Homework

Homework is to read nightly with your first grader for 20 minutes. Several weeks into school your child will be be sent home with leveled reading books a few nights a week. These will go home in their folders with a log to be signed and returned the next day. Students may also have vocabulary lists to practice at home. From time to time reading responses may be sent home to help your child respond to the books they are reading.

Homework Help
code format="owner" Homework Reminders •   Write first and last name •   Write the date •   Use pencil only •   Use complete sentences •   Use standard letter conventions •   Write neatly on the lines •   Work should be completed by the first grader only •   Parents – sit with your child and guide him/her with each assignment, sign/initial each box when complete

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO WRITE: 1) Write a friendly letter! Read the friendly letter to your child. Ask your child to repeat the letter in English, Spanish, or his/her own native language. Then ask your child to copy the friendly letter and draw a picture to go with the message. Help your child fold, address and mail the letter to someone special.

Dear ___________, (date) How are you doing? I like playing and having fun with friends. I also like reading books, taking care of my pet, and watching cartoons. How do you like to have fun? Maybe we can play together sometime. Write me back as soon as you can.

Your friend, ______________

Talk About It: Ask your child to tell you how he/she feels after receiving a card or letter in the mail from someone special. Then use a calendar to mark birthdays of family members and special friends so they can be remembered with a friendly card or letter.

Take It Further: Using the 5 Parts of a Friendly Letter (listed below), write a simple letter to your child. Read the letter to your child and ask him/her to help you identify the 5 parts of your friendly letter. Use English language, Spanish, or your own native language to read and talk about the letter. This is a nice way to share feelings with your “someone special.”

5 Parts of a Friendly Letter 1. Heading -- tells when the letter was written (date). Place in top right corner. 2. Greeting -- says hello and usually begins with “Dear.” 3. Body -- the main part of the letter where you tell something or ask questions 4. Closing -- says goodbye 5. Signature -- tells who wrote the letter

With a Group: Arrange a pen pal letter exchange with another group of English language learners/speakers. Ask someone to translate letters, if needed. Help each child compose a friendly letter and draw a picture to include with the letter. Seal letters and mail. What a fun way to start new friendships!

tips above taken from PBSKIDS.com

2)Try writing a friendly letter on your own. Include all 5 parts.

Write a letter to an imaginary friend. Pretend that your friend lives in another country (ask your parent/teacher for help choosing a place.) In your letter, tell your friend about the weather where you live, and ask questions about his weather. Trade letters with a classmate. Read your classmate's letter. Pretend that you live in the country mentioned in the letter. Answer the questions about the weather asked in the letter, and write back. Using your library or the internet, you can learn about that place and answer your friend's questions about the weather in this letter.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ FUN WAYS TO WRITE WORDS:

