First Grade Update
October 8, 2026
Every Week is a Great Week in First Grade!
We had another wonderful week in first grade! We got many postcards from around the country! We got our first set of letters from our pen pals from Visitation Academy in St. Louis! We are feeling very engaged with our community here at school, and our special communities around the country and world!
Learning
Believe and Read
Digraphs: We have completed our kindergarten review, and we are on to first grade skills. We learned the digraphs: /ch/, /sh/, /th/, /wh/, and /ck/. Point these out when reading with your first grader!
Comprehension
Unit 3: We read 2 fiction books by the same author, Adam Rubin. We classified sentences as statements, questions, and exclamations - and wrote our own examples of each. Identify these sentence types with your first grader when reading together this week!
Math
Subtraction within 10: We explored many ways to solve subtraction: drawing dots, telling stories, using manipulatives, using a number line/tape/hundreds chart, counting back, counting on, number bonds. Ask your first grader their favorite way to subtract! We differentiated between "take away" and "take apart" stories. Ask your first grader to tell you one of each! I highly recommend making flashcards at home and drilling them daily so first graders are able to correctly solve subtraction equations within a few seconds.
Science
Observing the Sky: We made an anemometer and learned about the wind scale. We made observations of the moon and began a moon phases calendar. Continue to make observations about the sky and weather with your first grader!
Religion
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior: We learned about the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. We visited Mary and Jesus on one of our snack walks!
Social Studies
Civics: We learned about the groups we belong to. We all belong in first grade at Visitation!
First Grade Halloween Party, October 30, 1:20-2:30
You're invited to join us in the classroom for a Halloween Party! Grandparents, aunts/uncles, Godparents, siblings are all welcome! Costumes are welcome! Please let me know who will be attending so I can put them on a list to sign in at the Heart when they arrive.
Country Study
Families are invited to come into the classroom to share knowledge and lead an activity of your choice!
As part of our Groves Comprehension curriculum, first grade will be studying the following countries this year: Peru, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, China, Argentina, Mexico, and France.
Do you have a special connection with one of these countries?
If so, you are invited to come into the classroom to share more. For example, you can show us pictures of your time there, teach us about the geography of the country, bring in an artifact, or something else! Feel free to be creative!
If you do not have a personal connection, but you would like to participate, you are welcome to find a book about one of these countries to come in and read and share.
Note: If you have a special connection to another country or community, you are invited to schedule a time with me to share your knowledge and lead an activity!
Please email me if you are interested in participating.
Postcard Project
Throughout the school year, we will attempting to collect a postcard from all 50 states!
Ask the person sending the postcard to please write:
What they love about their state!
A fun fact about their state!
A word of encouragement for the class!
Our mailing address:
First Grade c/o Tara Wengronowitz
Visitation School
2455 Visitation Drive
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Popcorn and Cookies
Wednesday, September 30
Friday, October 30
Friday, November 20
Friday, December 18
Friday, January 29
Friday, February 26
Thursday, March 18
Friday, April 23
Friday, May 28
Upcoming Dates
- October 14-16 MEA break, no school
- October 30, 1:30-2:30 Halloween Party
- December 3, 6pm: Christmas concert