Tanya Rago

Please see Mrs. Rago's Weekly Master Calendar. 

General News:

Throughout the month of February the students in Room 8 have made Heartprints with friends and family. These kindnesses and small gestures have been shared and collected on a large heart that hangs in our room.

Report cards will be coming home next week on Thursday, March 12. Please keep the copy of the report card and send the envelope back to school.

Reading and Writing:

We are beginning our Opinion Unit. Students are differentiating between facts and opinion. We are reading books like, Duck, Rabbit, and The Perfect Pet, to help us create our own opinions. We are also sharing collections and writing our opinions about these collections, being sure to include reasons, arguments, and comparisons.

Math:

We are using addition within 20 to solve story problems involving comparison situations. We will also solve story problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose total is less than or equal to 20. Students will also be asked to organize, represent, and interpret data.

Science: 

Students just finished learning about sound, and we are now learning about light.

Social Studies:

Thank you to all of the parents that returned their Flat Stanly envelope! The students have finished making their “Flat Self” and we will be getting the envelopes ready to send off. We have also been leaning about the United States Postal Service. We have worked on addressing envelopes and writing a friendly letter. Ms. Richards, Mrs. Lawrie, and Ms. Boggs were all grateful recipients of first grade letters this year.

Drama:

Mrs. Tom has introduced our next play, “Hansel and Gretel Eat Right”, to the students and they are already practicing!

General News:

There is a lot going on in Room 8 right now! Throughout the month of February we will have many activities that will require involvement from home. Please check your child's Daily Folder throughout the month for notes home about the various things we will be doing. These notes home will have all of the specifics that you will need to know. 

*  We had a great time at the St. Mary’s play, Charlotte’s Web. Thank you again to all of the parents that were able to join us!

*  Thank you for joining us for our Play, "Mother Goose's Character Camp"!

*  We will celebrate Valentine's Day on Thursday, February, 13.

*  Flat Person project will be coming home at the end of February

Reading:

To wrap up our nonfiction reading unit the students in Room 8 got to use an iPad to take a picture form their nonfiction book, add a mouth to the picture, then then record themselves reading from the nonfiction text. We will be starting our next reading unit of study at the beginning of February.

Writing:

Students have published their nonfiction books. Please keep an eye out for your child’s published work to be read on SeeSaw! Our next writing unit is Opinion Writing. In this unit we are thinking and "talking" about things form our own lives. We will be working on developing opinions and insights about all that matters most to them.

Math:

In math, we finished up our unit on place value. In our next math unit we are working on adding and subtracting teen number, and looking at various addition and subtraction strategies. Students are working on "making ten" (ie. 7+4=  , you think 7+3 then add one more), and using doubles to add.  All students should continue to memorize their "doubles" at home (ie. 2+2, 3+3, 4+4, etc.).

Science & Social Studies:

Students are to learn about sound in science. In social studies we are learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

General News:

*  Thank you to all of the parents that helped with the Holiday Party! The students had a wonderful time making edible snowmen, playing a snowman game, and playing winter themed Bingo. They also made cheerful "Get Well" and "Happy Holiday" cards for patients at Oakland Children's Hospital.

*  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a much needed 2 week vacation! 

*  First Grade has a special presenter, Annette Herbert, presenting our social/emotional program (Second Steps) once a week on Wednesdays.

*  Our first (off-campus) field trip will be Friday, January 31. We will be going to St. Mary's College to see the production of Charlotte's Web. All first graders will be on the Early Bell Schedule.

Reading:

We have been busy reading all sorts of nonfiction texts! We are continuing our emphasis on comprehension and the basic reading process with a spotlight on vocabulary. We are noticing skills that writers use in their writing to help "teach" the reader. Continue to read nonfiction texts at home. Ask your child what the topic is? What are the main parts to the book? How do the pictures teach us?

Grammar:

Next week we will be introducing Closed Syllable words. We will continue to practice blends and digraph blends. Please review your child's Fundations test to see if there is an area that needs to be supported at home.

