Hello families!
This week we continued practicing comprehension strategies about summarizing what we've read. We read aloud from A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky. We also read D is for Dragon Dance to celebrate the beginning of Chinese New Year yesterday.
We began a new science unit of sound. We made our first observations of sound--a bee buzzing in a flower--and thought about how sound is produced. Students noticed how different the sound was when the bee was inside the flower versus out in the air flying to a new flower. We also observed sounds in the classroom and the hallway and how these varied too.
In writing students put together their published star myths and some finished illustrating them. If your child did finish illustrating this week you'll see this book come home along with the handwritten copy and editing sheets. Ask your child about their writing process!
We also talked about the first steps of our next writing project. On Thursday I sent home a letter and the planning sheets for our PLPs. Please take some time before school resumes to help your child write down the questions they want to answer about their topic and write down any facts they already know (or think they know are true). We'll begin researching at school after vacation.
Even with the excitement of vacation we had a terrific week. I hope you all have a great break and we'll see you in March!
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Highlights of the Week 2.13.15
Dear Families,
We've had a terrific week! Students finished writing and editing their star myths. On Friday our buddies read or told us about their folk tale writing project. Then they helped us type our star myths. Next week we'll work on illustrating our myths as our narrative writing unit comes to a close. After vacation we'll begin a new non-fiction report writing unit! On Friday we narrowed down our idea list and chose our topics! Ask your child what s/he'll be studying!
We learned more about the moon and its phases this week. We also pretended to be the Earth and moved like it to practice some vocabulary: rotate and revolve! We also did one last light experiment, peek boxes, about how light travels and how it helps us see things in the dark. Next week and after break we'll be doing some sound experiments and investigations. In order to do those there are some supplies we need, in particular toilet paper tubes (or paper towel tubes). Please send any you have in to us!
We practiced asking questions and making connections while reading this week. We also read about the Chinese New Year which is beginning on February 19th this year. We were surprised to learn that they time their celebration to coincide with the phases of the moon--beginning on a new moon and ending at the full moon!
We also had a visit from local author, Grannie Snow, who shared two of her Silas the cat books with us. We talked about the inspiration for writing and the writing process from idea to editing to publication! We were surprised, and excited, to hear that our process is just like the process she uses!
On Friday we had a nice Valentine's celebration of our friendships and enjoyed some treats! Next week there are two special events: Wednesday will be the final Winter Wellness Sports day; Friday afternoon will be our Rumney Winter Carnival!
We've had a terrific week! Students finished writing and editing their star myths. On Friday our buddies read or told us about their folk tale writing project. Then they helped us type our star myths. Next week we'll work on illustrating our myths as our narrative writing unit comes to a close. After vacation we'll begin a new non-fiction report writing unit! On Friday we narrowed down our idea list and chose our topics! Ask your child what s/he'll be studying!
We learned more about the moon and its phases this week. We also pretended to be the Earth and moved like it to practice some vocabulary: rotate and revolve! We also did one last light experiment, peek boxes, about how light travels and how it helps us see things in the dark. Next week and after break we'll be doing some sound experiments and investigations. In order to do those there are some supplies we need, in particular toilet paper tubes (or paper towel tubes). Please send any you have in to us!
We practiced asking questions and making connections while reading this week. We also read about the Chinese New Year which is beginning on February 19th this year. We were surprised to learn that they time their celebration to coincide with the phases of the moon--beginning on a new moon and ending at the full moon!
We also had a visit from local author, Grannie Snow, who shared two of her Silas the cat books with us. We talked about the inspiration for writing and the writing process from idea to editing to publication! We were surprised, and excited, to hear that our process is just like the process she uses!
On Friday we had a nice Valentine's celebration of our friendships and enjoyed some treats! Next week there are two special events: Wednesday will be the final Winter Wellness Sports day; Friday afternoon will be our Rumney Winter Carnival!
Friday, January 30, 2015
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:
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
100th 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 4th
for our 100th 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
Thursday, January 22, 2015
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!
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!
Friday, January 16, 2015
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!
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!
Friday, January 9, 2015
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
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
Friday, December 19, 2014
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.
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.
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