What's happening in our lives!
8/27/07 In Reading we are learning all about animals. We are studying how they are grouped and classified. We have learned about adjectives and when you need to use a capital letter. This week we will learn about antonyms and types of sentences. We are also studying animals in Science. We are making an "Animal Alphabet Book" that we can read too. In Phonics we are continuing to review all of our vowels and consenants. We are also practicing our handwriting as we will do a lot of writing this year. In Math we are learning about graphing, right/left, least/most, and reviewing all of our numbers and how they are written.
Independent Studies: Accelerated Math is begun once the basic three math packets are completed. Your child is working very hard on his/her math packets so that he/she can begin this independent practice. Some of the students have also begun S.R.A. which is an independent reading program that focuses on comprehension and all aspects of reading.
10/1/07 Congratulations to all of my students who are studying hard for Spelling, Sight Word Tests, and Fact Tests. The children are enjoying taking math fact tests and everyone is doing well! Almost everyday in Math we will be taking a fact test. The test is timed. Right now we are allowing 4 minutes to complete a fact test of 20 problems. Every child is easily completing the test in under 3 minutes. Super! The first fact test is always guided practice. Your child will come home with the paper that day. This is your study guide. If you like you can make up practice sheets or fact cards. I remember practicing math facts and spelling words in the car as I took my children to school. Good luck!
We also are working hard on our Land of Enchantment Book. This book will be a keepsake and is a great way to learn facts about New Mexico.
In Phonics the coding of words is becoming more difficult. We will be slowing down and taking a couple of days to complete some of the lessons. Phonics is a lot to grasp and everyone is trying their best.
In reading we are continuing with whole group instruction and with Literacy Centers. Literacy Centers allow me to have time to read with a small group of children at one time and for students to complete independent work. Beginning this past week a leveled reading book is coming home in a ziplock bag. Please have your child read this to you each night. This should be part of their 20 minutes of reading. When you, the parent, feels they can read it fluently(as the spoken work and with expression), please initial the reading log and return it to school. I will then give your child another book. This is a prelude to our Accelerated Reading Program and will help them in the area of fluency. Asking them questions about the story will also help them in the area of comprehension. In Accelerated Reading they will take a comprehension test on the computer after they have read the book. Accelerated Reading will begin right after Thanksgiving.
10/15 We have had a great couple of weeks writing about the balloons and the Pumpkin Patch. Please check out our hallway display of balloons and descriptive wriiting. Next week we will begin our "Fall Scarecrow" project. The children seem to be enjoying the books that are coming home to read. Please work with them on fluency(expression) and comprehension. It is always easy to ask them who the story is about, what the story is about, where the story takes place, when the story takes place, and why some event happens in the story. In Social Studies we are beginning the 2nd half of "The Land of Enchantment" and will be working on all of our state symbols. Everyone is doing a fantastic job!
11/4 November is here and so enters the holiday season. Before you know it, we will be on Christmas Break. This past month we have been busy writing creative stories about being a scarecrow. These stories are now posted in the hallway outside of our room. We have also been working on "What I Want to Be When I Grow Up." I hope you can join us Friday, November 9th at 8:45 a.m. for "Career Day." Please have your child dress his/her part for their presentation. On November 15th, Thursday, we will go on our second field trip. First we will go to Dion's restaurant from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and then we will to a firestation. Please watch for a permission slip and information to come home this week. Your child will learn what it takes to work in a restaurant, own a restaurant and be a firefighter. This will end our unit on Communities.
We have also begun a unit on "Weather" in both reading and in Science. We will study "The First Thanksgiving" and how it relates to us now.
Thank you for all of your help and support at home. I have the best parents!
1/21 I am sorry I have not written on the student page in a long time. Sometimes I am unable to add information as the web site is very slow and does not let me. Getting the spelling words, sentences, and sight words on is all I have been able to do.
Today is Martin Luther King day and we have studied about his legacy, Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. Our "I have a dream day" was a lot of fun and we learned a lot about racism. Please check out our Peace Train and mobiles in the hallway. In Reading we are studying about taking a journey. Social Studies has been integrated into this through the study of maps. On Thursday we are having a speaker from the Atomic Museum and will learn about energy and magnets. On Monday, January 28th we will celebrate the 100th day of school. Watch for a handout about this very fun day to come home this week. We are also very lucky to have Marie Brown(Naakii's mom) to instruct our class about families. This study is brought about by Junior Achievement. Mrs.Brown will teach our class over a time span of 5-30 minute sessions. In Math we are learning about money and how to buy pretend groceries from our classroom store. The children named the store, "ClassMart. A wonderful way to practice with money is to carry a bag of change to the grocery store and have your child pretend to buy one or two items.
