We are off to a great week! We have a several projects that we are completing this week. The children will complete the Simple Machines work in Computer Lab and make posters that we will display in the classroom. The children should be working each night on the Geography Project. I am hopeful that all they have left to do this week is create a cover.
This week we have our first Guidance Class. The children always love this time learning about ways to respect and have fun with their friends. This year, the teacher, Kate Fierce, will come visit our classroom since she does not have her own classroom. Our guidance time will be every other week when we do not have a library lesson. I know the children are excited and they are going to love it!
This week in Spelling we are studying words that contains a Diphthong syllable. That is how the list of words are labeled in Spelling City. The rule for a Diphthong syllable is: A diphthong syllable usually has two vowels together that have one special sound. The children are to put the words in alphabetical order tonight on the sheet provided. I will be sending a spelling contract home tomorrow where the children are expected to earn/complete activities that equal or greater than 50 points. Tonight's abc order is worth 10 points. I will go over this contract full of activities with them tomorrow so they can continue the work on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. Hopefully by the time they have completed a few activities, they will not have to study as hard for the test on Friday. This week they will be asked to write the rule as a part of dictation. They will also have a couple of sentences to write that contain a few of the spelling words both from this week and past weeks.
We are moving along with lower case cursive letters. Tonight they are practicing all the lower case letters that we have worked on in class. The homework states that they are to complete page 38 in the workbook. They are to write each letter 5 times and each combination of letters at the bottom only once. Please make sure when they are practicing at home, that they are sitting properly in a chair with the workbook on a table or desk an not in their lap.
The children have a reading comprehension activity that is due on Friday as well called the Golden Touch. It's a great story about what happens when one makes decisions based on greed. We reviewed what the objective was for this week. The children are to write their own definition or sentence that explains what the vocabulary words means as a result of reading the word in the story using their context clues. They are not to look the word up in the dictionary.
We are continuing our word work with our Lesson 2 Wordly Wise words. The story that goes along with our vocabulary words is about the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque. I believe that if you Google Search this event, you will find a video of some of the balloons going up. Amazing sight!!!
The children also have some map work for tonight's homework. I will often just have them do these activities in class. However, I am sending home a couple of the easier ones so that they can have some practice in following directions on their own. You may want to take a peek when your child is finished and check for spelling and completion of answers which includes that challenge portion of the map.
We are continuing with our study of Florida. We have completed our reading and discussion of the economy and the environment. Today we discussed the importance of the Coral Reefs. You may want to ask your child how long it takes a coral polyp to grow. No wonder there are so many rules for snorkeling at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Tonight the children are to identify certain aspects of the state of Florida. We began the work in class and so they shouldn't have much to complete. I did allow them to take their Florida books home. Please make sure that these books are returned tomorrow. Your child will need that book to continue our scavenger hunt.
In Science, we will learn about variables in an experiment by using a variety of balls according to size and bounce. I have some experiments ready to come home for the children to try that revolve around water and sunlight. They will be expected to complete two of the four. If they choose to go "beyond the call of duty" then they can do more for extra credit.
We have completed Muggie Maggie. Tomorrow our reading work will focus on the main events and character traits. The children will be put into groups and they will have time to create a mind map of all the information they wish to share about the story. They will be working with other classmates so they will all have to contribute. This is an excellent strategy as all the children will benefit from the details that each child can remember. They will be expected to incorporate some of the vocabulary that they have learned by reading this book. We are moving onto Charlotte's Web. I know that they have had this book read to them in first grade and then probably have read this book independently as well. However, the activities that are designed around this book are for third grade minds and will require a little more inferencing and writing. At some point, we will work together with the first graders and complete a project using the Charlotte's Web book. I will make sure that I take lots of pictures to share with you. It is so heart warming to see the third graders and the first graders working together.
In Writer's Workshop, we are publishing our first reflection using Muggie Maggie as our spring board. They had to compare the story to a time when they themselves had to do something that they really didn't want to do, but were made to. These will be out in the hallways tomorrow and you will get to see them at conference time. We are also beginning our personal narratives where the children will be asked to reflect on special moments in their lives.