Writing:

We are also busy writing our Informational books. Students are working on teaching different "parts" in their books. Students are drawing pictures to help teach their readers. They are adding "pop out" pictures and comparison pictures.

Math:

We are working on place value in math. Please continue to practice the basic addition and subtraction facts with your child at home!

Science/Social Studies:

In science, students are learning about sound. In social studies we are beginning our unit on America. We have learned about different American Symbols, next we will be learning about important people in American History.

Drama:

Students have been working hard to put their play together. Our musical for Room 8 is scheduled! You are invited to see Room 8 in Mother Goose's Character Camp on Tuesday, February 4 from 9:45-10:30 am.

General News:

*  It was great to have the opportunity to meet with each of you for Parent/Teacher conferences. As we move forward please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you might have throughout the year.

*  Last Wednesday the first grade classes were fortunate enough to have a special author visit at LP! Former Warriors player turned children's author, Adonal Foyle, came to our school and read aloud his two books. It was a fantastic experience for all. The first grade family that arranged this visit also donated 10 copies to our school, which allowed for each first grader to receive a signed copy to take home.

*  When we come back we have scheduled an on-site field trip for Friday, Dec. 6.  All first grade students will be on the early bell schedule, beginning at 8:25 am and leaving at 1:55 pm. This will be a science field trip learning about matter. EdMo will be coming to make Oobleck with our students. Is is a solid? Or is it a liquid? 

* I would like to give a huge shout out to thank all of the parents that have donated to MEF this year! These funds help to provide many programs at LP, but most especially I want to acknowledge the impact it makes to have our Classroom Aide, Melida Davis, in Room 8. She works tirelessly to prep lessons, manage behaviors on the playground and at lunch, and helps to execute large class projects. But most importantly, she works one on one with many of our students to give them the extra love and attention that they need so that I can continue to teach. 

November Social Studies:

We have spent the month talking about all of the ways that we are thankful. We focused on what it means to be grateful, and we practiced using kind words with one another. Students also compared the past and the present. How have things stayed the same? And how are they different?

December Social Studies:

Next month the students will be learning about various winter holidays that are celebrate around the world. How are these celebrations different? and how are they similar? We are sharing about our holiday traditions and we are discussing why traditions are important. The students are also discussing ways that they can give when it is not a tangible gift that is being given.

Reading:

We are continuing to read non-fiction books. Please add non-fiction literature to your reading at home.

Writing:

We are continuing to write our non-fiction, "teaching" books.

Math:

In math we are beginning our Place Value Unit. We also look at patterns within the one hundred chart. Please continue to practice the basic addition and subtraction math facts at home!

November 6, 2019

General News:

*  Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up! Please check your emails for an evite reminder of the day and time that we are scheduled to meet.

*  Please take a moment to empty the Daily Folder each night before sending it back to school the following day. Folders must be returned to school every day.

*  Please remember, our days in first grade can be VERY busy. There will be days throughout the year that I am unable to send home a Daily Message.        

November Social Studies and Science:

In science we are continuing to learn about the weather and the phases of the moon.

This month students will continue to work on our Now and Then Unit in social studies. We will be comparing the past and the present. How have things stayed the same? and how are they different?

Reading:

We are finishing our Word Detective Unit in Reader’s Workshop. In our next unit we will be reading nonfiction stories. Students begin the unit by learning that "nonfiction readers become super smart about topics", and learn all they can from a book. We are working on comprehension strategies, such as previewing the text, predicting text structure, and synthesizing information from multiple sources (the picture, the print, the text boxes). At home, encourage your child to read a nonfiction book with you. Ask them what they know about nonfiction books? How are they similar to fiction books? and how are they different?

