Friday, March 20, 2026

March 16-19

Dear Parents,

We have had another great week of learning in grade 1.  We have been enjoying the warmer weather and the first signs of spring.  The first day of spring is March 20, I hope that you can take time to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather over the break.  

Reminders

  • Spring Break begins on March 20
  • Return to school on March 20

Math

We have been working on building our understanding of addition as joining while learning addition strategies with sums within 20. Through songs, activities and working with hands on materials, students have been building their number sense and understanding of addition facts up to 20.

Learning Intentions:





What Are Joining Situations?
In a joining situation, one amount is joined to another amount. For example, if there are 4 children in a room and 3 more children join them, we can add 4 + 3 to determine the total number of children in the room. This total is called the “sum” or the “whole.”



Showing Addition on a Number Path
A number path can help students visualize the process of addition.

They can use one of the numbers in the addition situation to tell them where to start (or how many steps to take first) and the other number to tell them how many more steps to take.

For example, adding 5 and 3 can look like this on a number path:


Or



Adding on a 10-Frame
Adding counters to a group, perhaps on a 10-frame, can also help students visualize the process of addition.

The counters on this 10-frame show 5 and 3 more.


Using Symbols in Addition
Addition is new to students in Grade 1, even though they have informally experienced joining situations in Kindergarten and earlier in this grade.

Students can use the + symbol to describe addition.

So, 4 and 3 can be written 4 + 3. It is read “4 plus 3” or “4 and 3 more.”

Eventually, students will also use equations such as 4 + 3 = 7 to represent addition, but not in this topic.


Helping Your Child
Joining situations occur frequently in day-to-day life. Whenever you and your child find yourselves in a joining situation involving small numbers, ask your child what is being added.

For example:

If 3 dogs are in a park and 2 more dogs arrive, the addition situation is 3 plus 2.

If 4 people are in a room and 3 more come in, the addition situation is 4 plus 3.

If appropriate, you could work with your child to figure out the sum. Use concrete materials to represent the amounts being added, if it is helpful to do this.


Definitions
10-frame: a grid that can hold 10 counters in 2 rows of 5 squares each; you place one counter in each square to show a particular number

addition: the process of putting numbers together to determine a whole amount

number path: a counting tool in which each number in a series is contained within a cell, or rectangle

sum (also total or whole): the combined amount when quantities are joined

Literacy
This week we focused on our final diagraph sounds of WH and PH.  Take a look below at the home practice.






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