Last Week in 1JT

RAINBOW DAY

Living Things 

First Graders have been hard at work learning all about animals this week.  They have learned what animals need to live, how scientists group animals and they are beginning to talk about the many different habitats animals live in.

Ms. Tania came in last week to talk to us about plants and animals that are found here in Oman.  She also talked with us about how people impact the lives of these plants and animals and what we can do to help.  Did you know that there is whale that can ONLY be found here in Oman?  

1JT put on their scientist hats and sorted the descriptions of reptiles, arachnids, fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, insects and crustaceans.

Then they took their animal cards and sorted them in to the right groups.

Mrs. Johnsnon also came to First Grade last week!  She taught us about how animals have adapted to live in their environment.  She talked about how camels have 2 sets of eyelashes to keep all that sand out of their eyes.  Did you know that camels have different shaped blood cells than ALL other mammals?  Do you know why?  (ask your first grader.. they can fill you in on this fun fact)

We have also been growing kidney beans in class.  Some of our plants are getting ready to bloom!  The students have been measuring their plants to see how much they grow.  It is always amazing how much a plant can grow over night.  Next week we will be making a plan of what to do with the plants when they take them home.  Will they plant more?  Start a garden?  Have their own "bean pot" and eat the beans they grow?   

Math!  

Grade 1 is working on how to make an "easy addition" sentence.  They do this by making a 10.  For example if the addition sentence was 8 + 9 = ?  they would make it 10 +7 = 17 by taking 1 from the 8 and making the 9 a 10.  They are practicing this using bears, 10 group cards and also by drawing and talking it out.  This is preparing them for adding larger numbers and getting ready for place value.  

In the upcoming week you will see some math homework coming home with your child.  Just a reminder that you can go to the EngageNY website and look through the parent/teacher resources to help support your child at home. If you are not quite sure how to find it please click here for the blog post written in September about the EngageNY math website.   We are currently working in Module 2.  You can also find the parent tip handout here for Module 2 that was sent home before break.