Reading to Understand

In our current reading unit, "We Can Be Our Own Reading Teachers," first graders are learning strategies around self-monitoring during reading -- this can be really tricky! Today, we talked about the importance of really, really understanding what we are reading - and what to do when we realize we aren't getting it!

Here are some strategies your child can use at home around monitoring for understanding.
Happy reading!

Parts of a Letter

Today in writing workshop we learned about the parts of a letter. If your child writes a letter at home, make sure to point out these important parts!

Habits of Mind

In our classroom, we have been teaching "Habits of Mind" - created by the Metamorphosis Center for Cognitive Coaching.  Habits of Mind are dispositions displayed by people in response to problems, dilemmas, and enigmas, the resolution of which are not immediately apparent.

Here are some of the Habits of Mind we have coached into so far.  Habits of mind take time to develop, so it's a good idea to reinforce these habits and use similar language with your child.

Post Office Opening Date Changed

Please note, our Post Office share will be on Thursday, February 6th (instead of Tuesday, February 4th), at 8:45 am.

Thanks for your flexibility!

Letter Writing & Post Office Study

This month, the first graders will study letter writing during writing workshop (in alignment with our post office study). The first graders will learn lots of things about letter writing.  They will explore the different reasons people write letters (friendly letters, persuasive letters, etc), learn to write a letter with a particular reader in mind (using voice and asking specific questions), learn to use writing conventions associated with letter writing (and addressing an envelope), and will learn about the overall process for sending a letter.

Students will also design their own stationery, post cards, stamps and envelopes during project work. In social studies, they will learn about different post office jobs and machines, and will discuss reasons behind the current post office closures. In the block area, students will create sorting bins & mailboxes.  The first graders will also design flyers and posters advertising the opening of the post office to classes in our school.  Come the beginning of February, we will have established a fully working post office for EVCS.  Our first graders will deliver mail to classrooms in EVCS for the remainder of the year!

Stay tuned for updates about this work!

Meet our new student teacher - Caroline!

Caroline is excited to join 401’s vibrant classroom community as a student teacher. She is studying general and special elementary education at Teachers College at Columbia University. In addition to her passion for education, she enjoys practicing yoga and making art. She is looking forward to teaching and learning with first grade as we embark on this New Year.



Caroline joins us tomorrow and we are looking forward to collaborating with her! She will be with us Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays (full days MTR, half day on W) through the beginning of May.

Happy Snow Day!

Have a safe & fun snow day, first graders!