We are beginning our work in Unit 2 in Math. In this unit, the children will be adding and subtracting whole numbers using basic facts and fact extensions. We will review fact families, What's My Rule, and Parts-and-Total Number Stories. These Parts-and-Total Number is a strategy to help organize information for a word problem. We will even begin our work with Partial-Sums and Subtraction Algorithms. The children will be adding and subtracting large numbers. The Family Letter will be coming tomorrow. You will want to take a look at what your child will be expected to learn.
I decided not to send papers home today. I wanted to go ahead and grade the math test that they took today and send all the papers home at one time. There are quite a few. Please make sure your child looks over them carefully at home so that they can learn from their mistakes.
Please make sure that your child is reading at least 15-20 minutes each night. By the end of this week they should work up to 25 minutes. I am using a time log in school. My hope is that they will become more aware of exactly how much time they are truly focused on their reading. We are continuing to work on choosing "Just Right" books at school. At home, they should be reading books that are easy for them to read. The children should not be struggling with vocabulary. If you are unsure, you can have your child read a page orally to you. If they struggle with more then 3 words on a page, do not read smoothly or without expression, and if they can't tell you one thing they remember from that page, then perhaps the book is "Not Right".
The children did a lovely job with their Peace Rock. I am going to be taking some pictures tomorrow and I promise I will get these pictures on the blog soon.
Please continue to send in Box Tops!!!
Thank you again for your support at home. Have a wonderful week!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Terrific Tuesday!
We have gotten off to a great week! We will be much more on our schedule this week given that last week was our first full week of school. I think the children and the teachers needed some 5-day training. Smiles!
First, let me apologize for the Geography Project Blunder. I had posted that a project would be coming home and even posted the date it was due. However, time always seemed to run out the last couple of weeks and I couldn't find enough time to do the project justice. I don't like to assign things unless we have had some time to review and make connections in class. I did tell the children to let you know that we would still do the project but that it would come home later in the month. You will see the project sheet this week.
This week in Spelling we are continuing our work on silent e and words that have a short and long vowel sound. I am challenging the children to find other words that completely change their sound and meaning simply by adding an e. You will find the list of words this week to the right of the blog.
We have a couple more lessons to complete in Math. Thus I will not be giving the Math test until Friday. We will spend Thursday's math time reviewing and making sure that the children have plenty of time to ask questions. We have had a little difficulty with numbers in patterns. But with further practice, I believe the skill is getting easier. Please continue to review basic addition and subtraction facts at home.
We have completed our Peace poems and illustrations in preparation for Peace Day on Friday. I made a copy of the poems without the illustrations so that you can see what your child accomplished and what is being displayed here at school. The illustrated versions will come home at some point for you to cherish. They are wonderful! We will also decorate our Peace rocks that will be used in our Shorecrest Rock Garden. We are also writing stories of us which will be displayed in the hallway so that you can see and read them on conference day.
I have been completing some reading assessments during our day as well. I will share this information with you on conference day. This will help guide both of us in helping your child choose "just right " books for independent reading. We are working on a new reading log in class. It asks the child to keep track of not only the number of pages but the time as well. As I explained to the children, this is for them to see their own growth and how well that are able to maintain their reading focus during our independent reading time. Hopefully this will help with the home reading as well.
We are continuing reading our class novel, Muggie Maggie. This character has really gotten herself into a little trouble with her indignant attitude about learning how to write and thus read cursive. Our main skill while reading this book has been to find specific details including specific vocabulary words in order to fully comprehend what we are reading. On Tuesday night, the children will have a homework assignment which will require just that. Please know that the children are to respond to the questions in complete sentences. I will review the first couple of questions with them so that you will have an example at home in case you need to help them.
Also in Reading Workshop, we are learning how to "buzz" about a book. This is an excellent way to share books with other children in the room and make recommendations of good books to read.
We have begun our first steps with lower case cursive writing. We began with letters that have an "uphill stroke". These letters include: l, h, k, t, i, u,e, j, and p.
We will begin Lesson 2 in Wordly Wise. These words include: attract, attractive, attraction, crew, dangle, drift, event, launch, opposite, reverse, signal, steer.
We have completed our introduction to the History of Us book. We will now become the experts on the History of Florida. We will study the geography and its economy and people, past and present. The children have booklet that they have designed which will keep all the information that we learn and study organized. There may be an activity or two that may come home. However, most of our work will be completed in the classroom in groups and individually.
