First Grade News December 4th-8th

What We're Working on This Week:

First Grade Curriculum:
Language Arts 

This week in Language Arts we will be reviewing a lot of the skills that we have focused on so far this year!  We will take a close look and review at spelling words that are CVC words (short vowels) and words that are CVCc (long vowels with final silent e).  No new spelling words until after winter break!  We will also continue to review and practice the writing skills we have learned.  We wrote a few made up "Once Upon A Time..." stories this week just for fun!  We will also get new literacy stations and new book bags!

Social Studies

This week in Social Studies we will begin learning about customs and traditions! 

Math

In math this week we are continuing our unit about money! We will learn about the different types of coins and practice adding a collection of coins that equal up to a dollar! This is something that you can practice with your child at home, too! Any time you have loose change, have your first graders help you count! 

Science

In Science this week, we will continue to learn about structural and materials engineering. We will explore with different types of mortar and building materials this week. We will test our mortars and make plans to build our own miniature walls.

Important Dates:

December 8th- Jingle Bell Run (12:30)

December 14th- Holiday Party (2:00)

December 15th- Spirit Rally

December 15th- Early Release (Time TBD)

December 18th-January 2nd- WINTER BREAK!

Extra! Extra!
Service Learning

First Grade will be starting their Service Learning Projects when we return to school after Thanksgiving! We are so excited to be partnering with the Coppell Lions Club to help collect and donate new toys this holiday season! We are asking that you send in new, unwrapped toys to donate to families in need. When your child brings in a toy, they can sign their name to an ornament, and hang it on our "giving tree!"

First Grade News November 27th-December 1st

What We're Working on This Week:

First Grade Curriculum:
Language Arts 

This week in Language Arts we will get back on track with our spelling words and book bags!  Spelling will focus on the Long U sound with a final silent e.  Book bags will also be coming home so please read as many nights as you can!  We will keep working on our writing and get some new fun stations!  As soon as Raz Kids is back up and running we will let you know! 

Social Studies

This week in Social Studies we will begin learning about customs and traditions! 

Math

In math this week we are beginning our unit about money! We will learn about the different types of coins and practice adding a collection of coins that equal up to a dollar! This is something that you can practice with your child at home, too! Any time you have loose change, have your first graders help you count! 

Science

In Science this week, we will be applying all we have learned about rocks and soil to begin our first engineering unit of the year! We will be looking at how soil and rocks are natural resources that we use and need each day. Throughout this unit we will learn about structural engineering and at the end, our first graders will build and test their own walls and mortar! 

Important Dates:

December 8th- Jingle Bell Run (12:30)

December 14th- Holiday Party (2:00)

December 15th- Spirit Rally

December 15th- Early Release (Time TBD)

December 18th-January 2nd- WINTER BREAK!

Extra! Extra!

Service Learning

First Grade will be starting their Service Learning Projects when we return to school after Thanksgiving! We are so excited to be partnering with the Coppell Lions Club to help collect and donate new toys this holiday season! We are asking that you send in new, unwrapped toys to donate to families in need. When your child brings in a toy, they can sign their name to an ornament, and hang it on our "giving tree!"

First Grade News November 13th-17th

What We're Working on This Week:

First Grade Curriculum:
Language Arts 

This week in Language Arts we will continue practicing in our journals with our new writing checklist. The checklist includes transition words and opening and closing sentences. We will be using the writing process to write about the top three things we are thankful for and publishing our work for you to see on SeeSaw!
There will be no new spelling words this week!  
There will also be NO book bags this week!  
*Spelling words and book bags will resume the week after Thanksgiving Break! Yay!  

Social Studies

This week in Social Studies we will be talking about the First Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims and the Native Americans!  We will discuss the importance of this holiday and discuss and celebrate some things we are thankful for!  We are doing a bit of research on Pebble Go and Brain Pop to help us get factual information!  

Math

In math this week we are learning all about personal finance. We will learn about earning an income and how to make wise choices with that income. After completing our research, we will be creating presentations all about our learning and uploading them to our google sites.

Science

In Science this week, we will be beginning our unit on Earth Science. We will start this unit by learning all about the ground! We will explore properties of soil, classify rocks, and learn all about their uses. We will take a visit to the garden this week to begin exploring soil! 

Homework:  Please check your child's folder for a note from us about collecting a soil sample. We are asking that over the weekend your child please find a small sample of soil (a tablespoon or less) and bring it in the plastic bag provided. Please do not spend any money on this! This could be soil (dirt!) from your yard, the park, or anywhere you find it. Our purpose in collecting various samples is to compare the properties of many different types of soils. 

Important Dates:

Friday, November 17th - Turkey Trot @ 12:30

NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK

November 20th - November 24th 2017 

Extra! Extra!
Service Learning

Coppell ISD Family Feast Drive Nov. 17 

For 14 years, CISD has collected food for families in need around Thanksgiving. Mark your calendars to donate canned foods or non-perishable foods from Monday, November 13th -Friday, Nov. 17th for the CISD Family Feast Drive!

You also may make an online donation here. When you make your donation, you can choose Town Center by scrolling down the page as you make your donation. Last year, CISD collected 12,397 pounds of food and $13,708 for a total of 51,454 nutritious meals for those in need in North Texas.

First Grade News October 30th -November 3rd

What We're Working on This Week:

First Grade Curriculum:
Language Arts 

This week in Language Arts we will continue practicing in our journals with our new writing checklist.  The checklist includes transition words and opening and closing sentences. Our spelling focus will be words with the long i sound with final silent e (CVCe). We will continue reading aloud books on Fall,  Autumn, and Halloween (nothing scary just cute!)  and continue to work on making connections to the text with ourself, other texts, and the world. 

Social Studies

We will continue our unit on government! We will keep learning about symbols that represent our country and talk about voting and rights!

Math

In math this week, we will be learning applying what we've learned the last two weeks and begin ordering numbers. We will learn to use an open number line to compare our numbers from greatest to least and least to greatest. We will also participate in several fun fall math activities! 

Science

This week in science we will be continuing our unit all about Energy, Force, and Motion. We will be continuing to learn all about magnetism! We will learn how magnets can help push and pull objects. We will explore all about magnets through many fun hands-on experiments! 

Important Dates:

Friday, November 3rd - Pansy Planting (times TBD)
Friday, November 10th - Veteran's Day Ceremony
Friday, November 17th - Turkey Trot @ 12:30
NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 20th - November 24th 2017 

Extra! Extra!
Service Learning

It's that time of the year!! Kindergarten is hosting it's annual shoe drive for our service learning project. We will be donating the shoes to the Salvation Army. Please bring any used shoes for our donation! We will have a collection box in A hall. Thank you!

Pumpkin Chunkin' Challenge

This past Wednesday, the first graders participated in a Pumpkin Chunkin' design challenge in the library! After reading the poem, "The Five Little Pumpkins," our learners were challenge to design a catapult that could launch a pumpkin over a gate. Here are some pictures of all our engineering fun!