First Grade


Ms. Hollie Hornstein	Ms. Sandy Kimmer	Ms. Karla Miller

Math
First graders will be learning about the tools we use for measurement, such as rulers, clocks, calendars and thermometers, fact families and addition and subtraction problem solving, representing numbers with base 10 blocks, and ordinal numbers. (First second, etc.) We will also explore how estimation is useful in measurement. Students will be learning about how sets and numbers can be compared and ordered. Please continue to practice basic facts with your child at home.

Reading/Writing
During our reading/writing block, students continue to enjoy a new poem each week. Our read-alouds will emphasize reading to be informed and reading for literary experience. We will continue making predictions, using background knowledge to understand new information, making text-to-self connections to improve reading comprehension, and identifying character traits. Students will also be instructed in guided reading groups at their instructional levels. During the second quarter, first graders will be learning to read and write to perform a task and to inform.

Word Study

First graders are learning to read and spell the high frequency words that we add to our Word Walls each week. To help them become better spellers and readers, we also are studying patterns in words. The students are discovering that they can use what they know about our word "chunk" of the week and the sounds different letters make to spell many words. For example, knowing the chunk -at helps them spell rhyming words such as "cat, rat, fat, mat.”

Please continue to practice word wall and chunk words we send home weekly. You can find phonics activities and online books at Starfall. An individualized spelling program will soon become part of each student’s weekly homework. On Fridays each student will have a spelling test on their words.

Science/Social Studies
In social studies, during the second quarter, first graders will be introduced to manmade and physical features of the environment, and how geography of a region affects the people who live there. They will also learn how and why people use maps and globes to represent places on earth.

Field Trips
Stay tuned to find out about the fun field trips we will take this year!

Learning Skills and Behavior
At the beginning of the year it is important for families to discuss and stress with their students the values of respect, responsibility and honesty. These values will be stressed in the classroom as well.

Other Important Information
With the winter season approaching please remember to dress your child appropriately. Layers can be very helpful. If your child will be wearing snow boots that they will not be comfortable wearing for the whole day, please send shoes that they can change into. They need to have rubber sole shoes, not boots, on P.E. days.

The last day of school before Winter Break is Dec. 23rd. School will resume on Jan 5th. Have a relaxing holiday season and a great new year!

Birthdays
Please let the teacher know in advance if you would like to bring in a special treat for a birthday. Treats should not be elaborate or expensive, keep it simple. MCPS guidelines state that birthday treats need to be store-bought, not homemade. School policy states that private party invitations should not be distributed at school.

Instructional Learning Sites:

Check out these websites with your child:

Kevin Henkes - Site about the author and his books.
Primary Games - Math games, we especially like the activity for odd and even.
Funbrain - Math games and practice activities.
Starfall - Phonics and reading activities.
Weatherbug - Information to track weather, just enter your zip code and check the daily weather.

Visit your local public library and check out different versions of folktales and fairytales for your child to read. In addition, ask your librarian for books related to shapes and geometry that are first-grade appropriate.

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The first grade team would love to receive your email. If you have questions or concerns about your child and would prefer to correspond electronically, please email:

Ms. Hollie Hor nstein

Mrs. Sandy Kimmer

Ms. Karla Miller