Q2W9 Dec. 16-20

 First Grade News

Dear Parents, 

First, we want to congratulate the spelling bee champion and runners-up from each of our classrooms.  It was such a joyful experience to see the scholars persevere when words were tough and to silently encourage each other during the struggle.  We are so proud of our scholars!

 And just like that.....the first half of the school year is coming to a close.  We have greatly enjoyed getting to know our scholars and all of our First Grade families so far this year.  It is with hearts full of gratitude that we wish you a joy-filled holiday season! 

Please remember to look for books to research for the Independent Study Project EARLY.  Choices at the public library dwindle quickly at the start of break.  If you have questions or need a replacement packet, please see the separate blog post for a link to print.  

Happy 5 Days of Giving! Below are the guidelines for this weeks dress up days:

Monday- Dapper- wear a tie or bow with your regular uniform.

Tuesday-Tropical Tuesday-Tropical shirt with your uniform bottoms.

Wednesday- Western Wednesday- Hats & Boots with your regular uniform.

Thursday- College Shirt Day- Represent your favorite university with uniform bottoms.

 

            Friday-GHNO Spirit Shirt Day-Dress in your Griffin spirit wear! You may wear a spirit shirt with your uniform bottoms or Griffin spirited pants with a spirit shirt! GHNO spirit jeans and overalls are allowed.

Lastly, as your students select fun ways to participate in our Spirit Days, please remember that these items must be free from references to pop culture, politics, or current events in our society.

In Literature this week, we will continue our fairy tales unit, reading The Frog Prince. In Writing/Grammar we are introducing idioms and writing initials.

In Math, we will be wrapping up Chapter 6, using the strategies we have learned for addition and subtraction to solve word problems.  Scholars will review part/whole relationships and comparison strategies and take a test on Friday.  

In Science, we will continue our unit on animals, depicting the life cycle of a frogs and birds and finish the week introducing plants. 

A Peek at the Week

Language Arts

Spalding phonograms review

Frog Prince

idioms and initials

Math

Review Chapter 6: Addition and Subtraction word problems

Test Chapter 6

History/Science

Life cycle

Parts of a plant

Q2W8 Dec. 9-13

   First Grade News

Dear Parents, 

 And just like that.....the first half of the school year is coming to a close.  We have greatly enjoyed getting to know our scholars and all of our First Grade families so far this year.  It is with hearts full of gratitude that we wish you a joy-filled holiday season! 

Please remember to look for books to research for the Independent Study Project EARLY.  Choices at the public library dwindle quickly at the start of break.  If you have questions or need a replacement packet, please see the separate blog post for a link to print.  

In Literature this week, we will continue our fairy tales unit, reading Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin.  We will review the elements typical to all fairy tales and practice retelling each story.  We will continue working on a new part of speech from last week: verbs. 

In Math, we will begin Chapter 6, using the strategies we have learned for addition and subtraction to solve word problems.  Scholars will review part/whole relationships and comparison strategies.

In History, we will continue the Three World Religions unit.  Scholars will review details about Judaism and Christianity.  We will compare all we have learned as we move through time to the birth of  Islam, highlighting the symbols, celebrations and important people in each of these religions.  Look for a study guide to come home in preparation for our test next Tuesday (12/17).  

  

The next book we will be reading is A Bargain for Frances. Please send the book with your scholar at your earliest convenience. 

Thank you for your partnership and have a blessed week and happy holidays!  

 

Go Griffins! 

A Peek at the Week

Language Arts

Spalding phonograms

Fairy Tales

Verbs

Math

Chapter 6 Addition and Subtraction Word Problems

History/Science

Three World Religions

Upcoming Events

• Dec. 16th - 20th - Five Days of Giving + Dress Up Days

• Dec. 15th - Early Release Friday

• Dec 21st - Jan 12th - Winter Break

• Jan 13th- Return to school, Independent Study Project Presentations

Q2 W7 Dec. 2-6

    First Grade News

Dear Parents, 

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family.  We have three more busy weeks in this semester and Christmas break will be upon us.  

 

In Literature this week, we will wrap up Frog and Toad All Year and begin our fairy tales unit, reading Sleeping Beauty.  We will learn about the elements typical to all fairy tales.  Scholars will recite their poem The Little Turtle and review the virtue of gratitude as we enjoy the Jewish folktale It Could Always Be Worse.  Scholars will practice completing sentences with correct pronouns. 

In Math, we will review all that we have learned in Chapter 5 focusing on the strategies for addition and subtraction within 20.  Scholars will test on Chapter 5 on Wednesday and review for a cumulative test over chapters 1-5 on Thursday. 

In History, we will begin the Three World Religions unit.  Scholars will discover details about Judaism, Christianity and Islam, highlighting the symbols, celebrations and important people in each of these religions.  

Below is the link to the sign-up genius for our Fairytale Celebration Thursday, January 23rd. We still have lots of donation slots available to sign up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AAAD23AAFACF8-53076066-2425  

Thank you for your partnership and have a blessed week.   

 

Go Griffins! 

