Week 8 - October 27, 2017

Curriculum

Halloween/Color Fun Run

9:25 Halloween Parade
Students can come to school in their Halloween costume.  It must be worn OVER their regular clothes.  Immediately following the parade, students will take off their costumes and put them in their back packs to take home.  Please remember, masks and weapons are not permitted.  If you would like to attend the parade, you will line up outside around the bus circle.  Students will parade around the circle a couple times for you to see them.

2:00 Color Fun Run

Students will put on their oversized white shirt that you sent in.  They will run and be provided a snack after. 

Reading
Next week we will begin to learn to decode unknown words.  Students will be learning different decoding strategies that will help them as readers.  The first decoding strategy is called "Eagle Eye".  Eagle Eye reminds students to look at the picture to see if it can help them to figure out unknown words.  We will also wrap up our learning on short vowels next week.

Book Baggies:
Students have 6 books in their bag (two below their reading level to help them work on fluency, two at their level to focus on good reading skills, and two above level to continue to push and grow as readers).  These bags will stay at home all week for students to practice reading.  It is good to encourage reading and rereading of these books!  We will exchange books on Fridays, so please have students return these books next Friday.  (Just FYI, Library books are sent in on Thursday.)  If a student forgets or is absent one week, they will need to return them the following Friday.  If anyone is available to help with exchanging book baggies on Fridays at about 3:15, I'd love some help!

Writing
Next week, students will finish their personal narratives.  We will then learn about dialogue and how to use it in our writing so that they can try it in their next personal narrative.

Math
We wrapped up Unit 2 this week.  Next week, students will begin Unit 3.  The our focus next week will be on comparing numbers using symbols (>,<,=).

Unit 3 Skills
o I can compare two numbers within 20 using >, <, =.
o I can solve parts-and-total number stories within 10 (word problems).
o I can solve frames and arrows problems with addition (skip counting).
o I can solve number stories using a number line.
o I can find the unknown number of hops between two numbers.
o I can use a number line to skip count.

Unit 3 Study Guide - You may use this to guide you in helping your child study for this Unit 3 Assessment.

Unit 3 IXL Skills - If you would like to, students may use IXL to help them practice these skills.

Science
Next week, we will begin learning about different attributes of objects.  We will then explore sinking and floating.
On Wednesday, November 1st, students will have an opportunity to learn about sinking and floating by testing whether certain candies float or sink.  In order to do this, we are asking that each child bring in 10 snack size pieces of candy (any candy...it WILL NOT be eaten).  For example, 10 Starburst, 10 Whoppers (not packages, simply 10 small whoppers), 10 Skittles, 10 sticks of gum, etc.  Please do not send in candy with nuts.  You can send this in any time between now and Halloween.   Thank you for your help!

Purposeful Play
Students are really enjoying the opportunity to be creative and use their imagination.  I enjoy seeing the problem solving and collaboration that happens. Ask your child what he or she created!

Please see the Purposeful Play tab on the blog to learn more about our weekly Play Time and donation items we could use for it!

Homework

• Read every night
• Work on a math skill (i.e. adding and subtracting to 20 - play a board game for this, telling time, counting coins, measuring - length and volume -  have your child cook with you to practice this, talk about shapes - 2D and 3D - find items around your house, etc.) 
• October Homework - This is all "Play based" to encourage the students build fine/gross motor skills, creativity and imaginative skills.

Important Dates

October 31 - 9:25AM Halloween Parade; 2:00PM Color Fun Run
November 7 - No School
November 14 - Conferences (I will be sending out a sign up genius for scheduling soon.)
November 22 - 1/2 Day (12:30 dismissal - no lunch) - Thanksgiving break begins
November 23-24 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
November 27 - School Resumes