First grade has been having a great time learning and mastering our routines so far this school year.  We are having so much fun learning with our friends.   Check out some of the great topics we will discuss this upcoming month.

Important Dates & Reminders

• November 8: Election Day (No school)
• November 11: Veteran’s Day (No school)
• November 23-25: Thanksgiving Break (No school)
• Family Teacher Conferences
• Please practice tying shoes at home with your child!

Language Arts

What are we learning?

In November we are focusing on:

• Collaborative and partner discussions about various texts and topics
• Blending sounds to make one-syllable words
• Reading and spelling commonly used sight words
• Discussing meanings of words in context
• Asking and answering who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about what is read
• Identifying the main idea

Home/School Connection

Please consider reading with your child for 20 minutes at home every night and asking them essential questions about the book.

Math

What are we learning?

In November, we will be learning about geometric shapes in math.

We will learn to:

• Identify, trace, describe, and sort plane geometric figures (triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles) according to the number of sides, vertices, and angles
• Identify and describe representations of circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles in different environments, regardless of orientation, and explain with reasoning 
• Sort and classify concrete objects according to one or two attributes 
• Identify, describe, extend, create and transfer growing and repeating patterns

Home/School Connection

Please consider practicing reinforcing the topics learned in school this month by playing games that include shapes, drawing different shapes, and looking for shapes at home or outside.

Science

What are we learning?

In science, we will be learning how to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices. 
• Investigate and understand that objects can move in different ways
• Investigate and understand that animals, including humans, have basic life needs that allow them to survive. 
• Investigate and understand that there are weather and seasonal changes.

Home/School Connection

Please consider observing the change in weather and trees and discussing this with your child!

Social Studies

What are we learning?

In Social Studies, we will be learning about:

• Citizenship: Valuing Truth and Honesty   
• What Does It Mean to Vote?
• People Make Contributions
• Leadership
• Students will apply the traits of a good citizen, on and offline, by valuing honesty and truthfulness in themselves and others and participate in classroom decision making.
• Students will understand that the people of Virginia have state and local government officials who are elected by voters and make contributions to their communities.

Home/School Connection

Please consider having discussions with your child about how to be a great citizen, a leader, and a student!!