December 2025
First Grade Newsletter
December 18th - Tiger Family Morning - Upper School 8:15-8:45
December 18th - Twin Day
December 23rd - PS 230 Spirit Day: Pajama Day
December 24th - Janury 2nd - School Closed: Winter Recess
The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is continually fearing that you’ll make one.” -Elbert Hubbard
Fundations
In Unit 4, students will learn to use bonus letters to spell. Students will use a double s, l, or f at the end of their words. Examples of these words are miss, cuff, or well. In this unit, students will continue to practice reading and spelling words with digraphs, such as ch, th, wh, ck, sh. In addition, students will learn the Glued Sound all, which is found in words such as call and ball.
Practice this Vowel Extension Drill with your child at home!
Estrellita (Class 103 Only)
Students will learn about syllables with e (me, pe, se, le, etc). Students will be forming two-syllable words using syllables with a and syllables with e (leche, sale, nena, lleva, etc).
Math for Classes 101, 103, and 106
In unit 3, students add and subtract within 20. Students develop fluency within sums of 10 and the 10-frame is used as a helpful visual. Students explore the base-ten system and place value as they learn that ten ones are put together to make a new unit, a ten. Students will start with problems where two of the numbers make a 10 (for example 6+8+4) and learn that you can add numbers in any order, which can make adding easier. Students will also use the relationship between addition and subtraction and their understanding of the usefulness of ten.
Reading
Students will begin Module 4, answering the essential question: Why is it important to do my best and get along with others?
First graders will listen to and read stories and informational texts about getting along with others and being a good sport. Some reading skills they will continue to learn about are Point of View, Making Connections, and learning about Topic and Central Idea.
Writing
In Module 4, first graders will write a Procedural Text. Students will use the appropriate steps of prewriting, drafting and revising as they prepare to publish their work.
Math for Classes 102, 104, 105
First graders will continue their unit in math, learning about How Many of Each? How Many In All?. Students will continue to practice counting on or back to add or subtract. Students will also find multiple solutions to problems with two unknown numbers ( ?+?=9 can be 5+4=9 or 6+3=9).
Practice counting to 120 with your child regularly!
Read at home!
Make sure your child reads for 20 minutes a day. Ask your child about the stories they read; who are the characters, what is your favorite part, what was the story about?
Students in class 103 should be reading in English and in Spanish!
Check your child's homework folder!
Check your child's homework folder every day for important notices.
Wear sneakers for gym!
Students should be wearing sneakers for gym. If you're not sure, double check with your teacher(s) which day your child has gym.
Try at home
Talk with your child about the things they do in school. Have them speak in a complete sentence, "In school, I _________."
Have your child practice writing simple sentences, remembering to capitalize the first word and end the sentence with punctuation.
Class Trip Information
First Grade Classes will visit the NYC Aquarium this month. Please be sure to check Class Dojo for specific dates and important information.
Mr. Schorr (Music)
It is "Pianocember". We will learn about different keyboard instruments. We will learn about the vocal pitches do, re, and mi. We will explore the music of Mali.
Ms. Gursoy and Mr. Meehan (Physical Education)
This month the students will continue the Basketball unit. They just finished learning to dribble. Now they will learn how to pass and dribble the ball. Since they cannot shoot it into the basketball hoop we will modify it by having them shoot it into a hula hoop. For the last two weeks of December, they will play some winter games to kick off the winter break.
Mr. Hanratty (Art)
First grade will be studying animal characteristics, and how to express them with line, shape, color, and texture. We will be creating animals in collage. Please consider donating a package of baby wipes.
Ms. Brill (Art)
First grade artists will continue to learn about animals and how their bodies help them (camouflage, warmth, etc.). Elements of art like texture will be studied to represent art like characteristics like scales and fur. A contribution of a tissues or baby wipes would be most appreciated.
Ms. Markovinovic (Science)
The 1st grade Scientists will finish up their first unit, Structures and Behaviors in Living Things, by studying animals and their offspring and animal adaptations. Students will then start the next unit, Light and Sound Waves. In this unit, Scientists will learn about sound waves, how we hear sounds, and how we see light and objects.
Ms. Bakalac (Science)
1st grade Scientists planted beans and have taken them home to observe their parts as they grow. They are learning about how plants and animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. To support your child at home, talk about what animals need (food, water, air, shelter).
Ms. Birshtein (Technology)
In Technology, we will learn how to use the chromebooks and how to log into Waggle.
Mrs. Randazzo, Mrs. Palanca, Mrs. Kalin, Mr. Diaz, Mr. Messineo, Mrs. Groll, Ms. Harrilall, Ms. Cai, Ms. Mainolfi