Thursday, January 14, 2016

Jan Brett Newsletter

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.

                                                             
                
Open Circle

     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