• Dear First Grade Families,

    There are a number of ELA activities to complete this week. There is a decodable book to read 1 Mon-Thurs, & a phonics sheet to complete 1 per day. The other activities can be determined by your schedule. Please complete all activities by the following Monday.

    These are the things we will be learning this week. Click on Focus Wall to see a summary.

    Every week we learn new words. This week's words are again, along, began, boy, father, house, nothing, together. Practice reading these words daily. You can make flashcards with them to practice reading them too!

    This week I will give you 4 books as I would usually do to practice reading at home. Read 1 book per day, Monday - Thursday.

    VERY IMPORTANT: After you get to the website, you have to click on "Contents". Then you will see a list of all of the books to read.

    • Monday - Look at This!
    • Tuesday - Two Good Cooks
    • Wednesday - Good Homes
    • Thursday - Big Problems

    To read your story, click on Decodable Reader.

    This week I have one phonics/skills activity per day for you to complete. There are 5 total. Follow the directions on the pages. To work on the activities, click on Phonics/Skills Work.

    Every week we listen to a story. This week's story is written by Ezra Jack Keats called Whistle for Willie. We read another story by him this year! Do you remember what story that was? Clue: It had to do with things the character, Peter did in the snow. We also wrote about what we like to do in the snow. Answer: The Snowy Day. Did you remember?

    Like The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie is a realistic fiction story. That means the story could happen in real life. At the end of the story, read the questions below and answer them on a sheet of paper.

    To listen to the story, click on this week's title below.

    VERY IMPORTANT: After you get to the website, click on "Contents." Then "Unit 5" will appear. Click on "Unit 5." Lesson 23 will pop up. Click on "Lesson 23." You will see the 3rd choice, "Whistle for Willie." Click on "Whistle for Willie." Your child will recognize the pages. He/she can listen & turn the pages of the story.

    Whistle for Willie

    1. Who is the main character? In many stories, the main character has a problem. What's his problem?

    2. Which words in the sentences help you know what whirled means on page 87? Why did everything seem to turn up and down when Peter was done whirling?

    3. Who is the new character on page 89? What does Peter do when he sees this character?

    4. How do the illustrations show that Peter lives in a town or city?

    5. Why does Peter put on his dad's hat?

    6. How is Peter's problem finally solved?

    7. What happens when Peter comes out of the box?

    8. What message or lesson do you think the author wants to tell readers with this story?

    This week we are listening to pet poems. Poetry uses words to describe pictures and feelings. After you are done listening to the poems, answer the following questions. You can tell an adult the answers.

    VERY IMPORTANT: After you get to the website, click on "Contents." Then "Unit 5" will appear. Click on "Unit 5." Lesson 23 will pop up. Click on "Lesson 23." The 6th choice you see is "Pet Poems." Your child will recognize the pages. He/she can listen & turn the pages of the story. 

     Pet Poems

    1. How are Willie and the snake from the poem alike? How are they different?

      Writing

    We will continue with Narrative Writing. One day this week, write a story about a time that you tried to do something new. In Whistle for Willie, Peter tried to whistle. He kept trying and he finally did it! What did you try for the first time? Tell me about it. Remember to include the following: A beginning, 4 or more transition words, and an ending. This can be written on paper. I will read it when we return to school.

     

    Here are some examples of a beginning to use for your sentence: (Choose 1)

    One day, Yesterday, Last week, Last night, Yesterday afternoon

     

    Here are some examples of transition words to use for your sentence: (Choose at least 4)

    First, Next, Then, After, Later, Finally (or) Lastly

     

    Here are some examples of endings to use for your sentence: (Choose 1)

    Would you like to...? When was the last time you...? I can't wait to do it again! I had a great time! I look forward to... Have you ever tried to...?

     

    You can draw a picture to go along with your story too, if you would like. I look forward to reading your stories!