First Grade News
Waters Landing Elementary School
December 2013
C urr ic ulum Corner… .
In math, our emphasis will be on
problem solving strategies, beginning
with adding and subtraction with oneand two-digit numbers, and adding three
The First Grade Team would like to wish you all a
joyous holiday season!
This month, your child will continue to
be very busy learning!
In reading, we will be learning about
story elements and how they impact
our comprehension of the story. As
you read with your child, ask them who
the book is about, where and when the
story takes place, and what was the
problem and solution in that story.
Your child should also be able to retell a
story using key events from the
beginning, middle and end of the story.
We will also focus on using context
clues to determine meaning to new
vocabulary. Instead of just telling
students what vocabulary means, we
will be teaching them to use the rest of
the sentence to predict the meaning of
the word. Illustrations can also be used
to provide key details regarding story
meaning and important vocabulary
context.
numbers to get a sum. Please continue
to review the basic facts for addition and
subtraction to 20. This fluency with
basic facts will aid your child as we move
to accelerate into two-digit addition
without regrouping. Your child has been
using several forms of manipulatives and
number lines to support their
computation. Encourage your child to
use these supports when doing their
homework.
In writing we will focus on narrative
text. Instruction will revisit idea
development, organizing thoughts and
paragraphs, and use of language– spelling,
grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
Science experiments and demonstrations
will continue to be focused on physical
science. Students will get the
opportunity to build on their knowledge
of the pull/push forces as they play with
magnets!
Social Studies instruction will continue to
focus on comparing cultures. Students
are looking at how people around the
world provide for basic needs and
common recreation activities, as well as
how people interact.
Donations Requested
Ms. Ray
 Felt for white board
Rm
24
erasers
 Glue Sticks
Mrs. Hinsvark
 Lysol Wipes
Rm 7
 GLUE STICKS
Mrs. Murnane
Rm 8
 Glue Sticks
 Dry Erase Markers
Miss Galluppi
 Tissues
Rm 9
Mrs. Harrigan
 Glue Sticks
Rm
10
 Dry Erase Markers
Ms. Merritt
 Tissues
Rm
26
 Glue Sticks
Mrs. Lavo
Rm 25
 Glue Sticks
December Birthdays

Rafael Jauregui– Dec. 1

Eva McCeney– Dec. 1

Isabella Aguilar- Dec. 2

Abhay Nambiar- Dec. 4

Angelique Roberts-Dec. 12

Aiden H.- Dec. 19

Derek Ejedoghaobi- Dec. 23

Emerson Figueroa– Dec. 23

Dylan Dobson– Dec. 29

Christian Cooper- Dec. 30
Important
Dates to Note
Educational Websites:

Reading:

http://www.rif.org/kids/readingplanet.htm

http://www.rif.org/kids/leer/es/leerhome.htm

http://www.readingrockets.org
12/6/13 . . . Town Hall Meetings

http://www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp
12/6/13 … Interims Go Home

http://www.pbskids.org
12/11/13… Picture Make-Up Day

http://www.storytimeforme.com/
12/12/13… Winter Concert 7:00 PM
12/21/13… Winter Break Starts

Math:

http://www.mathblaster.com/free-games.aspx?
pid=googpd&cid=math%20games%20first%
20grade

http://www.aaamath.com/grade1.htm

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/
MathBrain.html

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/g_1.html
1/2/14 … Students Return from
Winter Break
Upcoming Events…..
It’s Gingerbread
EXTRAVAGANZA in First Grade!
Students will be designing and constructing
their own gingerbread houses.
We will have a
Gingerbread theme day on
December 19th. In reading,
we will be looking at the
story elements in the story
house to review graphing and
write equations. At the end
of the day, each first grader
will have the opportunity to
create their own gingerbread
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett.
In writing, students will
compose directions using
numbered steps to create
their own gingerbread house
directions. In math we will be
using the materials one might
use to build a gingerbread
house in their homeroom.
We will be soliciting
donations for materials in the
near future, so be on the
lookout for a materials
request in your child’s
homework folder.