3 / 21 / 2025

WELCOME BACK AFTER SPRING BREAK!

📣 ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Students need to bring a water bottle with name on a daily basis for proper hydration!
• Please make sure they have utensils in their lunchboxes, if needed. 
• Reminder about lunch drinks - please no glass bottles, soda cans, Kool-Aid, or fountain drinks. Thank you.
• Just a reminder to check lost and found for any of your child's items that haven't made it back home yet.

💡DATES TO REMEMBER

March 22nd: PSO Daddy/daughter dance 

April 12th: PSO Mother's Tea

April 18th: No School - Spring Holiday weekend (R&R weekend)

💡REMINDERS:

1. Please double check your child's uniform to make sure they still have the right length.

2. The scholars should bring the following daily:

• Water bottle with name
• Healthy and dry snacks in front pocket
• Take Home folder (please make sure it is emptied out at home)

*Your child may use the small backpack-shaped checklist of the things they need to bring to help them pack their things. 

3. Please review the Driveline procedure here: directionsforparentsdrivelin.docx We have also attached the file in the resources on the right side of this webpage. 

All first-grade classes are in need of reading volunteers! Please use the sign up located under your teacher's page. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at a different time, please contact your child's teacher.

💡WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK 

📕LITERATURE: In Chapters 6-7 of My Father's Dragon, we read how Elmer helped tigers, the rhinoceros and a lion. He is still searching for the dragon, but knows that the dragon is still alive and will be able to help him. Help your child practice retelling the story with transition words like (First, Next, Then, and Last).

📕SPALDING: Continue practicing at home the phonograms they haven't mastered yet. Check out the Spalding resources on this website to review letter formations, spelling/Spalding rules and phonogram list.

               

                               Jobs of silent final e:
                Job 1: Silent final e jumps over the consonant and makes the vowel say its name.
                Job 2: English words don't end in u or v.
                Job 3: c and g will say their second sound.
                Job 4: Every syllable needs a vowel.
                Job 5: No job (silent final e does not do anything, it just has to be there).

                  

                      rule 1: q is always followed by u, and together they say /kw/. (queen)
                      

                       rule 2: c before e, i, or y says /s/. (cent, city, cycle)

         rule 4: Vowels say their name at the end of a syllable

rule 5: I and y may say /i/ (si lent, my)                                           

rule 6: y, not i, is used at the end of an English word. (try, fly)                  

rule 8:  /er/ can be found in "Her first nurse works early".

rule 9:  1-1-1 rule: One syllable words with one vowel followed by one consonant need to double its last consonant before adding an ending beginning with a vowel. (hop + p + ed)

rule 11: Words ending with a silent final e are written without the e when adding a vowel ending. (come - com + ing) 

rule 12:  ei is used after c to say long /e/ (receive). Otherwise, we say long /a/ or long /i/.                      

                   rule 13: sh is used at the beginning or end of a base word 

                  rule 17: Double f, l, s after a single vowel that says its short sound 

rule 18: "ay" is used to say a at the end of a base word 

rule 19: i and o will say their name if followed by two consonants

 rule 20: s never follows x.

             rule 23: dge is only used after a single vowel that says a short sound. (edge)                                                                   

         rule 25:  ck is used after a single vowel that says its short sound.

sick, block, rock, back, neck

rule 26:  Capitalize proper nouns.                                                      

                rule 27: Words beginning with the sound /z/ are always spelled with z never s. (zoo)

                rule 28: ed has three sounds and is added to form the past tense of regular verbs.

                 rule 29:  divide words between double consonants

📕SAYINGS: 

• A.M./P.M.

• Never leave 'til tomorrow what you can do today. 

• The more the merrier. 

• Land of Nod

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Sour grapes 

• Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. 

• It could always be worse. 

• Let the cat out of the bag. 

• Wolf in sheep's clothing   

• Practice makes perfect.

• If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

• Fish out of water

📕MATH: Give yourselves a treat for finishing the Addition and Subtraction Unit! This week, the scholars had 2 tests-- one a chapter test for addition and subtraction, and another a cumulative test.

📕POETRY:

The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Under a spreading chestnut-tree

The village smithy stands;

The smith, a mighty man is he,

With large and sinewy hands;

And the muscles of his brawny arms

Are strong as iron bands.

📕HISTORY:  This week, we learned about the different American Symbols. We are making a book of all the symbols we learned. We started with the American Flag and the Liberty Bell.

📕SCIENCE: Students learned about the layers of the Earth. We talked about the crust, mantle, the outer core, and inner core. We learned that it can reach up to 11,000 degrees in the inner core. I made a playdough replica of the Earth. We also labeled/colored the layers of the earth and glued it in our science journal.

Thank you!

