Happy Halloween! I am sure all my little ghosts and goblin trick-or-treaters will have a fun night! I told them they could bring in one small piece of candy tomorrow.
I did ask the children to begin learning the first two stanzas of the poem, My Doggy Ate My Homework. This is our poem for Poetry in the Park. I also asked the children to begin looking for a white chef's hat, a wooden cooking spoon, and a white apron if possible. If a white apron is difficult to find, then have them bring in an another apron for me to see ahead of time.
We are publishing our first personal narratives this week complete with illustrated cover. Today we wrote poems about witches complete with a designer magic hat. The poem included adjectives, verbs and a phrase to describe their topic, witches. We will continue the study of poetry by looking at various styles of poetry, but focusing on free verse poetry. The children will write at least two poems based on two objects that they choose and complete the poem without the use of rhyming yet full of sensory language. We will practice this style of poetry as a class by focusing on a banana. How appropriate since their teacher eats one every morning.
I sent a multiplication table chart home today. We discussed how this could be used at home. I did make a request that though it is good to learn the tables in order, that once they become more comfortable with the process, they should practice the tables out of order. They really need to begin practicing all the multiplication tables now. But I am hopeful that they will have mastered 0-6's by Thanksgiving.
You should also see a notice about the Book Fair in your child's homework folder. I am going to try and take the children to view the books on Tuesday, Nov 8 and then take them on Wednesday to make purchases. However, as you will notice in the letter, everyone is allowed to go in the afternoons after school. This is always a great book fair with multitudes of good books to add to the reading shelf at home or to give as gifts.
We began Lesson 5 in Wordly Wise. The words include: amaze, amazing, arctic, Arctic, court, elect, interval, league, limit, milestone, recreation, and tackle.
This week in math we will be working on circumference, diameter, and radius. We will also review perimeter, area, and practice making conversions as a review for our test on Friday.
You will want to ask your child about the book we read in math today entitled, Sir Cumference and The First Round Table. Ask about their child, Radius.
We are continuing our work with our first grade buddies. My boys and girls reviewed the art of dialogue and narration and created a skit using paper bags disguised as Wilbur. Our first grade buddies used their "stick characters" to talk about their most and least favorite parts of the story. During our next visit, the groups will use plan and begin creating a tri-aroma illustrating the major scenes from the beginning, middle and end of the story, Charlotte's Web.
We have completed our study of the Calusa, Timucua, and Tocobaga. We have outlined information using outline style or other graphic organizers.After we will learn about the Tequesta this week, the children will complete and compare and contrast activity by choosing two groups to discuss. They will make their own decisions as to which groups to compare and contrast and the main topics they will use to base their comparisons.(ie. food, clothing, housing,etc)
Friday is Spirit Day and also the beginning of Homecoming weekend. We will have our Pep Rally on Friday beginning at 1:30. So.. lots of yellow and green!!!
Please check you child's supplies. There may a need for new sharpened pencils, red marking pencils, or loose leaf notebook paper.
Again, I do hope everyone has a "Spooky Halloween" evening! Don't get tricked!!!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Marvelous Monday!
I do hope that everyone had a fun and relaxing long weekend! The teachers were involved in a professional development workshop that focused on reading and how better to help your child. We discussed how important it is for our children to enjoy reading and to make sure that have a good amount of time to focus on their individual reading.
This week we are beginning our study of Floridian Native Americans. Our first group are the Calusa. You should be a informational sheet and a question sheet in their homework folder tonight. I explained to the children that question #1 is supposed to be written in paragraph form. The paragraph should be at least 3 to 5 sentences long.
Our Spelling words this week are examples of the doubling consonant rule. Please have the children read these words to you at least twice this week. There is a big difference in saying a hopping bunny and not a hoping bunny.Tonight the children are to put the words in alphabetical order and practice the dictation. Also, take a look at the pumpkin letter the attached sheet of words.
Dictation this week is:
1) The fattest dog ate the biggest bone.
2) He skipped and fell on the grassy bank.
3) She dimmed the lamp in the dimly lit room.
4) The shrill cry of the baby will bring the parents running.
This week they have two long range reading assignments. The first one, Senor Coyote, the Judge is due on Friday and should be signed by both you and your child. The second reading assignment, A Halloween Scene is due on Friday as well. This reading work is a little more involved and I have explained to the children not to wait till Thursday to begin. I would also like the children to read the poem to you aloud as well. Please don't forget to send in the home book logs as they are completed.
In Math, we are continuing our study of standard and metric measurement. Today we used tape measures to explore items around the room and in the hall that were about an inch, a foot, a yard and a centimeter. It certainly puts things in a better "size" perspective. Tonight they should complete pages 59 and 62 in the workbook. I did give them some class time to complete a portion of the work.
We are winding up our class novel, 7*9= Trouble. We will begin an independent novel, Charlotte's Web. We will spend some time with Mrs. Owen's class buddies to complete a couple of comprehension/artistic projects.
I will be choosing a poem for our Poetry in the Park and sending a copy for the children to practice every night. Thank you for your help and support in advance.
