November 11th Newsletter

We have been working very hard on fluency for the last few weeks, but this past week we marked one of our poems in phrases of two to four words.  We read the lines in different ways to see what sounded better.  When we were all done, we read the poem, paying attention to the phrases we had marked.  What a difference it made!  Our first graders are starting to really understand how reading should sound.  We are also working hard on this in guided reading.  When you read the take home books with your child, be sure prompt him or her to "read it like this," as you model it, in a few places.  Remember that reading picture books to your child is still very important.  They need to hear you model that phrased, fluent reading!  Keep up the great work! 

This week in math we will...

• Use number racks to show and discuss various combinations of 10.
• Explore part-part-whole relationships through 20. 
• Solve addition and subtraction story problems using number racks.
• View double ten-frames with matching "10 and some more" equations, build the sum with Unifix cubes, and write the equation. 
• Play a game called Fifty or Bust to group and count objects by 10s, understand that the digits in a 2-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones, and use concrete models to add with sums to 100.
• Continue working with the fractions whole, halves and fourths.
• Continue learning about telling time to the hour.

In social studies we will learn about families and communities.  We will make a family tree and talk about all of the responsibilities we have within our family.

Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, November 15th. Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub Class Activation Code: JBVLX

Special Points of Interest

• It appears that winter is here!  Now is the time to start thinking about packing an extra pair of socks and mittens in your child's backpack.  Please label your child's winter gear if you haven't already!
• Please continue to remind your children to bring their take-home books back to school.  Nightly reading is so important!
• November 11-15- Stuff the Bus Food Drive
• November 13- Dining for Dollars-Brandywine
• November 21- Parent-Teacher Conferences (Sign up for your time slot on Skyward!)
• November 25- Parent-Teacher Conferences (Sign up for you time slot on Skyward!)
• November 21-26- Book Fair
• November 27-29- Thanksgiving Break-No School