Author: pmcclurg

Concepts Covered This Week

Religion:

• We listened to the bible story where Jesus tells us “Love one Another”.
• We defined a church community.
• We gave examples of how church members show love to each other.
• We participated in an All School Mass.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading sight words.
• We practiced the correct formation of the letters: b,c,f,h,k,l,m,n,p,r and t.
• We worked with –at and -an word families.
• We practiced reading books and poems that contained our sight words and other words we know.
• We wrote sentences using our new sight words.

Math:

• We reviewed math vocabulary words: more, greater, less, fewer and same.
• We practiced matching numbers 1-10 to the correct picture and number names.
• We reviewed the correct stopping and starting points for numbers 0-5 and practiced writing neat and accurate numbers.
• We used pictures and patterns to solve real world problems.

Social Studies/Science:

• We identified and illustrated people in our school community that can help us stay safe and follow directions and rules.
• We identified ways to stay healthy at school and what to do if when we do not feel well.

Art/Music/Physical Education/Spanish:

• We learned new songs and stretches to help with class transitions.
• We toured the library and listened to one of Mrs. Smith’s favorite stories.
• In Art, we learned about the art element of line and practiced making different types of lines. We then made colorful pictures using different types of lines.
• In Spanish, we reviewed words for numbers and colors and added some words related to the calendar; month days of the week and weather.

Next Week:

• We will switch our specialist teachers.  Mrs. Twining will teach Physical Education on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.  Mrs. McClurg will teach us art lessons on line or color and additional songs and stretches.

This week, we worked on daily routines. We practiced following directions and lining up. We are discovering some good ways to adapt to our classroom. We had a busy week and deserve a relaxing weekend.

Concepts Covered This Week

Religion:

• We participated in an All School Mass.
• We practiced using our Religion textbooks.
• We practiced some of the First grade prayers.
• We listened to the Gospel story where Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading color words.
• We identified and illustrated some new words to describe foods; crunchy, tender, sour, crisp and tart.
• We identified the topic in several poems and stories.
• We practiced the correct formation of the letters f,h,k,l,rand t.
• We reviewed many consonant sounds.

Math:

• We reviewed numbers 0 to 5.
• We identified and practiced using the math vocabulary words: more, greater, less, fewer and same.
• We used pictures and figures to make patterns.
• We used a bar graph to show the weather pattern for the week.

Social Studies/Science:

• We discussed class rules and why they are important.
• We discussed and drew pictures of some of our feelings.
• We made a chart of ways to deal with frustrated or angry feelings.
• We made a class chart of ways to make others smile.

Physical Education and Health:

• We reviewed safety procedures and practiced recess games.

Music/Art/Spanish:

• We made self-portraits.
• We made sheep for the Good Shepherd’s herd.
• We learned some songs for classroom routines.
• We practiced using words in Spanish for some calendar words; numbers, days of the week, month and weather words.

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesday, September 16- 6:00-7:10PM- Curriculum Night; Zoom presentation by classroom teachers. Please see the note in the school newsletter.
• ROOM PARENT NEEDED- Our class is need of one person willing to assume the role as room parent. Please let me know if you are interested.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We listened to the Gospel story of the transfiguration of Jesus.
• We practiced different kinds of prayer: a thank you prayer, a blessing, a prayer of praise and a prayer of adoration.
• We wrote our own prayers to say during our Lenten journey.
• We made more symbols of prayer for our Lenten suitcases.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing long o words (o-e words).
• We read realistic fiction stories about things families do together.
• We practiced reading and identifying words with the sh- and wh- diagraphs.
• We wrote a journal entry about our favorite sounds.
• We practiced using the questions to write answers for listening center stories.

Math

• We continued to practice the addition strategies of double and double +1.
• We used cubes, pictures, numbers and flash cards to practice the addition strategy of make a ten.
• We practiced using a 100 chart to find 10 more and less of a given number.

Science/Social Studies:

• We shared our models of national symbols and landmarks with our classmates.
• We began to learn about the properties of sound. We watched a video that visualized sound waves, illustrated vocabulary words then began to plan a way to talk to a friend over a distance of 5 feet using a device to transmit our voice.

Physical Education/Music/Spanish/Art

• In Physical Education we developed ball handling skills relating to volleyball and basketball.
• In Music we sang, moved and created new verses to the song When I Was One. We also learned the new Solfege syllable la, and explored its relationship to the syllables sol and mi.
• In Spanish we reviewed topics with songs, repetitions and movement. We prayed the Holy Trinity. We also practiced courtesy words, colors and numbers 0-20. We sang the months of the year and the days of the week
• In Art we used what we learned about stained glass to create another light and color piece of work.
• In the computer lab, we practiced number sense in the IXL Math program (Part A).
• We listened to more folk tales and fairy tales in class.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We defined prayer as listening to and speaking to Jesus.
•  We illustrated Stations of the Cross with our fourth grade buddies.
•  We practiced different kinds of prayer: a thank you prayer, a blessing and a prayer of praise.
•  We wrote a journal entry about Lent, stating some of the ways we are getting closer to Jesus.
•  We made symbols of prayer for our Lenten suitcases.

