Week of May 6, 2024-May 10, 2014

Good Morning,

Please mark your calendar for Friday, June 14 at 2:30. We will celebrate the end of first grade with a family snack picnic while we recognize the accomplishments of the children. 

Reminder that all Scholastic book orders are due by Wednesday, May 15th.This is our last book order of the school year so you may want to start thinking about summer reading books.

We will be starting a new module in math. You will find the end of module assessment in this week's folder from Module 5. You will also find the home practice book in this week's folder. This can be used for reference, practice, or review at your discretion. 

This week's sharing is something you like to listen to.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 5/14 - PTO Meeting in Houghton Library at 7:00

Wednesday 5/15 - Half day for students 12:40 dismissal time

This Week's Learning:

Writing/Grammar: Pronouns

• Object pronouns

• Subject pronouns

• Possessive pronouns

Reading: Text with poetry elements and poetic language

Writing: Poetry

Math: Module 6 Attributes of Shapes · Advancing Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction

• Lesson 1: Name two-dimensional shapes based on their sides

• Lesson 2: Sort and name two-dimensional shapes based on their attributes

• Lesson 3: Draw two-dimensional shapes and their defining attributes

• Lesson 4: Name solid shapes and describe their attributes 

• Lesson 5: Reason about the functionality of three-dimensional shapes based on their attributes

Science/S.S.: Sound

• What is sound energy, sound waves, the ear and sounds, vibrations

Week of April 29, 2024-May 3, 2024

Hello Families,

I cannot believe how quickly our school year is flying by. We have a lot to accomplish as we enter these final phases of first grade.

Please mark your calendar for Friday, June 14 at 2:30. We will celebrate the end of first grade with a family snack picnic while we recognize the accomplishments of the children. 

Book order forms will be included in the Monday folder. All orders are due by Wednesday, May 15th.This is our last book order of the school year so you may want to start thinking about summer reading books.

Sharing this week is free choice!

Important Dates:

Tuesday 5/14 - PTO Meeting in Houghton Library at 7:00

Wednesday 5/15 - Half day for students 12:40 dismissal time

This Week's Learning:

Phonics: R-controlled vowels

• Words spelled with -ur as in curl, fur, turn

• Review r-controlled vowels

• Unit 5 dictation

Writing/Grammar - Contractions

Reading: Fiction/Non-fiction

Math: Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 24: Decompose an addend to make the next ten

• Lesson 25: Compare equivalent expressions used to solve two-digit addition equations

• Review of Module 5

• Module 5 Assessment

Science/S.S.: Light

• What is light?, how does light travel, sources of light, natural/artificial light

Week of April 22, 2024-April 26, 2024

Hello First Grade Families,

I hope everyone was able to enjoy vacation. We now begin our final journey to the end of first grade. In just 9 short weeks you will have a second grader!

At this point, you should have already accessed your child's report card on Powerschool. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. I am happy to set up a time to discuss.

Quarter 4 Specials are as follows, Monday - Music, Tuesday - Gym, Wednesday - Music, Thursday - Gym, Friday - Art.

This week's sharing is something you did over vacation. It can be a drawing, photo, souvenir, or anything that represents something you did.

This Week's Learning:

Phonics - R-controlled vowels

• Words spelled with -er as in fern, herd, germ

• Words spelled with -ir as in bird, twirl, firm

Grammar -Suffix -ing

• -ing used for present tense 

• Review suffixes -s, -es, -ed, ing

Reading - The Natural World Around Us

Math: Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 19: Add tens to a two-digit number

• Lesson 20: Add ones and multiples of ten to any number

• Lesson 21: Use varied strategies to add 2-digit addends

• Lesson 22: Decompose both addends and add like units

• Lesson 23: Decompose an addend and add tens first

Science/Social Studies -

• Earth Day

• Signs of Spring, Seasonal changes

Week of April 8, 2024-April 12, 2014

Hello First Grade Families,

Thursday's snow day was a surprise. I will make adjustments to this week's schedule to accommodate the missed day. Please note the upcoming events for the week:

Tuesday and Wednesday Specials change to 10:00 AM

Thursday Specials change to 10:50 AM

This weeks share is something pastel colored.

Important Dates:

Monday 4/8 - Rescheduled Marionettes Show (PTO Sponsored Enrichment)

Tuesday 4/9 - RED SOX Day, PTO Meeting at 7:00 Houghton Library

Friday 4/12 - Report Cards visible on PowerSchool

4/15-4/19 - No School - Spring Break

This Week's Learning:

Phonics: R-controlled vowels

• Words spelled with -ar as in star, mart, car

• Words spelled with -or as in fort, storm, corn

Grammar: Suffix -ed

• -Ed is used for past tense

• Three sounds of -ed (/t/ like jumped, /d/ like grabbed, and /id/ like trusted)

Math: Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 15 Count on and back by tens to add and subtract

• Lesson 16 Use related single-digit facts to add and subtract multiples of ten

• Lesson 17 Use tens to find an unknown part

• Lesson 18 Determine if number sentences involving addition and subtraction are true or false

Science/Social Studies- 

• Eclipse 

• Natural and Man-made Resources

• Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Have a great week! Please reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Week of April 1, 2024-April 5, 2024

Happy April,

Believe it or not, as of Friday, we have just 50 days of first grade left. Quarter 3 will come to a close this Friday with report cards becoming available on Friday, April 12. 

Due to MCAS testing in grades 3, first grade specials will be in the morning on April 3rd and 4th. While this change in schedule is usually not an issue, some children will have some difficulty with this change in routine. Our afternoon will be long on those days and could affect your child. This will happen next week on April 9th and 10th as well and then again in May. I will keep you informed of those dates.

Sharing this week is something funny or makes you laugh.

Important Dates:

Monday 4/8 - Rescheduled Marionette Show

Tuesday 4/9 - PTO Meeting in Library at 7:00 PM

4/15-4/19 - Spring Break

This Week's Learning:

Phonics: 

• -all, -oll, -ull

• -nk, -ng

Reading: Nicola Davies animal books and author study

Grammar: Commas in a list, -ing suffix

Math: Module 5 Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 11: Add the ones to make the next ten

• Lesson 12: Decompose an addend to make the next ten

• Lesson 13: Reason about related problems that make the next ten

• Lesson 14: Determine which equation makes the next ten

• Lesson 15: Count on and back by tens to add and subtract

Science/Social Studies- Animal needs, animal parents and their babies, animal traits 

Have a great week!

