EL Module 1

Dear Family, 

During Unit 1 of this module, your student will look at different aspects of tools and work. By the end of the module, students will be able to participate in a discussion around the module guiding question: “What do we need to make magnificent things?” I am writing today to explain what your student will be learning, describe the activities that will support this learning, and suggest how to support this learning at home. 

What will your student be learning? 

Students will begin to study the topic of tools and work with a focus on learning about tools and the jobs they do. The learning will be focused on these ideas: 

• Tools make our lives easier by helping us do work. 

• There are different types of tools for different types of work Students will also practice these reading foundation skills: 

• Identify and write the sound for most consonants and vowels 

• Segment (break apart) the individual sounds of spoken, one-syllable words, and blend them back together 

• Decode (read) and encode (write) regularly spelled, one-syllable words 

• How will your student be learning?

Throughout the unit, your student will read, think, listen, talk, write, and ask questions about the topic of why we need tools. Students will participate in these activities, among others, to build their literacy skills: 

• Listening to read-alouds of a variety of texts about tools

• “Tool Challenges” to decide which tool is best for a job 

• Singing songs about tools 

• Engaging in conversations with classmates 

• Working with tools to practice and try them out 

• Writing and drawing about why we need tools 

What can you do to support your student’s learning at home? 

Here are a few activities that you can do at home with your student to support his or her learning: 

• Ask your student to talk with you about this question: Why do we need tools? 

• Read books and sing songs about tools from home or at the library.

• Identify different types of tools around your home, explain the job they do, and help your student learn how to use them. 

What can you do to support your student’s learning at home? 

Here are a few activities that you can do at home with your student to support his or her learning: 

• Ask your student to talk with you about this question: Why do we need tools?

• Read books and sing songs about tools from home or at the library.

• Identify different types of tools around your home, explain the job they do, and help your student learn how to use them. 

• Encourage your student to read to you every night.

• Practice reading and spelling regularly the Letterland weekly unit. 

  • Focus on the weekly patterns.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss your student’s learning. 

Sincerely, 

The First Grade Team

Dear Family, 

During Unit 2 of this module, your student will continue to look at different aspects of tools and work. By the end of the module, students will be able to participate in a discussion around the module guiding question: “What do we need to make magnificent things?” I am writing today to explain what your student will be learning, describe the activities that will support this learning, and suggest how to support this learning at home. 

What will your student be learning? 

Students will begin to study “habits of character”—a different kind of tool that comes from inside to help us get work done. Students will learn about initiative (asking questions and taking action), collaboration (listening to others’ ideas and working together nicely) and perseverance (continuing to try even when something is hard). The learning will be focused on these ideas: 

• Habits of character are behaviors that everyone can use to learn and do work 

• People show initiative, collaboration, and perseverance through their words and actions. 

Students will also practice these reading foundation skills:

• Identify and write the sound for most consonants and vowels

• Segment (break apart) the individual sounds of spoken, one-syllable words, and blend them back together

• Decode (read) and encode (write) regularly spelled, one-syllable words 

How will your student be learning? 

Throughout the unit, your student will read, think, listen, talk, write, and ask questions about habits of character. Students will participate in these activities, among others, to build their literacy skills: 

• Listening to the books The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires and The Little Red Pen by Janet Stevens and Susan Crummel Stevens being read aloud 

• Practice using habits of character as they engage in a set of group challenges 

What can you do to support your student at home? 

Here are a few activities that you can do at home with your student to support his or her learning: 

• Ask your student to talk with you about the following question: How do habits of character help you do work? 

• Tell a story to your student about a time you showed initiative, perseverance, or collaboration.

• Encourage your student to read to you every night.

• Practice reading and spelling regularly the Letterland weekly unit. 

  • Focus on the weekly patterns.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss your student’s learning. 

Sincerely, 

The First Grade Team

Dear Family, 

During the last unit of this module, your student will apply his or her knowledge of tools and work to create magnificent things, write about them, and participate in a discussion around the module guiding question: “What do we need to make magnificent things?” 

What will your student be learning? 

Students will conclude their study of the topic of tools and work by making an item for the classroom. Their learning will be focused on the ideas below. Students will need to work with a team to complete their project before jumping into learning how to write about their experience. 

• People use tools and habits of character to do work. 

• People can communicate their work through writing. Students will also practice these reading foundation skills: 

• Identify and write the sound for most consonants and vowels 

• Segment (break apart) the individual sounds of spoken, one-syllable words, and blend them back together 

• Decode (read) and encode (write) regularly spelled, one-syllable words 

How will your student be learning? 

Throughout the unit, your student will read, think, listen, talk, write, and ask questions about habits of character. Students will participate in these activities, among others, to build their literacy skills: 

• Working with a small group to plan, create, and revise their magnificent thing for the classroom 

• Practicing using habits of character as they engage in small groups 

• Engaging in reflective conversations with classmates 

• Writing about their magnificent things 

What can you do to support your student at home?

•  Ask your student to talk with you about the following question: How are you creating your magnificent thing for the classroom? 

• Invite your student to name the tools and habits of character being used during work around the house (e.g., cooking, cleaning, fixing). 

• Encourage your student to read to you every night.

• Practice reading and spelling regularly the Letterland weekly unit. 

  • Focus on the weekly patterns.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss your student’s learning. 

Sincerely, 

The First Grade Team