You may want to check on your child's supplies. The pencils seem to be dwindling down and eraser non existent. Thanks!
This week we are beginning our study of Floridian Native Americans. Our first group are the Calusa. You should be a informational sheet and a question sheet in their homework folder tonight. I explained to the children that question #1 is supposed to be written in paragraph form. The paragraph should be at least 3 to 5 sentences long.
Our Spelling words this week are examples of the doubling consonant rule. Please have the children read these words to you at least twice this week. There is a big difference in saying a hopping bunny and not a hoping bunny.Tonight the children are to put the words in alphabetical order and practice the dictation. Also, take a look at the pumpkin letter the attached sheet of words.
Dictation this week is:
1) The fattest dog ate the biggest bone.
2) He skipped and fell on the grassy bank.
3) She dimmed the lamp in the dimly lit room.
4) The shrill cry of the baby will bring the parents running.
This week they have two long range reading assignments. The first one, Senor Coyote, the Judge is due on Friday and should be signed by both you and your child. The second reading assignment, A Halloween Scene is due on Friday as well. This reading work is a little more involved and I have explained to the children not to wait till Thursday to begin. I would also like the children to read the poem to you aloud as well. Please don't forget to send in the home book logs as they are completed.
In Math, we are continuing our study of standard and metric measurement. Today we used tape measures to explore items around the room and in the hall that were about an inch, a foot, a yard and a centimeter. It certainly puts things in a better "size" perspective. Tonight they should complete pages 59 and 62 in the workbook. I did give them some class time to complete a portion of the work.
We are winding up our class novel, 7*9= Trouble. We will begin an independent novel, Charlotte's Web. We will spend some time with Mrs. Owen's class buddies to complete a couple of comprehension/artistic projects.
I will be choosing a poem for our Poetry in the Park and sending a copy for the children to practice every night. Thank you for your help and support in advance.
You may want to check on your child's supplies. The pencils seem to be dwindling down and eraser non existent. Thanks!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Short Week Adventure
The Simple Machines Project was a tremendous success. The kids loved all the ideas that were created. Each child had to give at least a three minutes presentation about what simple machine their creation represented, how they made it, and how it could help mankind. Each presentation was recorded and will become a part of their electronic portfolio. We are also taking our projects down to the library today to go on display for a few days. Mrs. Smay loves to have children's work around the library as well.
There will be a spelling test this week on Thursday. The children are writing the dictation sentences full of homophones today. They will need to practice writing these sentences beginning tonight. As a class, we will be collecting homophones over the next two weeks and making a master list of all the homophones that we find... well anywhere!
Dictation this week is:
1) The two boys wanted to go swimming but it was too cold,
2) It's too hot to play more than two running games.
3) There are too many pencils in that pencil holder.
4) They're going to put on their play in her backyard.
5) They hung their patched trousers over there near their closet.
They also have a Reading Comprehension activity, How Big Is A Foot?, due on Thursday as well. This week as part of the comprehension strategy, they have to identify two repetitive phrases and describe two repetitive events in the story. Please make sure that you have signed these reading activities. It lets me know that you have heard your child read these reading passages aloud.
We are beginning our new Math unit. In this unit the children will be introduced to various measurement units, both standard linear and metric. We will also explore perimeter, area, diameter, and circumference. The reading comprehension activity this week actually introduces the math unit as well. I love it when it all ties in together!!!!!!
I will be sending home various challenge activities this month. As much as I want to encourage each child to work on them, please have them concentrate on the homework, assigned projects, and reading first. They do have a poster about themselves due anytime the month of October. As soon as they complete the poster project, they can turn it in to me for safe keeping.
In Reading, we are reading stories about customs and traditions from other cultures and learning that though there are many differences, there are similarities as well. These stories also emphasizes the character trait of tolerance and acceptance of others. Today will be reading about birthdays from three different countries and use the strategy of comparing and contrasting as our comprehension strategy.
I hope everyone has a great week. Enjoy your long weekend!!!
There will be a spelling test this week on Thursday. The children are writing the dictation sentences full of homophones today. They will need to practice writing these sentences beginning tonight. As a class, we will be collecting homophones over the next two weeks and making a master list of all the homophones that we find... well anywhere!
Dictation this week is:
1) The two boys wanted to go swimming but it was too cold,
2) It's too hot to play more than two running games.
3) There are too many pencils in that pencil holder.
4) They're going to put on their play in her backyard.
5) They hung their patched trousers over there near their closet.
They also have a Reading Comprehension activity, How Big Is A Foot?, due on Thursday as well. This week as part of the comprehension strategy, they have to identify two repetitive phrases and describe two repetitive events in the story. Please make sure that you have signed these reading activities. It lets me know that you have heard your child read these reading passages aloud.
We are beginning our new Math unit. In this unit the children will be introduced to various measurement units, both standard linear and metric. We will also explore perimeter, area, diameter, and circumference. The reading comprehension activity this week actually introduces the math unit as well. I love it when it all ties in together!!!!!!
I will be sending home various challenge activities this month. As much as I want to encourage each child to work on them, please have them concentrate on the homework, assigned projects, and reading first. They do have a poster about themselves due anytime the month of October. As soon as they complete the poster project, they can turn it in to me for safe keeping.
