Week 14 - December 8, 2017

Curriculum

Reading

The students have learned how to be fluent readers.  Now, they need to continue to practice this skill every time they read.  Next week, we will practice retelling what we're reading.  In addition, students will be learning to read and write words with blends at the end (i.e. must, wing, etc.).

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. 

Writing
The students did a wonderful job noticing different features in how to books.  We have now begun a class project.  The students are creating a how to book about Seesaw for the Kindergarten classes.  Students are working in groups to teach about different parts of Seesaw such as how to log in, how to take a picture, how to make a drawing, how to make a video, and how to record.  They are also making some tips and warnings about handling the iPads.  Ask your child about his/her part!

Math
In math this week, students learned to add with three addends.  Students learned to look for "friendly numbers".  For example, they learned to look for doubles or numbers that make 10 to make the adding easier.  Next week we will learn about data.  Students will take surveys, create tally charts, make bar graphs and answer questions about the data.

Unit 4 Skills
o I can add three numbers using different strategies (make 10 or doubles).
o I can use strategies to solve facts within 10.
o I can put objects in order by length.
o I can measure the length of an object using nonstandard units.
o I can answer questions about data in a tally chart or bar graph.
o I can represent number stories using a number model.
o I can add and subtract 10 from any number.

Unit 4 Study Guide - You may use this to guide you in helping your child study for this Unit 3 Assessment.

Unit 4 IXL Skills - If you would like to, students may use IXL to help them practice these skills.

Social Studies
Students learned that we all have different families.  They learned that it doesn't matter how many people you have in your family or if they're boys or girls.  What does matter is that you take care of each other, keep each other safe, protect each other and love each other.  Next week, we hope to explore traditions and activities that families do together.

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.) 
• December Homework - This is all "Play based" to encourage the students build fine/gross motor skills, creativity and imaginative skills.

Cabins
As a school, we are focusing on respect this month.  Students are learning to show respect to themselves, others, and their environment.  Today we focused on showing respect during our dismissal time.  Please talk with your child about what they learned today!

Important Dates

December 21 - Holiday Party (9:30-10:15) - More information to come
December 25 - Winter Break Begins
December 25-January 7 - No School - Winter Break
January 8 - School Resumes