Fact Families

Fact Family  

Web definitions A fact family is a group of numbers that are related to each other.  The numbers can be combined to create 4 number of equations. These would be the equations that can be made when using the above triangle. 9 + 3 = 12     When adding the answer is called the sum. 3 + 9 = 12 12 - 3 = 9      When subtracting the answer is called the difference. 12 - 9 = 3 When working on fact family triangles  the largest number is always at the top of the triangle.  The two smaller numbers can be in either of the lower corners.  The triangle helps children to visualize the possible equations that can be created using these 3 related numbers.   Consider this word problem: Susan had 9 pencils. Her grandmother gave her more pencils for her collection. Susan now has 12 pencils. How many pencils did Susan’s grandmother give her? If a student has an understanding of fact family concept, he/she could rebuild the family. You know that Susan started out with 9 pencils and ended up with 12 pencils. Thus, you know two of the family members. They are 9 and 12. In math language that translates, 9 pencils + ____ more pencils = 12 pencils or 9 + ? = 12 9 + ? = 12 ? + 9 = 12 12 - 9 = ? 12 - ? = 9 Learning Target:            I can use a fact family triangle with 3 related numbers                      and write 2 addition and subtraction equations.            I can use my fact families to help solve story problems.

Presidents Song

In today's I CAN READ NOTEBOOK are the words that go along with the above song from YouTube!  Your child loves to sing this song!  Have him/her sing along while reading the words!  What a great way to learn new vocabulary words, read new words, and spell new words! 

Learning Target:
     I can tell three facts about Abraham Lincoln.
     I can tell three facts about George Washington.
     I can state 3 notable leader qualities about Abraham Lincoln and 
        cite my evidence from the text.
     I can state 3 notable leader qualities about George Washington 
        and cite my evidence from the text.
      

Even Numbers/Odd Numbers

Even Numbers

We learned about even and odd numbers this week!  Have your child share these great songs from YouTube with you!

Odd Numbers

Have your child show you all of the odd and even numbers on the following hundreds chart!  Have your child explain to you how to tell if a number is odd or even.  

        Learning Target:  I can show my parents which numbers on

                           the 100's Chart are odd and which ones are even.

Compound Words

Parent Tip:

Have your child sing the Compound Word Boogie from YouTube for extra practice with compound words.  Your child should be able to use compound words in a "perfect" sentence. (A perfect sentence starts with a capital letter, ends with proper punctuation, and has all of the rest of the letters lowercase unless a capital is necessary)  A perfect sentence is a Common Core Standard.    In class we picked 3 compound words and created sentences using all 3 compound words.  Have your child continue practicing this skill at home.

Retelling A Story

Retelling a story is a very important skill in First Grade.  The above video is from YouTube.  It is a young girl retelling the story of The Three Little Pigs.  We challenged the Ponderosa Pandas to be able to retell a story with all of the important story elements just like she did! The kids are very excited and ready to take on the challenge!  Start having your child retell stories at home too!  At the end of each Guided Reading Level DRA II test that your child takes at school, he/she is expected to retell the story that  he/she just read aloud.  If your child is reading a year above grade level-he/she is even expected to write the retell of a story.  So building writing STAMINA is of utmost importance! 

Research indicates that retelling a story increases the quantity and the quality of what is comprehended after the reading of a story.

In retelling a story your child should be able to retell the story from the beginning of the story with the book closed.  A retell should  include:

characters' names

setting

sequence of events from beginning, middle, and ending

details

vocabulary

dialogue

expression

problem in the story 

solution/how the problem is solved

any personal connections

 and be understandable and make sense

  

Contractions

"Two words crash together

a letter (or letters) float away!

An apostrophe comes in to save the day!"

Contractions are very common in Level 12 DRA reading level books and level G Guided Reading books. (First Grade level reading-right now in the school year!) Contractions will be read often in reading in all of the reading levels after these!  It is very important for children to be able to read contractions.  Children also need to be able to know the two words that "crashed" together to make the new word!  Reading and writing contractions at this point are grade level expectations! You ROCK! 

Adjectives

Adjectives describe a noun.  The adjective usually comes before the noun.  As we are expanding our First Grade writing skills we are working on adding adjectives to what we write to  add sparkle, shine, pizzazz,  and excitement!  Adjectives help us to visualize what we are writing by making a clear picture in our heads.  Have your child practice adding adjectives to his/her writing at home! Enjoy these adjective songs from YouTube!  YouTube is a great way to reinforce skills!  None of the songs on our blog have been written by us-ALL ARE FROM YOUTUBE!