Week of March 25, 2024-March 29, 2024

Hello,

Thank you again for your support of the PTO sponsored book fair and Houghton's Literacy Night. They were both very successful events for our school thanks to you. Also, I greatly appreciate all the book donations to our classroom library.

Somehow March is already coming to an end. That brings us nearer to the end of quarter 3. Quarter 3 ends on April 5th with report cards becoming available via power school on April 12th. I will be spending some of our academic time updating your child's high frequency word knowledge and reading level, along with check-ins on some of the other skills that will be reported on.

Thursday is Red Sox Day at Houghton to celebrate opening day at Fenway Park. Wear your Red Sox attire or your favorite team wear.

Friday is Houghton Spirit Day. Wear your Houghton gear or blue and white.

Sharing this week is free choice.

Important Dates:

Monday 3/25 - PTO Enrichment Tanglewood Marionettes

Wednesday 3/27 - Half Day for Students (12:40 Dismissal)

Thursday 3/28 - Sterling Fire Department Fire Safety

Friday 3/29 - Community Reader Day and Spring Centers

This Week's Learning:

Phonics:

• Ending blends -sk  -st  -sp

• Ending blends -pt  -ct  -xt  -lm

Writing:

• Choose a How To topic

• How To writing piece

Math: Module 5 Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 7: Use place value reasoning to compare 2 two-digit numbers

• Lesson 8: Comparing two digit numbers

• Lesson 9: Comparing two digit numbers to make them equal

• Lesson 10: Adding a one digit number to a two digit number by adding the ones first

Science: Life Cycle of a Chick

Have a great week!

Week of March 18, 2024-March 22, 2024

HAPPY SPRING!

Our annual book fair will be in full swing this week. Information was sent home last week. We will visit the book fair to make purchases on Wednesday morning at 11:00. You are welcome to join your child, but it is not necessary. There will be several PTO volunteers on hand to assist. Literacy Night is scheduled for Thursday, March 21 from 5:30-7:30. You can come anytime to shop with your child. There will also be book readings, carnival games, and a magician. It should be a fun family event. I hope to see many of you there.  

This week's sharing is something that reminds you of spring. It can be a spring color, sport, clothing, nature item, book, etc.

Have a great Week!

Important Dates:

Tuesday 3/19 - First Day of Spring

Wednesday 3/20 - Class Purchase Day at Book Fair

Thursday 3/21 - Literacy Night

This Week's Learning:

Phonics -

• Ending blends -lf, -lt, -lk 

• Ending blends -mp, -nt, -nd

• Ending blends -sk  -st  -sp

Reading - Fiction and nonfiction books about wind 

Writing -

• How To writing uses sequence words (first, next, then, after, last)

• Writing the steps of “how to”

Math - Place Value Concepts to Compare, Add, and Subtract

• Lesson 3: Recognize the place value of digits in a two-digit number

• Lesson 4: Represent numbers multiple ways by trading 10 ones for a ten

• Lesson 5: Reason about equivalent representations of a number

• Lesson 6: Add 10 or take 10 from a two-digit number

Science/S.S. - 

• Wind is moving air, Wind moves in different directions

• First day of spring, Seasonal changes

Week of March 11, 2024-March 15, 2024

Hi Parents,

We enjoyed celebrating Read Across America Week last week with our Dr. Seuss themed spirit week.  

Setup for our annual book fair begins this week. The kids are very excited for it. More information will come home tomorrow. Our class is scheduled to preview the books and make a wish list this Friday, March 15th at 11:00 and our shopping day is Wednesday, March 20th at 11:00. You are welcome to join your child for either day, but it is not necessary. There will be several PTO volunteers on hand to assist. Literacy Night is scheduled for Thursday, March 21st from 5:30-7:30. There will be book readings, carnival games, a bookmark craft, and the opportunity to shop the book fair.  

Sharing this week is something you are lucky to have.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 3/12 - Mrs. Miller will be out for Professional Development

Tuesday 3/12 - PTO Meeting at Houghton Library 7:00pm

Friday 3/15 - Book Fair Preview 11:00am

Wednesday 3/20 - Book Fair Purchase

Thursday 3/21 - Houghton School Literacy Night 5:30-7:30

This Week's Learning:

Phonics:

• Ending blends -ft, -ld, -lp (lift, weld, help)

• Ending blends -lf, -lt, -lk (shelf, belt, milk)

Grammar:

• Suffix -es

• Suffix -s vs. -es

• Using apostrophe 's to show possession 

Writing: How To 

• How To books are written to teach people how to do something

• How To writing uses sequence words (first, next, then, after, last)

• How to writers write about things they are an expert at

Math: Completing Module 4 +Beginning Module 5

• Lesson 13: Find the unknown shorter length

• Module 4 Review/Assessment

• Lesson 1: Tell time to the hour and half hour using digital and analog clocks

• Lesson 2: Count a collection and record the total using tens and ones

Science/S.S.: Maps/Globes, St. Patrick's Day

• Maps and map keys

• Types of maps

• History of St. Patrick's Day

Have a great week!

Week of March 4, 2024-March 8, 2024

Hello,

As the saying goes, In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb, it will be interesting to see how the month of March plays out. 

Houghton's annual Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for March 18- 22. All students will have the opportunity to browse the book fair and create a wish list. followed by a purchase day where they will make their purchases. Literacy Night will also be held that week. More information and specific dates and times will be forthcoming.

Monday 3/4 - Fox In Socks

Wednesday 3/6 - Wacky Wednesday

Thursday 3/7 - Green Eggs and Ham

Friday 3/8 - Cat in the Hat

Sharing this week is something green.

Have a wonderful week!

Important Dates:

Tuesday 3/5 - No School - Professional Development for Teachers

Monday 3/11 - Book Orders Due

This Week's Learning:

Grammar:

• Antonyms

• Synonyms vs. Antonyms

• Singular vs. Plural

• Suffix -s

Writing:

• Responding to text

Reading: Read Across America Week

• Dr. Seuss Author Study

Math: Module 4 Comparison and Composition of Length Measurement

• Lesson 9  Represent total length as tens and ones

• Lesson 10 Compare to find how much longer

• Lesson 11 Compare to find how much shorter

• Lesson 12 Find the unknown longer length

Science/S.S.: Maps + Globes

• What is a globe? What is a map?