Language Arts:

•  We practiced reading and writing long a words (a-e words).
•  We practiced identifying and writing verb ending with –s and –ed.
•  We practiced reading and identifying words with the ch-, th- and sh- diagraphs.
•  We practiced using the questions to write answers for listening center stories

Math

•  We used cubes, pictures, numbers and flash cards to practice the addition strategies of double and double +1.
•  We used cubes and pictures to demonstrate the addition strategy of make a ten.
• We practiced using a 100 chart to find 10 more of a given number.

Science/Social Studies:

•  We completed the chapter on the United States of America by reading our notes and study guides, then taking a unit test.
•  We worked with our fourth grade buddies to construction models of national symbols or landmarks.

Physical Education/Music/Spanish/Art

•  In Physical Education we developed ball handling skills relating to volleyball and basketball.
•  In Music we sang, moved and created new verses to the song When I Was One. We also learned the new Solfege syllable la, and explored its relationship to the syllables sol and mi.
•  In Spanish we reviewed topics with songs, repetitions and movement. We prayed the Holy Trinity. We also practiced courtesy words, colors and numbers 0-20. We sang the months of the year and the days of the week.
• In Art we learned about light and color by designing and creating stained glass window.
•  In the computer lab, we practiced using a credible source to view pictures of a national symbol.
•  We listened to folk tales and fairy tales in class.

This week we are asked to contribute $.25 to the rice bowl when we help someone in need. Many first graders have been helping others in class. If you are called to participate in this service project, your donation is welcomed.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We listened to the Gospel story where Jesus tells us to love our enemies.
• We learned about the significance of Ash Wednesday.
• We learned that Lent is a 40-day journey with Jesus.
• We made Lenten suitcases. We will fill the suitcases with items to help us on our Lenten journey.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing long a words (a-e words).
• We read and wrote words with th and ch diagraphs.
• We read realistic stories about families.
• We wrote a journal entry about an American symbol.
• We worked on writing complete sentences with a subject and predicate.

Math:

• We practiced addition facts of numbers with the same addend (doubles).
• We added together two numbers with answers greater than 10 by using the strategy of double +1.
• We practiced factoring teen numbers into groups of tens and ones.
• We looked at three digit numbers on our new 101-200 number chart.

Science/Social Studies:

• We learned about American symbols.
• We identified some symbols as landmarks that we could visit.
• We learned about national holidays.
• We discussed what it means to be a hero.

Physical Education/Music/ Spanish/Art:

•  In Physical Education we practiced ball handling using basketballs and volleyballs.
• In Music we practiced singing sol-mi singing patterns with hand symbols and reading eighth and quarter note rhythm patterns. We added instruments to the song Aikendrum, and kept a steady beat while playing a partner game song Wishy Washy Wee.
• In Spanish we practiced songs and repetitions with movement, reviewed the Holy Trinity, practiced using courtesy words and reviewed colors.
• In Art we learned about light and color. We looked at the stained glass windows in the school and church, and then designed and created our own stained glass window.
• We listened to many different versions of the Gingerbread Man.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We listened to and discussed the Gospel where Jesus tells us small things like salt and light can make a big difference.
• We learned about the Sacrament of Baptism.
• We defined grace as God’s loving presence in our lives.
• We listened to a story about Saint Valentine and learned where the tradition of giving cards originated.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing words with all short vowel sounds.
• We practiced reading and writing contractions.
• We read poems and realistic fiction stories about learning to read.
• We wrote good descriptive sentences with a subject and predicate.
• We wrote a journal entry on how we adapt to cold winter weather.

Math:

• We reviewed the vocabulary words associated with number sense.
• We continued to look at teen numbers as a group of ten and ones.
• We ordered groups of numbers from greatest to least and least to greatest.
• We looked for and continued making patterns for a group of numbers.

Science/Social Studies:

• We began to learn about our country by defining the words settler and freedom.
• We drew pictures in our journal depicting a settler and freedom.
• We learned about George Washington and why he was chosen to be the first President.

Physical Education/Music/Spanish/Art:

• In Physical Education, we participated in the Jump for Heart obstacle course. You can make a donation at www.americanheart.org/jump – click on WA state to find our school, or turn in a pledge at the office.
• In Music, we listened to Kangaroo by Camille Saint Saens and moved to the changes in the music. We read, sang, and used hand symbols for Solfege notes sol and mi. Solfege is a system of reading music notes that teaches the students to think of musical pitches in terms of intervals.
• In Spanish, we practiced songs and repetitions with movement, reviewed the Holy Trinity, practiced using courtesy words and wrote Valentine cards for a friend.
• In Art, we worked with self-hardening clay to make an animal. We also made Valentine decorations and decorated our Valentine boxes.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We learned that the Gospel stories during Ordinary Time are about the life and teachings of Jesus
• We learned that Baptism is a special celebration to welcome new members into our church.
• We worked with a partner to finish “Happy Notes” to children in our community.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing words with all short vowels sounds and beginning blends.
• We read animal fantasy books about friendship.
• We identified nouns and pronouns in poems and stories.
• We practiced reading and writing proper nouns.
• We formed sentences with a naming part(subject) and a telling part(predicate).
• We wrote answers to literacy questions where we supported our idea with an event from the story.

