Dear Families,
This week we made some changes to our snack & literacy routines. We're eating snack earlier--before literacy--so that we can enjoy each others company more and have some extra social time. We've also made our literacy blocks shorter. This gives me the opportunity to meet with more groups of kids and meet with groups more frequently. It also gives students a chance to have more choice over their literacy time--allowing them to practice reading in multiple ways while also practicing word work and independent writing.
We've been busy bookmakers in science and writing. In science we built our Traits science books and have begun to put in our science sketches and notes to show what we've learned about traits in adult versus young plants and animals. In writing we've been illustrating typed copies of our books. By the end of the week nearly everyone had a typed story to put create a published piece!
On Wednesday I was out attending a math class on number concept, number sense, and additive reasoning. These are integral to the math curriculum that Ben and I use to teach first and second grade math. In second grade math we continue to focus on addition/subtraction facts, money, place value, and story problems.
We had a few special events this week: a visit to the Smoke House for fire prevention education and a visit from Planting Hope (teaching us how they support education in some Nicaraguan schools and sharing some song and dance with us).
Even with the mounting excitement for Halloween we had a full week of fun and learning!
Important Dates:
November 10: Half-day for students; Parent/Teacher conferences
November 11: Half-day for students; Parent/Teacher conferences
November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
***************************************************************************************************************
Here is the information again, in case you still need to sign up for a conference:
This
year the superintendent set aside two half-days for Parent/Teacher
conferences, November 10 & 11. School will run 8:45-12:30 and then
conferences will take place after the students have left.
Conferences run for 20 minutes. Please be on time because conferences are scheduled back-to-back.
Monday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 7:00 pm.
Tuesday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 2:00 pm.
Please sign up for one conference time at this link: http://www.rumney.org/conference
**If you don't have internet access, please send me a note about your time preference and I'll plug you into an available slot.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Highlights of the Week 10.24.14
Dear Families,
This week we began more independent science work. Students had a choice of animals to study: Humpback Whales, Grizzly Bears, Grey Wolves, or Rhode Island Red Chickens. Students studied pictures of these baby and adult animals to notice their traits-- what they had in common and what was different about them. We also worked in groups to study our baby and adult Jade plants that live in our classroom. We were amazed that there was a leaf on the adult plant that was longer than the height of the baby plant! Everyone has been working diligently to record their science findings in words and pictures.
We've continued reading Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and have enjoyed finding many juicy words. These are interesting and uncommon words. We talk about the meaning of these words to help us understand better what is happening. We've also been using the skill of visualizing what is happening. Since there are very few pictures in this chapter book, taking the time to visualize what is happening gives students time to digest what they heard and have better comprehension.
First and second graders have been doing a lot of place value work in math. In first grade they've continued discussing what happens to all the ones when it becomes a ten. In second grade we're building and taking apart numbers to see how many hundreds, tens, and ones make that number. We've also been practicing writing numbers in 3 ways: digits, words, and expanded notation.
Writing has been an exciting time this week. Almost everyone has finished editing their stories and is ready for publication. On Friday our buddies helped us type up our stories! Next week we'll all be ready to illustrate our first published book!
**Next week we're going to try to re-do our class picture since a few students weren't there when our class photo was taken. I don't know which day it'll be because I want to make sure we're all here this time! The LifeTouch photographer is being super flexible and will come whichever day works for us (after kids are here so we know all will be in the picture).
Earlier this week I sent out a note or email to you about parent-teacher conferences. Here is the information again, in case you still need to sign up:
This year the superintendent set aside two half-days for Parent/Teacher conferences, November 10 & 11. School will run 8:45-12:30 and then conferences will take place after the students have left.
Conferences run for 20 minutes. Please be on time because conferences are scheduled back-to-back.
Monday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 7:00 pm.
Tuesday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 2:00 pm.
Please sign up for one conference time at this link: http://www.rumney.org/conference
**If you don't have internet access, please send me a note about your time preference and I'll plug you into an available slot.
