nobody is looking.

2. Begin with the end in mind: I plan ahead and set goals.  I do things that have meaning and make a difference.  I am an important part of my school.  I look for ways to be a good citizen.

3.  Put first things first: I spend my time on things that are most important.  This means, I say no to things I should not do.  I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan.  I am organized.

4.  Think Win-Win: We will learn how we can balance the courage of getting what we want with the consideration of what others want.

5. This week we will learn a new habit, Habit #5:  Seek first to understand, then to be understood.  I listen to others without interrupting.  I try to see things from their viewpoint.  I am confident in voicing my own ideas.

REMINDERS

Tuesday: Folders along with report cards for the second nine weeks come home.  Please sign both the report card envelope and the Tuesday folder and return the next day.

Thursday is Library Day - All library books are due on Friday at 8 am.

January 20:  Martin Luther King Day.  Holiday!

January 22:  International Festival

January 30:  Science Fair 

THANK YOU!

Thank you for filling the folders, donating to our treasure box and being willing to help in the classroom or outside the classroom. Your helping hands and hearts are greatly appreciated!