Zayit mathematician just began a unit on subtraction. We just completed a unit on addition which included learning how to properly compose and read addition sentences and how to solve real world addition problems. The children wrote their own addition stories and also wrote and solved addition word problems that they were given. They learned the commutative property of addition, the fact that you can add numbers in any order.
In Fundations, the children have begun learning about digraphs. Digraphs are two letters that make one sound when they are put together. Examples of digraphs include: sh, ch, ck, th and wh. We also have been concentrating on the short vowel a. Distinguishing the sounds of the short vowels is challenging for many first graders. We will be focusing our attention on a different vowel each week or two for the next while. The children had fun being vowel detectives and searching the room for words with short a.
In social studies, we completed our study of Veteran’s Day and are beginning to learn about the history of Thanksgiving. This year we will focus much of our learning on the story of the native American tribe, the Wampanoag tribe, who welcomed and supported the Pilgrims, helping them survive in the new land.
Zayit scientists have begun learning about animals in the ocean. We are planning a trip to the Aquarium later this fall. Our unit so far has been focused on fish. Ask your children what makes an animal a fish. Here are some hints: they have fins, scales, a backbone and they live exclusively in water.
In Reader’s Workshop, we are continuing our author study of Kevin Henkes. After the read-aloud of each book, as a group we identify the characters, the setting or settings and try to make text-to-self connections with the story. An example of a text-to-self connection that many of us made with the book Owen was that like the main character, Owen, many of us had special blankets or stuffed animals that we loved and carried with us everywhere when we were small.
Tefillah has been focused on understanding different types of prayer that we have in the siddur. We learned that some prayers ask God for things, in other prayers we thank God for things and in still other prayers we praise God. Earlier this week, in groups of lower school students, Zayit children helped to write tefillot thanking God for our many blessings. Next week, we will be writing tefillot asking God for what we need.
As always, the children have been busy doing art, having fun in gym, learning Hebrew letters and enjoying music with Rav Shira.
Shabbat Shalom, Joanne