Week in Review, December 11-15, 2023

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Thank you Explorer Families for all the lovely Christmas chocolates and gifts! We are looking forward to a teacher massage together over the break. We feel very blessed to be your child's teachers and have such a supportive group of parents. We hope you all have an enjoyable winter break. Please drop 4-5 pictures of your holiday fun in your child's Sharing Folder. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year to you and your family! 

Report cards are now available for viewing in Veracross via MySASportal. Also, please look for the following items that came home with your child over the last couple of days:

• Winter Break Reading Challenge-decorate the mug and fill up the mug with reading marshmallows for a special treat, from Mrs. Cuthbert, following the break.
• Christmas Present from your Child-your child made you a Christmas tree ordainment for the family. 
• Stocking-Students brought home a stocking full of goodies from their classmates. 
• Book-Students brought home 1 book that was given to them by a classmate during the Book Exchange.

In Writing, we continued writing our Book Reviews. we worked to edit and revise our Book Reviews. When we get back from break we will publish our Book Reviews and then start our third writing unit, All About Books (Nonfiction).

In Reading, we continued being "The Boss" of our reading. We learned:

• Strategies to ensure we understand what we are reading.
• How to know when characters are speaking (look for quotation marks).
• Learned how to read like a "Reading Star" with expression and volume. 

After break we will be starting our fourth reading unit, Readers Learn About the World (Nonfiction).

We also read The Floating Soccer Field, by Mr. Riley, an SAS teacher/coach (husband of Mrs. Riley the kindergarten teacher). Then we had a STEAM lesson where students used engineering to redevelop the Marina Bay floating platform into a floating public space where the community can come together. Structures were sent home Wednesday.

In Word Study, we learned about adding "-ed" to the end of base words. We learned that it makes the word past tense and it makes three sounds. It can make the "d" sound, the "t" sound, or the "ed" sound. When reading, we need to try it all three ways and see which one sounds right. We also need to know that when we are spelling a past tense verb and hear any of these sounds at the end of a word, it will be spelled "ed". We also learned the heart words any and many.

In Math, we started Unit 4, Numbers to 99 and learned how to count up to 60 objects in a collection (multiple of 10), interpret different base-ten representations of multiples of 10, and add and subtract 10 from multiples of 10. Ask your child to complete the following as a review.

In Social Studies, we finished our final Social Studies project. We linked our dream communities together, coded our roadways, and had the Ozobots tour our communities. We reflected on our Social Studie unit and participated in a challenge STEAM Lab.

We also learned about three different cultural/religious celebrations happening in our community this time of year. We learned about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Ask your child to tell you each story and what we did in class to celebrate each one? After winter break we will be starting our first Science Unit-Let's Ask Nature.

Upcoming Events:

*SAS 2024-2025 School Calendar is now available (here). 

*Our 3rd Quarter "Explorer Calendar" is now available (here).

*Please drop 4-5 Winter Break pictures in this folder.

*Swara will not be returning to SAS after winter break. She will be greatly missed! Here is a video the class made to say goodbye. 

• January 8-Back to School!
• January 9-Welcome Ena, Xuanyou & Zoya (and families) to our Explorer Community. 
• Please note that the Star of the Week dates have changed due to students leaving and joining. 
• Send the Winter Break Reading Challenge to school in your child's Library bag. 
• January 10-Free Dress Day!
• January 12-Happy Birthday Matty! Matty will be sharing a treat during PM snack. 
• January 16-Happy Birthday Xuanyou!
• AIMSWeb Math Assessment today at 8:10. Please go to bed early the night before and eat a good breakfast.
• January 18-Happy Birthday Ian!
• AIMSWeb Reading Assessment today at 8:10. Please go to bed early the night before and eat a good breakfast.
• January 22-No School! Faculty Inservice Day!
• January 25-Swim for PE. Please send swim gear in the blue SAS swim bag.
• January 27-International Fair!