Writing:

We are also launching our Informational Writing Unit in our Writer's Workshop program. The beginning of the unit will are asked to think of something that they know a lot about. It helps if the topic is about something they do or something they have. The more they know about something, then the more they will have to write about it. Brainstorm with your child at home and come up with some topic ideas, what does your child know a lot about? We will also spotlight using a "teaching voice" (vs. a story telling voice) and writing a lot, so that each page teaches new and interesting information. 

Math:

We have started a new unit on story problems. We are using "Math Mountains" to help us find the missing part. In a Math Mountain the total/whole number sits at the top and the parts (or partners) sit at the bottom of the mountain. 

Memorizing the basic addition facts helps to ease student's frustrations in the classroom. It is a good idea to practice them at home!

Halloween Reminders:

Remember that you child will have to sit in their Halloween costume all day at school. Please consider simplifying their costume their costume for the day and then they can go all out on Halloween night. Hair becomes uncomfortable, make-up often itches, smears and gets all over their clothes. Students also have to be able to go out to recess and play. All students should be able to help themselves to put costume parts on and take costume parts off. 

Our Halloween school parade is at 8:45 am on Thursday, 10/31. Everyone is invited to come and watch!

On Thursday, 10/31 ALL students will be on the early schedule.  Arriving at 8:25 am and departing at 1:55 pm.

There is no school on Friday, 10/31 sue to a Staff Development Day.

Bats:

We have been learning all about bats and our room has turned into a roost! We have read a number of books about bats, both fiction and non-fiction. We read Stellaluna and discussed what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story. We also wrote down bat facts that we learned. See if your child can remember some of the fantastic bat vocabulary words that we learned about?

Reading:

In first grade we are working on our Word Detective Unit. Students are Word Detectives, learning strategies to help them decode  and use high-frequency words. We are also working on identifying character traits, and the beginning, middle, and end of a story. Our interactive read-aloud time is an opportunity to support students in thinking deeply and talking about books. Currently, we are reading Nate the Great. Please continue to talk with your child at home about the stories they are reading.

Phonics:

Our first graders are also working on sentence dictation through the Fundations program. They are learning to use their phonics skills to “tap out” words to help themselves write beginning cvc words. Students are also learning to use resources like our Word Wall and their dictionaries to help themselves double-check their Trick Words. These Trick Words are also good words to practice at home. Students should be able to both read and write these words. At the beginning of each unit  I will send an informational letter about the unit along with Trick Word flash cards that students will be learning in that unit. We are also learning to read, write, and identify digraphs and glued sounds. Ask your child to tell you all about them!

Many students are also continuing to work on correct letter formation. If your child still needs support in this area, please correct letter formation at home by using the paper I provided.

Writing:

We are currently reviewing how to write “How To” stories from kindergarten. Next, students will begin writing all about something they are an expert in. Something they can teach someone else about. This is the beginning of our Non-Fiction/Informational Writing Unit. We discuss and share ideas in class, but it is also helpful to brainstorm ideas at home. What is something your child knows a lot about? What is something they do often and would have a lot to tell about?

* A note from MEF: Thank you to all of the families in our class who have donated to the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) so far this year.  Your donations make a direct impact on your child’s education every day.  Students at Los Perales have additional teachers and staff in their lives because of your generosity, from our teacher’s aide, Melinda Davis, to our librarian, and our music teacher and more.   In addition, your donations are helping fund the new dedicated elementary counselor and providing additional technology at our school.  Thank you for your support!

*  Volunteers- Thank you to all the parents that have taken time to help out with my requests for our class so far this year! Your support is greatly appreciated!

*  Progress Reports for the second half of the class are coming home today, Friday, September 27. Progress Reports are only sent out to students that need a little extra support. Not all students receive a Progress Report.

Reading:

In first grade we are beginning to work on our Word Detective Unit. Students are Word Detectives, learning strategies to help them decode  and use high-frequency words. We are also working on identifying character traits. Students have practiced using question words to help them discuss characters in our stories.

Writing:

We are currently publishing our Small Moment, narrative stories! We will be sharing them with our 3rd grade Buddies soon.

