October 28-November 1, 2013

Math:  This week we will wrap up our unit on Data and Graphing!  Candy math has been so much fun!  Come by and see our class graph!  We learned to sort large amounts of items, collect data using a tally chart, display our data in an organized way and answer questions about our data. 

Next week we will begin our unit on Addition Strategies.  We will teach the students strategies for math facts using a research based philosophy written by an Australian company, Origo.  In RRISD we believe students learn best by using thinking strategies instead of memorizing procedures for computations.  According to James Burnett, Calvin Irons and Allan Turton, the authors of The Book of Facts: Addition, “Research shows that the most effective way for students to learn the basic facts is to arrange the facts into clusters.  Each cluster is based on a thinking strategy that students can use to help them learn all of facts in that cluster (Fuston, 2003; Thornton, 1990).”  We begin our unit by teaching cluster facts that “count on 1” so students master the concept and develop a deeper understanding and thinking strategy.  Students who master the concepts of “count on” strategies will be given enrichment opportunities to develop their thinking further and apply their knowledge to problem solving situations.

Reading Workshop:  This week in Reading Workshop we will focus on different reading strategies surrounded around a "pumpkin".  We will read different books about pumpkins and work do a sequencing, retelling with beginning, middle and end, and writing a different ending to a story!  This is a fun unit!   

Writing Workshop:  As we are are learning about pumpkins this week and becoming more aware of different types of non-fiction writing, we will be practicing writing non-fiction while using sequencing words. We are learning that good writers make sure to write their information on correct order and that sequencing words help us do just that by organizing our thoughts and words in logical order from beginning to end. 

Science:  This week in science we will learn about energy.  Energy is the ability to work. We will learn that Light, heat, and sound are three forms of energy. We will discuss how these forms of energy are important and useful in everyday life. We will also explore how common everyday objects produce light, heat, or sound energy.

Habit #4:  Think Win-Win. 

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday.

*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and homework bag every day.

Dates to remember:

October 30:  Early Release Day

November 2:  Harvest Festival

November 13:  Family Skate Night

November 27-29:  Thanksgiving Holidays

December 4:  Early Release Day

December 5:  Family Art Night

December 9-13:  Book Fair

December 23:  Winter Break Begins

October 21-25, 2013

Math:  Students will collect, sort and organize data in up to three categories as well as draw conclusions, generate and answer questions about the graphs.  They will construct picture graphs, bar-type graphs, and graphs using real objects.  Students will display math concepts using concrete models in problem solving connected to everyday experiences.

Reading Workshop:  This week in reading workshop we will continue our unit with reading and studying nonfiction/expository texts.  So many students are really enjoying this unit and even checking out nonfiction in the library now.  I love the learning that takes place with this unit!  This week our focus will be on reading nonfiction books about bats and using our reading time to research and learn facts that we don’t already know about them.  This unit will extend into writing workshop too.  We will also spend some time on comparing and contrasting fiction vs. nonfiction books on bats.  Take a look in the halls to see our facts about spiders and watch for our bat facts to appear soon!  We are going “batty” over learning about this unit!

Word Study:

Green Group:  Short vowel a- at word families (cat, hat, sat)

Blue Group:  Short vowel e- et, eg, en word families (net, peg, men)

Red Group:  Final /k/ sound spelled -ck, -ke, or -k (sick, spoke, shook)

Writing Workshop:  This week during writer's workshop, we will continue learning about the elements of non-fiction versus fiction. We will be learning all about bats as we practice finding information, taking brief notes, and turning our research into a non-fiction piece of our own.

Social Studies:  This week, we will continue to learn about our National symbols.  We will discuss the vocabulary in the Pledge of Allegiance, and we will learn about the Statue of Liberty and the Bald Eagle.  We will also be creating some wonderful art projects!

Habit #4:  Think Win-Win. 

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday.

*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and homework bag every day.

Dates to remember:

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic

October 30:  Early Release Day

November 2:  Harvest Festival

November 13:  Family Skate Night

November 27-29:  Thanksgiving Holidays

December 4:  Early Release Day

December 5:  Family Art Night

December 9-13:  Book Fair

December 23:  Winter Break Begins

October 21-25, 2013 is Red Ribbon Week!

