Week in Review, February 19-23, 2024

For more weekly pictures, click here.

In Writing, we  started our final "All About" book. Students selected an animal they know a lot about and are excited to read books to learn even more. Please talk to your child about their final selection and have conversation at home to support their writing. We will be integrating our current science unit into our writing so conversations around its structures (parts), functions (what the parts help them do), and behaviors that insure survival would be beneficial. Students will also be adding some selected nonfiction text features that we have been learning about during our reading unit. Our final "All About" book will be shared during March Conferences.

 

In Reading, we learned how to infer and visualize using a narrative non-fiction. We also practiced finding interesting things to share and reading like an expert. We learned that it helps to mark pages where you find something interesting. We also had our February Grade 1 Assembly and enjoyed the 5th grade reading of The Day the Crayons Quit. The G1 teachers and IAs were all dressed up like crayons:). Our class went up on the stage and led the Grade 1 closing dance.

We also had some fun dropping everything and reading (DEAR Time), dressing up like our favorite book characters, and listening to books shared by our Festival of Reading guest authors. Thank you SAS Foundation and PTA for bringing FIVE authors into our classrooms via Google Meets. Ask your child who their favorite author was. 

In Word Study, we learning about r-controlled vowels "er", "ir" and "ur". We learned that all three make the "r" sound and can be found in the middle and at the end of words. We also learned the heart words "other", "another", "brother" and "mother". Please practice the following this coming week.

In Math, we learned how to add a one-digit and a two-digit number, with composing a ten, using place value understanding and the properties of operations. Students also learned how to show their thinking by writing equations to represent the addition method they choice. 

In Science, we continued learning about structures and functions of plants and animals and were introduced to the concept of Biomimicry. We read some great books, watched a few video clips, played a matching game, and completed a Biomimicry build in the STEAM lab. 

Ask your child what Biomimicry means and which animal and structure they chose for the big Biomimicry build we will be starting next week in the Makerspace. To prepare we completed our brainstorming sheet and blueprints. 

We also went to the STEAM lab and used the concept of Biomimicry to create a new eating tool. Students created a blueprint and then went through the design process. We were challenged to pick up rice, noodles and bugs with the device we invented. Devices were sent home Tuesday.

Upcoming Events:

• February 26-Late Start (10:00) and Miya sharing her 1/2 Birthday treat during PM snack. 
• March 1-Friday Night Lights 3:30-7:30 in the High School!
• March 4-Season 3 EAA starts today!
• March 14-Mrs. Parra's Birthday! Treats will be shared during PM snack.
• Bring Leprechaun trap to school!
• March 15-St. Patrick's Day! Wear green!
• March 18-20-Only vendor led EAAs this week.
• March 21-22-Spring Student Led Conferences. Your child will lead you through some centers and each family will have 15 minutes with the teachers. 
• March 23-April 1-Spring Break!
• April 1-No School! Teacher Inservice Day!
• April 2-Back to school & Easter Celebration!

Week in Review, February 13-16, 2024

For more weekly pictures, click here.

In Writing, we continued writing "All About" books (non-fiction). This week we learned how to write an "All About" conclusion and how to bold key words and add them to our Glossary. We also learned how to include a map and fun facts in our writing. We also reviewed the following ways to spell words:

In Reading, we continued reading nonfiction books. This week we learned:

• The importance of rereading a page to find the just-right sound.
• How to find the main topic and supporting details. 
• How to find interesting things to share.

We also had some fun reading and learning about Valentine's Day.

In Word Study, we learning about r-controlled vowels "ar" and "or". We learned that "ar" and "or" can be found at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of words, while "ore" is found only at the end of words. We also learned the heart words "pretty" and "nothing".

In Math, we started Unit 5-Adding Within 100. Please read the Family Support Letter here. This week we learned how to add tens or ones to two-digit numbers without composing a ten (using place value), how to make sense of equations that represent addition methods, and how to write equations to represent addition methods.

In Science, we learned about structures and functions by conducting a flower investigation. We completed the following steps to learn about the function of a stem:

• Make a claim about how the stem helps a plant survive. 
• Measured water to fill up our test tube.
• Added 40 drops of food coloring (red or blue).
• Placed a white flower into the test tube.
• Drew and labeled a model.
• Observed the changes to our flower. 
• Documented our findings to support our claim (evidence).

Upcoming Events:

*February 19-23-Festival of Reading Week! We will be having guest authors Zoom in with us during our Morning Meetings. 

• February 21-Curl Up and Read Pajama Day for Festival of Reading! Bring a blanket and pillow! 

• February 23-Book Character Dress Up Day for Festival of Reading! Bring the book too!

• Last day for Season 2 EAA.
• Anaisha will be sharing a treat today for her 1/2 birthday celebration. 
• February 26-Late Start (10:00).
• March 1-Friday Night Lights 3:30-7:30 in the High School!
• March 4-Season 3 EAA starts today!
• March 14-Mrs. Parra's Birthday! Treats will be shared during PM snack.
• Bring Leprechaun trap to school!
• March 15-St. Patrick's Day! Wear green!
• March 18-20-Only vendor led EAAs this week.
• March 21-22-Spring Student Led Conferences. Your child will lead you through some centers and each family will have 15 minutes with the teachers. 
• March 23-April 1-Spring Break!

Week in Review, February 5-7, 2024

For more weekly pictures, click here.

Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family! 