• Compass rose

• 7 Continents and 5 oceans

• Landforms and bodies of water- mountains, valleys, hills, islands, lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans

Week of February 26, 2024-March 1, 2024

Good Morning Parents,

I hope the winter vacation week off was enjoyed by all! We are ready to get back at it this week as we say goodbye to February and welcome in the new month of March.

This week's share is free choice.

Important Dates:

Tuesday  3/5 - Professional Day for staff; NO School for children

Tuesday 3/12 - PTO Meeting

This Week's Learning:

Grammar: Compound Words and Synonyms

Writing: 

• Sentence types- statements, questions, exclamatory

• Sentence punctuation- period, question mark, exclamation point

Math- Module 4 Comparison and Composition of Length Measurements

• Lesson 4: Measuring with centimeter cubes

• Lesson 5 :Measure and compare lengths

• Lesson 6: Measure and order lengths

• Lesson 7: Using 10 centimeter sticks and cubes to measure

• Lesson 8: Draw to represent length measurement

Science/S.S. - Presidents Day, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington

Social Emotional Learning- Social Awareness Unit

• Being kind

• Spreading kindness

• Being a "bucket filler"

Week of February 12, 2024-February 16, 2024

Hello!

We had a great time celebrating the 100th Day of School on Wednesday. We read Jake's 100th Day of School, children wrote about what they would do with $100, rolled a dice to 100, flipped a coin 100 times, all while wearing their 100th Day crowns. It was a great day to celebrate 100 days of learning, growth, fun and friendship.

PTO will meet in the library on Tuesday evening at 7:00 for their monthly meeting. All are welcome!

Our valentine exchange will take place on Wednesday. You should have received a class list. Please let me know if you need a new one.

There is no school next week, Feb. 19-23. Enjoy the winter break!

Sharing this week is something you love.

This Week's Learning:

Phonics:

• Review hard and soft sounds of C + G

• Y as a long vowel /i/ as in why, my, cry

• Unit Assessment

Reading: Biographies

Writing: Friendly Letter

Math: Module 4 Comparison and Composition of Length Measurement

• Lesson 1 Compare and order objects by lengths

• Lesson 2 Reason to order and compare heights

• Lesson 3 Compare and order object indirectly by using a third object

Science/Social Studies- Black History Month, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day

• What is a leader?

• The Presidents

Week of February 5, 2024-February 9, 2024

Hello First Grade Families,

We have an eventful week ahead of us with the beginning of Black History Month, the 100th Day of School on Wednesday and our Chinese New Year Celebration on Friday. We will also complete another phonics unit and math module. Learning has been moving full speed ahead.

Report cards were made available on Friday afternoon via Power School. I hope you had a chance to look at them. Don't forget to read the comment section, as it contains further information about your child. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns you'd like to discuss further. I am happy to set up a time to meet. 

Sharing this week is something red or pink.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 2/13 - PTO Meeting Houghton Library at 7:00 PM

2/19-2/13 - February Break

This Weeks Learning

Phonics -

• Soft c as in race, mice, place

• /s/ sound spelled s, ss, ce, ci, cy

• Soft g as in cage, rage, huge

• /j/ sound spelled j, ge, gi

• Y as long /i/ as in cry, my, why

Writing -

• What is a friendly letter

• Parts of a friendly letter- heading, greeting, body, closing, signature

• Who can you write to?

• Writing friendly letters

Math - Module 3 - Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems

• Lesson 26: Solving varied word problems

• Module 3 Review

• Module 3 Assessment

• Math Centers/Games

Science/S.S. -

• Black History Month

• Penguins

• Lunar New Year

Week of January 29, 2024-February 2, 2024

Hello First Grade Families,

Happy last weekend of January. We will welcome in the new month of February later this week. With that comes the anticipated news from Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog on whether we will have an early spring or more winter. Judging by this weekend's  weather, I'm thinking more winter. 

This week's share is free choice.

Important Dates:

Wednesday 1/31 Early release day, 12:40 dismissal

Friday 2/2 Report cards available via Power School

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics - 

• Long a_e, i_e, o_e, and u_e review words (make, scale, slide, mile, nose, smoke, rule, cute)

• Long Ee spelled e_e (Pete, these, eve)

• Long Ee vs. Short Ee

• Reading and writing long vowel words spelled v_e

Reading- Nonfiction text features

Writing- Planning, drafting and writing an opinion piece on "The Best Pet"

Math - Module 3 - Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems 

• Lesson 23: Subtract by counting on

• Lesson 24: Decompose the subtrahend to count back

• Lesson 25: Choose a strategy to make an easier problem

• Lesson 26: Pose and solve varied word problems

Social Studies- Polar Region Unit

• Antarctica and animals of Antarctica

• Groundhog Day tradition, making predictions, groundhog facts, opinion writing piece

Week of January 22, 2024-January 26, 2024

Good Morning,

I hope you are staying warm during this cold snap. It looks like the temperature will slowly rise throughout the week. The children will be glad to get back outside for recess.  

Please remember to send your child with appropriate outdoor clothing. There should be lots of snow and some great snow piles to play in. Children must have jackets, snow pants, mittens/gloves and boots to play in the snow. The structure will stay closed until there is no longer snow on the surfaces.

Sharing this week is your child's polar explorer. 

Important Dates:

Wednesday 1/31 - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:40

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics - 

• review long -a, -i, -o

• long -u spelled u_e (mule, tube, cube)

• comparing long -u and short -u 

Reading- Comparing fiction and nonfiction

Writing- 

• stating and writing opinions on books and movies

• planning, drafting and writing an opinion piece on "The Best Pet"

Math - Module 3 - Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems 

• Lesson 18: Subtract a one-digit number from a two digit number

• Lesson 19: Solving number sentences with totals in the teens

• Lesson 20: Use strategies to subtract from a teen number

• Lesson 21 + Lesson 22: Take from 10 to subtract from a teen number

Social Studies- Polar Region Unit

• Polar bear animal study

Have a great week!

Please reach out for any questions or concerns.

Week of January 16, 2024-January 19, 2024

Hello First Grade Families,

Math facts for +0 and +1 will be included in this week's folder. You will also find the math fact assessments from Friday. Please be sure to keep reviewing and working on these throughout the school year. 

On Friday, your child should have come home with the Polar Explorer project outline and directions. I look forward to seeing and displaying them next week. Please have your child bring their explorer in on or before Monday, January 22. 