Week in Review, December 4-8, 2023

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In Writing, we started writing our Book Reviews. Book Reviews look very similar to other reviews. The main difference is that you want to give a quick retell of the book without spilling the beans. Please find an example of a Book Review below:

You can listen to a Book Review here. We also reviewed our behavior this last year, using adjectives, for Santa. We sent them to Santa and he emailed us this link to check the Naughty or Nice List. We all made the NICE LIST! He also sent us a personalized video. You can watch it here. We also wrote our Post-Assessment for our Opinion Unit. Watch for them coming home next week.  

In Reading, we started Unit 3, Readers Have Big Jobs To Do. We learned:

• That we need to be the boss of our reading and that readers use everything they know to solve a word.
• Get help when we need it.

We also read a couple stories and learned about the Jewish celebration Hanukkah. We colored a Menorah, played dreidel, and enjoyed some chocolate coins. Ask your child about the story of Hanukkah. Next week we will celebrate and learn the story of Christmas and Kwanzaa. 

In Word Study, we learned there a several exceptions to the silent e rule. If the letter "v" is followed by a silent e the vowel before the "v" will make the short sound (not long), like in give and live. Scrible "o" is another exception. We learned some "o" words, with a silent e, will make the short "u" sound, like in some and done. The scribes did a poor job rewriting them and their scribbles caused a phonemic error. We also learned that "es" is added to the end of words, that end with s, sh, ch, x, and z, to make them plural. The heart words two & does were added to our Heart Word bank. Please practice the following this coming week:

In Math, we analyzed and used counting on and take away as methods to subtract, used subtraction methods flexibly to find differences based on the numbers in a given problem, and solved addition and subtraction story problems with unknowns in all positions. We also took our Unit 3 Assessment. Please look for the assessments coming home in your child's zippy this next week. Next week we will be starting Unit 4, Numbers to 99. 

In Social Studies, we continued working on our final Social Studies project. We are designing a dream community that would meet all of our citizens needs. Students are making sure they have hospitals, schools, police & fire stations, parks, grocery stores, public transportation, and places to live. They have also thought deeply about what type of wants they might provide to their citizens, to make life more enjoyable. Ask your child what type of wants they included in their community. We also learned the Legend of Santa Claus and the Christmas Stocking. Ask your child about the true story of St. Nicholas. We also complete several fun holiday crafts. We are excited to share them with you!  

Upcoming Events:

*SAS 2024-2025 School Calendar is now available (here). 

*Our 3rd Quarter "Explorer Calendar" is now available (here).

*No EAA this coming week!

• December 9-Jasper's Birthday!
• December 11-Early Release! School is out at 12:00. We will have lunch at school. 
• December 12-Birthday Treats for Jasper during PM snack. 
• December 14-Kwanzaa Celebration in class! Please let us know if you would like to join us.
• Goodbye Celebration for Sawara.
• December 15-Christmas dress & celebration in class! 
• Please let our room parents know if you can help. 
• Please click here for party information (Book Exchange and 1st Grade Santa Gifting). 

Week in Review, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2023

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In Writing, we continued writing Reviews. We learned how to add helpful tips or warnings, make a comparison, and how to give a convincing conclusion. We also took some time to revise, edit, and fix and fancy up our Reviews. Next week we will be starting a Book Review. Please send a book from home your child would like to review. 

In Reading, we wrapped up Unit 2 by completing our secret mission from the Secret Service Detective Agency. A breakout box was delivered to our room and we had to use everything we learned during our Word Detective Unit to figure out the combinations to 5 different locks. We collaborated, persevered, and broke into the box. We found detective badges, a certificate and smarties.  

In Word Study, we learned that silent e can also make the letter c make the "s" sound. This combination is found at the end of long vowel words like face and nice. We also learned that silent e can make the letter g make the "j" sound. This combination is also found at the end of long vowel words like cage and rage. We also reviewed the heart words: who, by, my, one & once. Please practice the following this week:

In Math, we learned how to solve story problems with three addends, write equations with three addends, and subtract within 20. We also used the unit of ten to find differences within 20 and analyzed and used counting on and taking away as methods to subtract. In the first problem below you would want to see your child do one of the following:

1. Decompose one of the smaller numbers to help the 8 get to 10. 

Example: 4 gives 2 to 8 to make 10. The new equation is 10+2+3. I know that 2+3 is 5, so 10+5=15

2. Add two numbers together first and then add in the 3rd.

*Example: 8+4+3 can become 12+3 (think 2+3=5, and then add 10+5=15) 

*Example: 8+4+3 can become 8+7 (think doubles to solve, 7+7=14, plus 1 more is 15). 