This week we began more independent science work. Students had a choice of animals to study: Humpback Whales, Grizzly Bears, Grey Wolves, or Rhode Island Red Chickens. Students studied pictures of these baby and adult animals to notice their traits-- what they had in common and what was different about them. We also worked in groups to study our baby and adult Jade plants that live in our classroom. We were amazed that there was a leaf on the adult plant that was longer than the height of the baby plant! Everyone has been working diligently to record their science findings in words and pictures.
We've continued reading Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and have enjoyed finding many juicy words. These are interesting and uncommon words. We talk about the meaning of these words to help us understand better what is happening. We've also been using the skill of visualizing what is happening. Since there are very few pictures in this chapter book, taking the time to visualize what is happening gives students time to digest what they heard and have better comprehension.
First and second graders have been doing a lot of place value work in math. In first grade they've continued discussing what happens to all the ones when it becomes a ten. In second grade we're building and taking apart numbers to see how many hundreds, tens, and ones make that number. We've also been practicing writing numbers in 3 ways: digits, words, and expanded notation.
Writing has been an exciting time this week. Almost everyone has finished editing their stories and is ready for publication. On Friday our buddies helped us type up our stories! Next week we'll all be ready to illustrate our first published book!
**Next week we're going to try to re-do our class picture since a few students weren't there when our class photo was taken. I don't know which day it'll be because I want to make sure we're all here this time! The LifeTouch photographer is being super flexible and will come whichever day works for us (after kids are here so we know all will be in the picture).
Earlier this week I sent out a note or email to you about parent-teacher conferences. Here is the information again, in case you still need to sign up:
This year the superintendent set aside two half-days for Parent/Teacher conferences, November 10 & 11. School will run 8:45-12:30 and then conferences will take place after the students have left.
Conferences run for 20 minutes. Please be on time because conferences are scheduled back-to-back.
Monday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 7:00 pm.
Tuesday conference times with me are between 12:40 and 2:00 pm.
Please sign up for one conference time at this link: http://www.rumney.org/conference
**If you don't have internet access, please send me a note about your time preference and I'll plug you into an available slot.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Highlights of the Week 10.17.14
Dear Families,
We had another great week together. We were excited to begin a new chapter book together, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. We'll be reading this together for the next weeks in preparation for seeing this book come to life in a play at the Flynn in December.
Many students finished editing one of their small moment stories and they are ready for publication! The next step is typing. Is anyone available 9:30-10:30 Monday-Wednesday or 12:50-1:20 Monday/Friday next week to type up stories? Please email me or send me a note if you can come help type stories!
In science we looked at the traits of a mature pumpkin plant. Then we compared the traits of the seedling to the mature plant. We same some things that were the same and some things that were different. We'll continue to learn about traits in plants next week.
This week we also had our first class in a special 10 week residency--Yoga for the Classroom. Our old friend Becky Crandell is coming in to help classes learn about the calming, energizing, and focusing effects of yoga when used in the classroom. We'll be learning some activities and yoga moves we can do right in our seats--no mats required!
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday October 22 -- Make-up Picture Day
We had another great week together. We were excited to begin a new chapter book together, Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. We'll be reading this together for the next weeks in preparation for seeing this book come to life in a play at the Flynn in December.
Many students finished editing one of their small moment stories and they are ready for publication! The next step is typing. Is anyone available 9:30-10:30 Monday-Wednesday or 12:50-1:20 Monday/Friday next week to type up stories? Please email me or send me a note if you can come help type stories!
In science we looked at the traits of a mature pumpkin plant. Then we compared the traits of the seedling to the mature plant. We same some things that were the same and some things that were different. We'll continue to learn about traits in plants next week.
This week we also had our first class in a special 10 week residency--Yoga for the Classroom. Our old friend Becky Crandell is coming in to help classes learn about the calming, energizing, and focusing effects of yoga when used in the classroom. We'll be learning some activities and yoga moves we can do right in our seats--no mats required!