Much assessing is being done in preparation for the quarter 2 progress reports that will be shared on Friday, Feb. 2. Some of these include high frequency words, math facts, STAR Early Literacy/ Reading/ Math digital assessments, BAS reading assessment, along with the regular math check-ins and phonics dictations. These results will be reflected on your child's progress report. 

This week's sharing is a favorite stuffed animal.

Important Dates:

Wednesday 1/31 - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:40

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics -

• Long vowel -o spelled -o_e (smoke, bone, mole)

• Comparing short o words to long o words (con/cone, hop/hope)

• Reading and writing short and long -a, i, and -o words

SEL - Self-Management and Mindfulness

Writing -

• Our opinions are personal and can be different

• Model opinion writing piece

• Use opinion words and reasons to support it in opinion writing piece

Math - Module 3 - Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems 

• Lesson 14: Count on to make the next ten within 100

• Lesson 15: Count and record a collection of objects

• Lesson 16: Identify ten as a unit

• Lesson 17: Add and two-digit number and a one-digit number

Science/S.S. -

• Locating the polar regions using a map and globe

• Life in the arctic- the land, climate, animals and people

Have a wonderful week. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Week of January 8, 2024-January 12, 2024

Hello First Grade Families,

I hope everyone had a safe and fun first snowfall of the season! 

We have a busy month ahead with lots of learning to be done as well as assessing and reassessing skills in preparation for the end of Quarter 2. Weekly math fact assessments will begin this week as noted in our monthly calendar. Students will bring home flash cards in their Monday folder to practice throughout the week. It is very important to know the partners of ten for both the most current math lessons, as well as those to come. Please be sure to continue reviewing these with your child. (1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5, 6+4, 7+3, 8+2, 9+1) 

Sharing this week is something blue or white.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 1/9 - PTO Meeting 7pm at Houghton Library

Monday 1/15 - No School

Wednesday 1/31 - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:40

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics -

• Long vowel -i spelled -i_e (bike, spine, tile)

• Comparing short i words to long i words (bit/bite, fin/fine)

• Reading and writing short and long -a and -i words

Writing - Opinion Writing Unit

• • What is and opinion?

  • Opinion games- Would You Rather? This or That?

  • Opinion phrases- "My favorite..." "I think..." "I feel..." "I prefer..." "I believe..."

  • Stating and supporting opinions with "because"

SEL - Self-Management 

Math - Module 3 - Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems

• Lesson 9: Make ten with either addend

• Lesson 10: Make a ten when there are three addends

• Lesson 11 + 12: Represent and compare related situation equations

• Lesson 13: Count on to make ten within 20

Science/S.S.-

• Animals in winter- hibernation, migration, adaptation

• Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 2, 2024-January 5, 2024

Happy January!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to the new year ahead.

Sharing this week is something you did over vacation.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Important Dates:

Monday 1/1 - No School

Tuesday 1/9 - PTO Meeting 7pm at Houghton Library

Monday 1/15 - No School

Wednesday 1/31 - Half Day - Dismissal at 12:40

This Weeks Learning: 

Phonics - Unit 4

• CVCe syllable type

• Long vowel -a spelled -a_e (make, cane, safe)

• Comparing short a words to long a words (cap/cape, cut/cute, tap/tape)

Writing - If I lived in a snow globe...

Reading - Importance of Kindness

Math - Module 3 Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems

• Lesson 5: Make ten when an addend is 5

• Lesson 6: Make ten when the first addend is 9

• Lesson 7: Make ten when the first addend is 8 or 9

• Lesson 8: Maken ten when the second addend is 8 or 9

Science/S.S. - New Years, Seasonal changes, Winter

Have a great first week of 2024!

Nicole Maillet

Week of December 18, 2023-December 21, 2023

First Grade Families,

Somehow we have made it to our last week of learning in 2023! This week will be a combination of regular learning and fun. This weeks share is free choice. 

To those who celebrate, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope the children have a wonderful week off and I look forward to seeing them back on Tuesday, January 2.

Important Dates:

Thursday 12/21 - First Day of Winter + Singalong

Dec. 22-Jan. 1 - Winter Break

This Weeks Learning:

Monday -

• Review Blends

• Personal Narrative - Free Write

• Math Review

• Kwanzaa

Tuesday -

• Unit 3 Review (Bonus Letters, Digraphs, and Blends)

•  Grammar - Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives

• Math Review

• Christmas

Wednesday - 

• Winter Centers with Parent Volunteers (gingerbread house, snowflake, melted snowman, and mittens)

• Unit 3 Assessment

• Math Games + Centers

• Winter Solstice

Thursday - 

• Grade 1 Winter Rotations- the classes will mix together and travel to each grade 1 classroom for a craft/activity

• Reading by the "Fireplace"

• Winter Movie

•  Houghton's Annual Sing-a-long (2:00-3:15)

Week of December 11, 2023-December 15, 2023

We had a great time at our pajama movie celebration on Friday. Thank you again for your donations of pajamas for families in need. Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 collected over 150 pairs of pajamas. Many families will benefit from your generosity.

We have another busy week ahead of us. Sharing this week is an item related to winter.

Please remember to have your child working on LEXIA at least 20 minutes each week. This can be done all in one sitting or divided up. Other things to be continuously working on at home are high frequency word reading, heart word reading and spelling, and math fact mastery. Math facts that should be becoming automatic at this time are +0, 0+, +1, 1+, +2, 2+, doubles, doubles +1 (0+1, 1+2, 2+3, 3+4, 4+5, 5+6, 6+7, 7+8, 8+9, 9+10), partners of 10 (0+10, 10+0, 1+9, 9+1, 2+8, 8+2, 3+7, 7+3, 4+6, 6+4, 5+5). This week we will be starting to work on easy subtraction facts. Math fact mastery is a vital skill moving forward in math, as well as a needed life-long skill. Please be sure to work consistently on this throughout the year. I am in the process of checking high frequency words and reading progress. This will all be reflected in the report card coming in January. 

Important Dates:

Tuesday 12/12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM Houghton Library (All are welcome!)

Friday 12/15 - Grade 1 Owl Parade @ 3:00

Thursday 12/21 - First Day of Winter + Singalong

Dec. 22-Jan. 1 - Winter Break

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics - 

• S blends ( sn, sc, sk sm, sp, st, sw) 

• Read and Spell S blends

Writing/Grammar - Review nouns and verbs, Adjectives

Reading - Winter Holidays

Math - Module 3 Properties of Operations to Make Easier Problems

• Lesson 1: Group to make ten when there are three parts

• Lesson 2: Make ten with three addends

• Lesson 3: Represent and solve three-addend word problems

• Lesson 4: Use properties of addition to make three-addend problems easier

Science/Social Studies - We will begin our unit on holidays, customs, and traditions from around the world.

