This newsletter provides information about the upcoming 1st grade math unit called "Let's get into shape with math" that will last 4 weeks. Students will learn skills like counting, identifying shapes, partitioning shapes, using graphs, collecting and comparing data using math terms. They will practice addition, subtraction and word problems using objects. Parents are encouraged to give students math practice at home. Teachers will explain concepts, work through problems, assess objectives and monitor student understanding.

1. Class Activities
This newsletter will let you
know what we will be doing in
class for the next 4 weeks.

2. Information you should
obtain.
 This presentation will tell you exactly what we will
be doing in class during our next unit in 1st grade
and what will be expected of students. The unit is
called, “Let’s get into shape with math.” In this unit,
students will get acquainted with counting
numbers, identifying shapes, identifying attributes
of shapes, partitioning shapes, learning
characteristics of graphs, collect data, compare two
or more quantities, and using mathematic
terminology while comparing quantities . The unit
will last 4 weeks.

3. What are the unit
objectives?
 Students will, when given 10 word problems
involving adding to and taking from within 20, the
students will use ten frames to manipulate
centimeter cubes to represent the correct answer
with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive days.
 Students will, when given 10 problems involving
constructing, partitioning and naming shapes
attributes, the students will use Geo boards to
represent the correct answer and verbally respond
correctly with 80% accuracy over 3 consecutive
days.

4. What are the unit
objectives?
 Students will, when given 10 problems involving
relating counting to addition and subtraction,
organizing, representing, interpreting data with up
to three categories, the students will use data sheet
to write the correct answer with 80% accuracy over
3 consecutive days.
 Students will, when given 10 problems involving
subtracting/adding to find the unknown addend
and understanding the meaning of the equal sign in
equations, the students will use a teacher made
board/handouts to manipulate centimeter cubes to
represent the correct answer with 80% accuracy
over 3 consecutive days.

5. What will the student do?
 Your 1st grader will be participating in lessons on
how to use basic math skills. Students will be using
addition and subtraction to help solve word
problems, working with different shapes to help
them understand differences such as size and color
along with being able to divide shapes into different
sections. Students will also be working with graphs
so they can better understand them.

6. How can you help?
Parents are encouraged to help
students while they are at home. It
would be beneficial to give your child
simple math problems involving
addition and subtraction to help build
their confidence. Also showing them
simple graphs and helping them
interpret the data would be of great
benefit for the students.

7. Our role as teachers:
 Explaining the mathematical concepts.
 Working through the problems with the students to
make sure they have a grasp on the material.
 Assessing the students by seeing if they meet the
given objective goals.
 Keep observing students each day to make sure
they are not struggling.

8. Unit learning questions
Essential question
 How can math help me understand my world?
Unit questions
 How do you determine what is asked in a word
problem?
 Why is it important to learn how to solve word
problems?
 How does math help in daily living?
Content questions
 How is addition and subtraction related to one
another?
 What do terms “adding to,” “putting together,”
“taking apart,” and “comparing” in a word problem
mean?

9. Contact Information:
Any more questions can be asked by using the
following sources below:
 Jordan Baldwin: jtbaldwin@crimson.ua.edu
 Caitie Delaney: cadelaney@crimson.ua.edu
 Kayla Dinkins: kayladinkins14@gmail.com

10. Thank you for all the help
and support this year! We
really enjoy having your
students in class!