Posted by kavery508 | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on November 17, 2013
Spelling homework begins this week! Memorization is an important part of learning to read and to write, and to that end there is value in practicing words for mastery. But which words should kids learn? In first grade, the word lists to study each week will come from our phonics focus for the week, and from the Nifty Fifty sight word list, for a total of 10 words. Because reading and writing are differentiated activities where kids work at their individual levels, the spelling lists will reflect this.
Each week students will be assigned 5 words that use a particular phonics rule. For example, this week we are learning to use the blends sl-, bl-, and pl-. One word list will have words like “sled; plan; etc.”, while another will have words like “bleed; plane; etc.”, and a third list will have words like “blueberry; planning; etc.”.
The second group of 5 words will be sight words. I have given an assessment to each student that tests which of the Nifty Fifty they know and do not know how to write. Students will be studying words not mastered until done. For students that master all 50 words, they will be choosing from Dolch sight word lists for first, second, and then third grade for the rest of the year.
For many students, this work represents the first time these youngsters are systematically trying to memorize words. Just as with math facts, each student may progress at a different rate. For some, this means it may take more than one week to learn sight words or to show improvements with memory. Frequent practice with a variety of strategies is the key! Spelling quizzes will be on Friday of each week.
Last week I explained the Make and Break strategy for learning to memorize words. Another strategy to develop memory is Mental Writing. Students should look at a word and trace it with their fingers. Then they close their eyes and picture the letters that make up the word, spelling it as they mentally write it in their minds. Then they write it a few times on paper, doing the same.
Here is a link to more ideas for memorizing spelling words: http://voices.yahoo.com/10-ways-help-children-learn-their-spelling-words-7147210.html
And this link will lead you to the Dolch sight word lists mentioned earlier: http://www.spellingcity.com/dolch-words.html
This week we will finish unit 3 in Everyday Math. We will continue to use coins to add and to count by 10s, 5s, and 1s. In addition, we will continue to target skills being graded on the report card (i.e. counting backwards and trading in pennies for nickels) since marks close this Friday for Trimester One. Can you believe how fast this year is flying by?
Wednesday and Thursday of this week there is no homework in the math packet, since we will be spending time reviewing and practicing concepts in advance of the unit test on Friday and report card assessments. I urge you to spend the extra time practicing math facts and spelling words! Also, please read the Family Letter for unit 4 in the math homework packet. It gives a good overview of the skills and concepts expected to be learned, along with the purpose behind instruction. We will begin unit 4 on Monday.
In social studies, we will use a variety of media (books, video, internet) to learn about the history of the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving and the ways it is celebrated today (Long ago/Today comparing and contrasting; informational writing based on research).
In Science, we will go out in the field (literally and figuratively!) to collect soil samples from our nature trail. Using our developed understanding of earth materials, we will investigate the composition of this soil (from a wetlands area). What did we expect to find? Which earth materials were most prevalent in the sample? Were any missing that we expected to see? Was there anything there we didn’t expect (for example organic material such as leaves, feathers, etc., that haven’t yet decomposed)? Why might it be there?
Next week our blog will be taking a break for Thanksgiving. I hope you and your family have much to be thankful for this year, and I wish you the happiest of holidays!