• Families celebrate different holidays in many different ways around the world

• Diwali, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas

Week of December 4, 2023-December 8, 2023

Happy December!

Thank you so much for the pajama donations. As you know, the deadline has been extended to Today, Monday 12/4. We welcome any last minute donations. We will celebrate our collective efforts with a pajama movie day on Friday.

December is always a busy time both in and out of school. Please do your best to continue working on math facts, reading, high frequency words, and getting your child on Lexia for at least 20 mins. per week. Also, please be mindful of the daily temperatures and have your child dressed appropriately. We go outside every day unless it's raining or if temperatures are below 22 degrees. We have already had some very cold recess days, particularly with the wind chill. It is helpful to have your child's winter gear labeled with their name.

Sharing this week is a family tradition.

This weeks share is 

Important Dates:

Monday 12/4 - Weather Drill with Sterling Fire Dept.

Tuesday 12/5 - Title I District Family Night

Wednesday 12/6 - Basketball Presentation (PTO Sponsored Enrichment)

Friday 12/8 - K-2 Pajama Day and Movie

Tuesday 12/12 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM Houghton Library (All are welcome!)

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics -

• R blends- br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr

• Read and Spell R blends words (brick, crash, drag, frog, grin, press, trip, etc.)

Reading - Importance of Kindness

Writing - Draft, edit, and publish personal narrative

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships 

• Lesson 22: Represent and solve compare with difference unknown problems, pt. 2

• Lesson 23: Compare categories in a graph to figure out how many more

• Module 2 Review

• Module 2 Assessment

• Math Centers and Games

Science/Social Studies - Community Workers, Goods and Services

Week of November 27, 2023-December 1, 2023

Good morning,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and got to enjoy some family time.

The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive continues. Grades K-2 are teaming up to collect new pajamas to donate to families in need. Scholastic will match each donation with a book donation. You can send in pajamas anytime this week. Thank you to those who are able to participate.

This week's sharing is free choice.

As we get ready to welcome in December, we will begin our unit on economics and continue with our unit on holidays and traditions. It will be a busy and exciting month.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 11/28 - School Picture Retakes

Wednesday 11/19 - Scholastic Book Orders Due

Friday 12/1 - Pajama Drive Ends

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics - 

• L Blends- bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl

• Read and spell L blend words (block, clash, flat, glad, plot, slick)

Reading - Community 

Writing - 

• What makes a personal narrative

• Telling our own personal narrative

• Think, picture, and draw your OUCH! story (beginning, middle, end)

• Write a personal narrative

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships 

• Lesson 17-Use related addition facts to subtract from 10

• Lesson 18-Use related addition facts to subtract

• Lesson 19-Determine the value of the unknown in various positions  (6+___=11,  ___+4=13,  10-___=4)

• Lesson 20-Add or subtract to make equal groups

• Lesson 21-Represent solve and compare with difference unknown, part 1

Science/Social Studies - We will be starting a new economics unit that will span the next two weeks

• The difference between wants and needs

• Wants and needs are met by buying things

• We have jobs to earn money to pay for things

• Goods vs. Services

• Saving/Spending/Sharing

Week of November 20, 2023-November 21, 2023

First Grade Families,

Thank you all again for your participation in PTO's Boosterthon Fundraiser! Over $20,000 was raised for our school and your children! Our class was able to raise over $4,000 that combined with the rest of the school's effort to reach our $18,000 school goal. Way to go!!  

To follow the lessons on finding a need, making a plan, finding a team and launching the plan, taught throughout the Boosterthon, we now have a chance to help others through Scholastic's Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive. Teachers and children in grades K-2 are teaming up to collect new pajamas for area families in need. If you are able to help with a donation, please send new pajamas by Friday, December 1st. Scholastic will donate a book to match every pair of jammies collected. The kids were very excited to become "world changers" by helping those less fortunate. Thank you in advance for your help.

We have our shortest week of the year coming up. We only have school on Monday and Tuesday this week. We will veer off from our typical learning to do some review and thankful themed activities. 

There is no sharing this week.

I hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for each and every child in my class this year and I thank you for entrusting them to me each day. Enjoy some time off with family and friends. 

Important Dates:

- Wednesday-Friday - Thanksgiving Break

- Wednesday 11/29 - Scholastic Book Order Due

- Friday, 12/1 - Last day for Pajama Drive donations

This Weeks Learning:

Monday

• Sight word BINGO

• "Balloons Over Broadway" Read aloud

• Turkey and other bird animal traits

• Math Centers

• I'm So Thankful Scholastic News Magazine

Tuesday

• Thankful Tree craft

• Math games

Week of November 13, 2023-November 17, 2023

Hello,

We are about to begin the only full week of school in November. Next week we only have school on Monday and Tuesday so we may enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year continues. The school has received donations from 19 states! Our class now has 11/19 classmates signed up. The big celebration Glow Run will take place on Friday. Our class is scheduled for 10:50-11:20. You are all invited to join us at this event in the gym. Thank you so much for your support with this fundraiser. Our PTO uses the funds for so many great things at our school such as the recent owl pellet investigation and this weeks Birds of Prey enrichment. We hope you will continue to help raise money for the Boosterthon through Friday.

This week's sharing is something you are thankful for.

Important Dates:

- Tuesday 11/14 Birds of Prey Enrichment Program

- Tuesday 11/14 PTO Meeting at 7:00 Houghton Library (All are welcome!)

- Friday 11/17 Boosterthon Ends - GLOW RUN (10:50-11:20 in the Houghton Gym) and Houghton Spirit Day

- Nov. 22-24 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

- Tuesday 11/28 School Picture Retakes

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics- Unit 3 

• Open Syllables- An open syllable is a syllable with a long vowel sound where the vowel is open, meaning there is no consonant after it. Some examples of single syllable words include: no, go, so, we, he, me.

• Beginning blends- -l blends (bl, gl, fl, pl, cl, sl) examples: black, glob, flip, plop, clam, slug)

Writing - 

• Personal narratives answer the questions: Who, what, when, and where in the details of the story.

