Reading
We read a short story called Dragons and Giants this week. We talked about some basic story elements and worked on the reading strategy of drawing conclusions.
In reading groups we discussed biographies and students read biographies of Amelia Earhart and Walt Disney. Next week we will start writing our autobiographies.
Writing
We began cursive writing this week! We also spent the first 25 minutes of each day doing some free writing. We have been so busy writing our expository and research papers we have had very little time to do some free-choice writing. It was a nice relaxed way to start our day. I even noticed a few students choosing to write during our one indoor recess!
Math
We are working hard on mental math strategies and talking about how we solve problems. We are reviewing measurement, money and time. Continued practice of our algorithms and basic facts is also a focus.
Social Studies
We started reading about Government this week. Students learned that there are three kinds of government-local, state and national. We also learned about taxes and services.
Personal News
On a personal note, I wanted to share some bittersweet news with you. I love teaching at Beye and always feel at home here. You all generously share your children with me and I have always felt that you exemplify family involvement in education. So it is with some regret that I have decided to teach at my neighborhood school, Irving, next year. I am eager to begin teaching and investing in my own neighborhood school and I look forward to the challenges as well. I learned from all of you what it means to care about your school and I hope to apply those lessons at Irving. I am grateful for the two years at Beye, in particular getting to know the 24 wonderful families represented in room 100! In the meantime, we have a full trimester left and I approach it with a renewed energy and determination to make it a valuable and memorable end of the year!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Reading
We started a new unit in our Open Court series. This unit is about courage. We practiced making personal connections with the story, Molly the Brave and Me. We also talked about point of view. This story was written in first person.
In reading groups we talked about biographies. Students learned that a biography is a story about someone's life. We will be reading and writing biographies in the coming weeks and months.
Writing
We will get a chance to share our Dinosaur Research Projects and papers AND our Expository books with our reading buddies on Friday! We started cursive handwriting with an introduction to correct posture, pencil grip and curves!
Math
You should have received the first math workbook on Wednesday. We continue to practice the basic facts. This next unit really solidifies mental math strategies. It is a review of our 100 chart, place value and sums of 10 and 100. It also reviews subtraction, addition, multiplication and division. Whew! We'll be busy. Please look at the link to the left, Oswego Math. It is a great website that has all different math games. Ask your child which game s/he played on Wednesday. Each child was asked to play a different game depending on what math skills they needed to practice.
Social Studies
Next week we will begin our Social Studies unit on Economics.
Dinosaur Projects
The dinosaur projects were fantastic! Please look at some of the pictures of the presentations. (There are also some older pictures on this link that never got shared.) We enjoyed looking at Ms. Hallerberg's projects as well. All projects go home on Friday.
We started a new unit in our Open Court series. This unit is about courage. We practiced making personal connections with the story, Molly the Brave and Me. We also talked about point of view. This story was written in first person.
In reading groups we talked about biographies. Students learned that a biography is a story about someone's life. We will be reading and writing biographies in the coming weeks and months.
Writing
We will get a chance to share our Dinosaur Research Projects and papers AND our Expository books with our reading buddies on Friday! We started cursive handwriting with an introduction to correct posture, pencil grip and curves!
Math
You should have received the first math workbook on Wednesday. We continue to practice the basic facts. This next unit really solidifies mental math strategies. It is a review of our 100 chart, place value and sums of 10 and 100. It also reviews subtraction, addition, multiplication and division. Whew! We'll be busy. Please look at the link to the left, Oswego Math. It is a great website that has all different math games. Ask your child which game s/he played on Wednesday. Each child was asked to play a different game depending on what math skills they needed to practice.
Social Studies
Next week we will begin our Social Studies unit on Economics.
Dinosaur Projects
The dinosaur projects were fantastic! Please look at some of the pictures of the presentations. (There are also some older pictures on this link that never got shared.) We enjoyed looking at Ms. Hallerberg's projects as well. All projects go home on Friday.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Dinosaur Projects
Dinosaur projects are due Monday. We will have an hour and a half of our day dedicated to sharing our projects and giving our speeches. Despite this chunk of time it is likely that not all students will get to share their projects on Monday. I know they will be excited and I will make every effort to give feedback to each child! Everyone should be prepared on Monday, as the students will be chosen at random to present their museum display. If your child needs more than 5 minutes to demonstrate, please let me know via email if at all possible. It will help me plan accordingly. Thanks!
Canned Food Drive-
As part of National Nutrition Month we are having a school wide can drive. Send those cans in this month! We are also learning a tip a day about being healthy and choosing nutritious foods.
Story Telling
Ethan won a raffle prize for our class and we were treated to a half hour of story telling from Mrs. Friesen. Ask your child about this special experience!
Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic Book order forms will go home on Monday. You can view them online today by clicking the link. Congratulations to Luke and Jackson who won a free book for completing the at home reading chart in our classroom!
Report Cards
Report Cards go home next week. Make sure you look for these as they have valuable information about your child's academic progress. There should be no surprises, but if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to schedule a conference.
Dinosaur projects are due Monday. We will have an hour and a half of our day dedicated to sharing our projects and giving our speeches. Despite this chunk of time it is likely that not all students will get to share their projects on Monday. I know they will be excited and I will make every effort to give feedback to each child! Everyone should be prepared on Monday, as the students will be chosen at random to present their museum display. If your child needs more than 5 minutes to demonstrate, please let me know via email if at all possible. It will help me plan accordingly. Thanks!
Canned Food Drive-
As part of National Nutrition Month we are having a school wide can drive. Send those cans in this month! We are also learning a tip a day about being healthy and choosing nutritious foods.
Story Telling
Ethan won a raffle prize for our class and we were treated to a half hour of story telling from Mrs. Friesen. Ask your child about this special experience!
Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic Book order forms will go home on Monday. You can view them online today by clicking the link. Congratulations to Luke and Jackson who won a free book for completing the at home reading chart in our classroom!
Report Cards
Report Cards go home next week. Make sure you look for these as they have valuable information about your child's academic progress. There should be no surprises, but if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to schedule a conference.
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