Student Teacher: I am excited to announce that starting tomorrow we will have a student teacher in our room unil April! Her name is Miss Jones and she seems very sweet and caring. The students met her on Friday and many have already taken a great liking to her. Yay! We look forward to helping her learn and grow as a teacher...I'm sure the kids will provide her with some great material :).
Homework Bags: As I'm sure you already know we are switching our homework regime to include some reading practice as well. I will be sending homework bags home every Friday to be completed by the following Friday. There is a schedule in the bag; however, you may choose to finish the homework any time during the week. The reading homework is leveled for each student so that they can, and should try, to do the majority of the reading independently. Please remember that this reading homework will also count towards DEARABBY minutes.
Sight Word Assessments: It is the middle of the year and it is time to take a sight word inventory to see how our students are progressing! This week Mrs. B and I have been working to find the sight word list that each student can read independently. Once a student misses a sight word we stop and this is the list that this student will now work on until mastery. I have been sending home the assessments as we finish. Please take a look at the list where we stopped with your student and begin reviewing that list of words at home! In a couple of weeks we will assess again.
Gumball Math: This is a new program that we have started in our classroom. With the gumball math, students will be taking timed quizzes on addition and subtraction facts to 10. Now, I have not always been a huge fan of timed quizzes but I truly think that for many of our students this program with small incentives along the way will boost operation skills and fluency. Each test is given based on where the student is in the program. For example, yesterday everyone started on addition facts (+1). They were given 4 minutes to complete 50 problems. If the student got all problems correct they moved on to the next level today. With each level passed the students get to place a gumball in the machine outside of our classroom.
With this said, we talked today about how no prizes are handed out for passing a quiz (the gumballs are just pieces of paper) and it is ok to stay on one quiz for a while. The idea is that as they practice they will get better. I have not done anything like this with little ones yet and I am hoping that it fosters confidence and the will to succeed. However, if I find that this is making students upset more than boosting skills we will stop. Keep your fingers crossed...they have done well so far and seem excited to advance!
Report Cards- Report cards go home on Friday. I will setting up another volunteerspot conference sheet online for those of you who would like to come in and discuss student growth and progress. This is optional, but please know I am HAPPY to meet with every one of you. This is such an important year for our students.
Well, folks, that is all for today. Thank you for making my job easier by being the best parents a teacher could ask for!
1.11.2012
1.06.2012
Friday, January 6th
We are back and better than ever! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break and are finding themselves well rested and ready to return to school.
Reading/Writing: This week in reading we really got into character development and character traits. We have been discussing adjectives, so this was a very natural progression for the kiddos. We read the book Goldie and the Three Bears and Three Snow Bears. Each story had characters that were similar yet different. After analyzing each character we compared and contrasted their traits, actions, and thoughts. We had a great time with this skill!
As I previously mentioned we have been working on incorporating adjectives into our writing. This week we learned more about adjectives and synonyms. We played a great synonym match game together.The following website has a variety of online synonym games. Please play these with your child as I have not had a chance to look at them all. Some of the games are quite hard! http://languageartsgames.4you4free.com/synonyms.html
Math: In math we worked on subtraction to 20. Most of the students have mastered addition to 10; however they still struggle with subtraction. We used number line this week to help us with larger numbers. We played a polar bear subtraction game that the students loved. We will be moving on to new content next week; however, we will still be reviewing addition and subtraction facts to 20 DAILY! Please continue to practice facts at home.
Science: Our study on polar bears has been a huge success. The students have really gotten into the special polar bear adaptations. We have created posters, watched videos, and read many books. Next week we will be learning about more polar animals. Please check out the following website to view live feed from the San Diego Zoo (Polar Bear Exhibit): http://www.sandiegozoo.org/polarcam/
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Spelling words and graded tests were sent home today. :)
Reading/Writing: This week in reading we really got into character development and character traits. We have been discussing adjectives, so this was a very natural progression for the kiddos. We read the book Goldie and the Three Bears and Three Snow Bears. Each story had characters that were similar yet different. After analyzing each character we compared and contrasted their traits, actions, and thoughts. We had a great time with this skill!
As I previously mentioned we have been working on incorporating adjectives into our writing. This week we learned more about adjectives and synonyms. We played a great synonym match game together.The following website has a variety of online synonym games. Please play these with your child as I have not had a chance to look at them all. Some of the games are quite hard! http://languageartsgames.4you4free.com/synonyms.html
Math: In math we worked on subtraction to 20. Most of the students have mastered addition to 10; however they still struggle with subtraction. We used number line this week to help us with larger numbers. We played a polar bear subtraction game that the students loved. We will be moving on to new content next week; however, we will still be reviewing addition and subtraction facts to 20 DAILY! Please continue to practice facts at home.