Math:

• We practiced reading, building and writing teen numbers as a group of 1 ten and some ones.
• We compared groups of objects and numbers by using the signs for greater than, less than and equals.

Science/Social Studies:

• We learned how and why some animals hibernate in the winter.
• We worked in groups to make posters to remind three animals what they should do to survive the harsh winter weather.

Physical Education/Spanish/Art/Music

• In Physical Education, we began to develop ball handling skills relating to volleyball and basketball.
• In Spanish, we reviewed listening exercises and practiced songs for directional words.
• In Art, we become art detectives while looking at one of the paintings in the school. We created an artwork using weaving techniques to re-create a part of the painting.
• In Music, we took an assessment for reading quarter and eighth note rhythms (ta and ti-ti). We learned the action song Rig a Jig and used it to play a game. We also learned the spiritual Michael Row.

Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We listened to the Gospel story of the Epiphany and made group pictures of the three wise men.
• We learned about the Holy Family and compared Jesus family life to our family lives.
• We listened to a story that showed helping others as an act of kindness.
• We participated in a school Mass and noticed the colors and symbols of the Christmas Season.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing words with short u vowels and beginning blends.
• We read fiction stories about pets.
• We identified action verbs in our stories, then wrote sentences using some of these verbs.
• We practiced reading and writing proper nouns.
• We wrote answers to literacy questions where we supported our idea with an event from the story.
• We practiced finding a “just right” reading book to read by ourselves or with a buddy.

Math:

• We reviewed vocabulary words associated with shapes.
• We practiced combining shapes to make a new shape.
• We broke complicated structures into individual shapes.

Science/Social Studies:

• We learned about the four things animals need to survive: air, food, water and shelter.
• We reviewed our individual answers to the questions: How do animals know winter is coming?
• We began to read about how animals survive the winter.

Physical Education/Spanish/Art/Music

• In Physical Education, we began a rhythm and dance unit by dancing to simple children circle dances.
• In Spanish, we reviewed listening exercises and practiced songs for directional words. We completed an activity emphasizing the Epiphany.
• In Art, we created an image of Mary for winter.
• In Music,we practiced reading eighth and quarter note rhythms using the song Strawberry Shortcake. We also listening to Winter by Vivaldi and used balloons to move to the beat of music.

November 18-27, 2019              Concepts covered this week

Religion:

• We discussed the Gospel story where Jesus shows love by forgiving.
• We also discussed what it means to be thankful.
• We identified actions and words that show we are thankful.
• We listened to two Gospel stories that demonstrate being thankful.
• We participated in a Mass and Prayer Service.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing words with the short “o” sound.
• We practiced reading and writing words with –s and –ing endings.
• We read stories about frogs and ways we can help the members of our families.
• We wrote listening center response sentences with a subject and a predicate.
• We read all our sight words and learned to find a “just right” reading book.

Math:

• We reviewed the math vocabulary words: subtraction sentence, whole, parts and difference.
• We reviewed strategies to solve subtraction problems.
• We practiced listening to and making subtraction sentences problems.
• We worked with partners on various problem solving techniques.

Science/Social Studies:

• We practiced finding continents and oceans on a world map and a globe.
• We worked with a partner to find picture examples of different land masses and water sources.
• We learned about the life of Pilgrim children by reading a news articles and watching a Scholastic News video.
• We discussed the significance of Thanksgiving.

Physical Education/Spanish/Music/Art:

• In Physical Education, we practiced movement on the bars, balance beam, mini tramp and mats .We focused on safety and taking turns, sharing the mat and head “tucks” for forward rolls.
• In Spanish,we reviewed previous lessons with songs and repetitions with movements. We learn words to ask for help and to offer thanks
• In Music, we began to prepare for the Christmas Program. We practiced our song, Go Tell it on the Mountain. We discussed the lyrics, some vocabulary words and the importance of intonation when making music.
• In Art, we made a landscape using analogous colors.

Thank you for providing insightful comments great dialogue during Parent/Teacher conferences.

Concepts covered this week:

Religion:

• We listened to Sunday’s Gospel story and learned that God answers our prayers and gives us what we need.
• We participated in the Virtus safety program, learned about personal boundaries and how they change according to different people and situations.
• We participated in an All School Mass.

Language Arts:

• We practiced reading and writing short “a” words.
• We completed writing descriptive sentences and listening center responses.
• We practiced the concept of ending sounds and reviewed opposite words.
• We wrote personal invitations to our grandparents for Grandparent’s Day.

Math:

• We practiced using addition vocabulary words: add, add on, plus, equals, sum, addition sentence.
• We used models, pictures and numbers to show additions sentences to ten.
• We practiced the strategy of counting on from the largest number.
• We learned that you can add two numbers in any order and end up with the same answer (commutative property of addition)