Our first ski and ride day- so much fun and growth in one day!

During Writing Workshop, first graders have been creating nonfiction books. We are using what we have learned about the genre during Reading Workshop in our writing. Below are first draft examples of text features. You will notice introductions, headers, a diagram, a helpful tip and keywords. We have a community full of experts!

Today we had the opportunity to listen to guest speaker Sam Drazin. He shared his life experiences with us at a K-4 assembly. Students learned that differences can be visible and invisible. We had several opportunities to engage in discussions about disability awareness, inclusive communities and kindness. Ask your child to tell you about our visit with Sam!

Today we read the narrative nonfiction story of Balto. We were surprised that this exciting story was actually true! We ended our week together by watching the movie. We noticed the bravery, perseverance and kindness that was present throughout the story.

We celebrated our work with the kindergarten community by hanging our own wishes on our wish tree. We shared mugs of cocoa and friendship.

Our paintings inspired by the book The Wish Tree.

During reading workshop, we have focused on the nonfiction genre. Below are habits we have been practicing to make our thinking strong when reading informational text. We have also noticed and studied features of nonfiction. When we return from break, we will use what we have learned to write our own nonfiction chapter books!

First grade scientists have been learning and making discoveries about light and sound. Kids investigated with rulers to make different sounds. They could observe the back and forth movements that were responsible for creating the sound they heard.

 Today we learned about how glass is made. We explored with different materials and observed how light passes through them and we noticed that sometimes it does not. We learned the words transparent, translucent and opaque. We created "stained glass" artwork and connected it to our learning about light.

This Morning first graders shared a favorite piece from our small moment unit. It was joyful to see families and siblings here to celebrate the work we have done with narrative writing. Kids showed checklists from the revision and editing process and many had drafts that demonstrated how their pieces changed over time.

We celebrated reaching our reading goals with lunch in the classroom. Students read at home and logged their work.

In math, we have been working with dominoes in a variety of ways. Students use various strategies to find the sum of two quantities. Some of these strategies include: counting on from the greater amount, using a known math fact or subitizing- which is instant recognition of how many.

During word study, we have been investigating the case of the silent e. We discovered that usually when there is an e at the end of a word it makes the vowel say its long sound. We also found out that there are rule breakers like have and come. Kids hunted for words in their books, found evidence of the silent e rule and recorded their findings on sticky notes.

Last week, we had a special visit from the Westford firefighters. We learned all about fire safety. Does your family have plan? Have you changed the batteries in your detectors? 

During writing workshop, we had the opportunity to connect with the second graders to share our final small moment drafts with each other. It was powerful to have a new audience and we ended our time together with a delicious snack.

During our writing workshop, first graders have been working hard to revise their favorite pieces. We have learned to bring our stories to life by making our characters move, talk and feel.

Another part of the publishing process is working in partnerships. Kids take turns reading their pieces and giving peer feedback to make their stories stronger.

During our word study time, first graders have learned so much about words! We have studied features like short vowels, blends and digraphs. We have reviewed and learned SNAP words (words you want to be able to read and write in an instant!) During our work this week, kids used what they know about SNAP words on our word wall to make new words. 

We are safe, kind and responsible!