February 19, 2016

Happy February Vacation Fish Families!

I think these kiddos are ready to rest, relax and get healthy. I hope you all get a chance to do the same.

We have had a great Read Across America Week! Today we were able to hear Mr. Morgan, our superintendent, read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. We were visited by Mrs. Fitzgerald, our reading specialist yesterday and our own Mrs. Shaw read us a Mrs. Wishy Washy story. The special dress up days make the week fly by. Thanks for your support with everything!

Readers' Workshop: The children are working on developing stronger reading powers. We spent some time studying the characteristics of more challenging books. The children are putting heir just right books in order from easiest to hardest and working up to the challenging books during our reading time. They are using patterns to read their books and also to help them predict what is going to come next. 

Writers' Workshop: This week we chose a piece to publish, wrapping up our personal narrative unit. The children learned how to use flaps to make their sentences even better. They are also beginning to attempt strong sentences to start their stories. (ie. We went to the beach. vs. One sunny day we went to the beach.) We will launch a new unit, How-To Books, after vacation. 

Math Workshop: The children did their first open response this week! I gave them a comparison number story and they had to "prove" their solution using pictures. Many of the children included the number equation as well! They represented teen numbers on double ten frames and are becoming more familiar with the equal symbol and addition symbol. 

Up-coming Events:

• Word of the Week-me
• Handwriting- r, n & m
• Music Hall- 3/15
• Early Release-3/17
• Teacher Workshop Day (No School)-3/18

Fondly,

Kristen

February 12, 2016

Greetings!

Here is a glimpse into our week in the fish class:

Readers' Workshop: This week we learned about quotation marks and practiced using character voices when re-reading a familiar book. The students are using their book talk power when in partnerships. They practiced introducing their books to their partner before reading it together. We are also working on retelling a story to help with developing comprehension skills. 

Writers' Workshop: We did a lot of work with writing partnerships this week. We are encouraging increased independence. The children used their new writing partners to help them hear even more sounds in words. Partners also told each other what to do to make a story even easier to read. (Adding details to pictures was a popular editing suggestion!)

Literacy Centers: This week we did some work with our sight/snap word up. The children created some class books and practiced writing k and y in their handwriting journals. 

Math Workshop: This week has been all about the number 100! The children counted (while exercising) to 100, stamped to 100, completed a 100 piece puzzle, and sang a 100 Day song. We played a roll and record math game where the children find, record and analyze sums of dice rolls (K.OA.2 solves number storied and problems involving addition and subtraction.) We found shapes in a picture of a playground as a review of the basic shapes and continue to work on teen numbers. This week we emphasized the concept of teens being "ten and some more ones."

YouTube video to practice counting to 100:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=estMnWVEjrk&noredirect=1

Visual Arts: It has been a week of hearts, glitter, glue and paint! Our halls and bulletin boards look amazing!

Some Stories We Read: I Love You, Good Night, Cat's Party, Secret Valentine, Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!, Up, Up, Down, 100th Day Worries, There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

Donation Request: soft tissues 

Up- coming Events:

• Read Across America Week is next week! *Monday is wear crazy socks and show them off. *Tuesday- wear your favorite hat. *Wednesday-wear mismatched clothes. *Thursday- dress up as your favorite book character *Friday- bring a stuffed animal for Curl Up and Read day
• February Vacation- 2/22-2/26

• Word of the Week-we

• Phonics-king ed (silent e at end of cvc word)

• Handwriting-j & p

Happy Valentine's Weekend.

Kristen