Week of January 28- Feb 1

This week, we will be reviewing the same material but with different books and themes. :)  In first grade, our units of study last for more than one week, so for February I may post a monthly calendar instead of weekly posts.  Keep an eye out! :)

Reading- Describing Character behavior- Kevin Henke's books

110.12.1.09.A - Students are expected to:describe the plot (problem and solution) and retell a storys beginning, middle, and end with attention to the sequence of events; and
110.12.1.09.B - Students are expected to:describe characters in a story and the reasons for their actions and feelings.
110.12.RCS.1.D - The student is expected to make inferences about text and use textual evidence to support understanding;

Language Arts- Writing for an Audience- stretching words, handwriting, making the story interesting

110.12.1.17.C - Students are expected to:revise drafts by adding or deleting a word, phrase, or sentence;
110.12.1.17.D - Students are expected to:edit drafts for grammar, punctuation, and spelling using a teacher-developed rubric; and
110.12.1.18.A - Students are expected to:write brief stories that include a beginning, middle, and end; and
110.12.1.21.C - Students are expected to:recognize and use punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences.

Math- Money- penny, nickel, dime, quarter

111.13.B.01.01.C - The student is expected to identify individual coins by name and value and describe relationships among them.
111.13.B.01.11.B - The student is expected to solve problems with guidance that incorporates the processes of understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.
111.13.B.01.11.C - The student is expected to select or develop an appropriate problem-solving plan or strategy including drawing a picture, looking for a pattern, systematic guessing and checking, or acting it out in order to solve a problem.

Science- Rocks, Soil, Water

112.12.B.01.7.A - observe, compare, describe, and sort components of soil by size, texture, and color;
112.12.B.01.7.B - identify and describe a variety of natural sources of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans; and
112.12.B.01.7.C - gather evidence of how rocks, soil, and water help to make useful products.

Social Studies- Historical Figures- small group research project on pebblego.com

113.12.1.2 - The student understands how historical figures, patriots, and good citizens helped shape the community, state, and nation.
113.12.1.2.B - identify historical figures such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Garrett Morgan, and Richard Allen, and other individuals who have exhibited individualism and inventiveness; and 113.12.1.2.C - compare the similarities and differences among the lives and activities of historical figures and other individuals who have influenced the community, state, and nation. 113.12.1.13.B - identify historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Francis Scott Key, and Eleanor Roosevelt who have exemplified good citizenship; and
113.12.1.13 - The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historic figures and other individuals.
113.12.1.13.A - identify characteristics of good citizenship, including truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for oneself and others, responsibility in daily life, and participation in government by educating oneself about the issues, respectfully holding public officials to their word, and voting;

Money, Money, Money Mooooney!

We are learning about coins this week!  Yesterday we worked in partners to sort coins and used our ActivExpressions to review what we learned!  When you are at home or the store, practice identifying coins and their value.  You can also add coins together once you know how much they are worth.

Check us out!

Welcome to the 3rd 9 weeks!

I hope you are staying warm!

Each week I will post what we are working on so that you can be updated at home!  Below I have listed the topic we are covereing and the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) required for the students to master (from the Texas Education Agency).

This week (January 22-25) we will be working on:

Reading- Describing Character behavior. 

110.12.1.09.A - Students are expected to:describe the plot (problem and solution) and retell a storys beginning, middle, and end with attention to the sequence of events; and
110.12.1.09.B - Students are expected to:describe characters in a story and the reasons for their actions and feelings.
110.12.RCS.1.D - The student is expected to make inferences about text and use textual evidence to support understanding;

Language Arts- Writing for an Audience

110.12.1.17.C - Students are expected to:revise drafts by adding or deleting a word, phrase, or sentence;
110.12.1.17.D - Students are expected to:edit drafts for grammar, punctuation, and spelling using a teacher-developed rubric; and
110.12.1.18.A - Students are expected to:write brief stories that include a beginning, middle, and end; and
110.12.1.21.C - Students are expected to:recognize and use punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences.

Math- Money

111.13.B.01.01.C - The student is expected to identify individual coins by name and value and describe relationships among them.
111.13.B.01.11.B - The student is expected to solve problems with guidance that incorporates the processes of understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.
111.13.B.01.11.C - The student is expected to select or develop an appropriate problem-solving plan or strategy including drawing a picture, looking for a pattern, systematic guessing and checking, or acting it out in order to solve a problem.

Science- Rocks, Soil, Water

112.12.B.01.7.A - observe, compare, describe, and sort components of soil by size, texture, and color;
112.12.B.01.7.B - identify and describe a variety of natural sources of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans; and
112.12.B.01.7.C - gather evidence of how rocks, soil, and water help to make useful products.

Social Studies- Historical Figures

113.12.1.2 - The student understands how historical figures, patriots, and good citizens helped shape the community, state, and nation.
113.12.1.2.A - identify contributions of historical figures, including Sam Houston, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., who have influenced the community, state, and nation;
113.12.1.13 - The student understands characteristics of good citizenship as exemplified by historic figures and other individuals.
113.12.1.13.A - identify characteristics of good citizenship, including truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for oneself and others, responsibility in daily life, and participation in government by educating oneself about the issues, respectfully holding public officials to their word, and voting;

Any additional support you can provide at home to assist your student in mastering these TEKS would be wonderful! 
Have a great week!

ActivExpression Time!

Mr. Wagner came to visit our class today with something SUPER COOL! I went to a technology conference over the summer and was able to receive funds to implement new technology into my classroom.  I used the money to get the class a set of ActivExpressions! These are remotes that you can type on (similar to a phone) to answer questions on the board! We will be able to use these for pre-tests, quick checks, and practice in class. Take a look at our Tigers learning how to use the new equipment!

Miss you!

Meet Troy!

Have a WONDERFUL Winter Break!  Get plenty of rest and have fun with your families!  I can't wait to see you all when we come back in January!
Love- Mrs. Cortez and Troy

Go Texan Day!

Many students dressed up for Go Texan Day on Thursday.  I love seeing all the cowboys and cowgirls who are ready for the fair!

In other news, progress reports should be signed at the bottom and returned in the red Take Home folder.

We are working hard and learning a lot in first grade!

Open House and Scholastic

Open House is TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 18th  from 6:00-7:30!  Please join us!

Scholastic book orders will be sent home twice a month.  They will go home on Mondays and the orders will be turned in on Friday.  If you choose to order online, you will need our class code: GTWW2
 Thank you to Natalie's family for donating Clorox Wipes and pencils!Thank you to Lorraine's family for donating playing cards for math rotations!