Hello First Grade Families,

We had a busy week with lots of learning. We used dice to help us review and expand our developing adding and subtracting skills. In addition to working on math skills, we also continued to work on reading. We heard a story about a raven and a squirrel, and we were actually able to use the squirrel's nuts as a way to start working on multiplication and division. The pictorial connections with a story make solving math equations more real and enjoyable for the students.

Next week we will introduce more multiplication and division. We will use different techniques to help the students visualize the math concepts. Using manipulatives helps to make the process of adding groups of objects together (aka multiplication) easier to grasp (as we did with the squirrel’s nuts last week) and gives hands-on practice sharing out a group of objects into equal piles (division). We will use our colorful glass gems and our clay as well, to help reinforce these new concepts. Please take some time during the week to practice math facts with your first grader. Reinforcement at home is very helpful.

This past week we went on a nature hike to find the “critter of the day.” We have a tank and when we find something interesting, we will put it in the tank for the day and work on learning fun facts about our “critter.” The students love getting to know our forest friends and environment in this way. Even though we had an early start to the pollen, no one seems bothered by it which is good.

Reminders:

3/31 Half Day - Grandfriend’s Tea (11:00-12:00)

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

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day

4/29 Community Work Day

4/25-4/27 5th Grade Pentathlon

4/28 Annual Fundraiser - Half Day

4/29 Community Work Day

With gratitude,

Cole