Review! More Digraph Videos!

Science Review - Shadows

Watch the short video below.  Then, discuss what science concepts about shadows/light are showcased in this video.  Can you list at least 3 science facts about shadows/light?

Seuss Week: Sneeches

Dr. Seuss's birthday is this weekend!!

        Hmmm.... Some of these Sneetches have green stars, but others do not... think about how the character of the Sneetches changes from the beginning to the end of this story.  How does this tie in with what we learn about good character here at Huntingtown Elementary School?

Spelling & Math Update unit 3.3

This week we are reading and spelling words with digraph blends.  A digraph blend is a digraph and a single consonant that combines.  Two sounds are heard in these combinations.  They may come at the beginning (squ-, thr-, shr-) or end (-nch) of a word.   The digraph blend squ- is an oddity because three sounds are heard - /skw/, but the u is not acting as a vowel.  It is considered a type of digraph blend by some.  

Click here for 3.3 Spelling City practice (words with digraph blends).

 Our heart words this week are: family, friend, and once.

For Heart Word Practice:

Click here for 3rd quarter Heart Word practice.

Click here for 2nd quarter Heart Word practice.

Click here for 1st quarter Heart Word practice.

A little reminder that Q&U always go hand-in-hand for the digraph blend SQU
 

This video features the digraph blend -nch (our spelling focus) and words that have the trigraph -tch (NOT this week's focus).  There's not much out there in the world of online videos for digraph blends.  That goes for stories as well.  Enjoy this week's spelling story HW, "Lunch at the Ranch" written by Mrs. Perry. 




Math Update

We are well into the third quarter of the school year.  Students should be able to identify a strategy to solve math problems and be able to fluently solve math facts up to 10.  This means that given ANY addition or subtraction fact within 10, they should be able to solve it within 3 seconds.  Working within numbers 1 - 120, when given a number, students should be able to fluently be able to count on AND count backwards.  Revisit past math HW games and activities sent home to help build this mathematical expertise in your child if he/she struggles with this first grade expectation. 

 

Here's some extra word problem practice for students that want some way cool extra math practice!

Addition Problem Pirate Game

Race Car Subtraction Problem Game

Dr. Seuss's Birthday is today!

  Our reading celebration starts today! Here are two Dr. Seuss classics to enjoy.

Courage Unit: Chico the Brave

When you hear this story, can you....

• retell the story in your own words?
• find the central message of the story?
• figure out how the author shows Chico's feelings?

Spelling Update - Unit 3.2 Words with Three Letter Blends

This week, we are working on reading and spelling words with three letter blends (spr, str, scr, spl).  Our heart words this week are because, called, and know.

Click here for unit 3.2  Spelling City Practice

Third Quarter Heart Words
 

Want to practice your second quarter high frequency words (heart words)?  Click here!

Can YOU determine the Author's Central Message?

Pick a story below.  After listening to the story, can you figure out the author's Central Message?  Can you find a key detail from the text that supports the central message?

E:A Unit: Teamwork - Bridges

This week we are not introducing a new spelling focus.  Please use this short week to practice heart words and focus on previous skills your child may need some additional practice on.

Here's some additional resources about Bridges!

Valentine's Day Read Alouds

Can you determine the author's central message?

Love Monster



 Shaun the Sheep - Two's Company

Kindness Week: Friday

Kindness Week: Thursday

Kindness Week: Wednesday

Kindness Week : Tuesday

Dalmatian Day!

Today is the 101st day of school:  Dalmatian Day! 

Standing up to bullies is a big part of the story of 101 Dalmatians.  Check out this video about how to stand up for yourself when faced with bullying.

Here are two versions of the story for you to enjoy!

The Kindness Challenge

It's Random Acts of Kindness Week at HES!
One random act of kindness can lead to others!  Let's see who we can be kind to today!

Remember: This week we will continue learning about -ed and -ing words with unchanging bases (Qrt. 3, week 1 focus on Spelling City).  We will also start learning our third quarter heart words).

https://youtu.be/UCCb85TgeEU
 (for some reason, this video will not embed directly, so follow the link to see today's video: Why Be Kind?)

All About Light

Now that we know a bit about sound energy, let's expand our learning to light!

Science - Light & Shadows!

Here are some videos to take your science learning about light and shadows even further!  Enjoy!


 

Math: Measuring

In Math, we are continuing our work on word problems.  We are also learning about nonstandard units of measurement!  Try these way cool math measuring games!

Try PBS Kid's Game - How tall is it?

Tall or Short?  Thin or Wide?  Play Escape from Greasy World!

Measure with Sid the Science Kid!

Measure using paperclips by clicking here!

Think about what's the tallest or shortest with Clifford!

Hop to It - Determining Size

Use a measuring stick to measure objects here!

Math Strategies Explained - Parents, this is for you!

 First grade is all about mastering basic addition and subtraction facts up to 10.  To help with this, we focus on building number sense and looking for patterns in numbers as opposed to just rote memorization.  At the end of the day, however, students still need to have a speedy recall of basic facts (say an answer within 2 - 3 seconds).  

Doubles and Doubles Subtraction

A great way to start learning facts is to learn your doubles - 

1+1 = 2       2+2 = 4

3+3 = 6       4+4 = 8 

5+5 = 10

Once you're confident with doubles, are you speedy with your doubles subtraction facts?

10 - 5 = 5       8 - 4 = 4

6 - 3 = 3         4 - 2 = 2

2 - 1 = 1

Doubles +1

Once you master doubles facts, mastering doubles +1 is the next logical step.  If you know 5+5 = 10, then you can figure out 5+6 and 6+5 both equal 11.  If you know 3+3=6, then you can figure out that 3+4 or 4+3 are a doubles +1 fact and equal 7.

Counting On 0,1,2,3 & Counting Back 0,1,2,3

Counting on and counting back is a common strategy that students like to use.  However, we do not encourage counting on or back with numbers past 3.  Kids make errors in counting and it is inefficient to count on/back with larger numbers.   

Make a 10

Learning all the possible combinations of 10 is a powerful strategy.  It helps your child regroup when adding larger numbers and understand our place value system as a whole.  

1+9 = 10          9+1=10

2+8=10            8+2=10

3+7=10            7+3=10

4+6=10            6+4=10

5+5=10 

Once you have those addition facts down, can you do all the make a 10 subtraction problems?

10 - 1 = 9              10-2=8

10-3=7                  10-4=6

10-5=5