This children produced their first flow chart using the Scientific Method information that they have learned. I was so impressed. I have saved a copy to place in their Science journals, but am sending home a copy for you to see as well. You can expect to see a science experiment activity coming home this week as well. They will then have to put to use some of the procedures that they learned about the the Scientific Method.
We are continuing our work on Simple Machines in the computer lab this week and in the classroom. This week, the children will be using digital cameras to take pictures of simple machines that we find around our Shorecrest campus. They will then design a poster, all computer generated, that displays what they have found and learned. We should have these ready to be displayed by conference time as well . You will be amazed!
Please remember that when you child comes home with the weekly reading comprehension activity, that you are to listen to them read this passage orally at least once and sign at the bottom of the page.
I want to close by sharing some great personal news. Many of you have been concerned and have been very sweet to inquire and have shared encouraging words. We learned yesterday that my husband received a clean bill of health from his doctor. It looks as if the chemotherapy did it's job and if he can continue down this positive path or two years, then he can be considered "cured" from this form of cancer. Again, thank you to many of you that expressed your concern and care.
First, let me apologize for the Geography Project Blunder. I had posted that a project would be coming home and even posted the date it was due. However, time always seemed to run out the last couple of weeks and I couldn't find enough time to do the project justice. I don't like to assign things unless we have had some time to review and make connections in class. I did tell the children to let you know that we would still do the project but that it would come home later in the month. You will see the project sheet this week.
This week in Spelling we are continuing our work on silent e and words that have a short and long vowel sound. I am challenging the children to find other words that completely change their sound and meaning simply by adding an e. You will find the list of words this week to the right of the blog.
We have a couple more lessons to complete in Math. Thus I will not be giving the Math test until Friday. We will spend Thursday's math time reviewing and making sure that the children have plenty of time to ask questions. We have had a little difficulty with numbers in patterns. But with further practice, I believe the skill is getting easier. Please continue to review basic addition and subtraction facts at home.
We have completed our Peace poems and illustrations in preparation for Peace Day on Friday. I made a copy of the poems without the illustrations so that you can see what your child accomplished and what is being displayed here at school. The illustrated versions will come home at some point for you to cherish. They are wonderful! We will also decorate our Peace rocks that will be used in our Shorecrest Rock Garden. We are also writing stories of us which will be displayed in the hallway so that you can see and read them on conference day.
I have been completing some reading assessments during our day as well. I will share this information with you on conference day. This will help guide both of us in helping your child choose "just right " books for independent reading. We are working on a new reading log in class. It asks the child to keep track of not only the number of pages but the time as well. As I explained to the children, this is for them to see their own growth and how well that are able to maintain their reading focus during our independent reading time. Hopefully this will help with the home reading as well.
We are continuing reading our class novel, Muggie Maggie. This character has really gotten herself into a little trouble with her indignant attitude about learning how to write and thus read cursive. Our main skill while reading this book has been to find specific details including specific vocabulary words in order to fully comprehend what we are reading. On Tuesday night, the children will have a homework assignment which will require just that. Please know that the children are to respond to the questions in complete sentences. I will review the first couple of questions with them so that you will have an example at home in case you need to help them.
Also in Reading Workshop, we are learning how to "buzz" about a book. This is an excellent way to share books with other children in the room and make recommendations of good books to read.
We have begun our first steps with lower case cursive writing. We began with letters that have an "uphill stroke". These letters include: l, h, k, t, i, u,e, j, and p.
We will begin Lesson 2 in Wordly Wise. These words include: attract, attractive, attraction, crew, dangle, drift, event, launch, opposite, reverse, signal, steer.
We have completed our introduction to the History of Us book. We will now become the experts on the History of Florida. We will study the geography and its economy and people, past and present. The children have booklet that they have designed which will keep all the information that we learn and study organized. There may be an activity or two that may come home. However, most of our work will be completed in the classroom in groups and individually.
This children produced their first flow chart using the Scientific Method information that they have learned. I was so impressed. I have saved a copy to place in their Science journals, but am sending home a copy for you to see as well. You can expect to see a science experiment activity coming home this week as well. They will then have to put to use some of the procedures that they learned about the the Scientific Method.
We are continuing our work on Simple Machines in the computer lab this week and in the classroom. This week, the children will be using digital cameras to take pictures of simple machines that we find around our Shorecrest campus. They will then design a poster, all computer generated, that displays what they have found and learned. We should have these ready to be displayed by conference time as well . You will be amazed!
