Week 8

 Here are some highlights from the week...

On Wednesday we read with our fourth grade buddies! Both Mr.Graham and I were so impressed with the first and fourth grade readers :)

This was an exciting week because we added a new choice to Daily 5 - Word Work. Research has repeatedly shown that spelling tests do not necessarily improve spelling. I have seen first hand students get 100% on every spelling test yet not be able to apply or spell those words correctly in their own writing - we call it "Friday spellers." However, spelling is an important piece of both reading and writing. Exposure and practice with these words is what will help improve their understanding of spelling patterns and words. In our Word Work bin, students can choose to write the words of the week (and challenge words) using pipe cleaners or wikki stix, or they can choose to use whiteboards. As we get more comfortable using these as tools to learn spelling, I will introduce more Word Work activities (spelling with beads, scrabble letters, etc). All of the first graders did an excellent job being responsible with the materials, and it is pretty cool to see first graders writing sentences out of pipe cleaners!

In math we learned about adding "doubles and neighbors." This is a great strategy for students to use when problem solving. If they know the sum of the doubles, (2+2 = 4) then they can figure out the sum of the neighbor numbers by adding one more (2+3 = 5). This strategy is one that they can add to their problem solving "tool kit" to help increase their fluency and build their number sense. We had our subtraction fluency check-in and we will be focusing on different strategies that can help build our subtraction confidence! By using the number line, counting down/up and visuals, students can continue to build their understanding and fluency with both subtraction and addition.

The week ended with the Missoula Children's Theater performance of Aladdin. It was a great way to end the week! Congrats to all of the first grade performers -- they were awesome!

Reminders:
10/21 - 10/22 -- No School -  Conferences

* I am looking forward to meeting with all of you at conferences, and discussing goals that you have for your first graders as the year gets going!

Pictures from the week...