April Curriculum
Language
This month we are finishing up our 6 week-long focus of "responding to and evaluating texts." Students have been listening to a variety of stories in class, and are learning how to give an opinion about the book they have read. For example: "This story makes me feel.... because...." and "My favourite part of the story was... because..." At home, you are encouraged to read with your child and can have them answer the above questions, focusing on giving detail to support their answer. This month we will continue to practise using different types of punctuation to end a sentence (periods, question marks, exclamation marks), and when to use each one. We will continue to use adjectives in our journal writing. We will have a fun homework project this month involving descriptive writing and the 5 senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch). Every week our class does a shared reading of a new Poem of the Week. Each student has a poem book at school. If you would like to practise reading our Poem of the Week at home, you can find links on the Homework tab. We will continue with our Word Study homework each week. Keep up the great work! For a fun way to practise Word Study spelling words at home, check out: Spelling City (type in spelling words and click on the free activities below, such as "spelling test" or "play a game") ... you will need functioning computer speakers to make the most of these activities! Character Education
This month at CIS, we are focusing on the Character Education trait of cooperation. Cooperation means working together nicely with others, and being a team player. Last month, we focused on courage - being brave and trying new things.
. Social Studies
Unit 2: The Local Community
We will extend on our learning about community helpers from last month's field trip to Kiz Citi. Students have been writing postcards about their experiences at Kiz Citi. They are doing a great job so far! The class will further explore different community jobs through non-fiction texts. We will also discuss the world outside the local community - that communities are part of a city, which is part of a country, which is part of the world. You are encouraged to discuss these ideas with your child at home (example: Our family lives in Sky Garden which is in Phu My Hung, which is in Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam). A great tool that we will be exploring this month in the computer lab is Google Earth. You can download it for free at: earth.google.com/ The Arts
In art class, we will tie in to the theme of "Earth Day" which is coming up on April 22nd. We will finish up our recycled material structures and will focus on art with media literacy (designing Earth Day posters for awareness). We will also be preparing some wonderful art for the CIS Art 4 Action evening, to be held in May. Look out for some 1C art on display!
In drama class, we will explore role playing with connections to Character Education (cooperation) and Health (bullying). Mr. John is teaching our class music this year. Students have been enjoying learning new sounds and moving around to various types of music. |
Math
Unit 9: Measuring Capacity and Mass
We will further explore the topic of measurement by measuring capacity and mass of objects. Students will learn to estimate, measure, and record the capacity of containers using non-standard units (example: I estimated that this jar can hold 32 marbles. I counted and it can hold 50 marbles.) Students will also learn to estimate, measure, and record the mass of familiar objects using non-standard units and will begin to understand the concept of fractions (example: the container is half full). At home, your child can also get more math practice at: http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1 http://www.turtlediary.com/grade-1-games.html http://www.sumdog.com (Use individual user name/password stapled into each student planner) Science
Unit 3: Understanding Matter and Energy - Energy in Our Lives
We will explore and identify ways in which energy is used every day. Students will also understand that they have a variety of choices when using energy, and that these choices should be made responsibly. Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd, and this month we will be focusing on ways to conserve energy at school and at home. Our class will be participating in the CIS Earth Day Challenge, to complete a number of environmentally-friendly acts leading up to Earth Day. For some interesting science videos, check out a free trial at: http://brainpop.com (Science videos) Health and Physical Education
Students will continue to practise throwing and catching skills through Physical Education "centres" in the gym where students can rotate through different activities to practise their skills. This month at CIS, students will be participating in a variety of new sports during intramurals at recess. We will continue to play these organized games, with a focus on teamwork and cooperation. Please remember to bring reusable water bottles to gym class every Monday.
Swimming is an important part of the Physical Education program, and students will receive an individual mark on their report card for swimming. Please make sure your child is ready for swimming class every Wednesday. If your child is unable to go swimming, please provide a doctor's note. Ms. Heather is our swimming teacher this year. In health class, we will further discuss the topic of bullying, and what students can do to avoid it, and how to problem solve if it does happen. We will engage in some dramatic role play to better understand good choices. Ms. Glicy, our school nurse, will be visiting our class again in the new year to discuss topics such as Hand Foot and Mouth disease, healthy eating, personal hygiene, and avoiding germs by washing hands, covering mouth when sneezing/coughing, etc. |