First Grade Math - Story problems, story problems, story problems!  We are currently in unit one of the second grade book.  We have been working on story problems.  We are learning how to figure out if it's addition or subtraction, if the addend or the total is missing, and how to figure out the correct label.

First Grade Phonics - We have now learned all of the keywords for the long vowel sounds, as well as the short vowel sounds.  We are learning how to mark long vowel words that have c-v-c- silent e.

Reading - In word work we have been making waterfall books using story elements.  (character, setting, events, problem, and solution)  We have also been working on prefixes and suffixes.  We are taking base words and adding prefixes, suffixes, or both to make new words.  Every day we work on five things - read to self, read to someone, listening, work on writing, and word work...as well as meeting in our small reading groups.

Science - We have started our new Einstein kit.  It is called changes.  We will be learning about solids, liquids, and gases.

Writing - Boy have our stories been growing!  We have been working on poetry, as well as writing, editing, and illustrating stories.

Handwriting - The first graders have finished all of the letters in their book.  They are now working on reviewing all of the letters.  The second graders have finished all of the lower case cursive letters.  We have just started working on capital letters.  So far they have learned capital A and capital O.

Religion - Our Religion focus continues to be the Easter season.  Our second graders are busy preparing for their First Communion.  The last First Communion session will be next Wednesday, April 22nd.  They will be tasting the bread and wine.  April 30 we will have Mass again.  After the Mass, the second graders will be performing the May Crowning.  The second graders will be wearing their First Communion clothes and changing after Mass.  I don't know any more details other than that yet.  I am meeting with Mrs. Becker next Monday and will let you know more details then.

*Talent Show - The talent show has been moved to May 15th.

Art - Grade 1 and 2 have been working on paper weaving. Grade 1 is weaving a pattern into their design. Grade 2 cut one of their paintings into strips and they are weaving their painting into their design. we are also experimenting with weaving different shapes like fish and hearts.

Gym - We have racquets.  We are working on hand-eye coordination with tennis racquets.  We will be mixing up hand-eye coordination with scooter work.  They love driving scooters.  We have used scoops and racquets to aid in our quest to understand about depth perception and how to keep a ball going with a partner.  We still have a lot of work to do.