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| Kerridwyn plays hopscotch as the others wait their turn. |
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
This week our first “snow” day turned into an icy day with a delay. The weather has been challenging lately, but the children have been up to the challenge. In the classroom, we have been working to develop our patience, and work as a team. Each table is awarded points for working together and being responsible. New exploration centers include a 200 piece puzzle and hopscotch. board. Two activities that require cooperation and concentration! We have added a new song to our repertoire, “Old Man Winter,” by C. Aldinger. It ties in nicely with mapping skills as it introduces the term compass rose and mapping directions,: north, south, east and west. It’s still a new song, but it may be familiar enough to share with you!
ELA Phonics
We finished our Jolly Phonics sounds last week, the learning and practicing continues. This week we have been reviewing the sounds in our sound book, tricky words, and reading small predictable books. . The students have been working hard to practice their sounds, use them to write words and read books. Keep practicing the Sound Books at home as this is a great way to have them improve their fluency. If a sound is difficult ask them what the action is.... this will usually prompt the sound to be enunciated. Please record your reading time with your child on their Reading Log. Practice at home should be done on a daily basis, but kept to just 5 to 10 minutes. You can break it up into two trying to sustain 6-7 minutes a piece. This time should not replace being your time to read to them. It is still very important for you to read to them, sharing interesting stories, both fictional and non-fictional topics. We are starting our buddy class next week with Mrs. Ziegler’s 6th grade class. This will offer a great opportunity for them to get to know an older group of students. They will be reading with each other as well as working on small projects throughout the rest of the year.
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| Tanner shares his Memory Box |
Social Studies: We are finishing up sharing our Memory Boxes. Next week we will begin work on our Family Trees. They are enjoying the opportunity to share their favorite memories and to be respectful listeners. Next week we will begin working on their family trees.
Science: Our study of the night sky included an audio book on the web, The Moon, By Thomas K. Adamson, which included an audio file of Neil Armstrong when he landed on the moon. “It’s one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind.” We talked about what he meant. The children were captivated by his words. We were introduced to new vocabulary: craters, satellite, astronaut, and learned about the moon’s surface. Other excellent books we have read focused on the cycle of the moon, Phases of the Moon by Gillia Olson, Faces of the Moon. by Bob Crelin, and The Moon Book, by Gail Gibbons. We are learning about the waxing crescent and quarter or half moons, and waning moons. We are making our own moon book, titled The Moon Cycle. We hope to finish it today or early next week.
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| Graphing the Pigs in the Mud! |
Math: This week’s focus was on graphing. We have been recording the weather on a classroom graph on a monthly basis since the beginning of the year. As we complete the first month of the new year, January, it is a good time for the students to begin graphing on paper what we have been graphing all month in the pocket chart. The children will be graphing the weather on a monthly basis and summarizing the information orally based on the data that we have been keeping. More graphing activities included a new graphing game called “Pigs in the Mud.” The kids love it! They were each given a little pink pig. They toss the pig and record the toss. Did the pig land on his side, back, all fours, or snout? When they reach the top (15), the game is over. We will be talking about what result is the most common? What is the least?
Share: We enjoyed shares that included lots of /f/ shares: Transformer, Football, Lego F Ship, clay face. Fox, frog, fire chief, and more! Next week’s share will be something that begins with or has the sound /d/. Brainstorming ideas with your child then going on a hunt in hour house is a great way to help your child connect with the sound and the letter.
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| Puzzling over the puzzle. |
CALENDAR:
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- Group Snack: Thank you to Bryant’s family for contributing this week’s healthy snack! We enjoyed tasty snacks throughout the week from bagels and cream cheese, crackers and cheese, and pretzels. Thank you! We are delighted that the children are enjoying a variety of delicious and nutritious snacks.
Morgan’s family is signed up to contribute next week’s snack.
- Toys: Please help you child understand that toys need to be kept in their cubbies or Rest & Read bags. They are becoming a distraction during the day. Also electronic toys are not aloud. Share toys are kept on the share table and then should be put in their backpacks, R&R bags or cubbies. Thank you for your support!
- Report Cards: Report Cards are being sent home today in the folder. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You may keep the contents for your records, and please sign the outside of the envelope and return on Monday. Thank you!
- Paired Reading Workshop: February 5th at 6:30-7:30. Please RSVP to let us know you are planning to attend. Light refreshments will be available. Invitation enclosed in Friday Folder.
- Please Note: Don’t forget to unpack your child’s backpack daily. Snow pants may be wet from outside excursions. :)
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bodnar