• Before we can be story WRITERS, we have to be storyTELLERS.

Reading - Mo Willem Author Study continued

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships

• Lesson 12: Represent and find an unknown subtrahend in equations.

• Lesson 13: Represent and solve add to and take from with change unknown problems.

• Lesson 14: Represent and solve put together/take apart with addend unknown problems.

• Lesson 15: Relate counting on and counting back to find an unknown part.

• Lesson 16: Compare the efficiency of counting on and counting back to subtract.

Science/Social Studies - Pilgrims and Native Americans, history of the first Thanksgiving, being thankful

Week of November 6, 2023-November 9, 2023

Hello First Grade Families,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me this week. It was a pleasure getting to speak with all of you and share what we have been up to in our classroom and how your child has been progressing. Please reach out if you have any questions that arose following our conference. 

Quarter 2 Specials Schedule (Please note there is an error on the November calendar and below is the correct rotation)

Monday - Gym, Tuesday - Art, Wednesday - Gym, Thursday - Art, Friday - Music

Sharing this week is your child's owl project. I cannot wait to see them all!!

Important Dates:

Monday 11/6 - Quarter 2 Begins (New Specials Schedule)

Tuesday 11/7 - Boosterthon Begins! MYBOOSTER.COM 

Wednesday 11/8 - Scholastic Book Orders Due 

Friday 11/10 - No School

Friday 11/17 - Boosterthon FUN RUN! (Our class will be running in the gym 10:50-11:20)

Wednesday 11/22-Friday 11/24 - No School

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics- Unit 3 

• Bonus Letters (floss rule) Double the letters f, l, s, and zz following a short vowel at the end of a one syllable word-ff, -ll, -ss, -zz Examples: puff, cliff, off, all, bell, will, boss, kiss, pass, buzz, fizz, etc.

Writing - 

• Introduce personal narratives

• Focusing on small moments- watermelon vs. seed stories

Reading - Mo Willem Author Study 

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships

• Lesson 9 - Represent and solve add to with change unknown problems

• Lesson 10 - Represent and find an unknown addend in equations

• Lesson 11 - Represent and solve take from with change unknown problems 

Science/Social Studies - Owls

Week of October 30, 2023-November 3, 2023

We've just about made it through the month of October! We are looking forward to November as it is a busy month here in grade 1.

It is Parent/Teacher Conference week as well. I look forward to meeting with you on your assigned day. All conferences will be held in our classroom except for those scheduled during the school day on Thursday, November, 2nd. Here is the sign-up sheet again.

On Friday your child should have brought home the Owl Project note also linked here. Our study of the first habitat and nocturnal animals vs. diurnal animals will lead to learning about owls next week.

Please keep your eye out for a number of notices coming home this week, these included the latest book order forms, Boosterthon Glow Run note, and the November calendar. Book orders are due by Wednesday, November 8th. Sign ups for the Boosterthon fundraiser have started. Information should be coming home soon. You can get a head start at mybooster.com.

Tuesday is Halloween! We will be working on autumn crafts in the morning and have the Halloween parade in the afternoon. The parade will be at 2:50 at the track behind the school. 

This week's share is free choice!

Important Dates:

- Tuesday, 10/31 Halloween Parade 2:50 pm at the track behind the school

- Wed.-Fri, 11/1-3 Parent Conferences on your scheduled day/time

- Wednesday, 11/2 Early Release Day- Dismissal at 12:45 (Lunch will be served) Parent Conferences K-2 for those scheduled

- Friday 11/3 Quarter 1 Ends

- Monday 11/6 Quarter 2 Begins - New Specials Schedule 

- Tuesday 11/7 - Boosterthon Kick-Off

- Thursday 11/9 - Owl Pellets

- Friday 11/10 NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day

This Weeks Learning:

Phonics- Unit 3 

• Digraph -wh, -wh vs. w

• Digraph review -sh, -th, -ch, -wh, -ck

• Heart words review: a, I, and, the, like, see, to, do, into, said, look, you, your, they, was, here, what  new: who, all

Grammar -

• Review common and proper nouns

• Action verbs

Reading - Nonfiction vs. fiction

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships

• Lesson 6- Represent and solve related addition and subtraction problems

• Lesson 7- Count on or count back to solve related addition and subtraction problems

• Lesson 8- Interpret and find and unknown change 

Science/Social Studies -

• Halloween

• Forest habitat

• Nocturnal and Diurnal animals

Week of October 23, 2023-October 27, 2023

Good Morning,

I'm not sure how, but we are approaching the end of October and have been in school for nearly 8 weeks already!

Please remember to have your child working on LEXIA at least 20 minutes each week. This can be done all in one sitting or divided up. Other things to be continuously working on at home are high frequency word reading, heart word reading and spelling, and math fact mastery. Math facts that should be becoming automatic at this time are +0, 0+, +1, 1+, +2, 2+, doubles, doubles +1 (0+1, 1+2, 2+3, 3+4, 4+5, 5+6, 6+7, 7+8, 8+9, 9+10), partners of 10 (0+10, 10+0, 1+9, 9+1, 2+8, 8+2, 3+7, 7+3, 4+6, 6+4, 5+5). This week we will be starting to work on easy subtraction facts. Math fact mastery is a vital skill moving forward in math, as well as a needed life-long skill. Please be sure to work consistently on this throughout the year. 

Parent/Teacher conferences will begin next Wednesday, November 1st. If you run into a conflict with your conference time, please let me know so we can work out another time. I am looking forward to meeting with you. For anyone who has not had the chance to sign up for conferences here is the link to the sign-up sheet. 

This week's sharing is something orange.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 10/24 - Mrs. Miller will be at professional development provided by the district

Thursday 10/26 - Author Wendy O'Leary will be doing a presentation on mindfulness

Friday 10/27 - Houghton Spirit Day! Wear our school colors, blue and white

Tuesday 10/31 - Halloween Parade at 2:50 - All are welcome to attend! Event will take place at the track.

