Today was a great day! We were able to accomplish many tasks. One important activity was that we prepared and organized our Writer's Workshop binder. I will go over the process with you tomorrow at Back to School night. But today we began making our list of "Memories that are close to my heart". I asked the children to share with you about the memories that they put on their mind map and told them that in your conversation you may "spark" their memory on a special event that they can then come back to school tomorrow and add to their mind map. I modeled my own mind map which allowed me to share a little bit of myself with the children. We will spend the next couple of weeks generating more complete thoughts about these ideas and then begin writing our personal narratives.
The children received their first spelling list. This weeks words revolve around the Silent E and how powerful this one letter can be. They have written these words in their spelling notebook, but also have the list in their homework folder. That list if to stay at home to review. In the near future, the children will also receive dictation sentences which they will have to study as well. Spelling tests are on Fridays.
I will introduce the first reading book revolves around the idea of Identity Awareness. This particular week's theme under that umbrella is entitled, Homeland. This collection of stories is about people moving away from where they were born caring with their traditions and customs. These stories and poems will hopefully generate some good class discussions on traditions and customs not only within a culture but within each individual family. I will introduce new vocabulary words that will follow them throughout the stories for the first couple of weeks and it is my goal that the children will attempt to use these words in their own writing. Some of the reading skills within the first few stories that we will focus on are character development and author's viewpoint. The language skills include common and proper nouns.
We will begin our first lesson in Wordly Wise. I will talk more indepth about his at Back to School night. But we will spend two weeks per lesson. This program helps to build and increase the child's reading writing vocabulary. Each list contains several activities including a story with comprehension questions.
In Math, we are beginning our first unit on number patterns and sequences. You will receive the Family letter that lists the skills that will be taught in this unit. Please take a few minutes to read over this letter. It may be helpful during homework time.
We are sharing our All About Me bags tomorrow and probably into Wednesday.I can't wait to learn more about your child and what makes them so unique. They are to put three things in the bag that represents them as a person or student. The items must be able to fit in the bag and not sticking out for others to see. We discussed how this may take some creativity. (ie.. instead of a real soccer ball, they may have a key chain that has a soccer ball on it)
I will introduce the Social Studies this week by reading through a great little book about that includes special information about Florida. The children will design their own license plate that will then become the cover to a Florida folder that they will create.
I look forward to seeing all of you at Back to School night. Please make sure that you start your evening at the Janet Root Theater at 7pm. The roooms will be locked until after the brief program and introduction of teachers. There are door prizes as well. When the program there is complete, please hurry down to the room. I have a great deal of information to share with you and I want everyone to have equal opportunity to hear it all.
It is the expectation that each child will read each night for at least 15 minutes. This reading can come in a few forms. They can read outloud to you, independently or you reading to them. I will give you a book log tomorrow night where you are to keep track of the books and the time.
Thank you for sending me such mannerly children. If there are any school supplies that your child still needs, please try to have the supplies and other information in by Friday at the latest.
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