Monday: “Sock it to Drugs” day – wear crazy or mismatched socks
Tuesday: “Stomp out Drugs” day - wear tennis shoes
Wednesday: “Boot out Drugs” day – wear boots or western wear
Thursday: “Pledge to be Drug Free” day - wear red, white and blue
Friday: “Say BOO to Drugs” day – wear Halloween colors or t-shirt

October 14-18, 2013

Math:   Students will continue to develop their conceptual understanding of the relationships between the numbers 1-10.  Students will practice and develop an understanding of how to compose and decompose numbers 0 – 120 using concrete and pictorial representations. Students will count up and back between 1 and 120.  Students will continue to develop their ability to conceptualize a number as being made up of two or more parts and their understanding of the part-part-whole model and related number relationships. They will also continue to explore, in this unit and throughout the year, a variety of addition/subtraction problem situations including joining, separating, part-part-whole, and comparing, with different unknowns: result/change/start, or part/whole or difference, in order to develop an understanding of the operations of addition and subtraction. Sums and differences are limited to 20. Students will generate a problem solving situation from a given number sentence and use concrete and pictorial models to solve problems using addition and subtraction with whole numbers to 20.

Reading Workshop:  This week in reading workshop we will continue reading and studying nonfiction/expository texts.  This week our focus will be on reading nonfiction books about spiders and using our reading time to research and learn facts that we don’t already know about them.  This unit will extend into writing workshop too.  We will also spend some time on comparing and contrasting fiction vs. nonfiction books on spiders.  This is fun unit and the kids always have fun researching with this unit! J  Be sure to ask your child what they learned this week about spiders!

Word Study:

Green group:  Beginning consonant sounds v, y, z 

Blue group:  Short o vowel sound in op, ot, og word families (hop, hot, hog)

Red group:  Short u vs. Long u in CVCe (shut, drum, cute, tube)

Writing Workshop:  During the next several weeks in Writer’s Workshop, we will be learning how to write expository texts to communicate ideas and information that we are learning.  Our learning this week will focus on bats and begin with KWL charts in which we will write down facts that we already “know”; then write down questions that we “want to know”; and conclude with an informative writing that communicates what we have learned about bats. Please be watching for our work to begin filling the halls this week as our new unit of study unfolds.

Social Studies:  This week, we will be learning about Freedom, Liberty, and various United States symbols.  We will read and write facts about the Liberty Bell, the United States Flag, and our National Anthem.

Habit #4:  Think Win-Win  When learning about this habit, we will learn how we can balance the courage of getting what we want with the consideration of others want.

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday.

*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and homework bag every day.

Dates to remember:

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic

October 30:  Early Release Day

November 2:  Harvest Festival

November 13:  Family Skate Night

November 27-29:  Thanksgiving Holidays

December 4:  Early Release Day

December 5:  Family Art Night

December 9-13:  Book Fair

December 23:  Winter Break Begins

Math:

Students will practice and demonstrate their ability to subitize, or instantly recognize sets of objects (such as dots) in patterned arrangements and to tell how many without counting. Students will continue to develop their conceptual understanding of the relationships between the numbers 1-10 and the anchor numbers of 5 and 10 and will use five-frames and ten-frames in problem solving. Students will practice and develop an understanding of how to compose and decompose numbers 0 – 120 using concrete and pictorial representations. Students will count up and back between 1 and 120.

Students will continue to develop their ability to conceptualize a number as being made up of two or more parts and their understanding of the part-part-whole model and related number relationships. They will also continue to explore, in this unit and throughout the year, a variety of addition/subtraction problem situations including joining, separating, part-part-whole, and comparing, with different unknowns: result/change/start, or part/whole or difference, in order to develop an understanding of the operations of addition and subtraction. Sums and differences are limited to 20. Students will generate a problem solving situation from a given number sentence and use concrete and pictorial models to solve problems using addition and subtraction with whole numbers to 20.

Reading Workshop:

This week in reading workshop we will continue with our lessons on Reading to Someone and practicing what that looks like independently.  We will focus on choosing our own classroom spot, learn how to choose our own partner (so far I have placed them with a partner), and finally learn techniques for coaching our partners (if they get stuck on their reading or with comprehension).   Partner reading can be very productive and rewarding for each person, but certain guidelines must be followed so optimum learning will take place.  This will complete all our lessons on Read to Someone.  From now on, the focus will be on learning different reading strategies to help build our reading comprehension and stamina.

Words Their Way:

Green group:  Beginning Consonant sounds

Blue group:  ap and ag word families (map, cap, bag, flag)

Red group:  short o vs. long o (CVCe) (hop, hope)

Writing Workshop:

Next week we will be writing about the beginning, middle, and end in stories. We will focus on the main characters and the setting during the "beginning"; what were the main characters doing and why/what was the main character's problem in the "middle"; how were the main characters live's different/how was the problem solved in the "end". 

