Highlights of the Week 1.30.15

Dear Families,

We've had a busy week here in first and second grade! 
Science: Exploring the properties of light and how it travels in investigation stations.
Writing: We've continued writing our star myths. We also read a great book about writing a story to help us add all the right words and punctuation. The book was Little Red Writing--ask your child about it!
Literacy: We got new sight word books to help us read and write sight words more fluently. We also learned a new word work choice, silly sentences, that help us practice writing complete sentences and spell these sight words.
2nd grade math: We continue to work on addition and especially subtraction snap facts. We've also begun two new units of study: 1) telling time on digital and analog clocks (this week we worked on times that were o'clocks and half-pasts); 2) subtraction (this week beginning to use concrete models and visuals to demonstrate the borrowing system in the standard algorithm).
1st grade math: Continued work on addition strategies and they've been extending they knowledge to the number line.
Handwriting: We practiced a few more vowels for fluid writing and also began practicing first and last names written neatly!

Important Notes:
I sent a note home this week about our 100th day. Here it is again in case you didn't read it:

                As the 100^th day of school approaches we’d love your help with a task at home. Please help your child bring in a collection of 100 things (i.e. baseball cards, toothpicks, beads, pennies, grains of rice, lego pieces, etc). We will be doing activities measuring and comparing our collections. If your child chooses a nut-free food item to collect, please know that we’ll be using them on the floor and tables—collections are not for eating at school! (Sometimes there are some disappointed kiddos when they realize their 100 chocolate chips are now dirty!)

                At school we’ve talked about some ways to make sure you have exactly 100 in your collection. Accuracy is important! Ask your child how they can be sure they have 100 in their collection. Please have your child bring in his/her collection next Wednesday, February 4^th for our 100^th Day!

Please also remember that next week we have a teacher inservice day on Friday so there is no school for students on Friday the 6th!

I'd also like to have a small celebration for Valentine's Day, on Friday Feb. 13th. Coming home today is a list of the students in our class. Please note that if your child would like to hand out valentines at our celebration they must give one to each student (not just a few). This is important so feelings are not hurt. I'd like a few treats/snacks for this celebration too. Please let me know if you can bring: fruit (not strawberries), cheese & crackers, cookies, juice, cups, napkins, plates.

Dates to remember:

Friday Feb. 6 - Inservice--NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Thursday Feb. 12 - Author Visit

Friday Feb.13 - Valentine's Day Celebration

Feb. 23 - Mar. 3 - WINTER BREAK 

Highlights of a Short Week 1.23.15

Hi families,

We've launched ourselves into myth writing this week. Here is the constellation myth we wrote together!

The Story of Ursa Major

By 1/2T 2014-2015

A long, long time ago Bear and the other animals lived in a place called the Green Forest. It was a dark forest with trees, vines, bushes, mossy rocks, flowers and weeds. There was a river. It was mucky near the river. Bear and his animal friends loved to play in the river. But Bear was starving! So Bear ate a bunny. The other animals were scared. They didn’t want to go into Bear’s territory so they made a plan. Their plan was that they would leave him alone. Bear was lonely and he jumped up into the sky because he was so sad that his friends left him. So he became Ursa Major and the other constellations and the Milky Way kept him company.

In other news, Winter Wellness Wednesdays has been a terrific hit! Everyone had a blast this week. On Thursday we had a special performance by Ah! Capella, the acapella group from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. On Friday Honi and Dina joined us for 4 Winds. Thanks so much for bringing this hands-on nature science into our classroom!

Highlights of the Week 1.16.15

Dear families,

We've had a busy week! Students wrote furiously to finish their small moment and fiction narratives. They worked on self-assessing their writing to make sure it had all the parts of a narrative. They also went through the whole editing process. Most students were able to publish a new book this week and illustrate it!

We continued to read Native American constellation and sky myths. Some of the ones we read were: "The Seven Wise Men" story of Pleiades, "How Grandmother Spider Stole the Sun," "How Coyote Was the Moon," "How Fisher Went to the Skyland: The Origin of the Big Dipper," and "The Morning Star and the Northern Lights."

In science we used flashlights to discover more about shadows using block towers. We experimented on how to shine the light on the towers to create the longest and shortest shadows. We also practiced measuring the shadows using rulers.

We read a great Scholastic News article about Martin Luther King Jr. and talked about this upcoming holiday. I hope that you all have a great holiday and enjoy this short break. Remember, students have no school on Monday and Tuesday while there is teacher inservice.

Enjoy your weekend!

Highlights of the Week 1.9.15

Happy New Year!

Our first week back at school has been wonderful, despite the very cold weather. We were disappointed to not begin our Winter Sports program this week but look forward to it next Wednesday. We did play a few new board games during indoor recess, along with all our old favorite activities.

This week we made Complete Sentence Buddies to help us learn about types of words. We're working on identifying nouns and verbs in sentences. In writing we're finishing up our narratives and small moment stories. Next week we'll finish publishing again before we begin our next writing project: myths!

To get ready for writing myths we've been reading some Native American myths: Rainbow Crow, The Day the Sun Fell From the Sky, How Kishelemukong Made the People and the Seasons, Why Some Trees Are Always Green, How Fox Brought the Forests From the Sky and Raven.