Please remember that when you child comes home with the weekly reading comprehension activity, that you are to listen to them read this passage orally at least once and sign at the bottom of the page.
I want to close by sharing some great personal news. Many of you have been concerned and have been very sweet to inquire and have shared encouraging words. We learned yesterday that my husband received a clean bill of health from his doctor. It looks as if the chemotherapy did it's job and if he can continue down this positive path or two years, then he can be considered "cured" from this form of cancer. Again, thank you to many of you that expressed your concern and care.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Can you believe it's Monday?
Wow! Our first Monday of school! The children were able to get to Music class today. Don't forget to send in the order form for the recorders. Ms. Diaz Leroy wants to make sure that she has enough for all the children.
We ran out of time last week and some topics have been carried over to this week. They will get the Geography project instructions tomorrow and the children can begin as soon as they want to.
Our spelling words this week are Vowel Consonant-e Syllable words. The rules are:
1. the final e is silent
2. the silent e at the end of the word makes the vowel before it have a long sound
Tonight for homework the children are to write the words in abc order on the sheet that with the list of words. The children have written the words and rules in their notebooks and are also allowed to write the words for the week in their agenda.
We began our weekly reading comprehension activity. The title of this week's reading is And You Think Your Mom is Strict. I went over the entire activity today and we talked about how to compare and contrast. They are to give real examples as to the chores that they do at home. They are not allowed to write, the pilgrim children take care of farm animals and I don't.... pilgrim children may take care of farms animals, but your child may take care of dogs and cats..... I did tell the children that they can ask for parental assistance. However, I would encourage you to lead them to the ideas through the reading and let them try and discover the comparison on their own. Don't forget to sign the paper as soon as your child has read it to you.
Also tonight is something new that we do once a week. Sometimes we only do the activity in class.. Sometimes it takes the whole week, and sometimes I send it home for homework as I did tonight. They are to make sure that they are using their paper for correct spellings and to make sure they don't leave out the challenge request.
We have completed the Scientific Method outline and watched a couple of Brainpops that really helped them to further understand what the Scientific Method is and how everyone can use that process for many things. I will be sending home and experiment at some point for the children to try at home, following the process that is outlined in their science journal.
We will continue our Florida study. The children are going on a book scavenger hunt this week to locate specific information that not only will help them learn about their state, but give them practice on how to use a book and main idea and details.
In Math, we will be working on Finding Differences, Calculator Riddles, and Money. We hope to complete our first unit by Friday. We will then review for our test on Monday and the test will be either on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how far we get this week.You can check on this by looking at your child's agenda.
Our class novel, Muggie Maggie, will lead us to some interesting conversations about cursive handwriting. We will begin our instruction of cursive strokes this week.
The children will have their first Wordly Wise test on Friday. I will have them bring home their index cards and workbooks to help them practice matching the definitions and words.
Tomorrow we will begin our Poetry Unit. The goal is to have each child write and publish two pieces of poetry. One piece will be about Peace and the other will be about something special to them. You are going to love these poems!!!!
Please make sure that you sign the paper envelope that is coming home tonight. As time goes on, there will be more papers to come home and more to review. Thank you in advance for your support!
Tomorrow is picture day! Smile pretty!!
We ran out of time last week and some topics have been carried over to this week. They will get the Geography project instructions tomorrow and the children can begin as soon as they want to.
Our spelling words this week are Vowel Consonant-e Syllable words. The rules are:
1. the final e is silent
2. the silent e at the end of the word makes the vowel before it have a long sound
Tonight for homework the children are to write the words in abc order on the sheet that with the list of words. The children have written the words and rules in their notebooks and are also allowed to write the words for the week in their agenda.
We began our weekly reading comprehension activity. The title of this week's reading is And You Think Your Mom is Strict. I went over the entire activity today and we talked about how to compare and contrast. They are to give real examples as to the chores that they do at home. They are not allowed to write, the pilgrim children take care of farm animals and I don't.... pilgrim children may take care of farms animals, but your child may take care of dogs and cats..... I did tell the children that they can ask for parental assistance. However, I would encourage you to lead them to the ideas through the reading and let them try and discover the comparison on their own. Don't forget to sign the paper as soon as your child has read it to you.