For the last problem you would want to see your child either count back 7 from 16 (-) or count on from 7 to 16 (+ to subtract). They may also first think 16-6 =10 (make a ten) and then subtract 1 more. They might create a double ten frame model and cross off counters to find the answer or use 1 ten tower and 6 ones. 

In Social Studies, we reviewed government provided services and started our final project. Students are collaborating, in a group of four, to designing their dream community. They are considering the rights and responsibilities of people living in their community, as well as their citizens needs and wants. We also had a counseling lesson with Mrs. Selvie. Please see her SeeSaw for more information. We also started learning about and decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. 

Upcoming Events:

• December 4-Bring a book from home to write a Book Review on. 
• December 5-Book Fair! (2nd post down). Send shopping money in an envelope with your child's name on it. No normal library today (keep books for two weeks).
• Kiki's Birthday! Cupcakes will be shared during PM snack.
• December 7-Hanukkah Celebration in class! Please let us know if you would like to join us.
• December 9-Jasper's Birthday!
• December 11-Early Release! School is out at 12:00. We will have lunch at school. 
• December 14-Kwanzaa Celebration in class! Please let us know if you would like to join us.
• December 15-Christmas dress & celebration in class! 
• Please let our room parents know if you can help. 
• Please click here for party information (Book Exchange and 1st Grade Santa Gifting). 

Week in Review, November 20-22, 2023

 

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In Writing, we started writing Reviews. We use Reviews to persuade others to try something or feel the same as we do about something. This week we learned the format of a Review and how to use the following craft moves:

• Talk to your reader
• Give compelling reasons
• Use sparkly words (adjectives)

Please see the format of a Review below.

• Page 1-Opening
• Hook your reader with a fun introduction (ask a question or give a bold statement)
• Give your opinion.
• Tell them what it is (act like they don't know).

• Pages 2-3-Body
• Give three reasons why they should try it.
• Talk directly to the reader (The first reason you should try it is because...)
• Use the craft moves shared above (give lots of detail).

Pages 3 or 4-Closing 

• Remind your reader why they should try it and how you feel about it.
• Encourage them to go try it!
• Where can they find it? 
• How much might it cost?
• Give it a rating out of 5.

In Reading, we used our detective skills to solve:

• Contractions-Two words join together in a shorter way (can't, it's, he'll, didn't, won't, etc.)-video
• Compound Words-Two words join together to make a new longer word (baseball, lighthouse, cheeseburger, into, fireplace, etc.)-video

Next week we will complete our final mission from the Secret Service Detective Agency (SSDA).

In Word Study, we reviewed silent e. Student are now very familiar with how e (one letter away) can impact a vowel. We also reviewed our new heart words: who, by, my, one & once. Please review the following this coming week:

In Math, we analyzed methods for adding within 10 that involve making ten, looked for and used patterns in addition expressions to add within 20, and used addition methods flexibly to find sums based on the numbers in a given problem. Review the following problems with your child for some extra practice. Encourage your child to make a ten when adding. 

Example: When adding 9+6, take one from the 6 and give it to the 9 to make 10. Then add back in the remaining 5. So, 9+6 became 10+5.

In Social Studies, we continued to talk about needs vs. wants and tied them into government provided services. The government will provide some of the needs in a community. For example, the government will provide libraries, schools, roads, public transportation, community centers, parks, fire/police stations, hospitals, HDBs, and grocery stores. 

We also had a STEAM lesson with Mr. Lee on government provided services. We used ScratchJr to create an animated model of a government provided service. 

 

We also had our November Grade 1 "Thankful Assembly" and learned about the first Thanksgiving in class. Ask your child to share the story with you. 

