1st Grammer One lesson plans

Mrs. Mansell's Grammar One Blog

August 19-23, 2013

Snack Helper this Week: Wyatt Bowles Next Week: Margaret Byrd

What a wonderful first 3 days we have had! It has been a pleasure to get to know the children and help them get settled in Grammar One.

Announcements:

*Please help your child practice shoe tying each day. The children attend the “Ready Bodies Lab” three times each week and take off shoes and socks while there. Getting shoes back on and tied in a timely manner will help the rest of our day to go smoothly.

*If you are interested in serving as a “Room Parent”, please let me know.

Bible: After reading last week about the announcement and birth of John the Baptist, our stories this week will include “A Wonderful Baby’s Birth” and “The Wise Men Follow a Star.”

Math: Our math lessons this week will focus on counting, comparing numbers, making number patterns, and problem solving. Please begin to practice math facts each night with your child, beginning with addition facts with sums to 10. In Grammar One, we begin daily drill exercises. The focus changes quarterly and will end with students being proficient with addition and subtraction facts to 20.

Language Arts: The children will receive their first set of spelling words this week and homework. The homework will be explained on a sheet that will be placed in the center “brad” area of the green “Take Home” folder in a page protector. The homework is assigned each Monday and due on Thursdays. The spelling word list will also be located in that same area in the folder. Nouns, common and proper will be the focus of our Grammar lessons and in Writing, we will work on writing sentences with correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Reading time will be spent focusing on phonograms, basic sight words, and assessing students.

History and Science: Our History lessons will emphasize the value and use of maps including how to use map keys and symbols. The children will find places on maps and identify the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In Science, the children will investigate how living and non-living things are different and see how Scientists sort these into groups to gain better understanding.

The carpool line

 So, what to do while waiting in car pool line that's wrapped around the block at pick-up time?  Peek-a-boo got us through about, well, 4 minutes. 

Then, a little counting practice got us to, of course 10...a few times.  Lately, Aidan has become really committed to learning to count and also wants to learn to add a few numbers together.  He's been very aware of Connor going back to school and wants to get a piece of the action.  He's learned what he likes to call a "few pieces of math"--2+2 is 4 and 4+4 is 8.  What a wiz kid!

 And, oh so cute....

 And, silly!

 And, geez loo-uise!  What's taking this carpool line so long, anyway?!!

 A peek at Connor after his first day.  He was pooped but he seemed really proud. 

1st Grade

 Mrs. Mansell and Connor on meet the teacher night.  He was so tickled when he found out that she was his teacher--she'd subbed for Mrs. Maeyaert last year while she was on maternity leave. 

 He was so excited to get all his school supplies arranged and put away.  He'd been taking them out, rearranging them, and putting them back in his pencil case for TWO days.  

 His desk has a cubby in it--you know, the kind you lift the top and there's a space underneath.  He is going to LOVE having ownership of this space.  And, he has his first hardback textbook this year--a singapore math book. 

 One last look before we left him.  He looks so grown up and so small at the same time! 

And, now.....day with Aidan!!  This is what it looks like so far.  Love my baby Aid-ey. 

What's it all for?

I've not spent much time reflecting and recording here since late last year.  The blog has never been a daily or even consistent thing...but, I do find myself reading back over old entries and remembering funny and precious memories that are slipping away with my crazy mommy-brain and I do wish that I would've been a bit more faithful.  Although, I do realize that having those thousands of sweet unrecorded moments requires my presence WITH the kids and husband rather than in front of a screen.
I just don't want to forget, you know?! 

Facebook is my fall-back.  I've scrolled through my timeline smiling and tearing up watching the boys grow.  The awesome thing about fb is that I get to also enjoy my family's and friend's enjoying these memories too. 

I don't get much traffic here...I originally started this blog to be able it to give Connor and Aidan to reflect on there childhood from my perspective, loving and praying for them. 

I want them to be able to look back on a particular trip or experience and remember that God's love for them was there, even in the trivial day to day trials.  That He loved them enough to give them the awesomest grandparents in the history of grandparents...that he loved them so much that he gave them each other as brothers to grow, fight, learn from (good or bad) about what it means to be a man, that He loved them so much He gave them His Word which (hopefully) they can keep close to their hearts through memorizing scripture at church and home (although, right now that's like pulling teeth....BUT, they know their Mama feels that it's important!), that God is their refuge and strength in times of struggle and suffering, and that he is our Sovereign God and Creator.  We are His! 

I want them to know (if they ever read this little journal) that their Mama and Daddy loves them more than life itself and that we'd do anything for them.  Lately, one way they try and trip the other up is to ask,"so, do you love--whatever--?" to which the other responds,"Yes." And, then he asks,"Well, do you love it more that God?"  If a 'yes' follows this question, there is pause and then quick correction..,"err, um, NO!" 