Also tonight is something new that we do once a week. Sometimes we only do the activity in class.. Sometimes it takes the whole week, and sometimes I send it home for homework as I did tonight. They are to make sure that they are using their paper for correct spellings and to make sure they don't leave out the challenge request.
We have completed the Scientific Method outline and watched a couple of Brainpops that really helped them to further understand what the Scientific Method is and how everyone can use that process for many things. I will be sending home and experiment at some point for the children to try at home, following the process that is outlined in their science journal.
We will continue our Florida study. The children are going on a book scavenger hunt this week to locate specific information that not only will help them learn about their state, but give them practice on how to use a book and main idea and details.
In Math, we will be working on Finding Differences, Calculator Riddles, and Money. We hope to complete our first unit by Friday. We will then review for our test on Monday and the test will be either on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how far we get this week.You can check on this by looking at your child's agenda.
Our class novel, Muggie Maggie, will lead us to some interesting conversations about cursive handwriting. We will begin our instruction of cursive strokes this week.
The children will have their first Wordly Wise test on Friday. I will have them bring home their index cards and workbooks to help them practice matching the definitions and words.
Tomorrow we will begin our Poetry Unit. The goal is to have each child write and publish two pieces of poetry. One piece will be about Peace and the other will be about something special to them. You are going to love these poems!!!!
Please make sure that you sign the paper envelope that is coming home tonight. As time goes on, there will be more papers to come home and more to review. Thank you in advance for your support!
Tomorrow is picture day! Smile pretty!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Happy Tuesday!
We had a very productive day today. Though we are not quite into the rhythm of our schedule, we were able to complete more tasks today than we were last week. In truth, it will probably take another week before we are all settled and comfortable with our daily schedule. This week, we will begin our library class and we hope to begin our guidance classes soon.
I have posted the spelling words on the side of the blog and in Spelling City. If you click on my link within the Spelling City program, it will take you to the lists of words that I have already made. The lists may not go in the same order as last year, but the children should always know the title of the words for the week. Just click on that list and all the words will appear and give you options for games. I told the children to take a peek at Spelling City this week just to get used to some of the games and test the print function before I begin assigning homework. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. This week they have Open Syllable words. There are three rules that apply to this list. I have told the children that for dictation this week, they will have to write at least two of the three rules. They have written these rules in their notebook. But the rules are as follows:
1. An open syllable ends with a vowel
2. The vowel has a long sound
3. An open syllable can be just one letter if that letter is a vowel
From time to time this year, I will give the children a poem to learn. These are poems in addition to the one that they will learn for Poetry in the Park. I find that not only are these poems fun, they help ease the children"s fears of speaking in front of a crowd as well as "train the brain" to remember words and phrases. You will find a poem, Keep a Poem in Your Pocket, in the homework folder tonight. The children will be asked to recite this poem on September 14 in front of their classmates. We will also begin our Poetry Unit in Writing along with preparing our "special moments" personal narrative writing. The children will write a couple of poems. One of the poems that they will publish is a poem about Peace. This topic will connect to our observation of International Peace Day on September 21.We will share out poems with the school on that day by putting them on display. I will make sure that each child has a copy of this poem to bring home to share with you.
This week, I assigned several pages of manuscript practice. In fact, the children will review all the letters of the alphabet both upper and lower case. I told the children that they could manage their own work but that all the circled pages in their workbook needed to be completed by Friday. You may want to ask to see this work. I will not assess it until Friday upon which time if I find that any of the writing has been done in haste, the children will be asked to complete the assignment again.
Both tomorrow and Thursday, the children will attend their Art class. There will probably be a notice coming home, but I would like the children to try and bring in a rock by Thursday to take to Art class with them. The rock should be one that can fit in the palm of their hand and carried with ease. I have not discussed this with them, but will do so tomorrow morning at Morning Meeting.
I do have some graded reading and spelling papers that I will return to you as soon as I can set up my grade book. Once the papers do come home, please have your child look over them paying close attention to any mistakes that are made. As I tell the children, mistakes are good if they learn something from them.
