Russian Dancers

Many thanks to TESPTO for the recent enrichment programs brought to Steward.  The children enjoyed a performance by the Barynya Russian Music, Dance and Song Ensemble. The group performed a mix of of fast paced Russian, Cossack, Jewish, Siberian, and Gypsy traditional dancing and music.  The children were able to hear music played on a variety of instruments.    

The children thoroughly enjoyed watching the Russian Dancers perform.

Ellie was chosen to perform on the stage!

To learn more about these talented performers click on the link below:

Barynya

Mystery Reader

Dylan was surprised and happy to see her mom and little sister walk through the door!  The children enjoyed listening to Mrs. Guido read Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee  by Chris Van Dusen.

Would your child like to hear the story again?

Click the image below.

   

Place Value Fun!

Our introductory lesson included watching the video below.  The children were quite engaged; it was a good starting point for most children as they begin to understand the often difficult concept of place value.  

See if your child can answer the following questions:

1.  How many digits are there in the number 45?

2.  What is a very important rule of the Place Value House?

3.  How many tens are in the number 23?

4.  How many ones are in the number 16?

Now view the video below with your child:

After discussing the concepts presented, I had children represent a variety of one and two digit numbers using place value charts and cubes.

The children loved this catchy tune about place value:

To provide additional practice opportunities for your child I have included links below.  When you click the images below they will lead you to engaging, and interactive place value games online.

Common Core Standards

Number and Operations in Base Ten

Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. 

Enemy Pie

The focus of a recent Olweus lesson was on how to be a good friend. We read Derek Munson's "Enemy Pie"; in this story, the main character realizes that someone he thought was an enemy turned out to be a great friend! Your child may listen to this story again by clicking the picture below: 

The children really enjoyed creating their Friendship Pies:

We try to be the best friends we can be!!

Common Core Standard for Writing - W.1.6  

With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

  The following virtual bulletin board was created using the app Padlet.  I helped the children add their favorite thing about Thanksgiving Day.  Feel free to add to our Padlet and/or have other family members who may be visiting add their thoughts as well.  Simply double click and a new "post it" will appear.  Posts can be resized (hover over right hand edge of post), then click and drag for placement. Thank you!

Created with Padlet

Click the image below to enjoy a book we read in class:

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without spending time thinking about  what we are thankful for.  The children really enjoyed putting these turkeys together:

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!
Common Core Standard for Writing - W.1.6   With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

Social Studies - American Symbols

Essential Question:

How do symbols help us understand the world around us?

The first grade Social Studies curriculum includes learning about important American symbols.  The following symbols have been introduced through books and short videos.  

American Flag

Pledge of Allegiance

White House

Lincoln Memorial

Liberty Bell

Statue of Liberty

Washington Monument

Bald Eagle


  Click the image below to view a video with your child.  Can he/she successfully identify the American symbols?

Is your child able to share any facts they learned?  Please help them leave a comment below.  The comment could begin with "I learned".  He/She can write about a fact learned at school or one they learned from you.  We will be reading the comments together. Thanks so much for your cooperation.

Looking for a fun extension activity to do at home?  The images below are links to videos which will give step by step instructions how to draw some of the symbols your child has studied. 

A Sneak Peek Into Reader's Workshop

 Mini Lesson

Reader's Workshop begins with a short mini lesson at the rug.  This particular lesson was about making predictions when reading.  I told the children that making predictions is one strategy good readers use to help them to better understand the story. 

Guided Practice

Next we read a portion of the book Roller Coaster by By Marla Frazee

Click the link below to hear the story being read aloud:

Roller Coaster

We made predictions about the story based on the title and front cover.  Then as I read we stopped to make more predictions.

Read to Self

During this time students are engaged in self-selected texts at their independent level.  They use his time to practice the skills that are taught during mini lessons and guided reading groups.

Guided Reading

I meet with groups of students who are all reading at the same level.  I provide them with a common text at their instructional level.  I introduce the book, point out important text features, challenging vocabulary, and/or essential story elements.  I listen to students as they "whisper read".  The lesson is followed up with a lesson point.  

Raz-Kids

Read to Someone

Once the children have had an opportunity to read to themselves they can choose to read with a friend.

Share

Reader's Workshop always ends with a sharing time.  Children can share reading strategies they incorporated during guided reading, read to self, read to someone, listening to reading, and Raz-Kids.

Victoria shares a prediction she made while reading.

Liam shares a word he got stuck on and the strategy he used to help him:  tapping out the word.

Jack shares a reading strategy he used as well. When decoding the word splat, he first found a chunk of the word he knew (at).  Then he tapped out the consonant blend (spl).

I am really hoping that your children are incorporating strategies introduced at school when reading at home. The following are some of the strategies learned to date.

To improve accuracy: 

    Use the pictures

    Tap out the sounds

     Look for chunks in the word that you know

     Skip the word and come back

     Flip the vowel sound (for example if your child sounds out the word kind with a short i and it doesn't make sense, flip the vowel sound to long i)

      Go back and reread

      Think, does it make sense?

To improve comprehension:

     Make predictions

     Make connections

To expand vocabulary:

     Pay attention to interesting words

To improve fluency:

     Pay attention to punctuation

                                         

Please help your child leave a comment below indicating at least one reading strategy they have used when reading at home. Scroll to the bottom of the post.  If you are the first person commenting click No Comments.  Help your child enter his/her comment.  I am encouraging them to write it in letter form:

Dear Mrs. Hancock,

When I was reading Silly Sally, I made a prediction about how Sally would get to town.  

From,

John

Finally, click Name on the scroll down bar after Comment As.  Have your child add his/her name and publish.  The comment will not appear until I approve it.  

We will be reading the comments next week.  Thank you for your cooperation with this. 

Happy Reading!

Common Core Standard - Reading Foundational Skills 1.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Mystery Readers

Thank you to Ellie's mom for reading The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak.  If you are not familiar with this book, check it out; the children thought it was hilarious!

The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak

The children also enjoyed hearing The Box of Crayons that Talked by Shane Derolf.  Liam's mom read it to us!