Dear Room 2
Families, Friday, December 18, 2015
We Love Jan Brett!
Room 2 has really been enjoying our
studies of Jan Brett, an author and illustrator who lives right here in
Massachusetts! She is well known for her extraordinary illustrations and unique
use of borders in her storytelling. I hope you’ve heard a bit about her life,
her interests, and her love of writing children’s books. Did you know that,
among other animals, Jan Brett has a hedgehog for a pet? She often includes
pictures of him in her stories, hidden in her borders or used as a main
character. The children are learning to use their schema, or their accumulated
knowledge and experience, to help them predict storylines and understand her
characters. We are also practicing retelling her stories and discovering how
she applies her own twists and signature writing to many well-known folktales.
The children are fascinated by the stories she tells and by the detail that she
uses in her illustrations. Some of our favorite stories include, The Mitten,
Annie and the Wild Animals, The Hat, The Umbrella, The
Gingerbread Baby, The Three Snow Bears, Daisy Comes Home, and
the Trouble With Trolls. We’ve enjoyed retelling stories (Jan Brett’s Goldilocks
and the Three Bears), and will perform 2 plays (The Mitten and The
Hat) in class next week.
We also learned that Jan Brett travels all
over the world to gather information to include in her stories. We used a world
map to locate Denmark, Ukraine, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Norway, and China~the
settings of some of the tales we’ve read in class. We looked forward to
discovering where each of her stories took place. We’ve focused on specific
parts of the stories including the setting, the characters, the problem, and
the solution to the problem. After vacation, each child will have a copy of a
retelling bookmark in his/her book bag that will be used during Reading
Workshop to help children retell stories independently. These bookmarks prompt
children to tell the important parts and sequence of events in stories; an
essential piece in the building of your child’s reading comprehension. I will
send copies home to use when you are reading with your child or when he/she is
reading independently. I encourage you to continue the exploration at home by
visiting Jan’s website at www.janbrett.com. This is a wonderful site to visit with
your child and is full of activities, videos showcasing “How To Draw…” story
characters and interesting information about Jan Brett.
In our Open Circle meetings, we’ve been
talking about feelings, body language, and strategies to calm down when we are
upset. I love our class Open Circles; they give such a clear picture of the
thoughtful, inquisitive nature of first graders. Children are so eager to share
stories of their personal experiences and are always interested in acting out
scenarios that go along with our topics. Next week, we’ll be discussing
positive self-talk.
Math
We’ve continued our adventures with
addition and subtraction this past month. We’ve solved equations with missing
addends and have solved word problems/story problems showing our thinking and
displaying the strategy that was used in finding the sum or the difference in
an equation. Children have focused on combinations of ten or tens partners
(2+8, 7+3, etc.) doubles (4+4, 7+7, etc.) and doubles plus 1 (2+3, 5+6, 9+10).
These are great to practice for automaticity, especially the doubles. We’ve
also focused on using number lines, counting up and back, using 10 frames, and
number bonds. While many children are able to solve addition and subtraction
equations through 10, 20 or beyond, all children are practicing using words and
pictures to write and explain their thinking. Wow! First grade math has sure
come a L-O-N-G way since I was 7 years old! These kids are MOST IMPRESSIVE in
their ability to manipulate numbers, apply strategies, and problem solve. I’m
very proud of all our Room 2 Mathematicians! Woo-hoo! They are truly
MATHTASTIC!!
Science
The young
scientists in Room 2 been having a grand time exploring our science unit called Balance and Motion. We’ve
discovered numerous ways to balance two-dimensional tag board shapes like
crayfish, triangles, and arches. We’ll find ways to balance a pencil on its
point in a stable position next week. We’ll explore concepts of balance,
counterweight, and stability. The children have also learned to communicate
their observations and comparisons of balanced objects using precise
vocabulary. We will explore types of motion by constructing toys that
demonstrate spinning (tops and spinners). We’ll find that some objects and
systems that move on a central axis exhibit rotational motion. We’ll see that a
push or pull (a force) is needed to initiate rotational motion in objects. I am
excited for your child to share our classroom experiments with you as the unit
progresses!
Sharing About
our Family Traditions
Thanks so much to those of you who’ve sent
in your child’s “Family Traditions” posters. The pictures that have been
created and the photographs included have really helped us to learn more about
our classmates. What a wonderful opportunity to make connections and to hear
about what’s important to each of us. Children have been so proud to share
their work and their thoughts! We’ve loved hearing details about Diwali, Chinese
New Year, Hanukkah, Christmas, gingerbread cookie baking, gingerbread house
creations, venturing out at night to look at lights, family game night,
motorboat trips to Rhode Island, special breakfasts and dinners, baking
cookies, visits from elves, Ganesha Pooja, trips to Cape Cod, summer barbecues,
making presents for family members, fall trips to Sturbridge Village, summer
trips to Maine, and winter trips to Florida! Boy oh boy, I want to join in the
fun! If your child hasn’t yet made a poster to share, there’s still time before
our winter break! Please let me know if you need another copy of the
assignment. I can send it to you via email.
Penguins
After vacation, we will begin our studies
of penguins. This is always an exciting time for children as they are able to
apply their accumulated skills to read a variety of both fiction and nonfiction
texts about these feathered friends! We were very excited for our trip to the
New England Aquarium…details to come!
I hope you and your family enjoy the
vacation ahead; may it be filled with peace and great joy.
Happy Winter Solstice to all!
I look forward to seeing you in 2016!
Take care,
Lise Weig J
