This week we will be finishing our personal narratives in Writer's Workshop. After the children finish their final corrections, they will choose how they wish to format their stories and then publish them. While the students have been waiting for their papers to be typed, they have started new stories. This time they are writing pure fiction, which makes for very entertaining reading.
Next quarter in Reading, we will focus on reading comprehension skills once again. It is nice that we are able to have three reading teachers, Mrs. Stock, Mrs. A (a teacher/tutor from Columbus City Schools) and myself three days a week (M, Tu, W). This way we are able to divide the class up and have more focused time on small group work. The children will receive a packet of homework from their reading group. It will go home on Wednesday and will need to be returned the following Wednesday. It will contain three days' worth of review assignments.
There will be no spelling list this week due to the short week and the fact that we are still doing our review work in vocabulary. Next quarter, the spelling lists will be changed to words that are phonetically similar in order to reinforce phonics skills. Homework related to these words will continue to be sent home on Tuesdays. Vocabulary words will still be taken from the green level vocabulary books we currently use.
After completing our first chapter in Social Studies, we will be finishing up a book on Rosa Parks before starting our new science chapter. The social studies tests will be sent home after everyone has completed the test. The special project we started will be put on hold until we return to chapter two after our science chapter is completed.
In Math, we will be working from the format set out in the the Buckle Down Math series. We will still continue to use some pages from the Home Links workbook, but they may be taken out of order. Additional math homework from other resources may be sent home as well. The children are working hard to earn an ice cream sundae by learning all of their math facts to 9. In order to pass from one level to the next and earn a part of their sundae, they must be able to say each fact within two seconds of seeing it. Right now they have been tested on X2. Those still needing to earn their sundae "bowl" will be retested as they are ready. Last week we focused on learning the multiples of 3 and this week will memorize the X3 facts. Your child will be making flashcards as part of tomorrow night's homework and are expected to have them memorized by Friday. Please help your child review daily as once they fall behind, it will be difficult for them to catch up.
You should have seen a green slip come home offering an opportunity to sign your child up for "Highlights for Children" magazine. It is important that you return the signed slip to school regardless of whether or not you decide to purchase this for your child. By returning the signed slip, you will help our class earn a nice free gift that will be very useful in the classroom. Thanks for your help with this.
A belated "thank you" to all who donated money during Hanukah in my name. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Also, thanks to those who were able to type up his/her child's narrative. I know it meant a lot to the children and it was a huge help to me as well.
Have a great week!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
S.S.
We did not have a chance to go over the review pages in class. If you have any questions please email me. Thanks!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Social Studies Link
If you are unable to access the link and would like an additional copy of the review page for social studies, please email me.
News from the Week of 1/3
This week and next, we will be finishing our personal narratives in Writer's Workshop. As soon as everyone has revised with a teacher and made appropriate changes, I will be sending papers (anonymously) to volunteers to type up. (If you would like to type up your child's story, please let me know.) Then a teacher will proofread, the children will make their final edits, and then they will publish their stories. The children are very excited to have their first stories almost finished and are eager to share them.
In Math, we reviewed the partial sums method of additions as well as the traditional method. Your child can choose whatever method is easiest for him/her. We also reviewed subtraction using the trade first method (borrowing). The test for math is on Thursday. The review packet went home before break. If you need another copy, please let me know. If your child can do every problem on the review packet accurately, he/she should have no problem on the test. Also, your child will be working on multiples of three this week. Please be sure they practice saying them every day.
We are currently reviewing the last 4 chapters in our Vocabulary Workbook. Because we have two other tests this week, we will not be having a spelling test. Please use this time to review math and social studies.
In Social Studies this week, we finished reading Lesson 4 and learned about identifying different ways to learn about the community and the steps one takes to interview others and to write to or visit places. Please make sure your child completes all the homework from last week and this week. This will help him/her prepare for the test. Your child should have brought home a blue S.S. review sheet before the break as well as some unfinished review pages on Friday. Your child can complete these review pages at home. We will be going over the answers in class on Monday. The test will be on Tuesday. Following is a link to the review page:
Communites Around Us Unit 1
Have a great week!