Social Studies:

This week, we will be discussing what leaders are, and the different types of leaders in our society.  We will brainstorm the responsibilities of our Principal, Mrs. Hohmann, our Mayor, Lee Leffingwell, our Governor, Rick Perry, and our President, Barack Obama.  After this, we will think and write about how we are leaders in our school.

Habit #3:  Put First things First-  We will continue to talk about our priorities, and focus on what is the most important thing that needs to be done at that time.

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday.

*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and homework bag every day.

Dates to remember:

October 10:  Science Night

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic

October 30:  Early Release Day

November 2:  Harvest Festival

November 13:  Family Skate Night

November 27-29:  Thanksgiving Holidays

December 4:  Early Release Day

December 5:  Family Art Night

December 9-13:  Book Fair

December 23:  Winter Break Begins

September 30-October 4

Math:  Students will continue to develop their ability to conceptualize a number as being made up of two or more parts and their understanding of the part-part-whole model and related number relationships. They will also continue to explore, in this unit and throughout the year, a variety of addition/subtraction problem situations including joining, separating, part-part-whole, and comparing, with different unknowns: result/change/start, or part/whole or difference, in order to develop an understanding of the operations of addition and subtraction. Sums and differences are limited to 20. Students will generate a problem solving situation from a given number sentence and use concrete and pictorial models to solve problems using addition and subtraction with whole numbers to 20.

Reading Workshop: This week in reading workshop we will continue with our lessons on Reading to Someone and practicing what that looks like independently.  We will focus on choosing our own classroom spot, learn how to choose our own partner (so far I have placed them with a partner), and finally learn techniques for coaching our partners (if they get stuck on their reading or with comprehension).   Partner reading can be very productive and rewarding for each person, but certain guidelines must be followed so optimum learning will take place.  This will complete all our lessons on Read to Someone.  From now on, the focus will be on learning different reading strategies to help build our reading comprehension and stamina.

Writing Workshop:  As we move to the end of the writing process this week, we will begin learning how to revise and edit "Fancying Up and Fixing Up" our writings. Each child has written at least one story that is personal and special to them. We will be ending this week with a celebration of writers in which each writer will read his or her story to their fellow writers. We will be practicing our audience skills as well as our presentation skills during this exciting time in Writer's Workshop!

Science:  So far in science we have learned that matter is anything around us that takes up a space.  Matter can be perceived by our senses and can be classified based on its physical characteristics.  This week we will learn that all matter has mass.  Mass is the amount of matter that forms a body that has some sort of shape and size. Matter can be changed from one state to another.  For example water can evaporate and change from liquid to gas, or it could change from solid (ice) to liquid.  When matter changes from one state to another, the mass won’t change.  The mass doesn’t get more or less, it is still there but in another form.

Habit #3:  Put First Things First- Work First, then Play.

We are going to continue talking about priorities.  We will discuss what priorities we might have at school, home and in our community. 

Reminders:

*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.

*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

*Library day is Tuesday. 

Dates to Remember:

October 2:  Family Spirit Night @ Catfish Parlour

October 3:  Individual School Picture day

October 10:  Science Night

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic

October 30:  Early Release Day

November 2:  Harvest Festival

Conferences:

Please don’t forget to sign up for a conference time.  Thanks!

September 23-27

Math:

In this unit, students will consolidate prerequisite skills as a continuation of the math skills they began to develop in kindergarten.

Students will practice and demonstrate their ability to subitize, or instantly recognize sets of objects (such as dots) in patterned arrangements and to tell how many without counting. Students will continue to develop their conceptual understanding of the relationships between the numbers 1-10 and the anchor numbers of 5 and 10 and will use five-frames and ten-frames in problem solving. Students will practice and develop an understanding of how to compose and decompose numbers 0 – 120 using concrete and pictorial representations. Students will count up and back between 1 and 120.

Students will continue to develop their ability to conceptualize a number as being made up of two or more parts and their understanding of the part-part-whole model and related number relationships. They will also continue to explore, in this unit and throughout the year, a variety of addition/subtraction problem situations including joining, separating, part-part-whole, and comparing, with different unknowns: result/change/start, or part/whole or difference, in order to develop an understanding of the operations of addition and subtraction. Sums and differences are limited to 20. Students will generate a problem solving situation from a given number sentence and use concrete and pictorial models to solve problems using addition and subtraction with whole numbers to 20.

