Working Together

We are working hard in first grade to learn all the procedures and rules.  I like to have the students work with partners and small groups in the classroom.  This week we discussed how to be a good partner, and what good listening skills look like.  The first graders love working with partners. This week we worked in partners to make a class book about our classroom promises (rules).  We are learning how to make the partner work productive. I break assignments into steps and give a time frame to complete the task.  For example: "Talk with your partner about which classroom promise you are going to write about.  You have until the long minute hand is on the 6."  Telling time is a first grade skill that takes A LOT of work!  Right now we are working on the difference between the minute hand and the hour hand.  I am always asking them to "show me which hand is the minute hand" and the students make their arms long to look like a minute hand.  

This weekend:

• Poetry journal are coming home today.  Please write a note to your child on the back and send back to school on Monday.
• Spelling books are coming home today also.  Work on List 1 next week and return on Friday. The spelling test will be on Friday.  Please do not have your first grader work ahead or beyond list 1.  
• Workbook fee information is coming home today.