NEWSLETTER

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4

First Grade

GINGERBREAD STORIESWe will be reading many different versions of The Gingerbread Man over the next few weeks. We will compare and contrast different versions of this folktale. We will even write our own Gingerbread Buddy stories. We continue to learn about organization, sequence, and the mechanics of writing, and it will be fun to apply our writing skills to these Gingerbread stories.

Math Unit 4First Graders will practice measuring with nonstandard units, such as hand spans and

paces, as well as standard units, such as feet and inches, using a ruler and tape measure. The children will also use other measurement skills. They will read thermometers that

have marks at two-degree intervals and they will continue to practice telling time. Students will explore timelines to develop a sense for sequencing events. They will also begin to

work toward developing addition “fact power”.

 

As part of our shortened WELCOME WINTER WEEK, we read The Night Tree by Eve Bunting.

The Night Tree is about a family that has a tradition of going into the woods and decorating

a living tree with food for wild animals. Last Friday all first graders participated in rotations in which they created a variety of wild animal treats

~ pinecones spread with jelly and birdseed, pretzels dipped in honey and birdseed, shapes cut out of bread, and strings of Cheerios. Each first grade class took a trip into the Academy woods. We found a tree to serve as our very own "Night Tree". We hung our animal treats on the tree and

enjoyed some treats ourselves!

Jan Brett Author Study

As a connection to our Gingerbread unit, we will be doing a mini-Jan Brett author study. We will learn about Jan Brett and first graders will enjoya selection of books by this author. She is the author of several gingerbread stories, but she has written and illustrated many other children’s books as well. Her best known titles include The Mitten, The Hat, Trouble with Trolls, and Hedgie’s Surprise. Students will take special notice of the animals present in Jan Brett’s stories. The children will then participate in a research project, finding information about an animal found in Jan Brett’s books. The students will have many choices for their research topic - Jan has written stories with bears, wildcats, moose, cats, mice, hedgehogs, and lots of other animals.

Jan Brett has a wonderful website - The World of Jan Brett. You may want to check out this site with your first grader!

ImportantDATES - January

Friday, January 17th ~

Whole School Martin Luther King Assembly - 2:00pm

Monday, January 20th ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL!