Choosing Good Fit Books

When a student reads a book by his or herself, it needs to be a good fit- just right for his or her reading level. 

Use the strategy below to help you and your child learn how to choose good fit books. 

Also, please note that if you are reading a book to your child, you can choose a higher level book, and I encourage you to do so. Read a variety of books to your child for fun.

Reading Packets

Dear Parents,

I am so excited to begin sending home reading packets. These packets will include sight words, a leveled book, reading strategy work, and a reading log, as well as other activities specifically made for your child. Each child will have different materials sent home in their manilla folder. This is their reading packet.

Please have your child bring this packet with everything in it to school every day.

We will use these in class, and they will be given new books to take home.

If a book is lost, you will be responsible for paying for a new book. Please help your child to take care of their materials, and keep their books safe.

I suggest that your child reads his or her book each day, or for 10-20 minutes. I also suggest that your child practices reading and writing the sight words given to them. Their words are on a list in the packet, as well as on notecards.

Thank you for all you do,

Ms. Minnerick

Symbols Poster Project

Symbols Poster Project

Due Date: October 7^th

This coming week we will be learning about the symbols of our state and country. Each student will be required to make a poster showing the American flag, Texas flag, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and the Alamo. 

Students may use pictures or drawings for each item. A short sentence describing the meaning of each symbol also needs to be included. 

This poster does not need to be elaborate, but we would like to see your child’s work. Examples are included on the document sent home today.

Thank you for partnering with us for your child’s education.

Our Reading Strategies: Flippy Dolphin

Our class has read and discussed the book, The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. (I highly recommend getting a copy to read aloud to your child over and over.)

The Little Engine is an example of not giving up, and the power of believing in ourselves. Students know not to give up when it comes to reading a word. They know that good readers have good habits, also called Reading Strategies, for solving hard words. They know to stay positive. They tell themselves, "I Think I can. I think I can." They try their strategies for solving hard words.They really can do it! They have strategies! Encourage your child when they get to a tricky part, and say, "I think you can!"

Be patient, and always, keep reading fun! 

One of our reading strategies that we use when reading a book  is called "Flippy Dolphin." It's also called "Try it 2 Ways."

This strategy helps us to figure out how to read a tricky or hard word, by trying saying the sound of a vowel in a different way. One sound is called a short vowel, the other is called a long vowel. 

For example, in "cane" and "can" the vowel sound "a" is pronounced in different ways. So if a student was reading  a book and the sentence said, "The man with the hurt foot was using his cane to walk", but your child reads it as, "The man with the hurt foot was using his can to walk", we want your child to ask himself, "Does it make sense?", and if not, try saying the vowel sound, or other "chunks" (see our Chunky Monkey Reading Strategy, and see image below) in a different way. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/Flippy-Dolphin-Anchor-Chart-1306252

You can download and print this document for FREE at Teachers Pay Teachers. I highly encourage you to make an account so that you can download all the resources I share on this website. It's simple and free, and oh so helpful for our kiddos!

Watch this short video to see "Flippy the Dolphin" in action:

Flippy Dolphin Example Video

You can sing this song to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know it", to help your child remember this strategy.

You can print this for free: Flippy Dolphin Song Sheet

We use Reading Strategies Bookmarks during independent reading time in class. This  help us to remember all the things we can try to figure out how to read a tricky word. I plan on sending each child home with a Reading Strategies bookmark. 

You can learn all about the strategies and download free Reading Strategy Bookmarks here: Reading Strategies Posters and Bookmarks, By Growing Firsties

Math: Skip Counting

This week in Math, we are focusing on skip counting. We will learn to skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's up to 120. We will also be able to skip count starting from any given number.

Videos for Kids:
Counting by 2's

Count by 2's and Dance

COUNT BY 2'S TO 120

Counting by 5's 

Count by 5's to 120

School House Rock Counting by 5's

Counting by 10's


Counting  by 10's Song

Essential Questions:

• How can I skip count by 2's? Start at 0 and count on two more . . .
• How can I skip count by 5's? Start at 0 and count on 5 more. . . 
• How can I skip count by 10's? Start at 0 and count on 10 more
• How can I skip count if I start from any given number?
• Can I skip count by 2's from any given number?
• Can I skip count by 5's from any given number?
• Can I skip count by 10's from any given number?

Use a 120 chart with your child, and have them place candy or small toys on the numbers as they count by 2's, 5's, or 10's. More ideas are below. 

You can download this 120 chart and idea sheet for free here: 

Ship Shape First Grade: Math Freebie

Writing: Nouns

You can help your child notice nouns all around. They can make lists of their favorite noun-things, favorite noun-people, and favorite noun-places They can also circle or highlight nouns in sentences.

Videos for Kids:
The Noun Song

How to Help Your Child in Reading and Math

For Fiction

For Non-Fiction