Wednesday 11/1 - Half day of school for children (12:45 dismissal) Parent/Teacher conferences begin

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - 

• Review and practice -sh and -th digraphs

• Review -c, -k, -ck

• Digraphs -ch and -wh

• Phonemic Awareness- segmenting words and substituting sounds

• Heart Words- new: was, here, what, who review: I, a, like, the, see, to, do, look, into, said, you, your, they

Reading - Nonfiction vs. fiction

Grammar - What is a noun?, identifying nouns, common nouns vs. proper nouns

SEL - Self-management 

Math - Module 2 Addition and Subtraction Relationships

• Lesson 1: Represent result unknown problems and record as addition or subtraction number sentences

• Lesson 2: Subtract all or subtract 0

• Lesson 3: Subtract 1 or subtract 1 less than the total

• Lesson 4: Use fingers to subtract 4, 5, and 6 efficiently

• Lesson 5: Use the Read - Draw - Write process to solve result unknown problems

Have a great week! Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Week of October 16, 2023-October 20, 2023

Hi there,

October is quickly passing as we have already passed the halfway point in the month. The remainder of the month will no doubt pass just as fast.

This week's share is a favorite thing to do outside.

Important Dates:

Thursday 10/19 - Hearing and Vision Screening (Rescheduled from September due to Weather Day)

Tuesday 10/24 - Mrs. Miller will be at professional development provided by the district

Thursday 10/26 - Author Wendy O'Leary will be doing a presentation on mindfulness

Tuesday 10/31 - Halloween Parade at 2:50

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - 

• Unit 2 Assessment

• Digraphs -sh and -th

• Heart words review: a, I, and, the, like, see, to, do, into, said, look new: you, your, they, was   

• High frequency words: that, this, them, then 

Writing -

• Writing sentences describing a picture that begin with a capital letter, end with an end-mark, and have correct spacing between words

• Illustrating with 3 star drawings (colors that makes sense, color in the lines, fill in white spaces)

• End of unit writing piece

SEL - Recognizing emotions and reacting appropriately

Math -

• Lesson 23: Doubles and doubles +1 addition facts

• Lesson 24: Use known addition facts to make easier problems

• End of Module 1 Assessment

Science/Social Studies - Pumpkins (fiction, non-fiction, life cycle, parts a of pumpkin)

Have a great week! Please reach out with any questions or concerns

Week of  October 10, 2023-October 13, 2023

Hello,

Things are well underway in room H-20. Routines and expectations are set and are continuously being worked on. Most children are doing a great job with both. We are reaching the end of our second phonics unit and are about midway through our first math module. We have covered several social emotional, science, and social studies topics since school began. Lots of learning has taken place with beginning writing skills and most of the individual assessments are complete. I look forward to sharing your child's progress with you at the November parent/teacher conferences. The conference sign-up sheet can be found here, I will send reminder notes home as we get closer.

This week's share is something red.

Important Dates:

Tuesday 10/10 - PTO Meeting at 7:00PM Houghton Library (You may also join virtually PTO zoom meeting link)

Wednesday 10/11 - Scholastic Book Orders Due

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - 

• Phonemic awareness activities

• Letter name and sound review for s, a, t, p, f, d, i, n, o, c, k, u, b, g, e, h, r

• Letter name and sound practice for l, w, j, y, x, z, qu, v

• Tapping and blending words using letters/sounds covered so far

• Heart words (read and spell)- new: look, , into, said  review: I, a, see, the, like, to, do

Writing - I can use labels to tell what something is and to tell a story

Reading- Author Study: Kevin Henkes 

Math - Module 1 Counting, Comparison, and Addition

• Lesson 19: Reason about the meaning of the equal sign

• Lesson 20: Find all two-part expressions equal to 6

• Lesson 21: Find all two-part expressions equal to 7 and 8

• Lesson 22: Find all two-part expressions equal to 9 and 10

Science/Social Studies - Sun and Moon, Fire Prevention Week

Week of October 2, 2023-October 6, 2023

Welcome October,

It is hard to believe September is over and we are beginning our second month of first grade already. We had a busy month with another one coming up. Starting this month, I will be asking families to have their child access the district's Lexia program for 20-30 minutes per week. Teachers are being asked to have children use the program 60 minutes per week in order to make gains both within the program and with reading, phonics, and grammar skills. It is differentiated so your child will be working on skills at their level which will address the needs of struggling, at level, and advanced learners. If you have any questions or issues accessing the program, please reach out. Children have been using Lexia at school and should be familiar with logging on. 

The Houghton Arts Team continues to prepare for our annual Peace Pole Celebration on Friday October 6th at 10:00 AM. Our theme is “Peace is a Journey”. Please find links to this year’s music below.  We are also excited to recreate our traditional living rainbow and ask that children wear the following colors to school on that day if possible. 

K- Blue  1- Green   2- Yellow   3- Orange   4- Red 

Peace Train- 

https://youtu.be/SOA9Luo6Fb0?si=w96JzHIv-T6LW8b5

A great story book- 

https://youtu.be/QNmtAtSzmbs?feature=shared

Love train- whole school will sing and dance with this version

https://youtu.be/aUXSVnGsYyY?si=b4kpKK-a41m8FiYO

This week's share is something that brings you peace. 

Important Dates:

Tuesday 10/3 - School Picture Day

Friday 10/6 - Peace Pole Ceremony at 10:00

Monday 10/9 - No School

Tuesday 10/10 - PTO Meeting at 7:00PM Houghton Library

Wednesday 10/11 - Scholastic Book Orders Due

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - 

• Phonemic awareness activities

• Letter name and sound review for s, a, t, p, f, d, i, n, o, c

• Letter name and sound practice for k, u, ck, b, g

• Tapping and blending words using letters/sounds covered so far

• Heart words (read and spell)-new: to, do  review: I, a, see, the, like 

Writing - Pictures tell a story, We are  illustrators, Our pictures have details, Illustrators share their thoughts and feelings through pictures 

Reading- Taking care of each other, Text to text connections, Text to world connections, Text to self connections

Math - Module 1 Counting, Comparison, and Addition

• Lesson 14: Count on to find the total of an addition expression

• Lesson 15: Use the commutative property to count on from the bigger number

• Lesson 16: Use the commutative property to to find larger amounts

• Lesson 17: Add 0 and 1 to any number

• Lesson 18: Determine whether number sentences are true and false

Science/Social Studies - Day and Night

Week of September 25, 2023-Setpember 29, 2023

Happy Fall,

September is already coming to end this week as we continue to grow and learn more about our first grade family. Many new friendships are being formed as old friendships continue. We have a lot of different personalities in our room and it takes time to learn all about them. I am enjoying watching the relationships develop.