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday October 22 -- Make-up Picture Day
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Highlights of the Week 10.9.14
We fit a lot of fun and learning into our shorter week. During literacy many students have been focusing on sight word acquisition to help them to become stronger readers. Other students are using their comprehension strategies to help them read more closely and respond to their reading in writing. We learned about some sight word spelling games that we can play during Word Work too!
In writing we learned how to self-assess our small moment narratives to see if they are done. Students then worked to make those things they needed to work on better. Some students began the editing process. We hope to begin typing some of our small moment stories soon!
First grade mathematicians have been practicing their N+1 and N+10 addition facts. They've been building number sentences using Cuisenaire rods too. Second grade mathematicians have been practicing their N+10 and N+9 addition and subtraction facts. We've been adding two and three digit numbers by place value--adding the tens, adding the ones. We've also been counting a lot of money this week. This is a fun thing to do at home too!
We did some science sketching of the pumpkin seedlings we grew this year. We also did science sketching of mature pumpkin plants from pictures. We talked about our experiences with real mature pumpkin plants, too.
Our class had a special job at the All School Meeting. Mr. Rosen had noticed how much we've worked on showing Rumney CARES in the hallways. He asked us to teach the school how we do it and why it's important!
Important Dates:
Friday October 10-- NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher Inservice)
Monday October 13--NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)
Friday, October 3, 2014
Highlights of the Week 10.3.14
Dear Families,
This week we learned about Body In and Brain In. These are two reminders to help us have calm bodies so we can think, focus, and do.
We also began to do science sketching this week. Different from art drawing, science sketching helps us focus on what is really there so we can learn about the things we observe. We read a book about the different traits that Saguaro cacti have. Then we went outside and did science sketching to help us notice what was the same and what was different about the Paper Birches on our playground.
In writing we've been wrapping up some small moment stories and learning how to make a good ending. This week we added feelings into our writing. Next week we'll being the next stage of writing: editing. We read some books this week that were about small moments or good endings. Our reading log: White Water, More! More! More! Said the Baby, and Where's Our Mama?
In literacy we began new reading groups. Throughout the week different groups of students meet with me to work on similar reading skills and sight words. We also began our Word Work groups this week. This is a time we share with Ben's class so students are practicing word patterns that are just right for them. Ben, Ms. Sheldon, Mrs. Breidenstein and myself teach these different groups.
Reminder: Scholastic book orders are due next Thursday, Oct. 9. Order online (the link is posted on our class blog) or send in your order and check to me.
Important Dates:
Thursday October 9-- All School Meeting, 2:45-3:25pm
Friday October 10-- NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher Inservice)
Monday October 13--NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)
This week we learned about Body In and Brain In. These are two reminders to help us have calm bodies so we can think, focus, and do.
We also began to do science sketching this week. Different from art drawing, science sketching helps us focus on what is really there so we can learn about the things we observe. We read a book about the different traits that Saguaro cacti have. Then we went outside and did science sketching to help us notice what was the same and what was different about the Paper Birches on our playground.
In writing we've been wrapping up some small moment stories and learning how to make a good ending. This week we added feelings into our writing. Next week we'll being the next stage of writing: editing. We read some books this week that were about small moments or good endings. Our reading log: White Water, More! More! More! Said the Baby, and Where's Our Mama?
In literacy we began new reading groups. Throughout the week different groups of students meet with me to work on similar reading skills and sight words. We also began our Word Work groups this week. This is a time we share with Ben's class so students are practicing word patterns that are just right for them. Ben, Ms. Sheldon, Mrs. Breidenstein and myself teach these different groups.
Reminder: Scholastic book orders are due next Thursday, Oct. 9. Order online (the link is posted on our class blog) or send in your order and check to me.
Important Dates:
Thursday October 9-- All School Meeting, 2:45-3:25pm
Friday October 10-- NO SCHOOL for students (Teacher Inservice)
Monday October 13--NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day)
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