We had a short, but super fun week! We celebrated Groundhogs Day (he didn't see his shadow and spring will come early), the 100th Day of School and the Lunar New Year. When we come back from Chinese New Year we will be celebrating Valentine's Day and the SAS Festival of Reading with special author guests, DEAR events (drop everything and read), and special dress up days. 

In Writing, we continued writing "All About" books (Nonfiction) and learned how to add a table of contents, captions, and diagrams to our writing. 

In Reading, we read about and learned the parts of a flower. We will use this knowledge to assist our learning in our STEAM Lab next week. We also did some reading on our Nonfiction writing topic. We want to be an expert so we can turn and teach our friends through our writing. 

In Word Study, we reviewed patterns in word endings. We reviewed that the vowel would be long in one syllable words ending in "st", "ld" or "ld." We also reviewed the two sounds of "y" at the end of words and the "le" combination at the end of two syllable words. Please review these rules and the heart words "both", "four", "fourth", "forty" and "people." 

In Math, we had a Center Day, reviewed for our math assessment, took our Unit 4 Assessment, and enjoyed some 100th Day Math. Please watch for assessments coming home next week in your child's zippy.

We also learned about the Lunar New Year. We learned about the Great Race, that resulted in the Chinese Zodiac Calendar, and the Legend of Nian. We also watched a Dragon Dance and Lion Dance on the SAS playground. We had a New Year snack of fried dough twist (reunion), caramel treats (sweetness & good fortune), oranges (gold & wealth), and Korean sujeonggwa (traditional cinnamon and ginger punch). We also made a Lunar New Year craft. Thank you parents for your help with our classroom celebration! Review this video in preparation of your home celebration. 

Upcoming Events:

*We will be in the Keyboarding Lab Feb. 6-19. Students are welcome to bring their private lesson piano books/pieces to school on Music days.

• February 8-12-No School! Chinese New Year!
• February 14-Valentine's Day! 
• Valentine's Day dress (red, pink, hearts, etc.) 
• Bring cards to give to your classmates. 
• A PM snack will be provided. 
• February 15-Last Swim for PE!
• February 16-Treats for Amaira's 1/2 Birthday during PM snack. 
• February 19-23-Festival of Reading Week! We will be having guest authors Zoom in with us during our Morning Meetings. 

• February 21-Curl Up and Read Pajama Day for Festival of Reading!
• February 23-Book Character Dress Up Day for Festival of Reading!
• Last day for Season 2 EAA.
• February 26-Late Start (10:00).

Week in Review, January 29-February 2, 2024

For more weekly pictures, click here.

In Writing, we continued writing "All About" books (non-fiction). Students learned how to add the following "craft moves" to our writing:

• Comparison:
• An orca is as big as two elephants.
• A horse is about the size of a lion but with longer legs.
• An iPhone is very similar to a computer but much smaller. 
• A shark tooth is as sharp as a knife.
• Example:
• My family likes to go on holiday together. For example, we like to go to Dubai, Phuket, and Hong Kong.
• Fangfish eat fish. They also like to eat crustaceans. For example, crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill, and squid. 
• People can play games on their phone. For example, Candy Crush, Among Us, Geometry Dash, and Temple Run. 

We also learned:

• How to make a diagram. You can teach with pictures as well as words. You can zoom in and label.
• How to write an Introduction.

Watch these videos for a quick review of how to write All About books:

• Episode 4-Writing an Introduction
• Episode 5-Writing a Draft

In Reading, we continued reading Non-Fiction books and learning about Non-Fiction Text Features. This week students learned how to:

• Check the words they read to make sure they look right and make sense.
• Learn new words as they read.
• Find and think about key words.
• Find the main idea and support details.

This week we zoomed in on the following Non-Fiction Text Features: graphs, index, glossary, and captions. We learned about them in class and were on the hunt for them in our non-fiction reading.

In Word Study, we learned that when "y" comes at the end of a two syllable word it makes the long "e" sound. We also learned that when the "L" sound is found at the end of a two syllable word it is often followed by a "silent e." We learned the heart words forty and people. Please review the following this week:

In Math, we learned how to identify two-digit numbers represented in different ways using tens and ones. We compared two-digit numbers represented in different ways and estimated, counted, and represented collections of up to 99 objects. Next week we will be taking our Unit 4 Assessment. 

In Science, we learned that parents take care of their offspring. We saw patterns in their behaviors and saw that humans follow similar patterns. 

We also had a Glowing Snail STEAM Lab. Students worked to identify the structures and functions of a snail and then worked to build a Lego snail that would glow with proper coding.  

Upcoming Events:

*We will be in the Keyboarding Lab Feb. 6-19. Students are welcome to bring their private lesson piano books/pieces to school on Music days.

• February 7-Swim for PE, 100th Day & CNY Celebration
• 100th Day of School (bring collection and snack)
• Chinese New Year Celebration at 2:00! 
• Chinese Red/Cultural Dress
• A PM snack will be provided. 
• February 8-12-No School! Chinese New Year!
• February 14-Valentine's Day! 
• Valentine's Day dress (red, pink, hearts, etc.) 
• Bring cards to give to your classmates. 
• A PM snack will be provided. 
• February 15-Last Swim for PE!
• February 19-23-Festival of Reading Week! We will be having guest authors Zoom in with us during our Morning Meetings. 

• February 21-Curl Up and Read Pajama Day for Festival of Reading!
• February 23-Book Character Dress Up Day for Festival of Reading!
• Last day for Season 2 EAA.
• February 26-Late Start (10:00).