First Grade: January 26 - 30, 2026
Dear First Grade Families,
Last week, the class had a four-day week of math concept consolidation, snow imagery, and opportunities for improving their artistic skills. Students are becoming more comfortable with number bonds and using their math tools, including their desk number lines. Starting at a number and hopping their finger along the number line, students have gained a more concrete understanding of addition and subtraction. With repetition, they have realized that they need to hop from, not on, the origin number for an accurate count. The same concept applies with manipulatives and finger counting up and down. They are cultivating good math habits and number sense through this practice!
Wintry weather has truly arrived, and the nature imagery in our Circle poems and songs in addition to our artistic activities have reflected the seasonal change. The pensive mood of a still winter day inspires quiet feelings that can be poured into painting and drawing snow scenes. Students enjoyed painting their first human figure. Arms outstretched, the children saw themselves in their painted subjects. By carefully cleaning and wiping their brushes, they were able to use them to remove paint in order to create a snowball and snowflakes.
Another skill students have been practicing is their ability to speak in front of a group. One day, they had the opportunity to briefly present a free drawing at the front of the class. Another special activity in this vein was the ever-popular show-and-tell. By bringing something personal and important to them to share, each child was intrinsically motivated to speak. The experience was confidence building, interesting for the listeners, and just pure fun. Social-emotional skills were improved via the experience of listening and responding appropriately. Some students benefited from prompts to begin speaking or to acknowledge a comment. Many kind comments and thoughtful questions were put forward!
Announcements & Reminders:
January 31: Community Work Day
February 7: Early Childhood & Grade Curriculum meeting at 11 am & All School Meeting (Spring) at 12:30 pm
February 12: Lunar New Year Performance 2:30 pm (all families welcome)
February 16-20: Mid Winter Break (No School)
February 23: Teacher in Service (No School)
Warmly,
Ki Michelle
