Dear Parents! This has been a great month of learning in 1st grade! We have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of your children. 

Important Dates & Reminders

• Monday, October 9, No School - Indigenous People Day
• Book Fair - October 3 to October 10. We will also have after-school shopping hours on October 4, 5, and 6 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Families can come to buy books then, too!

• Please pack a healthy snack for your child daily. For example, 1 bag of chips, 1 granola bar, etc. Please do NOT send in candy or soda. 
• Read nightly to your child or have your child read to you. 
• Only Green’s Class– Read nightly to your child or have your child read to you. Record the title of the book and minutes read on the date in your child’s agenda book.
• Only Green’s Class--Check agenda books daily.

Language Arts

What are we learning?

• Word Study: We are working on short vowels and CVC words (examples: cat, mat, hot, run). We will learn how to blend and decode words with digraphs in context.
• Reading Comprehension: Students will be learning about characters, setting, and plot.
• Writing: Students will begin learning and writing a personal narrative.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Math

What are we learning?

• Students will create and solve single-step story and picture problems using addition and subtraction within 10. 
• Students will recognize and describe with fluency part-whole relationships for numbers up to 10.  
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of equality through the use of the equal sign.

Home/School Connection

• Practice counting at home with your child. Have them count sets of objects and practice one-to-one correspondence. 
• Have your child identify and read numbers that they see out and about.
• Pull out the numbered cards and only use those. You can use them in a number of ways – simply flip two cards and add or subtract.

Science

What are we learning?

• Students will learn about seasonal changes, weather and observing plants and animals

Home/School Connection

• Ask students what they see and notice outside as the season changes. 

Social Studies

What are we learning?

• Virginia Symbols and How to Be a Good CItizen

Specials

What are we learning? &  Home/School Connections:

• Library: 1st graders will continue to build their vocabulary through humor read-alouds, and continue to learn how to find books about topics they are interested in.
• PE: After mastering our first unit- “Rules, Routines, and Expectations,” all classes are progressing to the next unit. Students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are mastering movement skills (locomotors) and relationship terms (“over, under, through, etc”).  Our connection to FCPS’ “Portrait of a Graduate” is currently connected to “Communicator” traits. Please contact Ms. Brod or Mr. Bergin for any questions or concerns.
• Music: Ms. Shaw’s Music class Kindergarteners & 1st grade- Continuing proper instrument use with an emphasis on rhythmic counting.
• Music: Mr. Sawasky’s class: K – 6th grade will continue to explore traditional Hispanic music for Hispanic heritage month. 
• Art: 

In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value.

In October all students will be wrapping up their printmaking units and doing their planning drawings for the upcoming painting unit! 

• 1^st graders made marker prints of their Dream House using a Presto foam printing plate.

Home/School Connection

• Ask your child what rules we need to follow at home, school, and out in the community.
• Ask your child if they know what state we live in, and the state capital. 

ESOL - English Speakers of Other Languages

Greetings from the Forestdale ESOL team! There are 5 teachers on staff this year – Jena Rogers, Atkeh Al-Shami, Atija Softic, Judy Kelliher and Catherine Canada. ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) teachers specialize in helping students who speak more than one language as they develop their English skills, while also supporting instruction in reading and basic content knowledge like science and social studies. Check out this section of the monthly newsletter for ESOL information and resources!

During the month of October, we are highlighting the language of informing. Here are some questions you can ask your students and sentences you can use to help them practice how to inform.

• Tell me about what you noticed.
• Tell me what happened.
• What does that look like?
• How might you describe that?
• I notice that __________.
• That is __________.
• That has __________.
• This shows __________.