Updates from 1st grade

Whew, we've had another very busy week in 1st grade as we've been working to complete our state mandated PALS testing. This week we continued to work on building our stamina for reading independently and made it to 16 minutes! Our goal is to get to 20. We learned all about Listen to Reading, which is one of our Daily 5s, and how to use QR codes and the site BookFlix on our iPads during this time. 

We also learned about an app called, Chirp this week which allows me to send images/pictures to all of the students iPads without the use of email. Using this app, kiddos were able to import pictures of our calendar and weather graph into an app called Doodlecast Pro. Each morning, when we do our calendar on the smartboard together each student will also complete their own on their iPad. At the end of the month, we'll use the recording feature of Doodlecast Pro to analyze our weather graph and tell what we observe. For example, there are 5 more sunny days than rainy. When we are done, the Doodlecast app, will also allow us to share our finished projects with you too, so be on the lookout for those the beginning of November.

In addition to our checking our weather for the weather graph, we've also been sharing our weather via Twitter with our buddy class in Oshawa, Canada via the hashtag #whatstheweather14.  Feel free to check out our Twitter page to see what we've been tweeting. This month is about learning how to tweet and we've been doing it together. Next month, it is my hope that we will also graph their weather and then compare our graphs.

We are continuing to work through Module 2 in math and have been focusing on the counting on strategy. Using this strategy, we start with the larger number and then count on from that number. For example: 8+2... we would say 8 and then say 9, 10.  I will be sending more information about this strategy home this week along with some flash cards that you can use to have your child practice this strategy.

On last reminder... this Tuesday night is our PTO Family Fall reading event. Students will be able to decorate pumpkins in the cafeteria while parents have the ability to go to 2 different sessions geared towards reading and writing to get information for your use at home. The event starts at 6:00 and goes until 7:30. If you haven't signed up yet, please feel free to just show up. Hope to see you there!

As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.