The Fabulous First Grade
Ms. Tantillo, Ms. Reardon, Ms. Moore, Ms. R. Bollini,
Ms. Sconzo, and Mr. Lyman
Parent Newsletter – February 2015
WHAT ARE WE STUDYING?
Literacy:
Word Study – In February, we will be studying long vowels
spelled with the vce (vowel-consonant-e) spelling pattern,
inflected ending –ed, compound words, nouns, comparative
words (er, est), and syllables.
Reading Workshop – Unit 3 “Making Choices”.
Module A: Readers will retell stories including character,
setting and major events, and demonstrate understanding of
their central message or lesson. Learners will explore content to
identify how characters make choices about how to spend
money.
Module B: Readers will state and explain the reasons an author
gives to support points in a text. Learners will explore content
to understand that people make decisions about how to spend
what they earn.
Writing Workshop –
Module A: Writers will create a narrative of an event in
sequence using powerful words to show emotion.
Module B: Writers will compose an opinion and support the
opinion by supplying a reason.
We have begun Complex Text reading homework, which has
been modeled in class. A letter was sent home explaining how to
complete the homework.
*Please continue to read daily with your child – encourage
him/her to use print strategies to figure out difficult words,
retell the story in sequence (beginning, middle, end) using
temporal words (first, next, then, and last), and ask questions
about the text.
Math:
Unit 6 – Developing understanding of whole number
relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and
ones.
Domain: Number and Operations in Base Ten: extend the
counting sequence.
Unit 7 – Developing understanding of whole number
relationships and place value, including grouping in tens and
ones.
Domain: Number and Operations in Base Ten: understand place
value.
Technology:
Working in conjunction with our
Librarian, Mrs. Wilson, the first grade will
begin an in depth study of alligators versus crocodiles. We will
go on virtual field trips to zoos and natural habitats, as we
seek to hone our investigative skills and establish a
partnership between the library and technology lab.
What’s New in Performing Arts?
Ms. LaMorte: Students will be working on proper
singing voice, solo work, and beat competency skill
development, analyzing tonality and unity of music
selections, studying and proper playing techniques of
the Orff Barred Instruments, and defining/applying
tempo in music.
Ms. Granatelli (Class 332): This month, our students
will explore how to create a mosaic work of art.
*IMPORTANT DATES
2/3- Parents as Partners Workshop- Text Complexity-2:30pm
2/10- Parents as Partners Workshop- Internet Safety- 2:30pm
2/12- 100th Day of School
2/13 – SIX FLAGS READ TO SUCCEED reading logs due.
2/16 – 2/20 – Midwinter Recess – School resumes on Monday, 2/23.
News/Information/Tips/Reminders
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Something I learned in January:
Six Flags Read to Succeed reading logs are due
Friday, February 13. If your child needs a reading
log, please contact your teacher.
It is very important not to go ahead in workbooks
as homework reflects work completed in class.
Please check your child’s homework. Please
contact your child’s teacher if you have any
concerns with homework.
Students should be reading 20 minutes each
night (even if not written in homework) and
logging books read in their reading logs.
Please make sure your child has 3 sharpened
pencils to use each day.
Please check your child’s red dot notebook
for nightly homework. Remember to sign
their homework.
Students should be using the “Book-in-a-Bag”
program to read books on their level. Please
be sure to take care of the books and
accompanying materials and remember to
return borrowed books.
As always, please label your child’s clothing
and lunch box so they can be returned in
case they get misplaced.
Cold and flu season is upon us. Donations
of tissues and wipes for the classroom are
appreciated.
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“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners. Looking
for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they’re not learning, they’re
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not growing and not moving toward excellence.”
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------Denis Wartley
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A Note From Mrs. Bennett
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Dear Families,
We have almost reached the 100th Day of School! I am so proud of our elementary students. They have been
coming to school each and every day in good spirits ready to learn. This is truly worth celebrating. We have many fun
activities planned for the students to acknowledge this milestone of the school year and to reward them for 100 days of
hard work at Petrides.
Due to the snow day, we have rescheduled the Parents as Partners Workshop titled “Understanding Text
Complexity”. The teachers will discuss the importance of providing students with opportunities to engage with
challenging texts and how you can support your children at home. It is expected and desirable for students to
productively struggle with the vocabulary and comprehension of this material. We hope you can attend this workshop to
better understand the rationale behind this effective instructional practice.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennett
Assistant Principal, Prekindergarten-Grade 4