Dear Parents,
This past week for the very first time we used manipulatives (aka counting gems) to practice regrouping. We used 8 gems and I asked the first graders to put them into two groups, or rather “hide some of the dog’s bones in a tree hollow and some in a hole in the ground.” They discovered that there are several ways to do this and every answer is correct! 3 and 5 is 8, so is 1 and 7, so is 4 and 4. They were very excited at this discovery. It was a lot of fun to see them enjoying math so much! I hope this continues.
We have also been working a lot on string games this week (think cat’s cradle). Many of them have learned how to do cup and saucer. They are absolutely loving the string games which is great because it will help them a lot with dexterity and deepen their sense of left, right, forward, and backward. It is also a social activity that is very positive. This coming week they will learn some new strings games. We will also continue to work with numbers the way we have this past week. On Halloween we will have a special craft to do which the fifth and sixth graders will help us with. It deals with the spider and her 8 legs.
One thing that has popped up already (I was not anticipating this until 6th grade) is note passing! Mostly the children cannot write so it is primarily drawings and names. It is not happening during class, but rather certain children are bringing notes from home for their friends and handing them out during transitions or recess. The notes are quickly becoming a distraction during transitions and children that don’t receive them are wondering why not. Sometimes even the children receiving them are confused and show them to me to ask why so and so brought them a note. I believe they are too young for the responsibility of passing notes to one another. It is innocent and a nice gesture but I ask that if your child wants to bring notes or gifts for friends, to save it for a play date. That being said, play dates are a wonderful thing and I encourage everyone to try having children over that have never come over before.
Upcoming Dates:
Halloween on Friday. First graders may be picked up in Arrigo Park at 1:15 or at the regular pick up time.
Monday, November 3rd: Day of the Dead celebration. First graders are asked to bring an orange flower as is traditional for the celebration. Marigolds are the traditional flower, but any orange flower will be fine. A more in depth email from Peggy is on its way.
Friday, November 7th: No School for a Faculty Development Day.
Thanks and have a wonderful week!