It's one thing to be able to SAY that you love God more than anything, but to really live it is SOOO hard.  I think about how much I love them and love Richard and I truly don't think that I always DO love Him more.  That's a really hard thing to admit.  I pray that God will guide my steps and forgive my unbelief and my undeserving idolatrous heart.  I want the boys to always know that we SHOULD love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind, and strength...but, when they too fall short they can run to the Lord, fall at His feet and be forgiven for all their fallen-ness. 

He is our deliverer, our all in all.  One of my favorite songs is "In Christ Alone": 

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ogl6fjJ6c

Amen!

Old summer days and new additions

 Sparky came to us in late June, a 4lb miniature schnauzer puppy.  He's so sweet, loves playing with the boys, and follows me around all evening until I finally sit down and then he curls up in the chair beside me to cuddle.

 Isn't he adorable?!

 And, we brought back two sweet kittens from Grandma and Pop pop's house.  Sam and Muffin live on the porch (for now) and have doubled as rag dolls for the boys--what great sports they are!  Never a scratch or hiss for their boys.

 Aidan named Muffin...after many renamings (first it was Gigi, then Carolina, then Muffin-Carolina-North Carolina-Russell...and that's what we're stickin too)

 This was one morning at 8:15am...imagine how crazy the rest of the day went ;)

 Richard's reading through the Chronicles of Narnia--I think this night he was finishing _The Magician's Nephew_

 Waiting for Grandma and Pop pop to drive up

 Connor caught two gigantic 5lb gaspergou drums on the Brazos River, using his spider man kid's fishing pole!

 And, Aidan caught an anchor :)

He and pop pop had a blast sitting on the bank eating peanut butter crackers, just chilling out and enjoying the morning.

 Me and Aidan at the Gaylord pool

 Having so much fun swimming

We had a great end of summer vacation in Dallas.  We visited the Perot Museum, the Dallas World Aquarium, stayed at the fabulous Gaylord Texan, enjoyed swimming at their fun water park, and toured my new campus at Baylor Nursing School (more to come about this later!)

Catch up

 A visit from one of Richard's literary heroes, Seamus Heaney and his terrific wife Marie!  Such a thrill for him and an honor for Baylor! 

 An impromptu bedtime camp out we discovered before we went to bed.

 Connor turned 6 March 31st.  This was his first not-at-home party.  He and his friends jumped and flipped at a local gymnastics gym.  So fun!

 Aidan's end of year recital program featuring all the songs they'd learned throughout the year in chapel and music.  The expression you see above is pretty much how he looked during the entire program ;)

 Aidan with his sweet teachers, Mrs. Ginger and Mrs. Joanna.  He loves them soo much! 

 Connor's end of year school play--"The Three Billy Goat's Gruff".  He was the middle billy goat and tricked the ole troll who lurked under the bridge.

 Last day of school!  Popsicle party and luau. 

 One excited boy on his last day as a kindergartener.

 Another class shot.  We really miss Mrs. Maeyaert!

 Letter Connor wrote for Mrs. Maeyaert on the last day.

 Visited with Aunt Marjorie, Uncle Herb, and Vincent and Granddaddy just after school let out.  So fun to get to be crazy with cousins too!

 A fun extended trip with Gretta and her finance John in Asheville, NC.  We can't wait to call him Uncle John.  The boys always LOVE hangin with Aunt Gretta!

Aidan turned 4 on our trip to see Grandma and Pop pop in NC.  We had a very fun, but VERY hot birthday party with all the local cousins and Aunts and Uncles.  So fun!!

For the Week of February 18-22, 2013

Spelling/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will focus on the letter m. As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

In literature, we will be discussing the sequence of a story. We will discuss that a story has a beginning, middle, and end. This week we will also be learning about the first three mental actions: checking for understanding, making connections, and predicting. We will listen to narrative, informative, and informative-narrative literature selections and the author’s purpose and the basic elements of each selection. We will also be reading in unison and individually. Keep your eye out for the new decodable reader in the Green Folder on Mondays. Please help your child to read the decodable reader at least two times, and return the book on Thursday.

Unit Study: This week we will be moving to Israel, on the Asian continent. We will learn that the capital of Israel is Jerusalem. We will identify Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jericho on a map. We will learn a song about the Middle East and study maps of the region. Our landmark for Israel will be the Western/Wailing Wall. We will discuss the location and structure of the Wailing Wall. We will also observe photographs of this landmark and discuss that men and women are separated when praying at the Western Wall. On Friday, we will be discussing the way that people leave written prayer requests in the cracks on the wall. We will be discussing our prayer requests in class.

