Week 23 - February 21, 2020

Curriculum

Reading:
Ask your child about Abraham Lincoln, how they might describe him, and why they'd describe him that way.
This week we read about Abraham Lincoln.  With each resource we read or watched, we thought about the Abraham Lincoln and decided how to describe him as a person.  When you read books together, think about how the character acts and what they say.  What does that tell you about the character?  What kind of person/character are they?  Are they helpful, independent, passionate, leaders, respectful, funny, etc.  These are the same things we'll be talking about in class during our read alouds and small group reading time.  Next week, we will be reading about George Washington and thinking about how we can describe him as a person using character traits.

Book Baggies:
Ask your child what books they chose yesterday.
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 to tell them one of their opinions.  What are his/her reasons for that opinion?
Students continued to plan and write opinion writings this week.  They learned that sometimes writing an opinion writing can be a persuasive writing.  Some students are choosing to try to persuade their reader that we should have nap time in school.  We will continue this work next week.

Math: 
Ask your child the value of the digits in the number 48.  What is the value of the 4? What is the value of the 8?
Students did more work with place value this week.  I am hoping that with all of our practice with place value that when we begin to add 2-digit and 1-digit numbers and when we begin to add and subtract larger numbers it will be a bit easier for them.  Next week, we will learn about the clock and how to tell time to the hour using just the hour hand.  In addition, we will work on using combinations of 10 and doubles facts to help us add within 20.

Science/Social Studies:
Ask your child what he/she knows about reflections and light.
Students are wrapping up their learning on light.  Next week, the students will figure out a way to culminate and share all of their learning on light, shadows, reflections, etc.

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

February 27: Science Fair (6-8pm)

March 5: Frog and Toad Spring Concert (3pm)
March 12: 1/2 Day and Sharpen the Saw Day (more information to come later)
March 19: Spring Conferences for those who need it.  I will contact families.