In Math, we reviewed the partial sums method of additions as well as the traditional method. Your child can choose whatever method is easiest for him/her. We also reviewed subtraction using the trade first method (borrowing). The test for math is on Thursday. The review packet went home before break. If you need another copy, please let me know. If your child can do every problem on the review packet accurately, he/she should have no problem on the test. Also, your child will be working on multiples of three this week. Please be sure they practice saying them every day.
We are currently reviewing the last 4 chapters in our Vocabulary Workbook. Because we have two other tests this week, we will not be having a spelling test. Please use this time to review math and social studies.
In Social Studies this week, we finished reading Lesson 4 and learned about identifying different ways to learn about the community and the steps one takes to interview others and to write to or visit places. Please make sure your child completes all the homework from last week and this week. This will help him/her prepare for the test. Your child should have brought home a blue S.S. review sheet before the break as well as some unfinished review pages on Friday. Your child can complete these review pages at home. We will be going over the answers in class on Monday. The test will be on Tuesday. Following is a link to the review page:
Communites Around Us Unit 1
Have a great week!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
News from the Week of 12/12
This week in Writer's Workshop, we learned about revising our stories to make them even better. The children practiced reading their stories aloud, listening for ways to improve their writing. They will continue reading their stories to other children and a teacher to get additional feedback.
In Math we learned how to add two and three digit numbers using partial sums addition this week. After learning several different methods to add larger numbers, your child will choose the way that he/she likes best to solve these types of problems. The Chapter 2 review study packet is going home this week. This is to be completed at home to review for the test which will take place after winter break.
This week in English, we will be focusing on listening and following directions. Now that we are well into the school year, the children need to take on increased responsibility in learning to read and follow directions. They also need to strengthen their inner control mechanisms so that they may listen in order to collect information and think logically. Practice with completing multi-step directions at home will help reinforce these skills.
In Social Studies this week, we reviewed using a compass rose and practiced using a map scale. We have also started our Communities Project in which the children work together in small groups to create a make-believe community. They have to incorporate certain elements into the development of their communities that we have been studying in class. Review pages for Chapter 1 went home on Friday and additional ones will be sent home as we complete them. Please use these to study for the test which will take place the second week after we return from break.
Have a great short week and enjoy winter break!
In Math we learned how to add two and three digit numbers using partial sums addition this week. After learning several different methods to add larger numbers, your child will choose the way that he/she likes best to solve these types of problems. The Chapter 2 review study packet is going home this week. This is to be completed at home to review for the test which will take place after winter break.
This week in English, we will be focusing on listening and following directions. Now that we are well into the school year, the children need to take on increased responsibility in learning to read and follow directions. They also need to strengthen their inner control mechanisms so that they may listen in order to collect information and think logically. Practice with completing multi-step directions at home will help reinforce these skills.
In Social Studies this week, we reviewed using a compass rose and practiced using a map scale. We have also started our Communities Project in which the children work together in small groups to create a make-believe community. They have to incorporate certain elements into the development of their communities that we have been studying in class. Review pages for Chapter 1 went home on Friday and additional ones will be sent home as we complete them. Please use these to study for the test which will take place the second week after we return from break.
Have a great short week and enjoy winter break!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
News from the Week of 12/5
In Writer's Workshop last week we added the element of Author's Chair. Three randomly drawn students shared their stories with the class and received positive comments, ideas and questions about their work. This is a very coveted opportunity in which all students will eventually partake. We also learned about more pre-writing organizational strategies and story leads. This week we will learn about revising our stories to make them even better.
In Math we have been working on more story problems. This week will we start multiplication. Please help your child review the multiples of the week until they are memorized. A multiple review strip will go home on Monday. This will greatly assist your child the following week when we will memorize the corresponding multiplication facts. This will be in lieu of Mad Minutes.