This week in Math, we will work on equivalent names, discuss probability, and finding differences with larger numbers. We worked on math boxes today in class. Something that I forgot to mention at Back to School Night are the math box pages in the workbook. The directions on these pages are sparse if not from time to time non-existent. This is intentional and a very good way to assess what your child has learned from the lesson that day. I want to assure you that if and when these math box pages are assigned for homework, that I will review the activities with the children and allow time for questions before the assignment ever comes home. I know that some of you are familiar with the routines and expectations of our Everyday Math program. But I realize that at times it is difficult for you to know exactly how it is taught at school. I will do my best to eliminate any confusion or anxiety for you and your child. I would also encourage the children to go ahead and either find some multiplication flash cards or make some themselves. We do not get into the formal teaching of this concept for a while, but it always helps to have some background knowledge of these basic facts.
We will begin our Scientific Knowledge work this week. I will be sending home an activity that asks the children to form their own hypothesis about a few topics. They don't actually have to do the experiment unless they want to. But, they should be able to write an hypothesis once we have practiced in class. As I mentioned at Back to School Night, the children will keep a Science journal that will stay in class. You can request to see this during our conference if you so desire.
This week I will be reviewing our first third grade project on Landforms. I have all the expectations detailed in a project letter that will come home. Giving the fact that it's the first project of the year, I have outlined some of my expectations and objectives, but have also given the children some choices to make on their own. Again, once you see it and have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. But please know that I will review this at length with your child so there really should not be any reason your child cannot explain it to your satisfaction.
We have completed our first Class Novel. As a class, we came to the conclusion that if everyone were perfect, than the world would be boring. And that if we were all perfect at everything, that we would miss out on friendships formed by helping each other strive to be better. We will compose another response in our response journal this week and then move on to our next novel, Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary. The main character of this book, decides that she does not want to learn cursive handwriting. This is an appropriate book giving the fact that we will begin cursive handwriting next week. Let's just hope we don't have any "Muggie Maggies" in our room. Smiles! we will spend some time on character development and outlining the basics to a story in identifying the beginning, the middle, and the end.
I have been very impressed with the children's grammar abilities. We review certain skills such as capitalization, punctuation, and commas where they are needed. I look forward to learning more about your child once we are in full swing of Writer's Workshop. We did take some time last week for the children to repsond to some questions on both reading and writing. These surveys gave me some insight as to the perceptions that your child has about his or her ability in both areas. They all seem to love to read and write, but are less confident in their ability as a whole. This is where I will begin my work! I am sure it is of no surprise to you when I say that children are so much more accepting to learn when they are comfortable and are confident. And though I don't want to give them false praise, I do want them to receive as much positive feedback as possible. When you are working with your child at home, please try and compliment on even the smallest of things such as expression, pausing at periods and commas, and attempts to sound out a word even if the end result is not the correct pronunciation. Thank you in advance for your support!!!
Tomorrow the children will come home with a Time Capsule Sheet. They will have until Friday to complete the questions. Each child will put his/her sheet in a can and we will keep them safely stored until the end of the year. It will be interesting to see if with another year of learning and maturity how if any their interests will change.
Thank you to all of you that came to Back to School Night. If you were not able to sign up for a conference, please email me as times are limited and I would like to have the schedule in place in order for me to plan ahead of time. Many thanks!
I have posted the spelling words on the side of the blog and in Spelling City. If you click on my link within the Spelling City program, it will take you to the lists of words that I have already made. The lists may not go in the same order as last year, but the children should always know the title of the words for the week. Just click on that list and all the words will appear and give you options for games. I told the children to take a peek at Spelling City this week just to get used to some of the games and test the print function before I begin assigning homework. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. This week they have Open Syllable words. There are three rules that apply to this list. I have told the children that for dictation this week, they will have to write at least two of the three rules. They have written these rules in their notebook. But the rules are as follows:
1. An open syllable ends with a vowel
2. The vowel has a long sound
3. An open syllable can be just one letter if that letter is a vowel
From time to time this year, I will give the children a poem to learn. These are poems in addition to the one that they will learn for Poetry in the Park. I find that not only are these poems fun, they help ease the children"s fears of speaking in front of a crowd as well as "train the brain" to remember words and phrases. You will find a poem, Keep a Poem in Your Pocket, in the homework folder tonight. The children will be asked to recite this poem on September 14 in front of their classmates. We will also begin our Poetry Unit in Writing along with preparing our "special moments" personal narrative writing. The children will write a couple of poems. One of the poems that they will publish is a poem about Peace. This topic will connect to our observation of International Peace Day on September 21.We will share out poems with the school on that day by putting them on display. I will make sure that each child has a copy of this poem to bring home to share with you.
