Gifted and Talented Program

1^st Grade G&T Newsletter From Ms. Gorman - Dec. 2019

Writing Workshop:

     The children are about to write “All About” books. These are nonfiction research books and the children will be reading and writing about a topic using many of the nonfiction conventions we see in the books we are reading.  First, they must think about topics and filled out a graphic organizer with all the things you know on one side and things you wondered about (questions) on the other.  Then they do research in books about their topic.  Each child will find a few books on her/his topic to read and gain additional information.  Next, they take notes by writing a few key words to remember the facts learned from the books.  The most important thing about research is putting the information you find into your own words when you write it down.  Finally, the children will turn the facts into complex sentences.  For example: Mice use their tails to help them balance. The students will also include an exciting introduction and conclusion to sum up their topic.

Reading Workshop:

     The children are visualizing everything that is happening in their fiction books. Visualizing is like making a movie in your head using your imagination to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch everything that is happening in the book. They are also noticing what the characters say and do and use that to figure out what type of character they are. For example: Jack does not want to leave the tree house without a plan, which shows that he is cautious.

     Please ask your child about the main characters in his/her fiction books and what they learned about them from their actions. In nonfiction books the children are studying devices used to teach the reader such as: contents, index, glossary, headings, diagrams, captions, photos, labels, maps, and close up pictures. These features in nonfiction books help the reader understand new words and ideas because they provide more information and help make connections to things you already know. Please continue to ask your child how s/he figures out the meaning of new words s/he comes across during reading.

Math Workshop:

     We will be studying word problems to figure out who has more and how much more. For example: Sam has 5 balls. Kate has 8 balls. Who has more? How much more? We will discuss several strategies for solving the problem: like drawing 5 circles next to 8 circles and visually seeing how many more there are. Or counting up from 5 to 8 or down from 8 to 5 finding the difference is 3. Finally, making an addition problem like 5 + ___ = 8 and the number that solves the problem is 3. The children will also study how to make story problems equal amounts on both sides. For instance: Min has 15 crackers and Jo has 9 crackers, how can we make their snacks equal?  You can take 6 crackers away from Min, or ask the teacher to give Jo 6 more crackers, or have Min give Jo 3 of his crackers. All these solutions solve the problem of making it equal.

IMPORTANT: Please send in 1 plastic ice cube tray for each student to mix colors in art/Ms Brill.

Social Studies:  Holidays and Traditions

Science:   Explore the property of movement with respect to solids

Art:  Painting landscapes and animals

Music & Movement: Creating holiday dances using stories and props

Gym:   Working on team skills needed for basketball and soccer

Music:  Using picture symbols for note reading while learning to play rhythm instruments

Important Dates:

12/8: Barnes and Noble Fundraiser

12/9: Picture Retake Day

12/19: Multicultural Feast at 8:45 AM in room 315

12/23-1/1: No School, Winter Break

1st Grade G&T Newsletter - November 2019

1st Grade G&T Newsletter - October 2019

1st Grade G&T Newsletter - September  2019 

Ms. Orefice's Class News - October 2019

Reading Workshop:

     In reading workshop, we will continue our non-fiction unit of study. We will continue discussing the concepts we learned for Stop and Jots and main idea from the yellow card in our reading baggie.

    Most of the month will be spent working in our nonfiction book clubs. Students will be choosing topics they are interested in learning more about to work in a group. The group will create a poster displaying the most important information from the books that they read to teach the class about their topic.

    At home, please continue to check in with your child and their reading. Taking turns reading to each other or taking a trip to the library for books on their interests is a great way to spend time together.

Writing Workshop:

     In writing workshop, students will continue working on informational writing. Students will use knowledge of topics they are experts on and create chapters in their writing. We will continue to include text features such as diagrams, labels, and captions to add details to our writing.  

     At home, encourage your child to write in twin sentences to help him/her elaborate within the writing piece.  Twin sentences are two sentences that build on each other.  For example:  All dogs wear a leash.  A leash is a rope or tie that goes around the dog’s neck to keep it close.

Math Workshop:

    In math workshop, students will continue to work on 2D and 3D geometry and the foundational ideas about fractions. 

     We will then begin our, “How Many Stickers? How Many Cents?” unit.  In this unit students will be focusing on the place value of 2-digit numbers and solving word problems within 100 or $1.00. Students will also be working on using strategies to show their work that include: decomposing, moving to a landmark number, and using the commutative and associative properties of addition.

     At home, have your child explain their math thinking after solving any kind of math problems. How do they know they have found the correct answer?

Social Studies:

     This December, second grade will be studying the human, physical, and cultural characteristics of Native American communities in the Eastern Woodlands.

Science: 

     During the month of December, 2nd graders will review for and take the end of unit assessment for Unit 1. Students will begin the next unit of study: The Changes to Land Over Time. Students will understand the effects that wind and water have on land.

Gym:

     Group Games! Working on teamwork, sportsmanship and communication in a fun, fast paced environment always improving on our gross motor skill exercises.

Important Dates:

12/6:  Scholastic Book Order Due
12/8:  Barnes and Nobel Book Fair
12/9:  Picture Retake Day
12/10:  Field Trip Money Due
12/13:  Finn’s Show and Tell
12/17:  Prospect Park Zoo Field Trip

12/20:  Maeda’s Show and Tell
12/20:  Pajama Day!!!
12/23 - 1/1:  No School

Ms. Orefice's Class News - December 2019

Ms. Orefice's Class News - November 2019

Ms. Orefice's Class News - October 2019