DiGioia Digest
First Grade Footnotes
January 22, 2016
Reading – Explore Nonfiction – 3 types: literary, reference, biography;
focus on features like: table of contents, glossary, index; use features to
preview; scan (headings, bold print, photos/illustrations, captions/labels)
before reading; then reread if something is unclear
Writing –continued work on first drafts; think about layout (the look of a
book), story told across pages with connected ideas, words tell what people
do, say, and feel; pictures show setting and details; then share with a buddy,
ask questions, revise, and edit; to publish a final draft create an inviting
cover (title, colorful, letter size, illustrations, layout); shared stories in
author’s chair
Math – learned doubles facts by creating a flip chart, played concentration
and bingo games for quicker recall; used doubles +1 and doubles +2
strategies to help solve addition problems
Science- Chapter 3 big idea – What can you observe about soil? Learned how
soil is formed, properties of soil (sand, humus, clay), uses of soil,
investigated soil properties, found which kind of soil can hold the most
water, and which is best for growing plants
Social Studies – read a Martin Luther King biography, made a mini-book,
read Pebble Go information about MLK and the holiday, listened to part of “I
Have a Dream” speech, discussed fairness for all, wrote how we are each
special and unique on snowflakes
Important Dates –
January 29 –Bingo night 6:30 pm
February 1 – January Reading Log due (15-20 minutes a day)
February 11 – Valentine Party; Early Release 12:50
February 12 – Institute Day – No School
A class list will be sent home to help with making Valentine cards for friends!
Valentine’s Day parties are coming up on February 11th! The
Spencer Loomis PTO will once again be providing all food items for
the parties while keeping with the district procedures which require
that all foods provided at parties be store bought, with labels intact.
To ensure a safe and fun time is had by all, we kindly ask parents to
refrain from sending any additional food items into the classroom.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!