In Reading, we are reading stories about customs and traditions from other cultures and learning that though there are many differences, there are similarities as well. These stories also emphasizes the character trait of tolerance and acceptance of others. Today will be reading about birthdays from three different countries and use the strategy of comparing and contrasting as our comprehension strategy.
I hope everyone has a great week. Enjoy your long weekend!!!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Love This Weather Monday!
What a marvelous weekend! I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the incredible weather!
I know the children are excited about not having school on Thursday. And to top it off... the Rays are in town!!! I have told the children that if the Rays win tonight, they will not have any written work for homework on Tuesday night. They are also allowed to wear their Rays shirts but with uniform bottoms to school on Tuesday as well. Go Rays!
We are continuing our study of simple machines. The simple machine creations are due this Friday. They are to make sure they have followed the directions of the project. Included with their creation should be a written portion on loose leaf that explains the following:
1) Statement of the problem ( what kind of work is made easier by this simple machine)
2) How the problem was solved ( steps on how the simple machine was created)
3) Conclusion ( does the machine work and how does it function to make the work easier)
I told the children that the creation should be no bigger than a shoe box.
As with every week, we have a new list of spelling words. However, this week I am giving the dictation to them ahead of time. They will write these sentences into their notebooks tomorrow morning. The sentences are to be reviewed each night. You may want the children to practice writing these sentences on loose leaf paper prior to the test on Friday. They are as follows:
1) Isn't it awful that they put garbage in the bushes?
2) I don't see who's going to take care of the children.
3) You've got to stretch your legs before you play in the game.
4) They've matched the bows to the costumes.
We are completing our Math unit. Tonight the children are to complete pages 48 and 49 as a review. We will review all skills and complete a practice test tomorrow. The Unit 2 Math test will be on Wednesday.
We are continuing our study of Simple Machines this week and should be winding up our project in the computer lab. I am going to give the children time in class to make flash cards using the key words for simple machines with definitions included. I will ask the children to bring the flash cards home to study. They will have a quiz on these words on Friday.
Today they are bringing home a VERY important letter about Fall Festival. There are several forms that require reading and signing. I have explained to the children that is VERY important that they have a plan for dismissal on that day and they will have to stay with me if they do not bring back the form filled out and signed by you. Believe me, that is not a wonderful consequence for them on a day like Fall Festival. Smiles!!! I was joking, but they got the message!
I look forward to meeting with you all on Thursday. I will focus on work and study habits, relationships with classmates and certain subject areas that may need additional support. Thank you for sending me such eager learners!!!
The children are allowed to wear their Ray spirit shirts tomorrow but with the uniform bottoms. Also, I have informed the children that if the Rays do win tonight, that there will be no written homework, but obviously there are study type responsibilities.
I know the children are excited about not having school on Thursday. And to top it off... the Rays are in town!!! I have told the children that if the Rays win tonight, they will not have any written work for homework on Tuesday night. They are also allowed to wear their Rays shirts but with uniform bottoms to school on Tuesday as well. Go Rays!
We are continuing our study of simple machines. The simple machine creations are due this Friday. They are to make sure they have followed the directions of the project. Included with their creation should be a written portion on loose leaf that explains the following:
1) Statement of the problem ( what kind of work is made easier by this simple machine)
2) How the problem was solved ( steps on how the simple machine was created)
3) Conclusion ( does the machine work and how does it function to make the work easier)
I told the children that the creation should be no bigger than a shoe box.
As with every week, we have a new list of spelling words. However, this week I am giving the dictation to them ahead of time. They will write these sentences into their notebooks tomorrow morning. The sentences are to be reviewed each night. You may want the children to practice writing these sentences on loose leaf paper prior to the test on Friday. They are as follows:
1) Isn't it awful that they put garbage in the bushes?
2) I don't see who's going to take care of the children.
3) You've got to stretch your legs before you play in the game.
4) They've matched the bows to the costumes.
We are completing our Math unit. Tonight the children are to complete pages 48 and 49 as a review. We will review all skills and complete a practice test tomorrow. The Unit 2 Math test will be on Wednesday.
We are continuing our study of Simple Machines this week and should be winding up our project in the computer lab. I am going to give the children time in class to make flash cards using the key words for simple machines with definitions included. I will ask the children to bring the flash cards home to study. They will have a quiz on these words on Friday.
Today they are bringing home a VERY important letter about Fall Festival. There are several forms that require reading and signing. I have explained to the children that is VERY important that they have a plan for dismissal on that day and they will have to stay with me if they do not bring back the form filled out and signed by you. Believe me, that is not a wonderful consequence for them on a day like Fall Festival. Smiles!!! I was joking, but they got the message!
I look forward to meeting with you all on Thursday. I will focus on work and study habits, relationships with classmates and certain subject areas that may need additional support. Thank you for sending me such eager learners!!!
The children are allowed to wear their Ray spirit shirts tomorrow but with the uniform bottoms. Also, I have informed the children that if the Rays do win tonight, that there will be no written homework, but obviously there are study type responsibilities.
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