Math: In math, we will continue Chapter 14: Number Facts. In this chapter, we will count numbers to 20, write numerals to 20, and count on to find how many more are needed. This chapter goes into familiarity with numbers, composing and decomposing as well as number bonds, and how they lay the foundation for basic facts.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about snakes. We will review the characteristics of reptiles (1-vertebrate, 2-cold blooded, 3-dry, scaly skin that sheds as it grows, 4-breathe through lungs, 5-hatch from eggs). We will post a photograph of a snake on our nature wall, under the correct column. We will also be drawing pictures of snakes in our nature journals.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “Saul, the First King of the Israelites” and “Saul’s Downfall.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories with your child.

 

Show and Tell: This week we will be discussing prayer. For Show & Tell, each child should bring a drawing of something for which they have prayed.

For the Week of February 11-15, 2013

Thursday: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday: Winter Break

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. We will be reviewing the phonograms and spelling patterns we have learned. As we review the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short. We will also be working on alphabetizing words by the first letter.

This week we will be introducing the first three mental actions: checking for understanding, making connections, and predicting. Good listeners and readers check for understanding of words, phrases, and sentences; make connections between their prior knowledge and what is stated in the book; and predict type of writing. We will also be reading in unison and individually.

Due to the short school week, we will not be sending readers home on Monday.

Unit Study: This week we will be moving from Italy to the country of Russia. We will discuss that part of Russia is on the continent of Europe and part is on the continent of Asia. The capital of Russia is Moscow. Our landmark for this unit is St. Basil’s Cathedral. We will look at pictures of St. Basil’s Cathedral and learn about the top sections, which are called onion domes. The cathedral was built on the edge of Red Square between 1555-1561, and was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible.

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 13: Patterns. We will create and extend patterns of shapes. Our vocabulary for this chapter includes repeating pattern (a design that recurs uniformly) and pattern unit (the root unit of a repeating pattern). In Chapter 13, the children will learn to recognize, extend and create a repeating pattern, to identify a missing portion of a repeating pattern, and to create ABAB, AABAAB, ABBABB, and ABCABC repeating patterns.

Nature Study: This week, we will be reviewing the all of the animal class characteristics we have learned this year. We will match animals with characteristic cards to correctly identify which class the animal belongs in.

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories “Samuel is Called to Serve God” and “The Ark is Captured.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories with your child.

Show and Tell: This week we will not have Show and Tell, due to Winter Break on Friday, February 15th.

For the Week of February 4-8, 2013

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will focus on the letter pair, or consonant cluster, ng. As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

 

 

In literature, we will be discussing informative-narrativeliterature. We will discuss that this type of literature contains many facts (content). We will listen to informative-narrative literature selections and identify facts. We will also be reading in unison and individually. Keep your eye out for the new decodable reader in the Green Folder on Mondays. Please help your child to read the decodable reader at least two times, and return the book on Thursday.

Unit Study: This week we will be continuing to learn about to Italy. We will review that the capital city of Italy is Rome and the official language is Italian. We will study the map and flag of Italy. Our landmarks for Italy will be the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum. This week we will be learning about the city of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, and learning how the city was buried by ash. We will then travel to Venice, and learn about the streets of water and gondolas. We will review the key ideas of Italy:
*Italy is shaped like a boot.
*The capital of Italy is Rome.
*Italy is a peninsula and juts into the Mediterranean Sea.
*Mount Vesuvius is a volcano near Pompeii, Italy.

*Important landmarks in Italy are the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, and the city of Venice.

 

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 12: Counting On and Counting Back. In chapter 12, we will count on to 10 and count back from 10. The children will build an understanding of, and familiarity with, number pairs that make 10. After completing Chapter 12, we will begin Chapter 13: Patterns. We will create and extend patterns of shapes. Our vocabulary for this chapter includes repeating pattern (a design that recurs uniformly) and pattern unit(the root unit of a repeating pattern). In Chapter 13, the children will learn to recognize, extend and create a repeating pattern, to identify a missing portion of a repeating pattern, and to create ABAB, AABAAB, ABBABB, and ABCABC repeating patterns.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about the Hummingbird. We will review the characteristics of the different animal classes to determine to which class the Hummingbird belongs. We will post a picture of a hummingbird on our Animal Kingdom wall, under the correct classification.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “Samson and the Temple” and “Ruth and Naomi.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home.

 

Show and Tell: This week, we will be sharing items that represent our favorite weekend activities. This could be a photograph, drawing, or an actual object from the activity.

