First Week Was a Success!!

 It has been such a wonderful experience to get back "into" the classroom and begin establishing our classroom routines!  I have loved the opportunity to get to know each student a little bit over this week and look forward to learning and growing with them this year!

This week:

• We worked on getting into the routine of being back into school and what virtual learning will look like.  We established our Zoom Discussion Expectations and we have been practicing them this week.
• During morning meeting, we are learning about the calendar (days of the week, month of the year).  We also have a number of the day that we are working with daily to help with number fluency, money, one more and one less, etc.
• During reading, we have started learning a "First Grade Chant."  We have also been reading different books and making text-to-self connections with the books.  Today, we worked on our growth mindset and learned about the power of yet.  So instead of saying, "I can't" do something, we changed it to "I can't ____ YET!"  Ask your kiddo what goal they set for themselves.
• During math, we have been working on number fluency within 10.  The students discovered that when the addends in an addition number sentence are flipped around the sum stays the same.  We also started talking about telling time - this will be a skill we will continue to work on throughout the school year.  Math discussions is a really important way for students to learn and grow in math and this will be a strategy that we will focus on this year.  Check out Twitter for some of the examples of the Math Talks we had this week - you will be impressed!!

Next week:

• During reading, we will be starting Fundations and Heggerty, both of these programs will help your child grow in their phonemic awareness and phonics skills.  If you have not already had a chance to cut out and get your child's Fundations packet ready to go - this will be important to have ready for Monday.  Here is the video so you know how to set up these materials.
• During math, we are continued to grow as mathematicians working with addition and subtraction within 10.  We continue to have Math Talks to work on strengthening our math understanding.
• During science, we will start with thinking about what a scientist is and how we can be scientist every day!
• During Trailblazer Time
• I will be working with students 1-on-1 to see where they are as a reader and mathematician.  I sent a schedule for these times in Friday's email.  Please check this schedule and help your child set his/her alarm on their device so that they will be at their time.  These times are super important for planning my instruction to best help your child grow and learn during 1st grade!
• On Wednesdays, during the Trailblazer Time, I scheduled small groups for socialization and getting to know each other.  During these group times, we will playing games, working on social skills.
• My plan is keep these same times for the next few weeks, until all my assessments are complete and I have an opportunity to establish small academic groups for reading and math.  Please let me know if the assigned time does not work for your family & will can reschedule.  

I really appreciate your support and if you ever need anything from me - please let me know!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Mottaz