Social Distancing Day Two

Hopefully these notes are helpful.

Math

Chp 9, lesson 2, p. 641

This lesson continues the exploration of sides and vertices with 2 more two-dimensional shapes, triangles and trapezoides (quadrilaterals with only one pair of parallel sides). If you go into detail, it may be necessary to explain parallel (in this case, when 2 lines have a continuously equal distance between themselves).

If you do not have the chapter pages, continue as yesterday and share this question: Ty has 3 different 2-dimensional shapes. The shapes have 11 sides and 11 vertices in all. What shapes can he have?

Writing

When you ask your child what step is next, they may already have a good indication that adding closure (closing) is the next. So, we have chosen a topic, stated our opinion, touched and talked our supporting reasons, drafted our reasons, grabbed our reader's attention, and now the closing. Ideally, the closing should be related somehow to the introduction (where you grabbed the reader's attention) but not entirely necessary. An easy way to close an opinion (thinking aloud italics) is by asking a question: So what's your favorite amusement park? Another more sophisticated way to close is to present a counter-arguement. (Presenting a counter-arguement or counterclaim may seem counter-intuitive but can actually serve to strengthen your arguement and also demonstrate the ability to discern multiple perspectives. That may not necessarily be what happens here, but it's nice to start a good habit, because recall, after all, your child will be writing opinions for the foreseeable future.) For example: Some people think that Knott's Berry Farm is the superior theme park, but I still think Disneyland is the best.

Reading

My Shared Reading (Week 1, Day 2, Tuesday)

Read Almond Milk pp. 2-3. Follow the suggested activity outline (phonemic awareness).

Social Distancing Day One

Hope this post finds everyone well.

Math

Do not worry about completing everything in your packet. But note that the contents of the Chapter 9 Math packet would constitute 50% of a student's grade for the geometry standards.

Chapter 9 Lesson 1 (page 635)

This Chapter is about two-dimensional shapes which are shapes having only 2 dimensions such as width and height. Rectangles have 4 sides and vertices (plural of vertex). A square is a special rectangle with all 4 of it's sides being equal, whereas a rectangle need only have opposite sides equal in length. Additionally, (and apart from this chapter) rectangles and squares have 4 right angles. The point of the lesson is to distinguish between open and closed shapes and to be able to identify and quantify sides and vertices.

For those parents without the packet, draw, trace or find a picture of two-dimensional shapes and have your child count the sides and vertices. Have them use the words closed, sides, and vertices to describe a square.

Writing

Our next step in writing would be to get our reader's attention. In other words, attempt to entice them to read our opinions. An easy way for first graders to grab a reader's attention is to start with a question. For example: Are you in the mood for some excitement? might preface an opinion of an amusement park. Another way to get a reader's attention is to start with some more subtle clues: Home of the world's most famous mouse and now creatures from far flung galaxies, this park has something for everyone in the family.

The basic structure of the writing lesson, if you will recall from the brief overview at Back-toSchool Night is the teacher (at this point in the year) ask student writers what they think the next step will be after naming the steps we have completed so far. So far, we have selected a topic for our opinion, stated our opinion, touched and talked our reasons, planned our reasons (quick-sketched), and drafted our reasons. What's our next step?

I Do

The teacher thinks aloud the different ways to grab a reader's attention, voices two alternatives, selects one, then writes it in the top of the paper. (3-5 min)

We Do

The class and teacher work together performing the same step on a class paper. Room 11 has been writing an opinion piece on John's Incredible Pizza. (3-5 min)

You Do

The student performs the step on their own work. (10-20 min)

Shared Reading

My Shared Reading (Week 1 Day 1, Monday)

Read Almond Milk pp. 2-3 follow the suggested activity outline (phonemic awareness)

If you do not have the homework packet, you may find these resources in your child's Benchmark account. Benchmark is accessed through the portal called Clever.

Note that you will also be able to find digital selections targeted to your child's TRC reading level. Otherwise, practice reading with your child according to the suggestions discussed at Parent Conferences.

One Hundred Twenty-Second Day of School

The important pieces of the emergency at-home study packets are ready for pick-up for the parents whose children are absent today. Students attending school today will be taking their packets home with them. If you find yourself unable to get a packet before 3:00 today, study questions and information will be left on this blog which will be important for future assessments.

One Hundred Twenty-Third Day of School

In Writing, we drafted our arguments for our opinions which is writing the sentences for the 2 or 3 reasons for our opinions.

In Science/Engineering, when useed some common household items to show how to propel a mock zipline-type craft using air pressure. Later, time permitting, we will engineer a craft to hold a payload using the same zipline and air pressure setup to further answer the question: what can air do?

We have been asked by administration to work with our grade level to produce a home-based learning resource package in the event that officials decide it is in the best interest of the community to close the school in light of the current health situation. We are pushing to have the packets ready for the children to take home tommorrow. The packet is for you and your child to keep at home and use at such a time that the children are unable to attend class or the school is temporarily closed. In addition, this blog will be maintained with some notes on suggestions for study as well as lessons to keep the children's writing process going.

One Hundred Twenty-Second Day of School

In Writing, we planned our reasons for our opinion. At least 2 reasons are suggested. The open box on the left of the template will hold the plan for our reasons and can be divided as needed.

In Social Science, we became familiar with cardinal or relative directions and the compass rose on a map (tested).

Open House has been cancelled for tomorrow night.

One Hundred Twenty-First Day of School

In Writing today, we expressed a simple opinion about a favorite place. In 1st grade terms, a simple opinion likely incorporates the word best, although it could just as easily contain the word worst.
For example: Veteran's park is the best park. In subsequent lessons, we will be learning how to develop an arguement to support our opinion. Please find in your child's paperwork, the template we use for opinion writing sent home today to follow along with our unit.

Math Test

Of 18 students taking the test, 11 students passed with an adjusted score of 10 or better. The high score was 19 achieved by 3 students.