This week we practiced short e. We created the word families -et, -en, and -ed with the weekly words. Students also learned a new game called Sparkle. Sparkle is a fun way for our class to practice spelling!
How to play Sparkle
Our class stands in a circle. One student says the first letter of the word, the second student gives the second letter of the word, etc., until the word is complete. After the last letter of the weekly word is given, the next student in line reads the weekly word. If the word is correct, the following student says, " Sparkle " and the student standing by him/her has to sit down. The game continues around the circle until one student is left standing.
Example:
Student 1 - t
Student 2 - h
Student 3 - e
Student 4 - y
Student 5 - they
Student 6 - Sparkle!
Student 7 - sits down
We also practiced singular and plural nouns during Grammar this week and students participated in a sorting activity.
Reading
During Reading this week we continued learning about how readers build good habits.
Students practiced building stamina by following our Read to Self checklist.
Read to Self
"I'm focused! I'm building stamina!"
- Eyes on own book
- Read whole time
- Stay in smart spot
- Read quietly to yourself
- If you are done, get another book quickly
We learned that sometimes when we're reading, we get distracted. Students practiced rereading to stay focused. When they were distracted, I asked them to reread the last page they were on to help them remember what they had read.
Students also practiced reading in a storyteller voice to better understand the books we read. I modeled reading a book in a slow, monotone voice and a fast voice. We talked about how we need to find a good speed to read (not too slow, not too fast) and read with expression.
This week our class learned how to work with a writing partner.
Listen
A writing partner listens as you read your writing.
Ask
A writing partner asks questions about your writing.
Talk
A writing partner talks to you about your writing.
Students practiced journal writing, then worked with a writing partner to make their writing better. Many students added more details to their writing after their partner asked them questions.
Our focus during Math is addition. Our class is learning how to write and solve addition sentences, make addition stories, and solve real-world addition problems. Students are continuing to practice using number lines, ten frames and counters, and connecting cubes to help them solve addition problems.
We have completed our first unit in Science. Our class has learned that scientists use their senses to observe. This week I hid 10 different items inside 10 separate brown bags. Using sensory words, I described each item to the class (how it looks, smells, feels, tastes, and sounds). Students practiced listening to the sensory clues and guessing what was inside each bag. If a guess was incorrect, students had to justify alternative choices and explain why they thought something different was inside. We also reviewed the steps scientist follow during an investigation.
During Social Studies we learned about leaders and government. Students discussed what a leader is, what they do, and who can be a leader at home, at school, and in the community.
Leader - A leader helps people decide what to do. Leaders can make rules. They make sure we follow rules, too.
We also talked about what might happen if no one was in charge. We learned that a government is made up of citizens that work together and make rules and laws so citizens have good places to live.
Field Trip
Next Thursday, October 12th G1 students will go on their first field trip. We will walk to the fire station to learn about a group of leaders in our community that help keep people safe: firefighters.
Eco Patrol
This week G1 students went to campus to practice being good citizens. They picked up trash to help keep our community clean!