Wednesday, September 9, 2015

September 8-11, 2015

READING
We have started to learn about the procedures of reading workshop.   Reading brings joy to our lives and in order to become strong readers we need to practice every day. Whether we are using the classroom library or the school library, we have discussed how to choose a "good-fit" or "just right book".  These are the books that have only a few unknown words in each page and we can read with fluency and ease. As we teach comprehension and thinking skills, it is also important that we can understand the book we are reading. 

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S READING AT HOME?
Please make sure your child has access to a variety of "just right books" at all times. Public libraries offer a great selection of leveled readers as well as easy-to-read chapter books.
Make the reading time a special time where you and your child can sit together comfortably.
 Pick a time in the day that you know your child is not too tired to read. Maybe your child likes to read after school, or before bedtime.  You know when it is the best time.  Sit beside your child, turn off the TV and have your child read to you.  If your child is stuck on a word, read the word to your child quickly so she/he won't lose the flow.  It is also important that you read to your child every night.  Children need to hear the fluent reading with expression from a parent.  Do a picture walk together before reading.  As you read, stop periodically and see if your child has understood the story so far.  Read together, laugh together and make this special time, as joyful as possible!

WRITING
In writing, we will learn about two skills: One is the importance of illustrations in our stories and how to make our illustrations match our words. We will look at many different picture books and discuss how illustrations can enhance a story. The other skill is to say the words slowly (stretch the words), listening for the sounds, and writing down all the corresponding letters. Your child will have independent writing time where he/she will be conferencing with me and working on what has been taught so far.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING AT HOME?
Provide a writing journal at home.
 Your child can decorate the front cover however she or he likes to.  Have your child think of a memory, a place that they have been before, a time they could remember, an activity that they did.  Something true that they have experienced.  It could be just a short ride in the car to HEB, when you both saw a deer on the street!
Have your child draw a picture of that memory first, and then add words to write about it.
 When writing, remind your child to start the sentences with capital letters, put one finger space between the words, and end their sentences with a period or exclamation mark. Show excitement, encourage and celebrate every attempt! Share their writing with family members and friends! Let them see that they are real writers!

MATH
We will work on grouping items such as cubes and beans in groups of 10.
 With any given number, we will discuss how many groups of 10 we can make and how many items are leftover (meaning they are less than ten and can't be grouped as 10). While working with groups of tens and ones (the leftovers), we will discuss the placement of digits in numbers and how each digit has a different value based on its place in a number. We will compare the teen numbers and apply our knowledge in problem solving activities.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING AT HOME?
Provide some counters such as beans,
 macaronis, pennies, buttons, or anything in that order for your child and have them count the items.  Your child will probably start counting by ones first.  Some children may count by 2's.  After that have your child record the number on a paper.  Let's say, your child counted 14 beans.  Ask your child, how many groups of 10 can you make with these beans? How many left overs do you have? let your child see that there is one group of 10 and 4 left over.  Ask: Is 14 greater than 13 or less? Show how you can take off one bean and now there are 13 beans.  So 13 is less than 14.  Practice with different numbers and counters and make this as fun as possible.

SCIENCE
This week, we will learn how we use our five senses to explore the world around us. We will also learn about some tools in science that could help us to extend and protect our senses such as hand lenses, goggles, stethoscopes, ear plugs, masks, and gloves.

SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies we will learn about the leaders and authority figures in our community of school, city, state and country.
 We will learn about the important jobs of our principal, mayor, governor and president.

THANK YOU!
Thank you for stuffing the folders and being willing to help in the classroom or outside the classroom.  Your helping hands and hearts are greatly appreciated!  Most importantly, thank you for supporting your child's learning at home.  Your child's success and education is a result of us working together! So thank you for being a partner in your child's learning!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
*Tuesday folders come home.
 Please sign and return the folders the next day.
*Agendas:  Please initial the behavior calendar and send it back every day.
*Snack:  Please send a healthy snack with your child every day.
*PE:  Group A will have PE on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
       Group B will have PE on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
          *Please make sure your child wears Tennis shoes on those days*
          *You can see what group your child is in on the right side of this blog*
*Library will begin next Tuesday, September 15.  Please have your child bring their library books back that day.  We won’t have library again until September 29!

DATES TO REMEMBER:
Sept 14:  Open House 6:30-7:00
Sept 23:  Early Release @ 12:45
Sept 29:  School Pictures
               Library Day
Oct 6:  Library Day
Oct 7:  International walk/bike to school day
Oct 12:  Columbus Day- No School
Oct 13:  Library Day
Oct 15:  Science Night
Oct 24:  Harvest Festival
Oct 27:  Library Day
Oct 28:  Early Release @ 12:45

             Skate Night

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