Sorry it has been so long since I have updated the classroom news. I figured we touched base at conferences, but then time has seemed to speed up since then and I haven't made it back here.
Thanks to those who have been practicing spelling, reading, and math skills at home using the new homework tic-tac toe board. Unless it is a computerized choice your child should staple their work to the board when they turn it in on Friday. Continue to have your child read their baggie book SEVERAL times a week in order to increase their fluency ( reading that flows and sounds like talking).
We started the week with a great treat for Veterans Day. Mr. Larsen (Sam's dad from Mrs. Milligan's room ) came and spoke to us about his experiences as a marine. The kids were very attentive and some earned banners from him for answering questions at the end. Each child received a special pencil.
Writing-
We continue to learn more about using the 6 traits of good writing. Last week, we discussed how to make a bold beginning, mighty middle, and excellent ending for the stories we write. When we use these parts to organize our writing, it helps the reader understand our experience and feel like they were there with us. This week we are learning how adverbs can help describe the verbs in our writing. We are also reviewing what kinds of words need to be capitalized when written.
Reading-
During small groups,students are showing me what they know about sounds to help them spell and read words. At this point your child should quickly be able to identify the sounds and spellings on vowel town out of order.Don't forget to be filling in your Nov. reading log. As your child reads to you, make sure to stop and ask them questions about their reading. If they have problems decoding a word , make sure they find the vowel sounds first and then squish the sounds together. We have been learning strategies to decode multi-syllable words too. Ask your child if they can explain the "vowel bump" or how they know how many syllables a word has. We are also working on identifying the beginning, middle, and end of a story . Students need to be able to tell the message or lesson the author wanted them to learn also.
Social Studies
Students have been excited about learning the 7 continents and 5 oceans. Hopefully they have been singing the continent song at home. They have to be able to name and locate these on a map as well as use a compass and map key.
Math -In Topic 5 students are working to learn how to read and write numbers to 1000 using standard form ( 123), word form (one hundred twenty-three), and expanded form (100 +20 + 3). We are also working on odd and even numbers and comparing numbers using (< > =). The difficult part for most is explaining why an answer is the answer. We will continue practicing with place value for the next few weeks. I am proud to announce we have 3 students that have met the end of the year goal of 50 addition problems in 2 minutes! They will move on to subtraction.
As always, please email me with questions or concerns anytime. The weather is changing weekly and the cold and flu season is here . Please make sure your child is bringing a COAT everyday. Thanks for all your support. You have Great Kids!!
Thanks to those who have been practicing spelling, reading, and math skills at home using the new homework tic-tac toe board. Unless it is a computerized choice your child should staple their work to the board when they turn it in on Friday. Continue to have your child read their baggie book SEVERAL times a week in order to increase their fluency ( reading that flows and sounds like talking).
We started the week with a great treat for Veterans Day. Mr. Larsen (Sam's dad from Mrs. Milligan's room ) came and spoke to us about his experiences as a marine. The kids were very attentive and some earned banners from him for answering questions at the end. Each child received a special pencil.
Writing-
We continue to learn more about using the 6 traits of good writing. Last week, we discussed how to make a bold beginning, mighty middle, and excellent ending for the stories we write. When we use these parts to organize our writing, it helps the reader understand our experience and feel like they were there with us. This week we are learning how adverbs can help describe the verbs in our writing. We are also reviewing what kinds of words need to be capitalized when written.
Reading-
During small groups,students are showing me what they know about sounds to help them spell and read words. At this point your child should quickly be able to identify the sounds and spellings on vowel town out of order.Don't forget to be filling in your Nov. reading log. As your child reads to you, make sure to stop and ask them questions about their reading. If they have problems decoding a word , make sure they find the vowel sounds first and then squish the sounds together. We have been learning strategies to decode multi-syllable words too. Ask your child if they can explain the "vowel bump" or how they know how many syllables a word has. We are also working on identifying the beginning, middle, and end of a story . Students need to be able to tell the message or lesson the author wanted them to learn also.
Social Studies
Students have been excited about learning the 7 continents and 5 oceans. Hopefully they have been singing the continent song at home. They have to be able to name and locate these on a map as well as use a compass and map key.
Math -In Topic 5 students are working to learn how to read and write numbers to 1000 using standard form ( 123), word form (one hundred twenty-three), and expanded form (100 +20 + 3). We are also working on odd and even numbers and comparing numbers using (< > =). The difficult part for most is explaining why an answer is the answer. We will continue practicing with place value for the next few weeks. I am proud to announce we have 3 students that have met the end of the year goal of 50 addition problems in 2 minutes! They will move on to subtraction.
As always, please email me with questions or concerns anytime. The weather is changing weekly and the cold and flu season is here . Please make sure your child is bringing a COAT everyday. Thanks for all your support. You have Great Kids!!