For the Week of January 28-February 1, 2013

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will use the letter o to spell the /o/ sound, as in lost. As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

In literature, we will be discussing informative-narrative literature. We will discuss that this type of literature contains many facts (content). We will also be reading in unison and individually. Keep your eye out for the new decodable reader in the Green Folder on Mondays. Please help your child to read the decodable reader at least two times, and return the book on Thursday.

Unit Study: This week we will be traveling to Italy. We will learn that the capital city of Italy is Rome and the official language is Italian. We will study the map and flag of Italy. Our landmarks for Italy will be the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Coliseum.

Math: In math, we will be working on Chapter 12: Counting On and Counting Back. In chapter 12, we will count on to 10 and count back from 10. The children will build an understanding of, and familiarity with, number pairs that make 10.

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about the Earthworm. We will learn that the Earthworm belongs to the phylum Annelida. We will study live earthworms and determine whether they are vertebrates or invertebrates. We will be reading about earthworms and observing live specimens in the classroom.

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “Samson and the Lion” and “Samson and Delilah.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home.

Show and Tell: This week, we will be having Secret Show and Tell. Each child should bring an example of an animal from one of the classes of the Animal Kingdom that we have studied (fish, bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibian). The object should be sent to school either in a back pack or a brown paper bag. The students will give their classmates three hints about their object, and then allow others to guess what they have brought.

For the Week of January 21-25, 2013

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will use the letter g to spell the /g/ sound. As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss“closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

In literature, we will be discussing narrative writing and identifying the author’s purpose and the elements of narratives (characters, setting, plot). When reading, we will discuss insight (authors help us understand that people feel bad when they are mistreated and that bad behavior results in consequences). We will also be reading in unison and individually.

 

Unit Study: This week we will be traveling to the continent of Europe. We will be learning about the country of France. Our focus will be on the city of Paris. We will learn that the official language of France is French. We will look at a map of France and the French flag. Our landmark for France is the Eiffel Tower. We will also be learning about the Louvre and discussing the masterpieces that the Louvre houses.

 

Math: In math, we will begin Chapter 11: Calendar Patterns, where we will review days of the week and months of the year, discussing what comes before, after, and between. We will also make and interpret pictographs. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to reinforce these concepts.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about the Human body. We will learn that humans belong to the Animal Kingdom, as part of the class of mammals. We will review the characteristics that identify mammals (1-vertebrate, 2-warm blooded, 3-have fur or hair, 4-give birth to live young, 5-give milk to their young, 6-live on land or in water). This week we will be focusing on the skeletal system and its three functions (to support the body and give it shape, to work with muscles and move the body, and to protect the soft organs and body parts).

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “The Call of Gideon” and “Jephthah’s Daughter.” Please feel free to read and discuss at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: This week our show and tell will focus on the winter season. Please have your child bring an object (from nature, drawing, or photograph) that illustrates the season of winter.

For the Week of January 14-18, 2013

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will use the letter h to spell the /h/ sound. As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss“closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short. We will also be introducing “vowel pair syllables,” syllables that have vowel pairs or teams that work together to make one sound (ex. how).

In literature, we will be discussing narrative writing and identifying the author’s purpose and the elements of narratives (characters, setting, plot). When reading, we will discuss universality (why children all over the world enjoy the story) and we will introduce insight (authors help us understand that people feel bad when they are mistreated). We will also be reading in unison and individually.

 

Unit Study: This week we will be traveling to the continent

of Europe. Our first stop on the European continent is the United Kingdom, with our focus being on the city of London, England. The United Kingdom consists of four countries on two islands: England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. We will discuss that England is on an island. We will identify the English Channel, the body of water separating England from the European mainland. We will learn about the flag of England and Big Ben, the largest bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. We will also be learning about Beatrix Potter, the author of Peter Rabbit, who lived and worked in England.

 

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 10: Ordinal

Numbers. In this chapter, we will learn to order small sets using first, second, third, and last. This week we will focus on physical position and showing our preferences. We will be making picture graphs based on our preferences. We will use manipulatives to further our understanding of these concepts.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about the Human body. We will learn that humans belong to the Animal Kingdom, as part of the class of mammals. We will review the characteristics that identify mammals (1-vertebrate, 2-warm blooded, 3-have fur or hair, 4-give birth to live young, 5-give milk to their young, 6-live on land or in water). We will discuss that humans are made of many systems that work together, including the respiratory, circulatory, muscular, and skeletal systems.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “Rahab

and the Spies” and “The Battle of Jericho.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home.

 

Show and Tell: This week our show and tell will focus on the human body. Each child should bring an item that demonstrates something they can do with their body (i.e. a soccer ball for playing soccer, a drawing of them climbing a tree, etc.).