Upcoming Events

• • Dec. 4th- Independent Study Projects sent home

  • Dec. 12th - Classroom Spelling Bee

  • Dec. 4th - K - 1 Grandparents Day

  • Dec. 16-20th - 5 Days of Giving

  • Dec. 20th - GHNO Spirit Shirt Day

Q2W6 Nov. 18 -22

 Dear Parents, 

We hope you had a wonderful weekend with your family. This Friday is our Winter concert at Trinity Baptist Church at 5:30 p.m.  First grade students are asked to be at Trinity by 5:10 p.m. to prepare for the performance. Doors will open by 5:20 p.m. for parents to find their seats. 

 

In Literature this week, we will wrap up Frog and Toad All Year.   Scholars will recite their poem The Little Turtle next week.  In Grammar/ Writing our students will practice completing sentences with correct pronouns. 

In Math, we will continue going over Chapter 5 by focusing on the strategies for subtraction within 20.  

In Science, we will review what makes something living or non-living as we discover how to classify animals based on their traits and features.  We will learn how parents care for their offspring. 

The "Upcoming Events" section below has been updated through the end of December, so please be sure to take a look at this useful information.

We remain ever grateful for the gift of our students and families!   

  

 

Go Griffins! 

Upcoming Events

• • Nov. 22nd - Winter Concert at Trinity Baptist Church

  • Nov 25th-29th- Thanksgiving Holiday Break

  • Dec. 4th- Independent Study Projects sent home

  • Dec. 12th - Classroom Spelling Bee

  • Dec. 4th - K - 1 Grandparents Day

  • Dec. 16-20th - 5 Days of Giving

  • Dec. 20th - GHNO Spirit Shirt Day

Field Trip Details - Nov.13th

 Greetings First Grade Families,

 

We are looking forward to our field trip this week and have a few details to share.

 

• Dress Code:  Students should wear the regular school uniform (not spirit wear), including socks and footwear.  

 

• Snacks:  A morning and afternoon snack will be provided.  Please send snacks for Athenaeum or after-school clubs only.  These will be left at school in backpacks.

 

• Lunch:  Please note the following important requirements:
• ALL sack lunch items should be fully DISPOSABLE.
• Lunch bags should be labeled clearly with your student’s name AND section (i.e.  Sally Jones, 1D).
• If utensils are needed, please include those in your student’s sack lunch.  Teachers will not be able to provide utensils to students.
• Please be sure to include 1-2 napkins.

 

• Water Bottles:  Students will be carrying their water bottles with them to the zoo.  Please:
• Label water bottles clearly.
• Send a bottle of reasonable size that your student can easily carry and refill it independently.  Oversized water bottles will be difficult to manage.
• You may send a disposable bottle if you like.  If you do, please remind your student not to throw it away.  They will likely need to refill it as the day goes on.

 

A great big thank you to our chaperones and to all who are providing items we need for the field trip – we appreciate you!

First Grade Team

Q2W5 Nov. 11 - 15

 Dear Parents, 

We hope you had a wonderful weekend. This is another busy week for First Grade as we enjoy our field trip to the San Antonio Zoo on Wednesday, Nov. 13th. 

 

In Literature, we will learn a new poem, The Little Turtle, for recitation.  We will practice making predictions with our stories from Frog and Toad All Year. 

In Math, we will continue in Chapter 5 focusing on strategies for subtraction within 20, including subtracting ones from a 2-digit number, subtracting from a ten and counting back to subtract.   

In Science, we continue learning about the different habitats, focusing on ocean, arctic and wetland habitats. 

This week also begins our season of 1000 gifts, and our students will attend an assembly during which Headmaster Mitchel will explain to our students how to be mindful of all we have to be thankful for.  We look forward to watching our students actively pursue the virtue of gratefulness as we enter the busy holiday season. 

We remain ever grateful for the gift of our students and families!   

 

Go Griffins! 

A Peek at the Week

Language Arts

Spalding phonograms

Spelling Words (20 words)

Frog and Toad All Year

Pronouns

Math

Chapter 5: Subtraction within 20

History/Science

Habitats

Ocean

Arctic

Wetlands

Upcoming Events

• • Nov. 13th- Field Trip SA Zoo

  • Nov. 15th- Early Release Friday

  • Nov. 22nd - Winter Concert at Trinity Baptist Church

  • Nov 25th-29th- Thanksgiving Holiday Break

  • Nov. 30th- Independent Study Projects sent home

 

Field Day Information

 Hello parents,

First Grade will participate in Athletic Field Day tomorrow!  Please see below for information on what your scholar needs to bring for field day and what they should wear.  Please reach out to your scholar's teacher with any questions. 

Students need to bring a refillable water bottle on Field Day!

 

Dress Code for Students for Athletic Field Day:

·    City-State or House shirt

·    Athletic shorts or pants (modest, loose-fitting, in good repair)

·    Athletic shoes

·    Logo-free jackets, sweatshirts, and/or hats (if needed)

·    Sunscreen if needed (parents apply at home)

Students should not wear:

·    Tank tops, midriff shirts, camisoles, sports bras as outer garments

·    Short-shorts or long, baggy shorts

·    Volleyball spandex shorts unless covered by loose-fitting athletic shorts

·    Sandals, open-toed, or platform shoes