Saturday, August 26, 2017

Week of August 28th

Our year is off to a fantastic start! It is a pleasure to spend each day with your children. Here are a few things you can expect this week in first grade:

This week in Spalding we will continue to work in our notebooks, practice our phonograms and words and the homework will look the same. Please remember the homework packet and Spalding words go home each Monday, and the previous week's packet should be returned the following Monday. Your children should be using the  markings in their homework, but will not be tested on them. If you are new to Great Hearts you can find out more about Spalding this upcoming Thursday in the MPR from 6:00-7:30.

In math we will be wrapping up our unit on number bonds. The unit test will be on Friday and you will receive review homework on Thursday. We will also be covering Singapore math on Thursday from 6:00-7:30 in the MPR.

We appreciate all of your support and participation during the solar eclipse. All of our students were able to benefit from this educational experience. This week in science we will be looking at atoms and states of matter. If you have not already sent in a white pillowcase you may still do so, we will be cutting and marking these to create our "lab coats" for the year.

In history we are still studying the first civilization Mesopotamia. In the coming weeks we will be exploring more ancient civilizations.

We are going into our fourth week of homework. If you need additional support please feel free to reach out via email. We value responsibility at Great Hearts and encourage children to take charge of the materials that they need to be successful with their homework at the end of each day. However even with reminders things happen. Should you find your child is missing materials he or she can make up the work the following day or evening. Children will take responsibility for agendas in January.

If you are able to join us for Singapore and Spalding night this will be taking place in the MPR from 6:00-7:30 and is a great resource for families new to Archway Lincoln.

We are in the process of selecting classroom liasons. For additional information on how to submit your name please refer to the Headmaster update. Once liasons have been selected you will be notified.

We are so grateful for your support and enthusiasm. You are a valuable asset to our team and could not do the work that we do without you!

Monday, August 21, 2017

Week of August 21st


Monday students will be viewing the eclipse live from the classroom. If you are planning to come observe it in person with your child please remember your drive line number. Parents may begin to arrive at 9:30 and you will be greeted in the MPR and your child will be sent to meet you. Glasses will be passed out to the students. As of now we do not know how many extra we will have and cannot guarantee all adults will be given a pair.

Homework:
A packet will be sent home every Monday and needs to be returned the next Monday.
  •  Overall homework for first grade: 30-45 min.
    • Includes reading, spelling and math
  • Math: Workbooks will be checked daily, please send daily
  • Reading: 15 min of read-aloud nightly
    • Student level book will be found in the Reading bag
    • Please fill out the Reading log each night
    • Read to your child occasionally so they hear an experienced reader
  • Spalding: sent in the Green folder Monday to due back the next Monday
    • In Homework Folder 
    • Proper practicing of phonograms and words

Language Arts:
We are reading Aesop Fables. Each day we read a new fable and talk about the lesson or moral the characters have learned. We try to help students make connections with the story to their own life through asking questions so they have a greater understanding of what Aesop was teaching. This week we will read The Maid and the Milk Pail, The Fox and the Grapes, The Boy who Cried Wolf and The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs.

We are still memorizing the poem The Catepillar and reviewing the saying Treat others the way you want to be treated.

In Spalding we are going to be learning 25 new words. We will be working on learning the silent e and all the jobs it has. Please make sure you are taking time to practice the phonograms at home.

Math: 
 We will be finishing their exploration of number bonds.  We will begin learning the meaning of addition and exploring addition equations.  Your child will relate number bonds to addition and using story problems to look at addition sentences.  

Science:
We will be continuing to learn about the eclipse and taking time Monday to view it. We will also begin learning about atoms and molecules. We will create a project to have an understanding of protons and electrons.

History:
We are continuing to learn more about Mesopotamia. We will discuss what a civilization is and how they begin. We will talk about the Gate of Ishtar and how it was constructed and about cuneiform writing.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in plastic baggies, wipes and tennis balls! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Week of August 13th

First Grade Parents:
We have had a terrific first full week of school! Your children have been settling into routines and expectations this past week and we are looking forward to diving into our curriculum this week!

This week you can expect to see math homework, which will be in your child’s math workbook. Please be sure that the workbook comes back to school the next day as we will be using it to check for understanding and plan future lessons.

Math:
This week the math skill is number bonds. Your children will create number bonds and identify the missing number in number bonds. This gives your child hands on experience with putting numbers together and taking them apart, which leads to understanding of addition, subtraction and fractions!

