This Week...

September 25- September 29, 2017

Reading:  Book discussions were a main topic this week.  Students learned that good readers share their thinking and ideas with others.  We discussed important rules for sharing and how to be a good listener.  Students learned that their reading binder is a special place to record thinking about our reading.  We practiced responding with predictions, questions, and connections.  Students read their independent reading books, poems, and an interesting TFK article about dogs and their brains. Reading Logs are due Monday, October 2.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students continued practicing various mental math strategies to solve double-digit addition and subtraction problems.  Another main focus this week was rounding to the nearest ten and nearest hundred.  We used number lines to help us visualize the numbers.  At the end of the week, students determined if word problems required an estimate or an exact answer by identifying key words.

Social Studies:  Students learned how to read various community maps.  They focused on points of interest and street names to understand the layout of downtown San Francisco.  By looking at a map of downtown Washington D.C., students learned how to use the metro system!  They also worked on identifying various lines and transfer stops.  Map projects were due today.  Also, our map skills unit test will be next Friday, October 6.  A review guide will be going home on Tuesday.

Writing:  In WEX, students continued working on applying the skill of focus.  They learned that making careful observations can help them identify tiny details.  Students also made sure to write about only one topic.  We did not have grammar this week due to the first week of buddy spelling.

Word Study:  Students created their individualized spelling lists and practiced their words through various activities.  Students made words with tiles and identified connections.  All the word study work from buddy spelling this week will be going home today.

Miscellaneous:  Flat Stanleys were sent out on Thursday!  Please tell your friends and family to be on the lookout for a giant envelope.  Also, we had our first set of “zones” lessons this week.  We read a book that focused on different feelings and then we sorted those feelings into the different zones: blue, green, yellow, and red.  We learned that it’s normal to have many different feelings.  To learn our best, we need to make sure we are in the green zone.  Students identified various tools and strategies that can help us get back to the green zone.  Some of these strategies included drawing, taking five deep breaths, doing jumping jacks, or getting a drink of water.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

A Nest for Celeste

A Note From Mrs. O’Kelly:

Dear Dryden Families,

Today your youngest/only child who attends Dryden will be bringing home a copy of the book A Nest For Celeste.  We are excited to begin our “One Book, One Dryden” event!  Inside your family’s copy of the book you will find a note about the event and a reading schedule.  We encourage your family to read the book at home together, following along with the reading schedule.  

For more information, visit: http://drydenlmc.weebly.com/one-book-one-school--a-nest-for-celeste.html

To hear chapters read aloud, visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1awkpRYC0Q_bt_BLnpDQHXoM31kr6Ntx1fPw1NwoV9lE/edit

Thank you for participating!

#1Book1Dryden

Buddy Spelling!

This week, we started buddy spelling!  Students created individualized spelling lists at the beginning of the week.  They made their words using tiles, mixed up the letters, and then rebuilt the words.  On the second day, students practiced their words using the "Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check" activity.  On the third day, they made connections between their spelling words and other words.  Some of these connections included antonyms, synonyms, and the same beginning consonant cluster.  On the fourth day, they met with their spelling buddy to practice their words.  On Friday, students will practice writing their words correctly!

This Week...

September 18- September 22, 2017

Reading:  We continued working on making strong connections to various texts.  Students read a Time for Kids article about Hurricane Harvey, as well as an article from Zoobooks about animals that travel incredible distances.  They made great personal connections and were able to participate in meaningful discussions with their peers.  Another main focus was choosing just-right books and setting goals for reading workshop time. Reading Logs are due Monday, September 25.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students reviewed major concepts from chapter 1.  They took their chapter 1 test on Tuesday.  An informational letter was sent home detailing the concepts that we will be covering in unit 2.  At the end of the week, students learned two mental math strategies: “add the tens, then add the ones” and “add the tens, then subtract the extra ones”.  They utilized number bonds to help them with these strategies.  Xtra Math letters went home on Thursday.  This is a great resource to help students learn their basic facts.

Social Studies:  Students learned how to use map scales to find accurate distances from one place to another.  By using a ruler to measure the distance in inches, students were able convert that measurement to determine the actual distance in miles.  We also discussed the country project, which students will create at home.  A list of guidelines and directions were sent home today, as well as a piece of white construction paper.  These country projects will be due on Friday, September 29.  I am looking forward to seeing the students’ creative ideas!

Writing:  In WEX, students practiced giving specific feedback to classmates by using various response starters.  They also started working on their first skill: focus.  We practiced focusing on a single moment in time by using careful observation and tiny details.  In grammar, students differentiated between commands and exclamations.  They used correct capitalization and ending punctuation to make sure the words formed a complete sentence.

Word Study:  Students worked with words that contained short vowels.  They selected words with these particular vowel sounds, made the words with tiles, and recorded the words.  Next week, we will begin buddy spelling!

Miscellaneous:  We continued celebrating Character Counts week!  It was great to see students celebrating the pillars by wearing their colors.  We also worked on our Flat Stanley letters!  We hope to send these out by the end of next week.  Finally, thank you to everyone who donated to the victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma!  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

Word Study Work!

