This week is a short week because of fall break. We will dismiss at 1:30 on Wednesday. School will resume on Monday. Since we only have two days left we are reviewing addition so that our brains will be ready for the addition strategies from chapter 3. Today we started with touch points on numbers. I like using touch points because they can be recreated by students without anything extra. Below is an example of a number line with touch points.
We have a few upcoming events in our classroom. First, library is every Tuesday. Students can bring a book home if they would like, but need to bring it back every week. I have talked to the students about being responsible for their books now that we have practiced checking out books and bringing them back just from our classroom. First graders are allowed to check out as many new books every week as they bring back. If a book is left at home, students will only check out one book for the week. I use this policy to encourage students to be responsible for their choices and to cut down on calls from the office for forgotten books. Next, students have been earning points throughout each day on Class Dojo. I pay the students with "coins" each week which they can use to buy things they may need, (like an eraser or extra pencil), or things they want like reward cards or treats. Next week this exchange will extend to include our first Student Store. First graders are encouraged to look through their things for something small that they are willing to part with. I'm looking for first graders to bring an item equivalent to kid's meal toys to sell to their friends. We will have a Student Store once a month. Our first store will open on October 22. The following week, October 27 and 28, parents are invited to come see what we do to work on reading and writing skills. The first graders have been working hard to build their stamina up to 10 minutes and really want to show off their progress. Visitors are welcome between 12:30 and 1:15 on either day. Because students will be working during this time, I ask that younger siblings are not included in your visit.
Have a fantastic fall break!
Have a fantastic fall break!