January 9th-13th

Happy Friday!

We had another great short week this week.

Math Workshop:

We finished up the math story problems this week and everyone worked on reading/solving 3 word problems in a small group with a teacher. We will continue working on these as well as multiple strategies for solving addition/subtraction equations.

Writer's Workshop:

This month's theme is still opinion writing. This week we focused on starting our writing on the left side of the paper/book. Often times children start their writing in the middle of the page. We edited several writing pieces that did not have writing beginning on the left.

Reader's Workshop:

This week we did magic writing to practice our new word study words. Take a white crayon and write your words on a white piece of paper. Then water color paint over the words. Reveal the words after painting. We decided to go ahead with 10 new word study words because your kids did AMAZING on their first week with 10 words last week. Ms. Alicia and I were so proud. Thank you for practicing!

We also rotated through leveled book groups focusing on your child's individual reading needs. Personally, this is my favorite time of day. I love watching them grow in their reading skills.

Thematic Centers:

This week we finished Neil Armstrong and started studying Martin Luther King Junior. What an amazing man who helped paved the way for positive change. We read a little bit from his speech and had numerous rich conversations about equality. We rotated through 4 centers:

1. Cut, color and read your Martin Luther King junior mini book.
2. Create a puffy cloud and on the front write a dream of Martin's. On the back write a dream of yours.
3. As a group read and act out the Martin Luther King Jr. play. If you would like a copy of this script, let me know! Some of the kids wanted to take it home and preform at home.
4. Science Experiment: Look at the two eggs on the table. One is brown and one is white. Examine the outside by smelling, touching, holding and looking at the shell. Talk about the similarities and differences. With a teacher crack both eggs into the bowl. Examine the similarities and differences as well. You will notice the eggs on the outside are different but the eggs on the inside are exactly the same. Compare this to people. We are the exact same way. Different on the outside but the same on the inside.

Play:

We really need your help practicing play lines. We only have 11 school days until the play. Can you believe it? This is definitely a longer play with more lines. We will not be able to have a successful play without you! Add play practice to your weekly  homework routine.

Valentine's Day:

Do not forget to write those poems! Work on a couple poems each night so it will not be stressful for your little one.

**No school Monday!!**

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Schultz