Upcoming Events:

*EAA Season 2 starts Monday! Please see the Season 2 Schedule here. Let us know ASAP if you see something that is not correct.

• November 23-24-No School! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! We are thankful for you all!
• Nov. 27-Dec. 1-This week is Spirit Week! 

• November 27-Season 2 EAA starts. See the EAA Calendar here and the Season 2 Schedule here. 
• November 28-Ms. Aida's Birthday! Donuts have been ordered as a PM birthday snack to share with the class. 
• December 1-Friday Night Lights! 
• December 5-Kiki's Birthday!
• December 7-Hanukkah Celebration in class! Please let us know if you would like to join us.
• December 8-Book Fair! (2nd post down). Send shopping money in an envelope with your child's name on it. No normal library today (keep books for two weeks).
• December 9-Jasper's Birthday!
• December 11-Early Release! School is out at 12:00. We will have lunch at school. 
• December 12-Kwanzaa Celebration in class! Please let us know if you would like to join us.
• December 15-Christmas dress & celebration in class! 
• Please let our room parents know if you can help. 
• Please click here for party information (Book Exchange and 1st Grade Santa Gifting). 

Week in Review, November 14-17, 2023

  

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In Writing, we learned how to give a compelling conclusion and finished up writing about opinions within our collections. Students wrote both a best in show and worst in show and shared reasons why. Collections were sent home Friday. We were also introduced to another type of opinion writing called Reviews. The Bend was launched with this Kit Kat Review video. We also looked at a teacher model to learn what a Review needs and enjoyed a Kit Kat to see whether or not we agreed with the teacher review. 

In Reading, we used our detective skills to solve:

• Blends & Digraphs-two letter blends (st, sl, tr, cr, etc.), three letter blends (str, spr, scr, etc.-video), and digraphs (th, sh, ch, wh, ck, etc.-video )
• Word Endings-Added ed, s, es, ing (sometimes double the constant before adding)-video
• Syllabals-Parts of words (how many times you clap)-video
• Vowel teams-"When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking!"(ee, ea, ai, oa, and some special sounds like ou & oo)-video

In Word Study, we learned how "Bossy E" impacts the letters "e" and "u". We saw that "Bossy E" makes "e" and "u" say their names. We also learned that long "u" can also say "oo" like in the word tune. So, when we run into a long "u" we will need to try it both ways. We also learned heart words "one" and "once". Please practice the following this coming week:

In Math, we learned how to solve and model take from, result, and change unknown story problems within 20. 

Example:

We also learned how to solve story problems within 20 with three addends (two of which make a ten-video), how to make sense of equations with addition expressions on both sides of the equal sign (for example, 3+6+7=10+6), and how to use the associative property to make a ten when adding three numbers. 

Example:

In Social Studies, we read What Matters and reviewed our responsibilities when it comes to taking care of our community. We went on our field trip to Waterways Watch Society where we were able to take action and help clean up the waterways right here in Singapore. The four classes from SAS picked up 18 kgs of trash all together! A special thank you to our parent volunteers! The trip wouldn't have been possible without you.

We also earned our second class party, by filling up the Party Jar, and celebrated with an Ice Cream Party! 

We also learned the difference between needs and wants. Show your child different objects around the house and ask them if they are a need or a want.

Upcoming Events:

*No EAAs this coming week!

*Thanks Donation Drive runs till the 22nd. 

• November 21-A free dessert will be provided by the PTA for Thanksgiving!
• November 23-24-No School! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! We are thankful for you all!
• Nov. 27-Dec. 1-Spirit Week! 
• Dress up days will be shared at a later date.
• November 27-Season 2 EAA starts. See the EAA Calendar here. 
• November 28-Ms. Aida's Birthday! Donuts have been ordered as a PM birthday snack to share with the class. 
• December 1-Friday Night Lights! 
• December 5-Kiki's Birthday!
• December 7-Hanukkah Celebration in class!
• December 8-Book Fair! Send shopping money in an envelope with your child's name on it. No normal library today (keep books for two weeks).
• December 9-Jasper's Birthday!
• December 11-Early Release! School is out at 12:00. We will have lunch at school. 
• December 12-Kwanzaa Celebration in class!
• December 15-Christmas dress & celebration in class! 
• Please let our room parents know if you can help. 
• Party information will be coming home this week. 