In science we've begun investigating light and shadow. We made shadows with our bodies around the room to try to figure out how light affects shadows. We also used the light projector on our SMARTboard to test if different objects would have a shadow or would let light through. Many of our guesses were accurate but it was even more fun just testing it out!

In math first graders are working on story problems. Second graders learned the last few addition strategies and continue to work on 3 digit addition. This week they practiced showing work for the same equation in multiple ways--being flexible math thinkers. Second graders also continue working with money and comparing amounts to order them from least to greatest.

Notes & Dates
*There was a green "Publix Market" re-usable bag left here before December break that none of the kids have claimed. Please let me know if it belongs to you!

January 15 -- All School Meeting 2:30-3:15
January 16 -- 4 Winds
January 19 & 20 -- Inservice for Teachers -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
February 6 -- Inservice for Teachers -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
February 23 - March 3 -- Winter Break -- NO SCHOOL

Highlights of the Week 12.19.14

Dear Families,

We've had a busy, spirited week! We all worked on some secret holiday gifts that you'll learn about sometime soon! We also read many holiday books about various December holidays--Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. We've also been talking about the Winter Solstice which will take place this weekend. It's an important holiday from long ago and the true beginning of winter. We'll celebrate the solstice with a party on Tuesday.

Please remember to bring in your Secret Snowflake gift on Monday or Tuesday, wrapping and labeled with your child's name. We'll exchange gifts on Tuesday at the party.

This week, and last week, I did a winter sight word reading assessment with all students in the class to see which words they've mastered this fall and what we still need to work on for the rest of the year. This Friday and Monday first and second graders are also doing a computer based math screening with their math teachers. This screening is being done in all the elementary schools in WCSU--it is not impacting student grades.

In second grade math we've begun using the regrouping strategy while adding, using the traditional vertical setup for adding two numbers. We used cuisenaire rods to model what is really happening and show concretely why we carry a ten into the tens column. We're practicing how to show work adding by place value this way and it's going great so far! (We have not introduced this strategy for subtraction yet. One step at a time!)

On Friday we had our first Four Winds science program on rocks and minerals. Thanks to Honi who came to our class to present this program. Four Winds is only available with the generosity of volunteer's time. If you'd like to  join in the fun and be a part of our Four Winds, please contact me or Honi!

Also, the Storytelling event that was to occur next week has been postponed until January.

This will be my last posting before vacation. We have two school days next week. I hope you all have a great holiday break. School returns on January 5th.

HOW 12.15.14

Dear Families,

Last week was a strange school week for sure. The early release and two days off makes it hard to remember what day today is! Well, sorry to get this out to you on a Monday, I'm sure some of were looking for this information on Friday. I hope you all stayed safe and warm on our snowy and powerless days.

Here are some important notes, dates, and reminders:

• Cartoon Residency: This coming week will be the Primary Unit's time to learn about and create comic strips! We will have a session every day, from 9:20-10:00, with cartoon artist Peter Basch, a Master's candidate at the Center for Cartoon Studies. Please help your child come to school ready and on time each day!
• Pajama Day: Since we had a snow day on the original date, pajama day has been rescheduled for this coming Wednesday, December 17th. Kids are welcome to wear pajamas to school on that date. (If a night gown is worn, leggings or pants must be worn underneath.)
• Storytellers: Mrs. Woodard has arranged for storytellers to come to Rumney on Monday Dec. 22nd. The Primary Unit will hear their fantastic tales from 1:00-1:45 that afternoon.
• Solstice Party: Our Solstice party and gift exchange is Tuesday Dec. 23rd at 2:30 pm. So far I've received offers for paper goods and cookies so far. Could someone also donate a bottle of juice? Maybe some cheese and crackers? Cut fruit? Or popcorn? Let me know!
• Holiday Break: There will be no school from Wednesday Dec. 24th to Friday Jan. 2nd. School will resume on Monday January 5th.

HOW 12.5.14

Dear Families,

We had another great week together. We finished writing our science books on traits and heredity and continued writing narratives during Writer's Workshop. We finished reading Charlotte's Web by E.B. White just in time to see the play at the Flynn in Burlington. I'm so grateful that the weather cooperated. It was a fantastic play and a very special day for all of us. Thanks to all the chaperones who came and made our day such a success!

In second grade math students completed pre-assessments to show me what they already know about addition using the standard (vertical) algorithm. We'll all be learning more about this and how to use it to simplify adding two and three digit numbers by place value. (We won't use this strategy for subtraction yet--one step at a time!)

Next week in science we'll begin a new unit on light and shadow. For some of the lessons we plan to do we'll need a few items. Perhaps you have a shoebox you can give us? (We need 5-10 shoe boxes.) Or would you be able to lend us a flashlight for December/January? (If so, please send it in labeled with your name so we can easily return it!)

On Thursday we talked about the Winter Solstice party we'll have the final Tuesday before break. As part of the celebration we'll have a Secret Snowflake gift exchange. I hope you saw my letter home to you about this--we chose names on Thursday so you'll have plenty of time to prepare. I know how busy this time of year can get! If you have any questions, please contact me! Also, if your child won't be in school on the Tuesday before break please let me know! I hope everyone will be there!

Today I write to you from home. I went home sick yesterday and just talked in a whisper when I needed to--I am so thankful to have such a caring and helpful class! Just a bad cold--I'll be back on Monday. Have a fantastic and restful weekend!