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.