For this last quarter our Champions will be reading and writing collaboratively to research a topic that they are interested about. They will not only tell us their opinion about it, but they will try to persuade us to be on their team!! Sometimes authors try to persuade us as readers. We will be looking at ways that authors use persuasion in their writing. In the last couple of weeks of school, they will be looking at the characters of stories and view their perspective of things. In writing, they will write a book review of their favorite book and present it to the class.

In Math, we are learning all about measurement, and how to tell and write time in hours and half hours. We will begin to learn about charts/data, and geometry in the next couple of weeks.

Science, has been about comparing living things vs. non living things. We are now going to learn all about the differences and similarities of animals and plants. Learning about our community, town, states, and country is what we have been doing in Social Studies.

Please Parents/Guardians continue to help your child by reading to him/her every night and asking  questions (let him/her ask questions about the text also.) Next time, if your child says he/she wants something, make him/her tell you why he/she deserves it. Let them persuade YOU to get it for them!

Merry Christmas to Everyone and Happy New Year! Have a wonderful winter break...

We are back from Thanksgiving break and I hope you all had a nice time off! And Yes, the little Champions are back at work for a more in depth exploration of informational text (nonfiction books) this time around. We are going to read lots of informational books and use questioning as a strategy to better understand topics, as well as retelling. In writing, the writers will learn all about the word "opinion" and what it means. Their goal is to be able to write an opinion piece with details to support their opinion. In Math, we are wrapping up addition and subtraction and will be moving on to place value (hundreds, tens, ones- 10 "ones"make 1ten, 10 "tens"make 1hundred...) Last, science is about what makes up the Earth's surface (land&water) and how they affect living things. Please, help your child at home and read lots of nonfiction books. Ask a lot of questions before, during, and after reading. Also, retell what the main topic was and the details. Have your child state his or her opinion about things, but make sure he/she gives you a reason why they think that way. Most of all, have fun doing it!!

Thank you to all for coming to Conference Night!
The "Champions" have been working very hard these couples of weeks. They have been learning all about Realistic Fiction and how to retell a story. During writing workshop, they are working on writing a fiction story, making sure they are thinking and making a plan in their mind first before writing. Thinking about a character, a setting, and what the problem and solution of their story will be. In Math, its all about addition! Learning their doubles facts is soooooo important! Please keep working with your child at home, they(and myself =)) need your support!!

WELCOME!!!

Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s)

   First, I would like to take this time to introduce myself.  I am your child’s 1st grade teacher, and I am delighted to have your child in my class this year.  I am looking forward to a very successful year and I know you are too.  I have high expectations for your child and I will do all I can do to help your child achieve those expectations.

  In addition, your help and support will not only make your child more successful in school this year but will instill good study habits that will last a lifetime.   

  Finally, I want you to know that one of my most important goals this year is to keep the lines of communication open with you.  One of the reasons why I decided to create this blog is to keep you informed about what is happening in the classroom and provide you with resources that you may use with your child at home. I am also available everyday to talk with you between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. and after school hours. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 708-8400, Ext: 2032 or by e-mail at busha@manateeschools.net.You may also write a note in your child’s planner if you have any questions or concerns during the year.

Sincerely,

Ms. Bush