This week, students worked to create words with short vowel sounds.  They used tiles to manipulate letters and form words!

This Week...

September 11- September 15, 2017

Reading:  We had the opportunity to read a variety of poems, including the book Swirl by Swirl by Joyce Sidman.  We discussed how poetry is beautiful, but can sometimes contain challenging vocabulary.  We focused on strategies that good readers use when they approach difficult words.  Substituting synonyms, using prior knowledge, studying the illustrations for clues, and using context clues are just a few of the strategies students practiced this week.  Making connections as we read was another main topic this week!  Students learned that good readers make connections to gain a deeper understanding of the text.  Students read poetry and nonfiction articles to practice recording their thinking.  Writing down their thoughts on sticky notes helped the students feel prepared for purposeful reading discussions with their classmates.  Reading Logs are due Monday, September 18.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We focused on comparing numbers using base-10 blocks, place value grids, and number lines.  Students played “Guess that Number” to practice describing the difference between place values.   Completing number sequences by focusing on the pattern was another focus.  On Tuesday, students will be taking the chapter 1 test.  We will spend time reviewing in school on Monday.

Social Studies:  Students learned that the equator and prime meridian divide our world into four different hemispheres.  They also used physical maps to determine the location of various landforms in our country.

Writing:  We started our writing program: The Writer’s Express (WEX)!  Students enjoyed learning about the writer’s mindset, the rules for writing, and how to “show” readers with their words.  They also started working on their first skill: focus.  We practiced focusing on a single moment in time by using careful observation and tiny details.  In grammar, students differentiated between various types of sentences.

Word Study:  Students continued working with words that had consonant clusters.  They played “Go Fish” to help find matching clusters.

Miscellaneous:  We had another wonderful week!  On Wednesday, we had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Music for Youth concert.  By watching peers play the violin and cello, students were able to see if this experience was something they would like to do in the future.  Picture day will be on Thursday, September 21.  Please send in your forms if you plan on ordering pictures.  Have a great weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!

Hurricane Help!

Dryden Kids Care!

Please join Arlington Heights Schools in providing relief to those in Texas and Florida as they recover & rebuild after the hurricanes.

During Character Counts Week, September 19-22, the Dryden Family will show our caring spirit by bringing in monetary donations for schools & students in need.

*Send cash donations to your child’s classroom in envelopes marked “Hurricane Help”

*Donations will go to support Hines-Caldwell Elementary School in Houston to replenish lost materials and support displaced students.  Any remaining funds will be donated to the Florida Disaster Fund.  

Math!

Students learned a new math game called "Roll and Show".  They practiced place value by making numbers with place value strips.

This Week...

September 4- September 8, 2017

Reading:  We were so excited to start Reading Workshop in our classroom! We discussed everyone’s roles and responsibilities as a reader.  Students also got into the routine of selecting their own books during independent reading time.  We discussed the importance of choosing “just right” books.  We talked about the 5-finger rule and other tips to use when choosing a book.  Looking at the title, reading the back cover, and evaluating interest level were ideas shared by the students.  At the end of the week, we read Balloons Over Broadway, which was a biographical account of Tony Sarg, the man who helped create the balloons in the Macy’s Day Parade.  Students learned that good readers think about the topic before, during, and after reading.  They accessed their prior knowledge by recording what they already knew about the parade.  Then, they formed important questions to show what they wondered about the topic and documented what they learned from the book.  Reading Logs are due Monday, September 11.  (100 minutes)

Math: We dove into our first math unit!  Students used base ten blocks to represent large numbers.  They also learned how to write numbers in word form and standard form.  Counting numbers to figure out sequences was another area of focus.  The first fact tests of the year were also given.  In general, fact tests will be given twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).  Students should be keeping track of when they pass a fact test by recording it in their fact log.

Social Studies:  Students explored our first social studies unit: map skills!  They looked at a variety of maps, including community maps.  They compared and contrasted maps and aerial photographs.  Cardinal and intermediate directions were reviewed, in addition to the location of the seven continents.  We discussed how people live in a variety of places at the same time.

Writing:  In writing, students learned the various components of a letter, including greetings, indents, closings, and dates.   Students also worked on sentence elaboration by learning the importance of including details.  They realized that if the writer does not use specific words, the reader cannot form an accurate picture in his or her mind.  Students experimented with this idea by creating their own juicy sentences about a favorite animal!

Word Study:  Students learned that a consonant cluster is a group of 2-3 consonants at the beginning or end of a word.  They also put together onsets and rimes to form words that had consonant clusters.

Miscellaneous: I had a wonderful time meeting many of you on Curriculum Night!  I look forward to working with you throughout the year! Just a reminder, September book orders are due September 25.    If you choose to order, please send a check or order online.  Thanks for supporting our classroom library!  Thank you again for all your hard work this week…I truly appreciate your support in helping your child get into the routine of a new school year.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and please let me know if you have any questions!