September Newsletter
Les Chenilles
This Month’s Learning:
Math:
We are currently working on patterns. The students are learning how to create patterns, describe patterns, continue patterns etc…. We have been using the letter system as the universal manner to describe our patterns (i.e an AB, ABC, AAB, AABB etc… pattern). We will be continuing with patterns for a little more and then moving on to number sense for the numbers 1-10. During this time we will focus on number formation, number names, number value, and cementing our current understanding of the numbers 1-10.
I am a true believer in hands-on learning for Math so we have a class lesson on Mondays and then the students participate in hands-on learning centers with manipulatives, paper and pencil for the rest of the week. This allows me to circulate in the class and lend support or chat with the students while they work on their skills.
Français/Science/Social Studies
Our big ideas this month will be about rules, routines and class vocabulary. We will be working on a family unit where students will learn how to present their family using the proper French sentence structure. We will also begin learning about and discussing the season, Fall.
English Literacy
Our English Literacy divided into 3 parts
Science of Reading (30 minutes daily)- We have been working on drill sounds (the sound that each letter makes). The students will be diligently working through a letter printing book at this time. In Grade 1 the focus is on becoming familiar with lower case letters and beginning to only use upper case when needed. This is a slow and steady process so please do not worry at this point!
Guided Reading (30 minutes daily)- We will be working on learning the routine for our Guided Reading rotations and I will be starting to read decodable books with a focus on CVC words (3 letter words) to start. The students will be divided into groups and have an assigned center each day to complete. The centers are; reading with the teacher, reading quietly to self, working on writing, word work and Ipad time using Starfall.
You may notice some paper books coming home. These are decodable books which means that the students can use letter sounds to decode all of the words except for those tricky words like the, and etc… It is of the utmost importance that we celebrate these small successes and we focus on the dialogue “WOW, you can read!” This is where it all begins and a reader with confidence is a reader who will take risks and adapt to the challenges. Lay it on thick and celebrate every little victory! They will be so proud!
Writing (20-30 minutes daily)- The students will be learning how to journal and to use labelling. I will give the students a topic, such as, “I can…” then the students will draw 1-3 pictures of what they can do and will label the picture using letter sounds.
Inventive spelling is so important at this stage and giving your child the confidence to use what they know and to “sound out” the words is an essential skill. I do not focus on spelling things conventionally and instead slow down the words and allow them to write the letters they hear. I also have been drilling the “I can write” narrative into their heads since an automatic response is often “but Madame, I can’t write!” Well, yes they can! The writing they produce at this age is my absolute favourite! We have spoken extensively that mistakes are welcome and that I actually love mistakes because it means that they are challenging themselves. The only words that I will have them be responsible for spelling correctly are the irregular words from the literacy units but we aren’t there just yet
Thanks again for all your wonderful support,
Mme Katie
Important Dates This Month:
Monday, Sept. 4th Labour Day- NO SCHOOL
Friday, Sept. 29th Orange Shirt Day- We will discuss the significance of the orange shirt prior to this day.
*I am hoping to plan a couple of outings (park and berry picking) so stay tuned.
Les Chenilles
This Month’s Learning:
Math:
We are currently working on patterns. The students are learning how to create patterns, describe patterns, continue patterns etc…. We have been using the letter system as the universal manner to describe our patterns (i.e an AB, ABC, AAB, AABB etc… pattern). We will be continuing with patterns for a little more and then moving on to number sense for the numbers 1-10. During this time we will focus on number formation, number names, number value, and cementing our current understanding of the numbers 1-10.
I am a true believer in hands-on learning for Math so we have a class lesson on Mondays and then the students participate in hands-on learning centers with manipulatives, paper and pencil for the rest of the week. This allows me to circulate in the class and lend support or chat with the students while they work on their skills.
Français/Science/Social Studies
Our big ideas this month will be about rules, routines and class vocabulary. We will be working on a family unit where students will learn how to present their family using the proper French sentence structure. We will also begin learning about and discussing the season, Fall.
English Literacy
Our English Literacy divided into 3 parts
Science of Reading (30 minutes daily)- We have been working on drill sounds (the sound that each letter makes). The students will be diligently working through a letter printing book at this time. In Grade 1 the focus is on becoming familiar with lower case letters and beginning to only use upper case when needed. This is a slow and steady process so please do not worry at this point!
Guided Reading (30 minutes daily)- We will be working on learning the routine for our Guided Reading rotations and I will be starting to read decodable books with a focus on CVC words (3 letter words) to start. The students will be divided into groups and have an assigned center each day to complete. The centers are; reading with the teacher, reading quietly to self, working on writing, word work and Ipad time using Starfall.
You may notice some paper books coming home. These are decodable books which means that the students can use letter sounds to decode all of the words except for those tricky words like the, and etc… It is of the utmost importance that we celebrate these small successes and we focus on the dialogue “WOW, you can read!” This is where it all begins and a reader with confidence is a reader who will take risks and adapt to the challenges. Lay it on thick and celebrate every little victory! They will be so proud!
Writing (20-30 minutes daily)- The students will be learning how to journal and to use labelling. I will give the students a topic, such as, “I can…” then the students will draw 1-3 pictures of what they can do and will label the picture using letter sounds.
Inventive spelling is so important at this stage and giving your child the confidence to use what they know and to “sound out” the words is an essential skill. I do not focus on spelling things conventionally and instead slow down the words and allow them to write the letters they hear. I also have been drilling the “I can write” narrative into their heads since an automatic response is often “but Madame, I can’t write!” Well, yes they can! The writing they produce at this age is my absolute favourite! We have spoken extensively that mistakes are welcome and that I actually love mistakes because it means that they are challenging themselves. The only words that I will have them be responsible for spelling correctly are the irregular words from the literacy units but we aren’t there just yet
Thanks again for all your wonderful support,
Mme Katie
Important Dates This Month:
Monday, Sept. 4th Labour Day- NO SCHOOL
Friday, Sept. 29th Orange Shirt Day- We will discuss the significance of the orange shirt prior to this day.
*I am hoping to plan a couple of outings (park and berry picking) so stay tuned.