Hello First Grade Families

Last week we were busy with a variety of academic and fun activities. We played a new and fancy version of hopscotch where we jumped from vowel sounds and also jumped to different consonant blends. Using movement in our academic lessons helps students make a deeper connection with the materials and adds more fun to the experience too. Additionally, we heard a story of the Carefree Man and pulled a variety of words from the story to sound out and to use to build new sentences. On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to watch a Chinese New Year puppet show presented by the fifth graders in Mandarin. Even though we did not understand all the Mandarin they spoke, the class loved seeing the animal puppets the fifth grade made themselves as well as hearing the puppeteers make animal noises. It was a great way to see the hard work of another class and acknowledge the Chinese New Year (belated 🙂).

Next week, we will continue to focus on our developing language skills as we work to expand our reading vocabulary with more stories. Along with reviewing our past lessons, the students will also write new sentences that connect us to the words. Repeating these experiences in new ways helps us remember what we have learned.

This week will be parent conferences and I look forward to spending time with each of you.

Reminders:

2/15-2/17: Half Days and Parent Conferences

2/20-2/24: Mid-Winter Break (No School)

2/27: Teacher In-Service (No School)

3/11: Community Work Day

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea

4/3-4/7 Spring Break (No School)

With gratitude,

Cole