Science: Our study on polar bears has been a huge success. The students have really gotten into the special polar bear adaptations. We have created posters, watched videos, and read many books. Next week we will be learning about more polar animals. Please check out the following website to view live feed from the San Diego Zoo (Polar Bear Exhibit): http://www.sandiegozoo.org/polarcam/
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Spelling words and graded tests were sent home today. :)
12.30.2011
Party Time
Well, hello there! It feels like forever since I last posted. I have to say I am missing your little guys and girls over this holiday break. I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, bright and early. I wanted to share some of the sweet pictures that were took at our holiday party on Thursday, December 15th. The kids had a blast! Thank you to Mr. John Peterson for sharing these wonderful pictures with us.
Can you tell we had fun?
12.12.2011
Monday, December 12th
Man, I have a lot to post tonight! We have been doing so many exciting things in our classroom that I want to share with everyone.
Reader's Theatre Plays- I would like to thank everyone who attended our Thanksgiving Reader's Theatre Plays. Everything went so well and, I think we would all agree, the students did a great job. Reader's Theatres are such a fun way to work on reading fluency and through this process our student's fluency skills really improved. They are starting to sound like mature readers and that is wonderful!
Slippery, Slimy Creatures- We had a very special guest come in on Thursday to show us the adaptations reptiles have in order to survive in their environments. We got a chance to actually see specific structures on a variety or reptiles and we got to see how those structures worked firsthand! At the end of the presentation the students even got to hold and touch a real snake....yikes!
Reading- Ok, so on to the content! This week in reading we are finishing up our unit on key details and events from stories. As I am giving the Winter rounds of DRA's I am noticing that many students can read the passages but are having difficulty recalling the important events from the story. This is why we continue, and will continue after the break, to study key details and main topic.
Today, to try and help students understand how the key details help "support" the main idea we played JENGA. We built a tower of "key details" and placed the big "main idea" block on the top of the tower. We discussed how it was so important to have as many key details to support the main idea as possible, or, as we found out, the main idea would tumble to the ground! It was a neat way to physically show the kids how important key details are in reading comprehension.
Math- Well, we have moved on to doubles facts in math! Students have caught on quicker than I anticipated which means we will be moving on to bigger and better things by the end of this week. No time to waste! Today, we played "Double Trouble" a dice game where students could practice their doubles skills.
I will not be sending out math homework for this week, but will continue with the review packets following the holiday break. This has made a big difference and the students LOVE homework!!!
Remember, Janie Griggs Day is tomorrow. Please allow some time tonight for your student to write a special thank you to Ms. Griggs as she has been with Stonewall for many years and has been a true blessing to Stonewall!
Reader's Theatre Plays- I would like to thank everyone who attended our Thanksgiving Reader's Theatre Plays. Everything went so well and, I think we would all agree, the students did a great job. Reader's Theatres are such a fun way to work on reading fluency and through this process our student's fluency skills really improved. They are starting to sound like mature readers and that is wonderful!
 |
| Check out the Mayflower! |
Reading- Ok, so on to the content! This week in reading we are finishing up our unit on key details and events from stories. As I am giving the Winter rounds of DRA's I am noticing that many students can read the passages but are having difficulty recalling the important events from the story. This is why we continue, and will continue after the break, to study key details and main topic.
Today, to try and help students understand how the key details help "support" the main idea we played JENGA. We built a tower of "key details" and placed the big "main idea" block on the top of the tower. We discussed how it was so important to have as many key details to support the main idea as possible, or, as we found out, the main idea would tumble to the ground! It was a neat way to physically show the kids how important key details are in reading comprehension.
Math- Well, we have moved on to doubles facts in math! Students have caught on quicker than I anticipated which means we will be moving on to bigger and better things by the end of this week. No time to waste! Today, we played "Double Trouble" a dice game where students could practice their doubles skills.
I will not be sending out math homework for this week, but will continue with the review packets following the holiday break. This has made a big difference and the students LOVE homework!!!
Remember, Janie Griggs Day is tomorrow. Please allow some time tonight for your student to write a special thank you to Ms. Griggs as she has been with Stonewall for many years and has been a true blessing to Stonewall!
12.07.2011
Wednesday, December 7th
Happy Wednesday to everyone! We have been busy, busy, busy this week with our Culture Around the World trips. I hope you have found time to ask your student about each country that they visited this week. So far the students have visited Russia, France, Sweden, and Mexico to find out about the different cultures in each country. We have been discussing the word culture this week and what is included in a culture (language, dance, food, music, holidays/traditions). I will be sending home completed passports on Friday!
Students have been working hard in their reading stations this week. I am so proud of the progress that they have all made since the beginning of the year. They are certainly becoming more independent! I am currently working on assessing student's reading through the DRA. The winter scores will be on the next report card. Be on the lookout for that and remember to read every night with your student. Practice makes perfect.
In math, we continue to work on addition to 20. We will be focusing our studies on doubles facts towards the end of this week. For fun math links please visit the classroom website. Websites provide a fun and engaging way to practice basic math facts at home.
Oh yes, and a big congratulations is in order for our very own, Caroline. As of Monday she became a proud big sister. What an exciting time of the year!
11.30.2011
Wednesday, November 30th
Well, it is officially cold outside. Unfortunately, we have spent the past two days indoors for the majority of the day because of the weather. Make sure your students are bringing coats, mittens, hats, etc. to stay warm during dismissal and recess.
