Highlights of the Week 9-25-15

Hello families,

This week I continued doing reading check-ins with students--assessing how they decode words, how well they comprehend what they read, and how many common sight words they can read as quickly as they can read their own names. We also did some word work check-ins to see what spelling and word patterns students already know and what they need to work on this year. The purpose of these check-ins is to get a sense of what each child really needs so I can provide "good fit" instruction for all!

We finished binding our Hopes and Dreams books, got our independent writing journals (a moment of highly anticipated joy by many in the class), and wrote about the All School Hike. We also began to learn about writing Small Moment stories. This will be our first focus in Writer's Workshop. This week we brainstormed moments in our lives where we felt a strong emotion (happiness, shock, sadness, excitement, etc). We will use these small moments to write and illustrate our first books of the year. So far we've zoomed in on the emotion in our moments and began to do quick sketches for the 5 parts of the story. Some of us also practiced retelling our stories using the digits on one hand to count out the story events in order (first, next, later then, finally). 

Second grade mathematicians continue working with 2-D and 3-D geometry as well as counting money and number patterns. First grade mathematicians continue to work on the number line, using cuisenaire rods to help with addition fact strategies, and use cluster cards to practice subitizing. 

On Friday in Buddies first and second graders were paired up with a 6th grader who will be their buddy for the first semester this year. Today they took a survey to find common interests and learn a bit about one another.

Four Winds
Have you heard of our awesome parent-volunteer led science program, Four Winds? The students always love our extra science lessons from 4 Winds. This is a monthly commitment (one Tuesday a month from 2:00-3:15 in the classroom). Honi Bean Barrett has volunteered to coordinate for us so please email her if you are interested in helping or need more information before making this commitement! ( honibean@hotmail.com )


Dates to Remember:
Thursday October 1: Open House K-2nd 6:00-7:00, Open House 3rd-6th 6:30-7:30
Thursday October 8: Picture Re-Takes
Monday October 12: Columbus Day --  NO SCHOOL
Tuesday October 13: Teacher Inservice -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS