Coming Soon:
Tuesday, August 17- Moms in Prayer @ 9am
Discipleship:
We're focusing on creativity this month. As we've discussed God's creation of the world in Genesis, we specifically talked about ways that we are made in His image, and one of those is creativity! We can't make something out of nothing like God can, but we can reflect His glory and His image when we create a beautiful piece of art, a melodious song, or even an exciting story.
Please spend enough time on each number bond this week that your child begins to commit them to memory. These are foundational number sense principles that will provide a strong building base for everything that is to come in math. The "Best Friends that Make Ten" handout in your Math tab in your binder is a visual resource you can use to practice the number bonds for 10. You can even let your student draw their own rainbow as they become familiar with the "friends of 10."
In addition to the Singapore lessons on number bonds, each child will be using cubes to explore number bonds and record their discoveries in their Number Bonds Book. We will complete number bonds for numbers 1-5 in class on Tuesday, so you will be able to see what the finished pages for those look like before you tackle bonds for the number 6 on Wednesday. The idea behind this is that rather than tell students, "6 cubes can be broken up into 4 cubes and 2 cubes," we want to let them discover that organically for themselves. Give them access to two different colors of cubes and tell them you want them to make a line (or tower) of 6, then let them come to the conclusion that they could use 4 green and 2 blue, or 2 green and 4 blue, or 3 green and 3 blue, etc. This thinking process is much deeper and more valuable for students than just hearing someone tell them the information. One last note: the Singapore HIG will show 4 different number bonds for 6 (see top of pg 11), while the Number Bonds Book will show 7 of them. Singapore is assuming that you are using 6 cubes of the same color and breaking them up into parts, so in their case, 1 and 5 looks the same as 5 and 1. Therefore, they list it only once. However, I would prefer if, instead, you would give your student access to two colors of cubes as I detailed above. When you do that, they will discover they can make 6 using 1 green and 5 blue OR 5 green and 1 blue. Therefore, those are listed and should be filled out separately in the Number Bonds Book.
**Please return Number Bonds Book in folder each day until the book is completed**
Reading and Spelling:
We're jumping into review of phonogram (yellow), sound (red), and key (blue) cards that were learned in kindergarten. If you are new to this program or if your child has forgotten over the summer some of what they learned last year, please work diligently with them to solidify these sounds and rules in their minds. We will be moving on and adding new cards in the near future, so take this time to hone in on cards that may need daily practice.
We will begin the Sounds First Phonemic Awareness Program lessons this week. Click this link and scroll down to Grade 1, Weeks 1-10 to access the PDF. Your first lesson on your home day will be Week 1, Day 2, but you will likely want to look back to Week 1, Day 1 for directions on how to do the "Cut Off a Sound" exercise. The videos at this link are especially helpful. Note that the page numbers I list on the blog are referring to the page numbers on the actual document.
Reminder when you are practicing phonogram and sound cards with your child- the vowels have at least 2 sounds each. Make sure your student knows all of the sounds for each vowel!
When you see the instruction in AAS to dictate a word or sentence, this should be done in the Spelling Journal. Dictation means you will read the word(s) to your child and they will spell them on their own. Be sure to pronounce for spelling and enunciate each syllable clearly. This is an opportunity to see if they can put into practice the phonics we are teaching them. For mistakes in dictation done at home, reteach and have your student correct their work before you conclude your lesson for the day. When we do dictation in class, you will need to check it the following day at home for accuracy and reteach what your student missed.
Grammar:
When you're asked to read a poem from FLL, just use the instructions as a framework and reminder to work on memorizing "Persevere." You may choose to read "The Caterpillar" a couple of times out loud to give your student a chance to absorb this piece of art and capture just the right inflection. Then you may choose to discuss it as art. Your child will appreciate your wanting to know his thoughts as long as he is assured there are no wrong answers. In turn and to set an example, share your thoughts. This is primarily about instilling a love and joy for language, but do encourage him to use complete sentences.
What kind of feeling does this poem give you?
Do you have any favorite words?
Are there any words you don't understand? (build vocabulary)
Are there any rhyming words?
Were there any surprising parts?
What do you think is happening here?
Science:
We delve deeper into the world of Arthropods this week. We will be marveling at how God created these creatures in very specific ways with very unique characteristics. Though insects can really "bug" us at times, we really couldn't live with out them!
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!!" - Prov. 6:6 (NIV)
History:
This week we discuss the earliest nomads and their way of life, and how they transitioned to villages and farming. In class, we'll read a selection by Jan Brett of "The Gingerbread Man" fame about a nomadic little boy and his new friend in "The First Dog."
As you read the Story of the World text at home, check in with your child every few paragraphs to see if they can retell what you've read to them in their own words (oral narration).
Chapter 2 journal entry: Narmer was the first king of Egypt. (Write this sentence for your student to copy into their History Journal. They can draw a picture in the blank space at the top of the page if they like.)
Geography:
Follow these links to a Map & Song and Game to help learn all the continents and oceans. Your student will stand in front of the class and sing or recite the Continents and Oceans by memory while pointing to them on a map on Sept 9th.
While there are many great reasons why learning the geography of our world is important, your child should remember from our conversation that the most important reason is to help us pray for the gospel to be shared mightily with unbelievers in every part of our world.
"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." -Matthew 9:38
