Math: 

In Math, we have solved addition stories by drawing pictures, using circle drawings, and writing equations. This week, we also learned how to count on, an effective strategy for solving equations with missing totals. In counting on, the first step is to underline the greater number and draw dots above the smaller number. Next, we clap the greater number and count on by using the circles over the smaller number. This is an important strategy that we will continue to use throughout the year.

Writing:

Your first grader came home today with a blue folder bursting with small moment stories! As we wrapped up our first unit in writing, we spent the week reflecting on our writing. We chose one story to revise, edit, and color. Today, we shared our favorite part of this celebration story with the class and then read our whole story to a partner. We ended our celebration with a juice toast, honoring the important learning that we have done as first grade writers. Students are bringing the rest of their stories home today so that they can read them to you! I am proud of the growth that these first graders have made as writers since September. I look forward to sharing their celebration stories with you at parent teacher conferences.

Reading:

We added to our accuracy strategies this week. Flippy the Dolphin is a great strategy to use when we are stretching out a word. We first try the short vowel sound and if that doesn’t sound right, we can FLIP IT and try the long vowel sound. Most importantly, when we have a good guess of what we think the tricky word is…we need to be careful. Careful Caterpillar reminds us to make sure that all of the word parts match with our guess. Thank you for helping your child with his/her Reading Homework. This practice at home is so important for building reading confidence!