Different types of Story Problems

First graders have been working on two different types of story problems during our first math unit.  They have been paying close attention to the information that a story problem gives them.  In some cases, they have noticed, the problem gives the parts and they need to determine the whole (or total), while in other cases the problem gives the whole (or total) and they must figure out the possible parts to make that whole.  Because of this, some problems have only one possible solution, while other problems have more than one possible solution.  

Brain Breaks

First graders have been enjoying some brain and body breaks by using the website Gonoodle.  It is free website that offers a large variety of movement breaks.  They have lots of fun doing these quick activities and are then ready to get back to learning!!

Heads or Tails?

First graders have been exploring the relationships among combinations of numbers up to ten, as well as solving problems in which only the total and one part are known.  Two games that they recently played are "Heads or Tails?" And "How Many Am I Hiding?"  For each game they used a known total of objects.  In "Heads or Tails" they found many different combinations for a given amount by shaking and dropping their coins, always double checking that their numbers still added up to the original amount; and in "How Many Am I Hiding?" their partner would hide part of their objects and they needed to solve for the missing part.  

Check for Understanding

During literacy today students learned about and practiced using the comprehension strategy of "check for understanding".  We also continued learning how to do "Read to Someone" while we practiced this strategy.  "Read to Someone" will be one of their choices during literacy time.  Ask your child to explain this strategy to you!

Story Ideas

Last week we read a story during our Writers Workshop called Ralph Tells A Story, by Abby Hanlon.  It was about a boy who didn't think he had anything to write about.  He discovered that there were actually stories all around him happening all the time!  After listening to the story, first graders met with their writing partners and talked about various possible topic ideas, after which they then added to their "writing ideas" notebooks.  Their "ideas" notebooks are always close at hand and first graders know that they can jot down their writing ideas whenever they have an inspiration!

Clear the Halls Drill

This morning RES conducted a Clear the Halls drill.  This was our first practice for this type of drill this year.  Our class did a great job and stayed very calm and quiet during the drill.  Afterward we had a long discussion as they had many questions and "what ifs..."  Your child might come home with this still on their minds so I wanted you to be aware that this happened today and to let you know where their possible questions are coming from.  Please feel free to contact me or Mr. Berry with any questions or concerns.  

RES Fun Run Change in Date!!

Due to a community conflict, the RES Family FUN RUN will now be Saturday October 11th.

We will be contacting all those that have already preregistered to confirm that you can still make the new date.  If you volunteered to help already---thank you! AND, we understand if the date change, changes your plans.  Below you will find the updated information.

Thanks for your understanding about this last minute change. We hope that you will still attend and make this another GREAT RES community event!

Here is the UPDATED FUN RUN info:

5K and 5K-RELAY and Kids ½ Mile FUN run

Saturday October ^11th, 2014 --  9am

Location:  Richmond Volunteer’s Green

Bring the whole family and enjoy a morning of being outside with friends and neighbors running to support the arts for students at Richmond Elementary School.  All money raised at this event will support an Artist in Residence** at RES for students in grades K-4 in April 2015.

Pre- Registration is now open on line until October 8^th, 2014. To Pre-register go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2014RESFunRun

OR fill out paper registration forms (sent home in home school folders this week!)

Pre-Registered Racers Sign in at 8:30am

Race Day Registration Sign in at 8 am

Kids Race: 9am Start

Kids ½ mile will begin at the park and loop around the soccer field.  All entrants will receive an award.

5K Race: 9:15 am Start

5K will consist of three loops around the park area.  Relay teams will be allowed, so consider running with your spouse and making them do two loops while you do one!

Please note: This is a FUN RUN!  The course is narrow in some areas, which will not cater to passing, AND times will not be recorded!    

Raindate (if severe weather):  Sunday, October 12^th, 2014

  FUN RUN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Please consider selecting the link below and helping us out with this great community event!

 www.SignUpGenius.com/go/409054CA5A62EA13-resfun/11387339  

RES FAMILY FUN RUN

RES FAMILY FUN RUN

5K and 5K-RELAY and Kids ½ Mile FUN run

Saturday October 4^th, 2014 --  9am

Location:  Richmond Volunteer’s Green

Bring the whole family and enjoy a morning of being outside with friends and neighbors running to support the arts for students at Richmond Elementary School.  All money raised at this event will support an Artist in Residence** at RES for students in grades K-4 in April 2015.

Pre- Registration is now open on line until October 2^nd, 2014. To Pre-register go to:

http://tinyurl.com/2014RESFunRun

OR fill out paper registration forms (sent home in home school folders this week!)

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS:

To make the Fun Run successful we are looking for some volunteers. Please consider volunteering to help us out! Check out the below tasks for ideas of how to help:

 www.SignUpGenius.com/go/409054CA5A62EA13-resfun/11387339   

Towers of Ten

In math today first graders played a game called Towers of Ten.  After building 3 towers of ten via the game, students then wrote equations to match their towers.  They shared their equations at the end and tried to determine whether or not all possible combinations for making ten were found.  

Choice Time Fun

On most Fridays first graders get to end their day with some Choice Time.  It is a great avenue to practice a variety of social skills.

Rooster's Off to See the World

In math on Friday first graders listened to Eric Carle's story, Rooster's Off to See the World.  One lonely rooster sets off on a journey and keeps adding animals to his traveling pack.  Half way through the story students were challenged with figuring out the total amount of animals who had joined in with rooster.  They needed to show their thinking as to how they went about solving the problem.  We found many different strategies not only to solve but also represent our thinking!