Kindergarten & First Grade Updates
Fall is in full swing, and our classrooms are buzzing with excitement and learning! Here’s what our kindergarteners and first graders have been working on this month, along with ways families can continue the learning fun at home.
🍎 Math
Kindergarten:
Our young mathematicians have been exploring numbers using manipulatives such as counting bears, cubes, and buttons. We’re learning how to use different tools — like our fingers — to count objects and represent numbers. Students are also practicing sorting shapes into categories and building fluency in adding and subtracting 1.
At Home:
- Practice counting everyday objects (snacks, toys, utensils).
- Ask your child to find shapes around the house or during car rides.
- Play simple “one more, one less” games with small numbers.
First Grade:
Students are strengthening their number sense by solving addition and subtraction problems within 20 and exploring number patterns.
At Home:
- Practice math facts using flashcards or dice games.
- Encourage your child to explain how they solved a problem — this builds reasoning skills!
✏️ Writing
Kindergarten:
We’re learning how to turn our thoughts into pictures and words by labeling our drawings. Students are beginning to see themselves as writers who can express ideas on paper!
First Grade:
Our writers are working on small moment stories — writing about real-life experiences with a clear beginning, middle, and end. We’re also practicing tapping and blending to spell out words.
At Home:
- Encourage your child to draw and label pictures about their day.
- Have your first grader write or tell you about a favorite memory in sequence.
- Praise their effort — it builds writing confidence!
📖 Reading
Kindergarten:
In reading, we’re exploring characters and settings in our stories — who the story is about and where it takes place.
First Grade:
We’re diving deeper into central idea — figuring out what the story is mostly about and identifying key details that support it.
At Home:
- Ask your child questions like “Who is in the story?” or “Where did it happen?”
- After reading, have them tell you what the story was mostly about.
🌎 Project-Based Learning (PBL)
This month, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, both kindergarten and first grade are learning all about Mexico! We’ve created ponchos and Mexican hats, learned a traditional Mexican dance, and discussed the rich culture and traditions of the country.
At Home:
- Try cooking a simple Mexican dish together or listen to traditional Mexican music.
- Talk about your own family’s traditions and how they’re special to you.
✨ Thank you for partnering with us to make learning meaningful and fun! Together, we’re helping our children grow into curious, confident learners — one October adventure at a time!