Reading Workshop: 

This week in Reading Workshop we will focus on Reading-to-Someone strategies and creating an anchor chart to review in our classroom.  We will learn how to choose books for partner reading when we want to share the same book and how to read with someone when we read different stories.  We will learn and practice "I Read, You Read" working on the reading strategy summarizing what our partner reads.  This will take good listening skills as we learn how to summarize what our partner reads to us.  You can practice this technique at home asking your child to teach you how to 'Read to Someone' at home!  We will continue our reading one-on-one reading assessments this week hoping next week we will begin our guided reading lessons.

Writing Workshop:

As we continue to dig deeper into the writing process, we will learn more about writing complete sentences that begin with capital letters and end with punctuation. We will learn that every sentence must contain a noun and a verb. We will practice using finger spaces between our words and stretching out each sound in our words in order to spell the best that we can. Believe me, we are building and strengthening our skills in Writer's Workshop!

Science:

In Science we will learn continue to learn about matter.  Matter is everything around us.  Matter can be observed, described, and classified based on its physical characteristics.  Matter exists as a solid, liquid and gas.  A solid is a matter that keeps its shape.  A liquid is a matter that flows, and takes the shape of its container.   Gas is a form of matter that takes up space like air. 

Habit #3:  Put First Things First:

Habit #3 teaches kids to set priorities and to do the most important things first.  Talk with your child about priorities they have at home (cleaning up their toys, brushing their teeth, etc…) and remind them to Put First Things First at home.

Conferences:

 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AABAC2CAAFC1-fall

Here is the sign up genius you can go to in order to sign up for your child's conference.  Thanks! 

Volunteers:

I will have 2 classroom volunteers per month.  I will assign the volunteers for the month and they will just come up when they can.  

Reminders:

*PE will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Please wear tennis shoes those days!

*Please send a healthy snack with your child every day.

*Library will be on Tuesdays.  Please send books back by this day!

Important Dates:

September 25:  Early Release @ 12:45

September 25:  Skate Night @ 6:30

October 10:  Spirit Night @ Catfish Parlour @ 5:00

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic @ 6:00

October 30:  Early Release @ 12:45

September 16-20

Math:

This week we are exploring numbers as we count forward and backward from 0 to 120.  We will continue to compare numbers using symbols and discuss before, between and after.  We will solve problems that make us think about numbers, their place value and how they are related to each other.  We will look for patterns and relationships!

Reading Workshop:

This week we will continue reading independently for a longer period each day to build up our stamina during read to self.  We started student reading assessments this week and when we finish, students will be placed in different guided reading groups.  That is when you will get your child's homework packet with a book appropriate for his/her level. This week we will emphasize couple of reading strategies such as, re-reading and making predictions.  There are times that we lose concentration when we read.  Strong readers always catch themselves when this happens and this is when they need to go back to re-read what they just read.  Strong readers also make predictions.  When we understand things that we read, we can predict what is coming next.  These strategies will help us to be a better reader and to comprehend what we read better.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING AT HOME?
As you and your child read together, stop periodically and ask your child what do they think will happen next? If your child is confused, review the clues in the story.  You can also pretend that you are confused about a part, or you didn't pay attention well and model how you can go back and re-read it again.  These are some comprehension strategies that as adults we do naturally, but children don't do it naturally and therefore they need to practice these skills.

Writing Workshop:

This will be another very busy week in Writer's Workshop as we will learn the strategy of stretching and writing words by slowly saying the words we want to write, stretching the sounds out, and writing what we hear. We will also learn how to use  the Word Wall when we write and begin labeling our sketches to help us recall more details and the order of events

Science:

In Science we will learn about matter and properties of matter.  Matters are objects around us, things that we can see, smell, taste, and touch.  Matters can make sound too.  For example you could hear the crunchy sound of dry leaves under your shoes.  We use our five senses (see, hear, smell, taste and touch) to describe the matters. 

The 7 Habits:

Habit #2:  Begin with the end in mind

Reminders:

*PE will be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Please wear tennis shoes those days!

*Please send a healthy snack with your child every day.

*Library will be on Tuesdays.  Please send books back by this day!

Important Dates:

September 25:  Early Release @ 12:45

September 25:  Skate Night @ 6:30

October 10:  Spirit Night @ Catfish Parlour @ 5:00

October 14:  Student Holiday

October 18:  Hoot Family Picnic @ 6:00

October 30:  Early Release @ 12:45