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!