Thank you for such a great turn out at Meet the Teacher Night. Be sure to reach out if you have any questions that were not covered. Meet the Teacher Presentation

The Houghton Arts Team continues to prepare for our annual Peace Pole Celebration on Friday October 6th at 10:00 AM. Our theme is “Peace is a Journey”. Please find links to this year’s music below.  We are also excited to recreate our traditional living rainbow and ask that children wear the following colors to school on that day if possible. 

K- Blue  1- Green   2- Yellow   3- Orange   4- Red 

Peace Train - https://youtu.be/SOA9Luo6Fb0?si=w96JzHIv-T6LW8b5

A great story book - https://youtu.be/QNmtAtSzmbs?feature=shared

Love train- whole school will sing and dance with this version - https://youtu.be/aUXSVnGsYyY?si=b4kpKK-a41m8FiYO

This week's share is a favorite book.

Important Dates:

Wednesday 9/27 - Half Day of School - Children will be dismissed at 12:45 (Lunch will be served)

Friday 9/29 - Houghton Spirit Day - Wear blue + white

Tuesday 10/3 - School Picture Day

Friday 10/6 - Peace Pole Ceremony at 10:00 

Wednesday 10/11 - Scholastic Book Orders Due

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - 

• Phonemic awareness activities

• Letter name and sound review for s, a, t, p, f, d

• Letter name and sound practice for i, n, o, c, k

• Tapping and blending words using letters/sounds covered so far

• Heart words (read and spell)- I, a, see, the, like

Writing - What do writer's write about?, Making a "Heart Map", Telling stories orally - Who? What? When? Where?

Reading- Importance of Friendship, Text to text connections, Text to self connections

Math - Module 1 Counting, Comparison, and Addition

• Lesson 10: Count on from 5 within a set

• Lesson 11: See any part in a set and count on

• Lesson 12: Count on from 10 to find unknown totals

• Lesson 13: Count on from one addend to find the unknown total

Science/Social Studies - Apples

• Life Cycle of an Apple Tree

• Parts of an Apple

Week of September 18, 2023-September 22, 2023

Good morning,

We have a busy week in store!

Thursday, September 21st, is "Meet the Teacher Night,"K-2 is scheduled 5:45-6:45. I will have a brief slide show presentation and will answer any questions you may have. You will also have time to visit with the specialists; Mr. Walsh, Ms. Wilke, and Mrs. Blehar. Special education teachers will also be available, and don't forget to check out the PTO table on your way in or out. I look forward to meeting you on Thursday evening. Please remember this is an event for parents and guardians only. 

We also have our first lockdown and evacuation drill scheduled for Monday. 

The Houghton Library will open this week. We thank the parent volunteers that will be working in the library this year. Our library day will be Tuesday this year. Please help your child remember to pack their book for return each week. Thanks in advance for your help.  

Please reach out with any questions or concerns. 

This week's sharing is an item related to fall.

Important Dates:

Monday 9/18 - Lockdown + Evacuation Drill with Sterling Police

Thursday 9/21 - Meet Your Teacher Night 

• Grades K-2 5:45 pm-6:45 pm 

• Grades 3+4 7:00 pm-8:00pm

Wednesday 9/27 - Half Day of School - Children will be dismissed at 12:45 (Lunch will be served)

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - Review of letter sounds, letter names, and formation, Assessment of letters and sounds

Writing - What is a writer?, What do writers write?, Using our writing tools, What do writers do?

Reading- Exploring texts with rhymes

Math - Module 1 Counting, Comparison, and Addition

Lesson 5: Organize and represent categorical data

Lesson 6: Use tally marks to represent and compare data

Lesson 7: Count all or count on to solve put together with total unknown situations

Lesson 8: Count on from a known part to identify both parts in a total

Lesson 9: Count on from both parts and record total-part relationships

Social Emotional Learning - Self-Awareness Continued

Week of September 11, 2023-September 15, 2023

Hi First Grade Families,

It has been a very busy first 7 days of school. Everyone is settling in nicely to the class routines and procedures. We will continue to practice and learn about new things as we begin to work on the first grade curriculum. Please note that I have updated our daily schedule on our class website. The schedule will be a work in progress for the first few weeks and may require changes to accommodate different services. I would also like to let you know that the Houghton Library will be opening on Tuesday, September 19th. If you are interested in helping our class during library you may sign up using the link below. 

Library Volunteer Sign-Up 2023-2024

This week's sharing is "Me Box" projects!

Important Dates:

Monday 9/11 - PTO Mum Fundraiser Due

Tuesday 9/12 - PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm Houghton Library 

Tuesday 9/12-Thursday 9/14 - Hearing + Vision Screening of all children

Monday 9/18 - Lockdown + Evacuation Drill with Sterling Police

Thursday 9/21 - Meet Your Teacher Night Grades K-2 5:45 pm-6:45 pm Grades 3+4 7:00 pm-8:00pm 

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - Review of letter sounds, letter names, and formation

Reading/Writing - Learning and Playing Together

Math - Module 1 Counting, Comparison, and Addition

Lesson 1: Organize to find out how many and compare

Lesson 2: Organize and represent data to compare two categories 

Lesson 3: Sort to represent and compare data with three categories

Lesson 4: Find the total number of data points and compare categories in a picture graph

Lesson 5: Organize and represent categorical data

Science/S.S. - "All About Me" Unit Continued

Social Emotional Learning - Self-Awareness Continued

Week of September 4, 2023-September 8, 2023

Hello-

Our first three days were a success and it has been great getting to know each other better. We will continue learning more about each other this week while we continue to practice classroom and school routines. We had our first fire drill on Friday and we got a thumbs up from the Sterling Fire Department and Mr. Cipro. 

These first few weeks will be spent continuing to learn and practice procedures and reviewing academic skills. Time will also be spent gathering information on each child's current skill level through some formal and informal assessments. Some of these skills include handwriting, letter names, letter sounds, high frequency word reading, number identification, counting, etc. 

Thank you for sending in supplies for your child. Most children have everything they need at this point. Any last minute supplies can be sent in this week. Thank you for all of the paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc. for our classroom. I very much appreciate all the contributions.  

We will begin sharing next week, please keep an eye out for more information in your child's Monday Folder. Please reach out if you have any questions thus far.

-Nicole Miller

What We Will Learn This Week

Phonics - Review of letter sounds, letter names, and formation

Reading/Writing - Different ways to read books, handling books, correct pencil grip, and handwriting posture.

Math - What is math?

Science/S.S. - "All About Me" Unit

Social Emotional Learning - Self-Awareness