Phonics: We took our Unit 3 test today and we will be starting Unit 4 on Monday. Please take time to check your child's test when it comes home to see if they need some additional review at home. Parent Letters with unit information and Homework pages with additional support can also be accessed on the right hand side of this website.

Math:

In math we will continue to work on addition strategies and working with addition in word problems.  We have also started to work on subtraction. It is important for first graders to memorize the basic addition facts. It helps to ease student's frustrations in the classroom.  Please practice at home!

*  Conference Sign-Ups went out last week. If you have not already signed up, please do so. Please contact me if none of the times are going to work for you and your family. Thank you!

*  We will be learning about apples this month. On Friday, September 27 we will be making applesauce in class. Please contact me if you do not want your child to eat the snack. I am also looking for parent volunteers to help cut apples for our applesauce!

*  Information came home today about SeeSaw. Please review the note that came home so that you can access your child's work. I hope everyone has already tried to get onto RazKids and Dreambox at home. Contact me if there are any questions.

*  The first set of Progress Reports will come home Friday, September 27.

Reading:

In first grade we are practicing how to pick out “Good Fit” books. We are also working on previewing a book, making predictions, and identifying the beginning, middle, and end of a story. We are also beginning to work on retelling a story. When you read at home with your child, try reviewing some of these skills.

Phonics:

Continue to look out for updates about what we are doing in phonics. Our Fundations program provides an extensive overview of the skills that we are working on week by week. Suggested homework activities come home attached to your child's test. It is highly recommended that you review any skills that your child is having difficulty with.. Unit practice pages are intended for your use at home, they do not have to be returned to class.

Please note, we are beginning to work on word and sentence building skills. It is necessary that your child know how to form their letters at this point in first grade. Some students are falling behind when writing because they don't remember how to form the letter they want to use.  Practice pages with correct letter formation were provided at the beginning of the year. In addition, the Fundations Parent Letter and Homework Pages are available on the right hand side of this website

Writing:

We are busy writing many different “Small Moment”, narrative stories! Currently, we are going back into some of the stories we have created and we are adding “craft ideas” to improve our stories.

Math:

In math we are learning about addition strategies. We are working to find the partners in addition by building Math Mountains, making circle pictures, and finding patterns with our equations. We played Shake Those Beans to find all of the different ways to make a number. We are also using addition in word problems. First graders are also learning to understand even and odd numbers.

General News:

*  Early/Late: Our Early/Late Scholars times begin next Tuesday, 9/3! Students might need some reminders to help them adjust to the new schedule. During the Early/Late Scholar hours, we are busy working on our Fundations phonics program. We also work in Guided Reading groups!

First Grade Bear Hunt:

At the beginning of the year all of the First Graders at LP went on a “Bear Hunt”. The students walked around the school in search of a bear that had been sighted. We also got to know the Los Perales campus. We tracked the bear through the office, where he left a path of destruction in his wake, then thorough Ms. Richards' office. We finally caught up with him in the First Grade Common Room. He was sitting with Ms. Richards waiting to read us a story!

Reading:

In first grade we are practicing how to pick out “Good Fit” books. We are also working on previewing a book, making predictions, and identifying the beginning, middle, and end of a story. When you read at home with your child, try reviewing some of these skills.

Phonics:

Continue to look out for updates about what we are doing in phonics. Our Fundations program provides an extensive overview of the skills that we are working on week by week. Occasionally, skills practice pages will come home attached to these letters. These practice pages are intended for your use at home, they do not have to be returned to class.

Writing:

We are busy writing many different “Small Moment”, narrative stories! Currently, we are going back into some of the stories we have created and we are adding “craft ideas” to improve our stories.

Math:

In math we are learning about addition strategies. We are working to find the partners in addition by building Math Mountains, making circle pictures, and finding patterns with our equations. We played Shake Those Beans to find all of the different ways to make a number. We are also using addition in word problems. First graders are also learning to understand even and odd numbers.