History:
We will continue to explore ancient Mesopotamia the “cradle of civilization” and understand the importance of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Your children will get hands on experience creating timelines, reading maps and learning new vocabulary.

Science:
With the solar eclipse quickly approaching we will be focusing on shadows and a simulation of the eclipse. This week we will also create our lab coats! This is a fun activity for the children so please ensure you sent in a white pillow case for your child if you have not already.

Language Arts:
  • Our memory poem this month is The Caterpillar by Christina G. Rosetti. We will recite this as a class on the final Friday in August. Your children will fill in words in the poem and create a caterpillar using pom poms. Please read this poem with your child to help them become familiar with it. We will also be reciting it in class daily.
  • We are working hard to get our reading groups going. Once your children are leveled they will come home with leveled readers in a bag each night. Please have your child read these books to you each evening. If you have a reading bag from kindergarten please send it to school. If you would like to purchase one you can do so through the front office. We will be providing zip loc baggie for any children who do not have a reading bag.

Important Dates:
  • Curriculum Night is this Thursday August 17th from 6:00-7:30 pm. We are looking forward to seeing you there! Please remember this is a parent only event.
  • Picture Day is this Tuesday August 15th. Please send your picture money to school any time between now and then.

Solar Eclipse:
We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from our parents! We have had plenty of glasses donated and are looking forward to the participation of all of our first graders! Please note a signed permission slip will be required for your child to participate. You should expect to see this in your child’s green folder this week.


Thank you for all that you do to make Great Hearts a great place to teach and learn!

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

It has been brought to my attention that the previous link for the eclipse glasses does not work. My apologies, please try the following link:

 https://www.eclipseglasses.com/collections/eclipse-glasses-stock

Class update 1A

Solar Eclipse
As you know, the Solar Eclipse is on Monday, August 21st, and 65% eclipse will occur around 10:30am.  We would like for all students to have equal opportunity be a part of this scientific phenomenon!  Unfortunately this requires a quick turnaround to secure eye wear for all students.  MOST sunglasses are NOT approved for this event, so ordering the correct glasses is imperative.  (Many who advertise as being safe on Amazon are in fact not approved for the eclipse).  If you would like for your child to participate in this event please visit the site below to purchase the approved glasses. If you are interested in donating glasses to children whose parents may be unable to purchase them please send me an email and let me know how many pairs you are able to donate.


Literature Books
We are asking that all literature books be labeled with your child’s name and brought to school. We will keep track of them and pass them out as needed. Once we are finished with the book it will go home with your child.

Lab Coats
Please bring in a white pillow case by Friday, August 11 if you have not already done so. We will be using these as lab coats for science.

What we are learning:
We are answering the questions what is history, and what is science. We have done two science experiments and are discovering key vocabulary words that will guide our understanding of our first unit in History, Mesopotamia.


We are also discussing the golden rule. We read The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper and agreed to treat one another the way we want to be treated. 

Sunday, August 6, 2017

We had a great first day together in 1A! We learned procedures, had Latin and music, created a book and conducted our first science experiment! I want to thank each of you for your patience and diligence during drop off and pick-up. Drop off went smoothly, Monday you will be asked to drop your child off at the door where our faculty members will receive them. Pick-up was more lengthy than we would like for the first day, which was to be expected as the safety of your child is our priority. We expect Monday to go a little quicker as everyone becomes more familiar with the procedure.

I have a few reminders to ensure that we have a successful school year:

  1. First grade has one snack time in the morning. Children will be asked to keep the snack in their desks. I am asking that children avoid bringing wet snacks (no yogurt, applesauce or anything requiring a spoon).
  2. Your child should have brought home a green folder on Friday. On one side of this folder is a stay home pocket and on the other is a return to school pocket. Your child's completed work will go in the stay at home pocket. Paperwork that will require signatures and information from you will be found in the return to school pocket. Please return the office forms in this pocket by August 9th. 
  3. Please review the parent handbook for questions regarding uniform and dress code. This year we are asking that hair accessories be in uniform colors, black or gray. We are also allowing all black shoes this year which is a change from last year. Beginning Monday children in violation of dress code will receive written warnings.
  4. If you would like to volunteer in our classroom I will begin posting opportunities through signup in three weeks. You will need to have a fingerprint clearance card to volunteer. If you have any questions regarding this please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
  5. I will check all emails daily by 7pm. I will respond within 24 business hours. The blog will be updated on or before Sunday of each week so please stop by frequently to stay updated on classroom news.

It is a pleasure to serve your families and I am looking forward to a fantastic year of learning!

Mrs. Bollinger