September 2nd-5th

Hello and happy Thursday!

Here is the sign up genius for the week. We are starting light and easing back into having volunteers in the classroom. We will start going to the park the week of September 15th. But if you would like to sign up for something this week, you may! www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0C4FA5A82BA4FF2-september1


We have been busy studying Jack and the Beanstalk and learning many new procedures for reader's workshop.

Thematic Centers:

We have read many versions of Jack and the Beanstalk including Kate and the Beanstalk! On Tuesday we planted our very own lima bean. We wrapped the bean in a wet paper towel, placed it in a ziplock bag and taped it to the window. Hopefully the begin to grow soon! On Wednesday we studied the 4 phases of a lima bean as it begins to grow. The first stage is the seed, then seedling, sprout and finally a plant! Today we will be practicing putting Jack and the Beanstalk themed words in ABC order. We will also be comparing and contrasting the different versions of the story.

Math:

Wow have we been busy! This week we have worked to master several concepts: counting, ordering, representing and comparing. We worked on counting out of mystery bags and trying to remember to use one of our accurate counting techniques (grouping objects, skip counting, counting on etc). You may have seen this mystery box (we used bags) come home! We also worked on making our own staircases on a graph. In class we built staircases out of unifix cubes and worked on counting on and trying to determine which staircase was missing when Mrs. Schultz made us close our eyes and removed one. This worked on ordering a set of numbers and quantities up to 12. Today we will be playing a game called "Compare." This game works on comparing numbers and developing an understanding of how the quantities in the counting sequence are related. Each set of partners is given a set of dot cards with different dot patterns (similar to dominos). The cards are laying face down and when students flip their cards over at the same time they have to quickly determine which has more. The person with more dots gets to keep both cards.

Reader's Workshop:

We are still building stamina and learning procedures for reader's workshop. By the end of this week everyone will have built up to reading quietly and independently for 20 minutes. Yahoo! We have added a new procedure this week to our workshop time and that is independently writing. We are learning that it looks much different than writer's workshop. We are also learning to brainstorm topics on our own. If we do not know how to write a word, we are working on underlining that word and moving on rather than staying stuck on it. We have been practicing our word study words, reading individually with teachers and we worked on our first poem in our poetry journal. Each child has received a book that is on their level that was chosen for them. They also got to pick two books on their own. This is great motivation to keep reading! Because this is an independent activity, teachers are able to meet with students individually to work on reading!

Mark you calendars for curriculum night! September 10th from 6-8. At 6 pm there will be a welcome session in the elementary gym and teachers will run 30 minute sessions from 6:30-8. We have sessions starting at 6:30, 7 and 7:30.

Remember if you have a birthday coming up, the school has asked that you bring a healthy treat for your snack (if you choose to bring a treat at all). Fruits and veggies are welcome! If you do not want to bring a treat but still want to celebrate your child, please feel free to come read a book to the class! :)

Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Mrs. Schultz