English review homework was sent home Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Do receive the most benefits before the test, please have your child complete this work by Tuesday. Please review it as well, since they receive review work on areas in which they have not yet demonstrated mastery. The English test covering all of Chapter 2, Nouns, will be on Thursday.
This week's vocabulary and spelling list will come from Chapter 1 of our Social Studies text. Words and flashcards will be sent home on Monday. Memorizing the definitions of the words will help your child review for the Social Studies test the following week. We are also working on a review packet in class that will be sent home to study from.
Please make sure you send back any library books by Wednesday of this week. Our next library time is scheduled for this Thursday, December 15.
Have a great week!
In Math we have been working on more story problems. This week will we start multiplication. Please help your child review the multiples of the week until they are memorized. A multiple review strip will go home on Monday. This will greatly assist your child the following week when we will memorize the corresponding multiplication facts. This will be in lieu of Mad Minutes.
English review homework was sent home Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Do receive the most benefits before the test, please have your child complete this work by Tuesday. Please review it as well, since they receive review work on areas in which they have not yet demonstrated mastery. The English test covering all of Chapter 2, Nouns, will be on Thursday.
This week's vocabulary and spelling list will come from Chapter 1 of our Social Studies text. Words and flashcards will be sent home on Monday. Memorizing the definitions of the words will help your child review for the Social Studies test the following week. We are also working on a review packet in class that will be sent home to study from.
Please make sure you send back any library books by Wednesday of this week. Our next library time is scheduled for this Thursday, December 15.
Have a great week!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
News from the Week of 11/28
The kids worked hard for the Thanksgiving Show and did a terrific job! I hope you all had a chance to rest, relax and enjoy Thanksgiving. The clothespin pilgrims turned out wonderful and we enjoyed seeing and hearing about them. Thanks for supporting your child with this project.
Writer's Workshop is well under way and most of the students are busily working on a personal narrative. We are still exploring the writing process and focused on story ideas and organizing our writing. This week we will continue working on stories and learn more about how to make our first drafts even better.
In Math we have been learning about generalizing rules with the input output table. You put in a number, change it according to the rule (i.e. + 10) and then have a new number come out. We also started word problems using a part, part, total table. This method helps the children think through what to do with the numbers they are presented with in a story problem. The next math test will take place the first week after winter break. Any math workbook page that comes home stamped "Review this side for test" should be kept and reviewed periodically until the test.
We are continuing to work with nouns in English. The children were introduced to possessive nouns this week. This is a difficult concept for them to grasp and they tend to use apostrophes a bit too liberally at first. There will be a test covering Unit 2 Nouns on Thursday, December 15. Review work will be sent home prior to the test according to your child's needs.
Please make sure you send back any overdue library books. Our next library time is scheduled for December 15. The children should bring their books back by December 14. Thanks!
Have a great week!
Writer's Workshop is well under way and most of the students are busily working on a personal narrative. We are still exploring the writing process and focused on story ideas and organizing our writing. This week we will continue working on stories and learn more about how to make our first drafts even better.
In Math we have been learning about generalizing rules with the input output table. You put in a number, change it according to the rule (i.e. + 10) and then have a new number come out. We also started word problems using a part, part, total table. This method helps the children think through what to do with the numbers they are presented with in a story problem. The next math test will take place the first week after winter break. Any math workbook page that comes home stamped "Review this side for test" should be kept and reviewed periodically until the test.
We are continuing to work with nouns in English. The children were introduced to possessive nouns this week. This is a difficult concept for them to grasp and they tend to use apostrophes a bit too liberally at first. There will be a test covering Unit 2 Nouns on Thursday, December 15. Review work will be sent home prior to the test according to your child's needs.
Please make sure you send back any overdue library books. Our next library time is scheduled for December 15. The children should bring their books back by December 14. Thanks!
Have a great week!
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