This week, I assigned several pages of manuscript practice. In fact, the children will review all the letters of the alphabet both upper and lower case. I told the children that they could manage their own work but that all the circled pages in their workbook needed to be completed by Friday. You may want to ask to see this work. I will not assess it until Friday upon which time if I find that any of the writing has been done in haste, the children will be asked to complete the assignment again.
Both tomorrow and Thursday, the children will attend their Art class. There will probably be a notice coming home, but I would like the children to try and bring in a rock by Thursday to take to Art class with them. The rock should be one that can fit in the palm of their hand and carried with ease. I have not discussed this with them, but will do so tomorrow morning at Morning Meeting.
I do have some graded reading and spelling papers that I will return to you as soon as I can set up my grade book. Once the papers do come home, please have your child look over them paying close attention to any mistakes that are made. As I tell the children, mistakes are good if they learn something from them.
This week in Math, we will work on equivalent names, discuss probability, and finding differences with larger numbers. We worked on math boxes today in class. Something that I forgot to mention at Back to School Night are the math box pages in the workbook. The directions on these pages are sparse if not from time to time non-existent. This is intentional and a very good way to assess what your child has learned from the lesson that day. I want to assure you that if and when these math box pages are assigned for homework, that I will review the activities with the children and allow time for questions before the assignment ever comes home. I know that some of you are familiar with the routines and expectations of our Everyday Math program. But I realize that at times it is difficult for you to know exactly how it is taught at school. I will do my best to eliminate any confusion or anxiety for you and your child. I would also encourage the children to go ahead and either find some multiplication flash cards or make some themselves. We do not get into the formal teaching of this concept for a while, but it always helps to have some background knowledge of these basic facts.
We will begin our Scientific Knowledge work this week. I will be sending home an activity that asks the children to form their own hypothesis about a few topics. They don't actually have to do the experiment unless they want to. But, they should be able to write an hypothesis once we have practiced in class. As I mentioned at Back to School Night, the children will keep a Science journal that will stay in class. You can request to see this during our conference if you so desire.
This week I will be reviewing our first third grade project on Landforms. I have all the expectations detailed in a project letter that will come home. Giving the fact that it's the first project of the year, I have outlined some of my expectations and objectives, but have also given the children some choices to make on their own. Again, once you see it and have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. But please know that I will review this at length with your child so there really should not be any reason your child cannot explain it to your satisfaction.
We have completed our first Class Novel. As a class, we came to the conclusion that if everyone were perfect, than the world would be boring. And that if we were all perfect at everything, that we would miss out on friendships formed by helping each other strive to be better. We will compose another response in our response journal this week and then move on to our next novel, Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary. The main character of this book, decides that she does not want to learn cursive handwriting. This is an appropriate book giving the fact that we will begin cursive handwriting next week. Let's just hope we don't have any "Muggie Maggies" in our room. Smiles! we will spend some time on character development and outlining the basics to a story in identifying the beginning, the middle, and the end.
I have been very impressed with the children's grammar abilities. We review certain skills such as capitalization, punctuation, and commas where they are needed. I look forward to learning more about your child once we are in full swing of Writer's Workshop. We did take some time last week for the children to repsond to some questions on both reading and writing. These surveys gave me some insight as to the perceptions that your child has about his or her ability in both areas. They all seem to love to read and write, but are less confident in their ability as a whole. This is where I will begin my work! I am sure it is of no surprise to you when I say that children are so much more accepting to learn when they are comfortable and are confident. And though I don't want to give them false praise, I do want them to receive as much positive feedback as possible. When you are working with your child at home, please try and compliment on even the smallest of things such as expression, pausing at periods and commas, and attempts to sound out a word even if the end result is not the correct pronunciation. Thank you in advance for your support!!!
Tomorrow the children will come home with a Time Capsule Sheet. They will have until Friday to complete the questions. Each child will put his/her sheet in a can and we will keep them safely stored until the end of the year. It will be interesting to see if with another year of learning and maturity how if any their interests will change.
Thank you to all of you that came to Back to School Night. If you were not able to sign up for a conference, please email me as times are limited and I would like to have the schedule in place in order for me to plan ahead of time. Many thanks!
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