News From Our Classroom

       Hello, again!  We had another full week of school, despite a day or two that looked questionable.   We did start our Geometry unit by learning about line segments and corners/ angles.  We looked at fourteen different 2D (flat) shapes, and noticed their various attributes (details). Remember, we defined the term "side" as a "line segment" and an angle as "the point where two lines segments meet".  Using that definition,  a "circle" and an "oval" have no sides and no angles.     A polygon is any closed shape that has both sides and angles, so most of the other shapes we looked at are considered polygons.  Can you believe that first graders need to know what that term means?  They do, now.  They must also know that a quadrilateral is any closed shape with four sides and four corners.  Quite a few shapes are quadrilaterals: squares, rectangles, trapezoids, rhombuses, parallelograms, and kites are all quadrilaterals.  Triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, and even stars are polygons, but they are not quadrilaterals.  Polygons and quadrilaterals are all 2D shapes.  This coming week, we will practice identifying and drawing these polygons, circles, and ovals.  We will also create new shapes by combining them.  We will also use tangram pieces combined in different ways to build tangram figures, both using physical manipulatives on designs on paper,  and with an app on their ipads.  Although our math class work focuses on geometry, we also continue to practice addition, subtraction, missing addends, time, and money as part of our seat work.

       We completed our study of the respiratory system this past week, and also learned about the digestive system.  On Monday and Tuesday, we will learn about the nervous system, and will review the key pieces of the various systems we have already studied.  On Thursday, we will take the unit test on the various systems of the human body.  Also on Thursday, the first graders will get together to watch a showing of one episode of the Little House on the Prairie tv series.  The show is about how Laura and a friend find "fool's gold" and image how they could make life different for their families.  This particular episode shows "the town",  "the general store", "the school", and Laura's home, so the children are able to see a lot of what life looked like "in the olden days".  I usually watch to show this video until we have finished the chapter book, but that will not happen before vacation.  However, the first graders will all have subs Thursday afternoon so the first grade teachers can meet as an Instructional Team, so it makes sense for the time to be used for watching this video.  The visual images combine well with the story we have been sharing, so it should help the kids retain the information they are learning.

       You received your child's report card on Friday.  There should not have been any surprises.  I shared with you the grades your child has earned, as well as my thoughts about how your child is doing in the grand scheme of first grade.  If you have any questions, write them down and we can discuss them at your conference on Tuesday or Thursday evening.  We also have to talk about what next year might look like for your child.  This would be the right setting to discuss any concerns you have about individuals with whom they should NOT be placed.  I did check with the Title 1 people about "summer school" for those children who qualify for Title 1.  I am told that Mahoosuc Kids has applied for a grant, and that they are hopeful that SOME form of "summer school" will be put available for this coming summer.  If you are one of the families whose child qualified for Title 1 services this past school year, and you are interested in having a program for your child over the summer months, please keep a watchful eye out for a form from Title 1.  Usually, the program offered is on a "first come, first served" basis, so I urge you to complete it and return it as soon as possible. 

       This coming week is still an "extended day" week of school, and we are off for a week of vacation.  When we return, the first two days will also be "extended days", but we return to our "normal" day beginning on April 26th.  As soon as I receive official word about the date for the last day of school for this year, I will pass it on to you.

        I look forward to seeing you this week, and speaking about your child.