1.ABC order- Write your words in alphabetical order. 2.Rainbow Words - Write your words in three colors. 3.Backwards Words- Write your words forwards, then backwards. 4.Silly sentences -Use all your words in ten sentences. 5.Picture words - Draw a picture and write your words in the picture. 6.Words without Vowels - Write your words replacing all vowels with a line. 7.Words without Consonants - Same as above but replace consonants with lines. 8.Story words - Write a short story using all your words. 9.Scrambled words -Write your words then write them again with the letters mixed up. 10.Word search II -Make a word search with a friend, then trade and solve. 11.Word search I - Complete a word pre-made search. 12.Crossword - Complete a pre-made crossword puzzle. 13.Surround words - Write your words on graph paper and outline in colors. 14.Ransom words - Write your words by cutting out letters in a newspaper or magazine and glue them on a paper. 15.Pyramid Words - Write your words adding or subtracting one letter at a time. The result will be a pyramid shape of words. 16.Words-in-words - Write your word and then write at least 2 words made from each. 17.Delicious words - Write your words in whipped cream, peanut butter, or anything you can eat! Bring in a note from a parent! 18.Good Clean Words -Write your words in shaving cream on a counter or some other surface that can be cleaned safely. 19.Dirty Words - Write your words in mud or sand. 20.Pasta Words - Write your words by arranging alphabet pasta or Alphabits. Glue on paper or bring me a note from a parent and do on a table or counter at home. 21.Reversed words - Write your words in ABC order -backwards! 22.3D words - Use modeling clay rolled thinly to make your words. Bring a note if done at home. 23.Create an activity - Can you think of a fun way to do your spelling activities? Try it out! 24.Puzzle words - Use a blank puzzle form. Write your words on the form, making sure that the words cross over the pieces. Then cut them out (color if you wish) and put them in a baggie with your name on it. When you and a friend have completed your puzzles, trade and put them back together. 25.Magazine words - Use an old magazine or newspaper and find your word. Cut it out and glue it on paper. 26.Cheer your words - Pretend you are a cheerleader and call out your words! (We will do this as a group activity.) Sometimes you'll yell, sometimes you'll whisper! If you want to do this at home with a parent, get them to send me a note that you've done it. 27.Sound Words - Use a tape recorder and record your words and their spelling. Then listen to your tape, checking to see that you spelled all the words correctly. 28.X Words - Write two words having one common letter so they criss-cross. 29. Other Handed - If you are right-handed, write with your left, or vice versa. 30.Choo-Choo Words - Write the entire list end-to-end as one long word, using different colors of crayon or ink for different words. 31.Silly String - With a long length of string, "write" words in cursive, using the string to shape the letters. 32.Backwriting - Using your finger, draw each letter on a partners' back, having the partner say the word when completed. 33.Telephone Words - Translate your words into numbers from a telephone keypad. 34.Flashwriting - In a darkened room, use a flashlight to draw letters in the air. 35.Newspaper Words - Search a newspaper page from top to bottom, circling each letter of a word as you find it. 36.30 Second Words - Write a TV commercial using all the words from your list. 37.Popsicles - Make words using popsicle sticks. 38.Secret Agent Words - Number the alphabet from 1 to 26, then convert your words to a number code. 39.Etch-A-Word - Use an Etch-A-Sketch to write your words. 40.Morse Code - Convert your words to Morse Code.

code

** What should my student be doing at home? **

**__ Math __** ** When students do have word problems on their homework, they should be completing all of the following first grade expectations for each word problem: circling their answer, writing a number sentence for the problem, showing at least 2 strategies to solve the problem (i.e. drawing a picture, using a tool or manipulative of some sort, skip counting, etc.), and explaining how they solved the problem or justifying their answer. These expectations are required both inside and outside of the classroom for daily problem solving. **   **__ Reading __**

** As the school year progresses, your student will begin to bringing home their reading level books to practice reading at home. We do read these in small groups each day and have a short lesson as well to learn various reading strategies and work on fluency and comprehension. These books are to be read each night and recorded on the log provided inside the colored book pocket. __Please return these book pockets and their contents daily. Students cannot get another book until the previous on has been returned__. With these books, many of the students will also be bringing home a black spiral label "Reader's Response Journal" in which they are to answer questions and make entries in about certain key points in their reading (favorite part, characters, setting, predictions, etc.)    **

**__  Spelling __** ** As we begin the school year with our fabulous first grade spellers, we do not have weekly spelling tests over a list if specific words. Our approach will be to provide parents and students with a phonemic pattern weekly, such as –ug/-un, and use it as it is embedded in literature written and read in class. You can still expect us to address a weekly phoneme and to instruct students in the use of that pattern in their writing, as well as how to recognize it in reading. At home, you will see suggestions for practice on the weekly homework. As we progress in the school year, you will notice that your child will be studying a specific phoneme based on what I have assessed and noted that he or she may need. All of their learned phonemes will be kept in a notebook at school so it can be used as a reference tool during their reading and writing time. All of their learned phonemes will be kept in a notebook at school so it can be used as a reference tool during their reading and writing time. Every student is unique and every student has different needs! **

** Thanks! **  ** Mrs. Riley **