November Curriculum
Language
This month we will continue to focus on choosing "just right" books. Students should be reading books that are not too easy or too hard for them.
Students have been practising retelling stories. Students are encouraged to continue practising at home. The key story elements for retelling a story are: Setting - the time/place Characters - the main people/animals who are in the story Problem - the struggle the character is having Events - what happens in the story (beginning, middle, end) Solution - how the problem was resolved This month we are expanding our journal writing. Students have been building their sight word vocabulary through reading and Word Study, and we have seen an improvement in their ability to write sentences independently, with the help of the Word Wall in our classroom, picture dictionaries, and the strategy of sounding out words. In November we would like to focus on self-editing (checking for capital letters, periods, leaving finger spaces in between words, etc.) Every week our class does a shared reading of a new Poem of the Week. Each student has a poem book at school. If you would like to practise reading our Poem of the Week at home, you can find links on the Homework tab. We will continue with our Word Study homework each week. Keep up the great work! For a fun way to practise Word Study spelling words at home, check out: Spelling City (type in spelling words and click on the free activities below, such as "spelling test" or "play a game") ... you will need functioning computer speakers to make the most of these activities! Social Studies
Unit 1: Relationships, Rules, and Responsibilities
This month at CIS, we are focusing on the Character Education trait of integrity. Students will learn that it is their responsibility as a CIS student to show integrity (being honest, following the rules even when the teacher is not looking, etc.) This month we will continue to talk about families and important rules and responsibilities that family members have at home. Students did a great job on their family projects last month. They are currently on display in our classroom! We will send them home later this month. In November we will also further examine responsibilities of people who work in our school. The Arts
In art class, we will continue to examine colours this month. Students have already learned about the primary colours (red, yellow, and blue) and secondary colours (orange, green, and purple). We will further practise making secondary colours by using paint. We will also look at making shades and tints by adding black and white to colours.
In drama class, we will continue to focus on evoking emotion through body language and facial expressions. We will also be practising on retelling stories through dramatic performances. Mr. John is teaching our class music this year. Students have been enjoying learning new sounds and moving around to various types of music. |
Math
Unit 3: Data Management
We have started a new unit on Data Management. Students are learning how to do a survey on an interesting topic (example: 1C's Favourite Foods, Favourite Colour, etc.) They are learning how to tally numbers and to use their data to make pictographs and bar graphs. Students will learn how to interpret a graph. In November the students will be designing their own surveys and using their data to make graphs (both in groups and independently) which we will then display in our classroom. At home, your child can get more practice with data management at: http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1 (Try activities L1 to L4) Your child is also encouraged to practise addition and subtraction on an ongoing basis at home. We will continue to work on adding and subtracting at school. For more practice with adding/subtracting: http://www.abcya.com/first_grade_computers.htm (Try activities such as Marble Math Addition or Balloon Pop Subtraction) http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1 (Try any activity from section B, C, D, or E) Science
Unit 1: Understanding Life Systems
This month we will continue to discuss the differences between living and non-living things. In October we grew our own bean plants at school, and learned that plants need sunlight, water, air, warmth, and nutrients found in soil to grow. The plants were sent home, but students can continue to take care of them at home to see if any beans can grow! All students learned how to give their plant water, and to place it near sunlight. In November we will investigate and compare the physical characteristics of plants and animals through researching non-fiction texts from the library. For some interesting science videos, check out a free trial at: http://brainpop.com (Science videos) Health and Physical Education
We will continue to play cooperative games while engaging in warm-up exercises before, and cool down activities afterward. Students will learn how to find their heart rate. Please remember to bring reusable water bottles to gym class every Monday.
Swimming is an important part of the Physical Education program, and students will receive an individual mark on their report card for swimming. Please make sure your child is ready for swimming class every Wednesday. If your child is unable to go swimming, please provide a doctor's note. Ms. Heather is our swimming teacher this year. In health class, we will review healthy eating and the 4 food groups: dairy, meat, grains, and vegetables/fruit. We will continue to learn how to build a balanced and healthy meal. In November, we will also learn about keeping our teeth clean and healthy through proper oral hygiene. Ms. Glicy, our school nurse, will be visiting our class again in November to discuss topics such as Hand Foot and Mouth disease, healthy eating, and avoiding germs by washing hands, covering mouth when sneezing/coughing, etc. |