Dear parents,
First graders had their first family groups this past week. For those of you who are new to family group, it is an all school activity which aims for building up school community. We usually have family groups once a month. Each teacher leads a family group which includes students from 1st grade to 8th grade. It is a wonderful opportunity to get know others and build relationships.
Information and Reminders:
First Grade Field Trip: Outdoor Discovery Center, Thursday, September 29
Each student needs to bring a packed lunch for picnic. (no hot lunch) Thank you to Abby Allen, Terri Duran, Lynette Heinz and Meredith Geurink for driving the field trip! Please remember to bring the boosters you have. Thanks!
Schedule:
1. Parents arrive at school at 11:20am.
2. Go to Timber Town for picnic (350 Royal Park Dr, Zeeland, MI 49464)
3. Arrive at Outdoor Discovery Center at 12:45pm and wait at the picnic table
4. The field trip lasts till 2:45pm.
Second Grade Field Trip: Crane Apple Orchard, Wednesday, September 28 AM
Each student needs to bring a packed lunch and a bottle of water for picnic. (no hot lunch)
We will leave right in the morning, chaperons please come at 8:45am. Thank you to Jen Brower and Jill Delcalzo for driving the field trip! Please remember to bring the boosters you have. Thanks!
Picture Day: Monday, Oct. 3
Wonderfully Made: Please finish and send your child’s timeline the week before your child’s special week. During your child’s special week, it is a wonderful opportunity to have lunch with your child, bring in pets, and or share special talents your family members may have been blessed with. Just inform me ahead of time what is your plan. Ben Brower Oct. 3-7
October Birthday Celebrations:
Andres Duran Wednesday, October 19
Mike Moeller Thursday, October 27
Curriculum
Language Arts
-Reading Strategy:
Accuracy-cross checking: when we read books, we always ask ourselves the questions-Does it look right? Sound right? Make sense? We want to make sure we read the correct meaning.
Fluency- We will practice reading aloud every day to increase fluency.
-Writers’ Workshop: This week we will talk about strategies to help us rehearse our stories. We can use picture plans or touch each page and say stories out loud before we write.
Math
-First Grade: We will review this unit by creating story problems. Then we will have a unit test this week.
-Second Grade:We will learn how to write equations and equations chains, and use vertical form for addition and subtraction. We will learn to add three or four addends using strategies we have learned before. We will also learn to solve ‘add to’ (+) and ‘take from’ (-) story problems. (with Li Laoshi)
Social Studies
This week we will review concepts of family and have a unit test. We will start a new unit about geography. We will learning maps and locations. This week we will make a map of our classroom.
Science
-First Grade: This week we will learn about wind and make a wind stock to observe weather.
-Second Grade:We will wrap up the investigation related to functions of plants’ roots and stems that we started last week, and we’ll get to dissect some flowers as we learn the purpose of plants’ flowers this week. (with Li Laoshi)
Bible
We will start a new unit about Abraham. This week we will talk about the call of Abram; Lot’s Choice; God’s covenant with Abraham; Hagar and Ishmael and The three visitors