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!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
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!