Hi parents,
Thank you for your continued efforts practicing the words of the week with your children. Today we had our first full class dictée, as I spoke about on curriculum night. Every writer gave it their very best, even though there were some sounds that we haven't learned yet! Trying our best is the MOST important thing! Merci mes amis!
In case you missed my curriculum night speech, there is a note on the reverse of the rubric you're getting today which explains the purpose of this activity, how to interpret the rubric you are receiving and how you can help!
Today I began explaining to students how to read a rubric and what our goals are in writing. We will talk more about this as time goes on, but already students were excited to see where they were successful and what my comments were. This shows that students are taking responsibility for their learning and is really quite exciting for me!
Please look at your child's writing sample from today and read over their rubric with them. Please point out all the areas where they were successful (everyone has several) and celebrate this first! Then, please ask your writer to pick out only one area that they'd like to improve for next time. Maybe it is remembering the petit point, or printing more nicely in the lines. Perhaps they would like to review their old words of the week even as we add new ones so that they don't forget the sounds we have already spent time learning. Whatever it is, please make sure it is only 1 thing so that it is not overwhelming, and so that they can keep this goal easily in mind!
In other news, our first show and tell day was today and I was happy that students had spent time figuring out what they would like to say in French. I was also happy that our first group of show-and-tellers were able to keep their special items safely hidden away until the appropriate moment of the day. Merci!
Grade 1s have been working hard during social studies periods to complete all the pieces which will come together to form our big self-reflective project. Thanks so much, parents, for sending the pictures (adorable!!) and helping at home. Students have now reflected and written about special people, special places, special objects, special events, their responsibilities and how we show we care about others. Please ask your researcher what they wrote about today when we were talking about how we show respect or that we care for others.
I'd like to remind the last couple grade 1 students to please bring in their time lines ASAP. Our next social studies period is next Wednesday and we will be assembling the entire project!
Heads up to everyone, there are TWO picture days this year, on account of the religious holiday, Rosh Hashanah. Next TUESDAY, October 4th, individual photos will be taken. On November 8th, class photos, and remaining individual photos will be taken.
I feel like I'm forgetting things... well, anyway, I'll write more next week!
Have a great weekend,
Tamara