Week in Review, November 6-9, 2023

  

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In Writing, we learned how to give multiple reasons and use the word because to share our opinions with others. We learned how to use transitions words (first, second, third, etc.) and how to use adjectives to make our reasons even more persuasive. Students worked to give examples to make their writing even stronger and learned how to talk back to make their opinion even stronger.

Example of a opinion piece with craft moves and elaboration:

Do you have a favorite animal? My favorite animal is a giraffe. A giraffe is a tall mammal with a long neck and large brown spots. Giraffes can be found on the savanna in Africa. 

The first reason I like giraffes is because they are cute. For example they have long black eyelashes and hairy hornes. Some people think giraffes look funny, but I think they are cute!

The second reason I like them is because they have a long purplish tongue that can wrap around green leaves high up in the trees. 

The last reason I like giraffes is because they are gentle. I fed a giraffe peanuts in Africa and the way it used its lips to gently eat the peanuts out of my hand reminded me of a horse. 

Giraffes are my favorite animal because they are cute, have cool tongues, and are gentle. Next time you see a giraffe, check out their cool parts. You will see how cute they are. I love giraffes!

*In the example above you will see an opening where a question was asked to hook the reader and a brief description of a giraffe was given. Three reasons were shared and a closing where the opinion was restated was given. The craft moves included an example, talking back, a short personal story, and a comparison. Adjectives were used to strengthen the opinion piece. You can work on opinion writing at home too!

In Reading, we continued on our quest to become word detectives. Our goal is to earn our Detective Badge! We keep receiving secret missions from the Secret Service Detective Agency. This week we investigated the following:

• How can we turn new larger words into snap words?
• How can we go back and reread to scoop up words, with our eyes, to make our reading sound smooth?
• How to break words into smaller part (syllables). 

In Word Study, we learned about how "Bossy E" impacts the vowels "i" and "o". Please watch the Bossy E video as a review. We also learned the new heart words, "by" and "my". Please practice the following this week:

In Math, we learned how to compose and decompose teen numbers into 1 ten and some number of ones, how to find the value that makes an addition equation true, and how to use the relationship between addition and subtraction to find the missing values. Have your child work on the following problems as a review.

In Social Studies, we taught each other about the SAS community members we decided to interview. We watched videos of the interviews to get to know them better. We also had a counseling lesson with Ms. Selvie. We learned how to stand up to a bully and how to report bullying. We also celebrate Deepavali. Parents came in to help us make some beautiful rangolis and diyas, share the Diwali story with us, and treat us to a special snack. THANK YOU parents for your help! Ask your child what they learned about Deepavali. 

Upcoming Events:

*Only vendor led EAAs this week. Here are the students who will be going:

• Wednesday-Ian & Rowan 
• Thursday-Ian, Junyoung & Matty
• Friday-Jake, Kaixin & Matty

• November 13-No School! Deepavali!
• November 14-Thanks Donation Drive starts and runs till the 22nd. 
• November 15-Field Trip to Waterways Watch Society! 
• Please review the Parent Letter.
• Gentle reminder that parents can not meet us at Waterways Watch Society. You have to be an official chaparon, and ride the bus, to join us on this field trip. Chaperones have been notified. Thanks!
• November 17-Last EAA for vendor led activities.
• November 21-You can order a Thanksgiving meal from Mr. Hoe today for your child's lunch. A free dessert will be provided by the PTA. 
• November 23-24-No School! Thanksgiving!
• Nov. 27-Dec. 1-Spirit Week! 
• Dress up days will be shared at a later date.
• November 27-Season 2 EAA starts. See the EAA Calendar here. 
• November 28-Ms. Aida's Birthday!
• December 8-Send shopping money in an envelope with your child's name on it. No normal library today (keep books for two weeks).