1st grade teachers

3 / 7/ 2025

📣 ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Students need to bring a water bottle with name on a daily basis for proper hydration!
• Please make sure they have utensils in their lunchboxes, if needed. 
• Reminder about lunch drinks - please no glass bottles, soda cans, Kool-Aid, or fountain drinks. Thank you.

💡DATES TO REMEMBER

March 10th - 14th: NO SCHOOL (Spring Break)

March 22nd: Daddy/daughter dance 

💡REMINDERS:

1. Please double check your child's uniform to make sure they still have the right length.

2. The scholars should bring the following daily:

• Water bottle with name
• Healthy and dry snacks in front pocket
• Take Home folder (please make sure it is emptied out at home)

*Your child may use the small backpack-shaped checklist of the things they need to bring to help them pack their things. 

3. Please review the Driveline procedure here: directionsforparentsdrivelin.docx We have also attached the file in the resources on the right side of this webpage. 

All first-grade classes are in need of reading volunteers! Please use the sign up located under your teacher's page. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at a different time, please contact your teacher.

💡WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK 

📕LITERATURE: In Chapters 3-4 of My Father's Dragon, we read how Elmer made it to Wild Island and of his beginning the adventure to find the dragon. Help your child practice retelling the story with transition words like (First, Next, Then, and Last).

📕SPALDING: Continue practicing at home the phonograms they haven't mastered yet. Check out the Spalding resources on this website to review letter formations, spelling/Spalding rules and phonogram list.

               

                               Jobs of silent final e:
                Job 1: Silent final e jumps over the consonant and makes the vowel say its name.
                Job 2: English words don't end in u or v.
                Job 3: c and g will say their second sound.
                Job 4: Every syllable needs a vowel.
                Job 5: No job (silent final e does not do anything, it just has to be there).

                  

                      rule 1: q is always followed by u, and together they say /kw/. (queen)
                      

                       rule 2: c before e, i, or y says /s/. (cent, city, cycle)

         rule 4: Vowels say their name at the end of a syllable

rule 5: I and y may say /i/ (si lent, my)                                           

rule 6: y, not i, is used at the end of an English word. (try, fly)                  

rule 8:  /er/ can be found in "Her first nurse works early".

rule 9:  1-1-1 rule: One syllable words with one vowel followed by one consonant need to double its last consonant before adding an ending beginning with a vowel. (hop + p + ed)

rule 11: Words ending with a silent final e are written without the e when adding a vowel ending. (come - com + ing)                       

                   rule 13: sh is used at the beginning or end of a base word 

                  rule 17: Double f, l, s after a single vowel that says its short sound 

rule 18: "ay" is used to say a at the end of a base word 

rule 19: i and o will say their name if followed by two consonants

rule 20: s never follows x.                                                                   

         rule 25:  ck is used after a single vowel that says its short sound.

sick, block, rock, back, neck

rule 26:  Capitalize proper nouns.                                                      

                rule 27: Words beginning with the sound /z/ are always spelled with z never s. (zoo)

                rule 28: ed has three sounds and is added to form the past tense of regular verbs.

                 rule 29:  divide words between double consonants

📕SAYINGS: 

• A.M./P.M.

• Never leave 'til tomorrow what you can do today. 

• The more the merrier. 

• Land of Nod

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Sour grapes 

• Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. 

• It could always be worse. 

• Let the cat out of the bag. 

• Wolf in sheep's clothing   

• Practice makes perfect.

• If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

• Fish out of water

📕POETRY:

Poetry recitation this week over the following poems:  There Once was a Puffin, The Swing, Washington, or My Shadow.

📕MATH: We practiced more subtraction problems this week. We will take a subtraction test after Spring Break. 

📕HISTORY:  This week, we learned about George Washington who is on our quarter. We learned how he led the untrained American army to freedom from Britain. We did a coin rubbing in our journals, made a craft of Washington, and did a role play.

📕SCIENCE: We are finishing up our unit on oceans. We learned about the octopus and oyster. Did you know that octopuses can release ink to escape danger, and that an oyster breathes like a fish? Yes...they do have gills.

Thank you for your continued support! Have a great Spring Break!

1st Grade Teachers

SaveSaveSaveSave

2 / 28 / 2025

📣 ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Students need to bring a water bottle with name on a daily basis for proper hydration!
• Please make sure they have utensils in their lunchboxes. 
• Reminder about lunch drinks - please no glass bottles, soda cans, Kool-Aid, or fountain drinks. Thank you.

