Week 14 - December 5, 2019

Curriculum

Reading:
Ask your child about what it means to be a fluent reader!
This week we learned about what it means to be a fluent reader.  We will continue to work on this.  Students have learned that now that they know how to decode words, they should reread sentences after decoding to make it sound smooth when they read. Next week, we will continue to work on fluency as readers by working on our rate and using the punctuation to help us as readers. 

Book Baggies:
Ask your child what books they got today.
Students brought home six books.  Two books below their level so that they can practice fluency, two books on their level to help them practice decoding strategies and other skills we're learning in class, and two books above level to help students push themselves as readers.  Books should be returned every Thursday.  If your child feels the books are too easy for them, that is okay.  They can build their fluency and confidence as readers.  Levels will change throughout the year, but they will NOT change weekly.

Writing:
Ask your child what a How to book is and what it has in it.
As writers this week, we learned what a how to book is and why authors write them.  We also learned some of the features that how to books include (ie. introduction, steps in order, conclusion, materials listed, etc.).  This week, we wrote a how to on How To Build a Snowman.  Next week, we will be writing about How to Make Gingerbread Playdough or How to Catch a Gingerbread Man.

Math:
Ask your child what strategy they like to use when solving addition or subtraction number stories.
We are continuing to practice solving addition and subtraction word problems within 10 and showing our thinking.  The students are learning to use number lines, number grids, and different diagrams (part-total, change to more/less) to help them when they solve word problems.  They are also learning to write number models (equations) to represent their thinking.  

Science/Social Studies:
Ask your child what families are for.
This week, we wrapped up our thinking about families by discussing what families are for.  The kids came up with some great ideas about what we need our families for.  Next week, we will begin our science unit on Sound and Light.

Purposeful Play
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. counting forwards and backwards within 120, 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.) 

Specials Schedule

Monday: P.E. (Wear tennis shoes)
Tuesday: Art (Bring an Art shirt labeled with your child's name)
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Media/Library
Friday: Rotates (See the back of your child's OWL folder (everyday folder) for a schedule.)

Important Dates

December 6: No School - Record's Day

December 11: Holiday Shop (4:30-8:00)
December 23-January 5: No School - Winter Break
January 16: Family Movie Night (4:30-6:00)