Non-Fiction Readers Explore Their World

Did you know that 80% of the reading we do as adults is non-fiction? Even from grades 3+ students are expected to read in order to learn (non-fiction). Understanding how to read to learn is a key component to your child's success as a student. In order to prepare students for the upper grades 3+ we explicitly teach strategies for engaging the brain in non-fiction books. The good thing is that students LOVE it! We teach them how to navigate text features of non-fiction, how to determine the important ideas, and how to engage the brain by asking questions while reading.

Conversation Heart Candy (still) Needed!

For our Valentine's Day party, we will be doing 6 different activities that use these little heart candies, so we will need a lot! Please send in a bag if possible! Thank you!

What super-power does your food have?

Healthy food fuels the body. We know this as adults, but how do we get kids interested without boring them with the science behind vitamins and minerals found in food and their benefits on the body? Well, I've been trying out a new phrase with kids... 

What super power does your food have? 

In the lunch room I am always encouraging kids to add vegetables and fresh fruit to their plates, telling them what "super power" each food has. Soon kids have realized that some food (healthy food) has super powers, while some food has nothing (sugary/ white foods). They love to show off their healthy foods, and I love reminding them what each food can do for their body.

Here are a couple of great articles about getting kids to love healthy foods:

http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/turn-superfoods-into-superpowers-for-kids/

http://summertomato.com/11-proven-ways-to-get-kids-to-eat-more-vegetables/

Vocabulary Words this Week

Past
Present
Future
Century
Entertainment

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and your family the most joy filled winter vacation! I will be thinking of you all and counting down until January 5th! 

Quick Language Development Tips!

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/docs/expansions-family-tips.pdf

Passport Club

Each month's locations are now posted on the PTA website, in case you need them. Our next check day isn't until January.


http://benrushpta.org/geography-programs/

Pajama day on Friday!

On Friday the 19th, send your child to school in his/her favorite pajamas! We will have a fun and cozy last-day-before-break!

New words 12/1

Locate, height, route, model, separate 

Words this Week

Enjoy, admire, connections, leadership, rely

FYI

No After-School Classes Thanksgiving Week

Don't forget that after-school classes will not be held the week of Thanksgiving, Monday through Friday, November 24th to November 28th.

Doubles!

Kids need to memorize their doubles by the end of the week! Please practice at home to help us accomplish this goal.

Main Idea and details

One of the most important reading comprehension skills kids should master by the end of first grade is to recall the main idea and important details from a text. Here are the standards below from the Common Core:

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

Here is a chart we made together to help solidify this skill: 

Ask your child to demonstrate this skill after they read a book at home/ or after you read to them. 

Inspiring 1st grades to learn how to tie their shoes

In our class I have a challenge for all 1st graders. To learn how to tie their shoes at home! Here is an example of one of the many ways to learn. Good luck!

New vocabulary words

Hibernate, tolerate, tranquil, depend, habitat 

Great story for Asking questions

Art Teacher Needed!

Our school has a wonderful art docent program ran by parent volunteers who help prepare and/or teach lessons to classes. See http://benrushpta.org/pta-programs/art-docents/ if you are interested in being our class's art docent!

Great Way to Help Kids Build Routines at Home

I found this awesome website that allows you to print visual prompts to help your child through routines that may otherwise be a struggle. Maybe they might work for your child, or even a younger sibling!

http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/08/school-morning-routine-free-printable-cards/

Helping Kids Deal with Anger

Learning to manage strong emotions such as anger is challenging, especially for children! The best way to help children deal with anger is to talk about it & teach about it. Encourage kids to talk about their feelings, say when they are feeling angry or frustrated. Then teach them ways to "cool-down" before they react to the challenging environment. I found this blog that listed several books to help kids deal with anger, and I thought I'd pass it along if you are interested in learning more or finding books for your child.

http://kidlutions.blogspot.com/2012/03/books-that-help-kids-deal-with-anger.html

Click the above link

Words this week & NEXT

Astonishing, fortunately, equipment occupation, community