💡DATES TO REMEMBER

March 5th: Half Day Dismissal (1st Grade Athletic Field Day)

March 7th: Half Day Dismissal 

Mar 10th - 14th: NO SCHOOL (Spring Break) 

March 22nd: Daddy/daughter dance 

💡REMINDERS:

1. Please double check your child's uniform to make sure they still have the right length.

2. The scholars should bring the following daily:

• Water bottle with name
• Healthy and dry snacks in front pocket
• Take Home folder (please make sure it is emptied out at home)

*Your child may use the small backpack-shaped checklist of the things they need to bring to help them pack their things. 

3. Please review the Driveline procedure here: directionsforparentsdrivelin.docx We have also attached the file in the resources on the right side of this webpage. 

All first-grade classes are in need of reading volunteers! Please use the sign up located under your teacher's page. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at a different time, please contact your teacher.

💡WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK 

📕LITERATURE: We read Chapters 1-3 of My Father's Dragon, where we find Elmer going to Wild Island. 

📕 SPALDING: Continue practicing at home the phonograms they haven't mastered yet. Check out the Spalding resources on this website to review letter formations, spelling/Spalding rules and phonogram list.

               

                               Jobs of silent final e:
                Job 1: Silent final e jumps over the consonant and makes the vowel say its name.
                Job 2: English words don't end in u or v.
                Job 3: c and g will say their second sound.
                Job 4: Every syllable needs a vowel.
                Job 5: No job (silent final e does not do anything, it just has to be there).

                  

                      rule 1: q is always followed by u, and together they say /kw/. (queen)
                      

                       rule 2: c before e, i, or y says /s/. (cent, city, cycle)

         rule 4: Vowels say their name at the end of a syllable

rule 5: I and y may say /i/ (si lent, my)                                           

rule 6: y, not i, is used at the end of an English word. (try, fly)                  

rule 8:  /er/ can be found in "Her first nurse works early".

rule 9:  1-1-1 rule: One syllable words with one vowel followed by one consonant need to double its last consonant before adding an ending beginning with a vowel. (hop + p + ed)

rule 11: Words ending with a silent final e are written without the e when adding a vowel ending. (come - com + ing)                       

                   rule 13: sh is used at the beginning or end of a base word 

                  rule 17: Double f, l, s after a single vowel that says its short sound 

rule 18: "ay" is used to say a at the end of a base word 

rule 19: i and o will say their name if followed by two consonants

rule 20: s never follows x.                                                                   

         rule 25:  ck is used after a single vowel that says its short sound.

sick
block 
rock, back, neck

rule 26:  Capitalize proper nouns.                                                      

                rule 27: Words beginning with the sound /z/ are always spelled with z never s. (zoo)

                rule 28: ed has three sounds and is added to form the past tense of regular verbs.

                 rule 29:  divide words between double consonants

📕 SAYINGS: 

• A.M./P.M.

• Never leave 'til tomorrow what you can do today. 

• The more the merrier. 

• Land of Nod

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Sour grapes 

• Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. 

• It could always be worse. 

• Let the cat out of the bag. 

• Wolf in sheep's clothing   

• Practice makes perfect.

• If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

• Fish out of water

📕POETRY:

Washington by Nancy Byrd Turner

He played by the river when he was young.

He raced with rabbits along the hills, 

He fished for minnows, and climbed and swung,

And hooted back at the whippoorwills.

Strong and slender and tall he grew - 

And then, one morning, the bugles blew.

Over the hills the summons came,

Over the river's shining rim.

He said that the bugles called his name,

He knew that his country needed him,

And he answered, "Coming!" and marched away

For many a night and many a day.

Perhaps when the marches were hot and long

He'd think of the river flowing by

Or, camping under the winter sky,

Would hear the whippoorwill's far-off song.

Boy or soldier, in peace or strife,

He loved America all his life!

📕MATH: We started with 2-Digit Subtraction this week -- learned different ways to decompose the numbers to subtract, and subtracting with/without regrouping using the tens/ones chart. 

📕HISTORY:  We continued talking about Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, and why this is important in our history. Students continued to learn about Benjamin Franklin, and made a kite foldable about his inventions.

📕SCIENCE:  Continuing in our Ocean Unit, students learned about the giant squid and the sea turtle this week. They learned that Giant Squids are large predators. They also learned about their unique features and how there is little known about them. They learned that the sea turtles live near the coasts but don't go into the open sea. They also learned the life cycle of the sea turtles.

   

Every year we ask parents for feedback on their child's academy and Great Hearts as a whole.  We hope you will take the time to fill out this year’s survey. It should only take a few minutes and we very much want to hear your perspective.   The class with the highest percentage of survey's returned will win a popsicle party. I know of a bunch of first graders who would love that prize. We would love to see 100% participation. Thank you parents! The survey will remain open until Tuesday, March 4th.

You may also use this QR code.

 

Have a great weekend!

1st Grade Teachers