MATH
In reading, our first graders
will focus on story elements
such as characters, setting,
problem, and solution.
While
these are not new concepts and are reviewed
often in guided reading groups, we will be
applying them as we compare and contrast
characters’ experiences and feelings, as well
as describing the effect of setting on the
problem in the story.
In writing, students will begin the transition
from writing opinions with facts, to supporting
their opinion pieces with “reasons.”
Please note that the focus in our writing
classes is on the process which includes the
following:
Prewriting and Planning
Drafting
Revising
Editing and Proofreading
Then, students will use these steps to produce
a narrative piece about a favorite memory such
as… when I lost my tooth or when my family
moved… as we wrap up our
family study and move on to
our next topic in writing… the
past vs. present.
In math, our first graders will focus on the
following concepts and skills…
 Demonstrating fluency for addition and
subtraction facts with sums and minuends less
than 20. ***Please continue to have your
children practice addition and subtraction
facts nightly!
 Describing
the
relationship
between
particular addition and subtraction facts (i.e.,
fact families).
 Using strategies such as counting on, counting
back, fact families, manipulatives, double tenframes, and drawings to solve word problems
in simpler addition and subtraction situations.
SCIENCE
In science, we will continue to explore the causes
for any changes in the motion of an object. We
will also observe and describe how magnets
affect some objects and not others.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies, we will explore cultural
artifacts and stories. Our students will analyze
how these are similar or different to ours. We
will also learn about the food, clothing, shelters,
and traditions in various cultures. We will share
the written recipes of some traditional foods
from our own cultures that our families enjoy!
Dec. 11- Winter Carnival/ PTA Silent Auction
Dec. 16 –Club Pictures
Dec. 23- Gingerbread Houses 10:30
Dec. 24 - January 4 - Winter Break
Jan. 4 - School resumes
Jan. 9- Clothing and Book Extravaganza
Charlotte Christakis 12/12
Amy Bracamonte 12/19
Sasha Bracamonte 12/19
Austin Seager 12/22

Keep reading your guided books every night,
and practice any word cards that you have.
Regular practice is essential for our growing
reading skills in first grade!

Also, please continue to practice our basic
addition and subtraction facts every night,
so that they become automatic.

Remember to send our white Goshen Grizzly
Folders back and forth every day.

Some of our classrooms are out of tissues,
antibacterial wipes, pencils, and glue
sticks. If anyone would like to donate
more of these supplies, we would be very
grateful.

We know that December can be a very busy
month filled with holiday activities, so if you
have a night that the homework just cannot
get done, try to do it on another night. If
that is not possible, then please just write us
a note explaining the situation. We’ll
understand.

Please make sure to label all coats, lunch
boxes, hats, and gloves with your child’s
name with a permanent marker. This
makes returning lost items much easier.

We wish all of our fabulous first grade
families a happy and healthy winter break!
Enjoy!
Alexa Gomez-Alfaro 12/25
News from our specialists…
In Music, first grade will continue to work on
identifying musical opposites: fast/slow, loud/soft,
high/low, and long/short. Students will be
performing the steady beat on classroom
instruments. Students will also be evaluating
classroom performances.
In Art, first graders will focus on color (primary,
secondary, warm, cool) and space (overlapping).
They will also combine basic shapes to make images
and explore various materials used to create
art. Our first December project will be a watercolor
painting of beautiful birch trees, and then we will
move on to a printmaking project using recycled
lunch trays, brayers, and ink.
In Physical Education, first grade students will
continue to work on the underhand throw and
catch. They will also discover the effects of exercise
and identify how the heart, lungs, and skin react
during and after exercise.
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Tips for Keeping Skills Strong Over the Winter Break!

Have your child write thank you notes, holiday cards, or letters to relatives over the break.
This is a great and fun opportunity to practice our writing and handwriting skills over the
winter break.

Turn off the TV and have some family reading time! Take time to share and discuss your
favorite books with your kids. Read to your children and model fluency, and enhance their
vocabulary by explaining new words.

Take time to visit the library or bookstore over the break and read some great books.
Books make great holiday gifts!

Use the computer for educational activities. Visit some of the math websites included in
this newsletter. Students also can visit www.starfall.com for reading activities.

Make the most out of car rides by practicing addition and subtraction basic facts and word
problems. Have your child locate numbers on license plates and identify the place value of
each number (hundreds, tens, and ones).

Have fun doing some holiday cooking and following recipes with your kids. What a great
opportunity to practice measuring skills and fractional parts of a cup, pint, etc.!

Play some card or board games. These reinforce counting and number skills as well as
making our kids think logically and strategically. This is a great way to feed and stretch
their brains!

Another great way to spend time with your kids is by doing jigsaw puzzles together. This
makes our kids think about spatial relationships and how things fit together to make the
whole.
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Math Web Sites
Here are a few websites students can use at home to practice first grade math
concepts and skills…
www.learningbox.com/base10/baseten.html
This web site is a fun way to explore place value and the hundreds, tens, and ones blocks at home!
http://www.ictgames.com/sharkNumbers/sharkNumbers_v5.html
This is another fun place value game with sharks and dolphins.
http://www.primarygames.com/time/start.htm
Students identify the time shown on the clock.
http://britekidsonline.com/demo/demo_glory/FreeDemo/Demo/LevelB/1_S2_3.htm
Students drag an inch measuring tape to measure objects in inches.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=218
This website has students counting, adding, and subtracting in an engaging way.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/activitydetail.aspx?id=73
Students practice matching numbers with pictures through increasingly difficult concentration
games.
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