I hope you had a lovely weekend. It is much needed unstructured rest. We finally have better temperatures, but please continue sending a WARM coat. It is not warm enough to go without a coat yet.

I would like to be completely transparent with my teaching and the classroom. I will be out of the classroom several times in the next two weeks due to conferences and workshops. If you need to reach me on those days, please email me. I will check periodically. I do expect the best behavior for our students and I will be leaving rigorous lessons for the guest teachers.

• Tuesday, February 21 – We will preview the selections at the Book Fair. A wish list will come home.
• Wednesday – Friday – Send your book fair money. Your child will be allowed to go down and purchase if they have their money.
• Thursday, February 23 – Core Values Assembly 2:15 – First grade will be presenting their representation of citizenship. If you are planning to attend, please check in at the office first.
• Monday, February 27 – New dismissal procedure via the blacktop area.

ELA We are starting Unit 7 this week. The theme is about the past, present, and future.

Writer’s Workshop – We have in the middle of our informational writing assessment. I have model, scaffolded, and practiced 3 informational writing pieces: Jobs, The Sun, and get to know a student at Geer Park. This writing assessment is linked to technology and inventions. It is about how robot/technology help us everyday.

Spelling – This week it is the long o sound with three different patterns.

• low
• bow
• glow
• cold
• hold
• goat
• moat
• float
• found
• your
• know
• always

MATH

We started Module 3 last week. It is all about measurement with standard and nonstandard units of measurement. We are also comparing the length of objects using the words: longer than, shorter than, and the same length as. Teaching your first grader to make sure the endpoints are the same is important. We are not measuring to the 1/2 unit.

SCIENCE

We are finishing up with constellations this week. A constellation is a group of stars that make a picture in the sky. We will then learn about how to read a thermometer. I know… that is kind of odd to throw it in at the end of the unit, but temperatures have been perfect lately. I am looping back around to seasons and weather and reminding the kids that temperature is linked to the seasons, but the weather can trick you. It might be sunny, but the temperature can be really cold. Conversely, it might be cloudy but the temperature is really warm.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will be fully in our social studies Geography unit next week. We already talk about what the Earth looks like from space. Next week we will talk about the landforms, bodies of water, and how humans modify the two.

Again, please read Mrs. Faraj’s letter. I will send a copy home tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your Monday and the rest of the week. Please, also remember I am available to you if you have any questions.

Mrs. Korte