Reading: This week in reading we have been identifying the main topic and key details in a story. We have been reading different genres of books and describing the events and points that are important within the text. I know it seems as though we have been working on this for a good portion of the year and that is because it is a very crucial concept to master. Many of our students are now on the level that they can pick up most books around the room and read them with ease. This is great, but it is time to kick everything up a notch and really start focusing on comprehension. Make sure you are asking your student questions about the books they are reading to check for comprehension. I will try and get some good comprehension questions sent out to everyone soon.
We have also begun a study on pronouns. The students and I have made a list of pronouns and have been discussing daily what a pronoun is and how it can be used to spice up a sentence.
Math: Wow, we have really gotten ourselves into some hard material here at school! This week kicked off our study of addition and subtraction to 20. While this may seem simple, it really is not. The new program has a variety of ways to teach the students how to add and subtract to 20 and some of the methods are very complicated. Continue to check your student's daily work each night to keep up with the methods our program is using!
And by the way, I have NEVER had a group of students so excited about homework. Most of them have already turned in their review packet that is due next Monday. Wow! If only I had known sooner... :)
Social Studies: This week we are learning about our culture, city, and state. Today we read about the different things found in a community and yesterday we created a web of all the things that make Kentucky important.
Reminders:
**Field trip tomorrow- students may choose to bring their lunch or buy from the lunchroom.
**Holiday Party- Just got news today that the holiday party will be on Thursday, December 15th. This will be from 1:30-2:30.
Reading: This week in reading we have been identifying the main topic and key details in a story. We have been reading different genres of books and describing the events and points that are important within the text. I know it seems as though we have been working on this for a good portion of the year and that is because it is a very crucial concept to master. Many of our students are now on the level that they can pick up most books around the room and read them with ease. This is great, but it is time to kick everything up a notch and really start focusing on comprehension. Make sure you are asking your student questions about the books they are reading to check for comprehension. I will try and get some good comprehension questions sent out to everyone soon.
We have also begun a study on pronouns. The students and I have made a list of pronouns and have been discussing daily what a pronoun is and how it can be used to spice up a sentence.
Math: Wow, we have really gotten ourselves into some hard material here at school! This week kicked off our study of addition and subtraction to 20. While this may seem simple, it really is not. The new program has a variety of ways to teach the students how to add and subtract to 20 and some of the methods are very complicated. Continue to check your student's daily work each night to keep up with the methods our program is using!
And by the way, I have NEVER had a group of students so excited about homework. Most of them have already turned in their review packet that is due next Monday. Wow! If only I had known sooner... :)
Social Studies: This week we are learning about our culture, city, and state. Today we read about the different things found in a community and yesterday we created a web of all the things that make Kentucky important.
Reminders:
**Field trip tomorrow- students may choose to bring their lunch or buy from the lunchroom.
**Holiday Party- Just got news today that the holiday party will be on Thursday, December 15th. This will be from 1:30-2:30.
11.28.2011
Monday, November 28th
I hope that everyone had a peaceful break and found time to relax with your family. The kids came in very calm and quiet this morning, which left me wondering what happened over the break. However, it did not take long until they were back to their bubbly, bouncy selves. Overall, we had a great day and really just continued where we left off last Tuesday.
HOMEWORK: I sent home a math review packet with students today. I graded student's scores on the Numbers to 20 test over the break and found some specific areas in which we could use some review. This review packet is due back NEXT Monday completed. It is up to you how you get this finished; you may choose to do it all in one sitting or you may choose to spread it our over the week. Whatever works for you and your family.
SPELLING: This week I am taking a spelling inventory on all of the students to find out where they are with the spelling lists. I will be sending home lists this Friday. I am thinking I will have 3 different spelling lists going on at one time which means your student may have different words than their neighbor's.
FIELD TRIP: We go to see Madeline's Christmas on Thursday, December 1st. Make sure your permission slips are turned in by tomorrow!
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD: Today I sent home "homework" which entails helping your student complete their passport. This is more or less for the fun of the activity. Return this as you finish- we will be departing for our trip on Monday, December 5th. Should be an experience!
HOMEWORK: I sent home a math review packet with students today. I graded student's scores on the Numbers to 20 test over the break and found some specific areas in which we could use some review. This review packet is due back NEXT Monday completed. It is up to you how you get this finished; you may choose to do it all in one sitting or you may choose to spread it our over the week. Whatever works for you and your family.
SPELLING: This week I am taking a spelling inventory on all of the students to find out where they are with the spelling lists. I will be sending home lists this Friday. I am thinking I will have 3 different spelling lists going on at one time which means your student may have different words than their neighbor's.
FIELD TRIP: We go to see Madeline's Christmas on Thursday, December 1st. Make sure your permission slips are turned in by tomorrow!
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD: Today I sent home "homework" which entails helping your student complete their passport. This is more or less for the fun of the activity. Return this as you finish- we will be departing for our trip on Monday, December 5th. Should be an experience!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
