First Grade News

February 15, 2016

Curriculum Highlights

Math Addition and Subtraction Facts

Science animal adaptations how do animal body parts help them to survive in their
habitat
Word Study question words and qu review
Writing - information report parts of a paragraph - topic sentences, fact sentences,
concluding sentences
Reading Monitoring comprehension

Reminders

February 24th, 8:30am 1MT Readers Theatre Performance!

Friday, February 26th - No school for students Teacher In-service
Parent/ teacher conferences - March 3rd & 4th

Word Study

what
where

when
how

why
quick

which
quiet

who
queen

News From Ms. Tindalls Class

In Writers Workshop the children are working on drafting their information reports on their chosen
animals. We are learning about the structure of a paragraph introduction (topic sentence), body (fact,
explanation and example sentences) and conclusion (concluding sentence). You can support this learning
at home by looking for these features in the books you are reading together. Some sections you read may
or may not have all three parts. Topic sentences tell the reader what the section will be about EG Dogs
eat different types of food. or Dogs eat many kinds of foods. or Dogs dont have a varied diet. or
There are only a few things that dogs like to eat. or Do you know what dogs eat? I do. The topic
sentence doesnt usually tell any specific fact. The concluding sentence is very similar. It doesnt tell
any new information but sums up the main points of the section. EG As you can see dogs have a limited
diet. or Clearly dogs have big appetites. or Dogs really do eat a lot of food. or Obviously the size
and type of the dog will determine how much food it eats.

In partnership,
Ms. Tindall

Monday
Reading: Show an adult how you get your mind ready for reading by taking out your mental file on the topic
you are about to read about and talking about what you think you already know. Demonstrate at the end of
reading how your file has changed. What information did you confirm? What new information did you add to
your file? What incorrect information did you change?
Word Study: Explain to an adult what you know about the spelling of question words.
Math: Practice single digit addition math facts. Our goal is speed in accuracy. Play addition card games, roll
the dice and add, use the games I sent in emails in recent newsletters.
Science: Learn about your animals specific body parts and how they are suited to their habitat. Think about
number of legs, body covering, type of mouth, eyes, ears, tail, feet, fins. How are these formed to help the
animal live in its habitat?
Tuesday
Reading: Show an adult how you get your mind ready for reading by taking out your mental file on the topic
you are about to read about and talking about what you think you already know. Demonstrate at the end of
reading how your file has changed. What information did you confirm? What new information did you add to
your file? What incorrect information did you change?
Word Study: Notice words that include qu while reading.
Math: Same as Monday.
Science: Learn about your animals specific body parts and how they are suited to their habitat. Think about
number of legs, body covering, type of mouth, eyes, ears, tail, feet, fins. How are these formed to help the
animal live in its habitat?
Wednesday
Reading: Tell an adult what is the purpose of a topic sentence? How does it help you when reading?
Word Study: Orally make up a sentence using each question word.
Math: Same as Monday.
Science: Learn about your animals specific body parts and how they are suited to their habitat. Think about
number of legs, body covering, type of mouth, eyes, ears, tail, feet, fins. How are these formed to help the
animal live in its habitat?

Thursday
Reading: Find some fact sentences in non-fiction texts. Talk about how the author has explained the facts or
given examples.
Word Study: Take note of question words and <qu> words as youre reading.
Math: Same as Monday.
Science: Learn about your animals specific body parts and how they are suited to their habitat. Think about
number of legs, body covering, type of mouth, eyes, ears, tail, feet, fins. How are these formed to help the
animal live in its habitat?

Friday
Reading
Poem Collection
Continue becoming an expert on your chosen animal.