Mrs. Perrone

aperrone@elmhurst205.org
Phone
630-834-4541         Attendance Times:  8:07--3:00       Late Start:  9:37-3:00
                                  Lunch 11:25-12:25

Please send a note or email if going home for lunch or dismissal routine changes.

First Grade Learning

Reading: 
During reading workshop we are continuing with a launching unit.  The purpose of the unit is to get the kids exposed to different skills and ideas we will work on throughout the year.  This week we talked about elements of fiction stories--characters, setting, beginning, middle, end, problem and solution.  We have hand motions for all of these to help us remember.  We discussed the difference between fantasy and realistic fiction.  We worked on making connections with text with the story Born to Read.  

After we read together the kids go into their book boxes.  We are continuing to build our stamina to "read" for an extended period of time.  We also discussed how it is okay if we are not traditionally reading during the whole time.  We might not be there YET.

Math:
We worked on finding all the combinations to decompose 8, 9 and 10 this week.  We worked on 10 for two days.  Knowing our facts to 10 will be beneficial all year long.  We will use these to add and subtract all year.  At the end of the week we also started working on using pictures to solve number stories.

Another key strategy we will use all year long is counting on.  Starting at the big number and counting on.  During independent practice the kids have been working on different activities practicing this strategy.

The kids have worked on sprints (A&B) and number bond dashes this week.  They get 1 minute or 1:30 (dashes) to complete as many as they can.  The goal is not to finish them all, but to continue to improve.  If you would like more practice at home the kids can finish them untimed at home.

Phonics:
This week we worked on short a words.  We worked on identifying the sound in words, blending sounds together with short a, writing words, and finding the words in poems.

Writing:
We've been reviewing personal narratives this week.  We read examples of personal narratives.  

Social Studies:
We are focusing on building our community of learners and reinforcing classroom rules and expectations.

The kids are continually rating their learning according to our learning targets throughout the day.  We talk about the goal is a 3, I can do what the target states by myself.  We are not always there YET and that is okay.  As we continue to practice at school the goal is that the kids can articulate where they are in their progression of learning.

Guest Reader
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Tuesdays 12:35-12:55

In our class...
1.  We listen when our teacher and classmates are talking.

2.  We follow directions quickly.

3.  We respect others, respect ourselves, respect our school.

4.  We raise our hand to share and ask for help.

5.  We are safe, kind and honest.

6.  We try our best and don't give up on challenges.