6-Oct. 11-15, 2021

Reading: We are learning Main Idea and about key details in the text as well as retell what has happened. This week's stories are nonfiction about different ways people and animals move. We work to connect the reading to our lives and respond in our Wonders Reader's Response Journal. Additionally we'll read a lot of books about fall changes and trees. Students are building stamina with Read to Self and have made it to almost 15" of focused time. We are also doing Read to Someone and learning about responding about the text.

Writing: Students are setting up their writing binders with resources to help them write and how they can help me know whether a piece is done or not. They are writing about their leaf friend they've created as well as describing their beads from trading in social studies. We'll also discuss topics they can write about and how to decide what to write about next.

Phonics/Sight Words: This weeks words are great for identify rhyming words as well as the number of syllables in a word. We also listen for changes to beginning, middle, and end sounds of a word and stretch the word out when we say it.

Spelling, Challenge, Sight Words: Our phonics pattern for spelling is the short "o." Please remember to check the Homework and Weekly Spelling tab in this website to find out all the words.

Grammar: conventions using ?, !

Mathematics: Students have taken their first unit test and are starting to work more with partners and totals and how to write an equation and story problem to go with that. We're looking at equality and inequality in our math problems as well. We are partnering to make number riddles as well.

Social Studies: We'll connect what we've learned about the Anishinaabe and Voyageurs to making choices for needs and wants and what happens if there is a scarcity of something. Students will trade their Rendezvous beads making sure it is a fair trade and understanding there's going to be trade-offs in any exchange . We'll also identify why or why not regarding their trade.

Science: We'll be doing a lot in the garden this week. Here's plans for the Rotations: (R= Rotation)

R1=Garden Sensory Tasting outside the garden. They have a page in their journal that has a list of herbs and vegetables (in order of what they'll find-FYI some may not have been planted for this year if you can find it) with the first letter in bold for easier finding. They are to pinch off a very small bit (students will be familiar with this) and use their 5 senses to explore before tasting. After which they'll respond with a what they thought. (Note: I had hoped to collect more samples and have them washed and ready but didn’t). To follow protocol, we'll set up a wash and rinse bucket for them before they can taste.

R2-Measuring (feet/inches) and counting the tomatoes in the center of the garden and left garden beds. Students will do 1 plant at a time and count the color and number of tomatoes for each plant and record with your help. If time there is a 2nd bed that could also be done.

R3Garden Sensory Tasting inside the garden. There is a page that has a list of herbs and vegetables (in order of what they'll find starting left and going around to the right, with the first letter in bold for easier finding. They are to pinch off a very small bit (students will be familiar with this) and use their 5 senses to explore before tasting. After which they'll respond with a what they thought. (Note: I had hoped to collect more samples and have them washed and ready-we’ll see. To follow protocol though, we'll set up a wash and rinse bucket for them before they can taste.

R4 Observations (if another parent joins us) I hesitated jumping into a rotation and also worried 4 would not give us enough time at each. (Key in on the tomato plant. If not enough, we may have to switch to a different vegetable like the beans). Draw and color each of the plants (or parts of the plants) and label. Stem, Leaves, Fruit. They can also draw a tomato up close.

We may also start learning about the fall changes and thinking like a scientist as to why many leaves are changing color and falling off the trees and what is happening to the trees. Students will learn about the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees and sort leaves into the correct group. We will learn how to identify a maple tree so we are ready to do that in the late winter when there are no more leaves on the trees. We'll also do some leaf art and creative writing connections as well as learn how to play "Tree Tag."

Science Vocabulary(oral): sunlight, temperature, water, deciduous, conifer, trees, sorting, observation, properties.

Other: SNACKS. I ask that students bring 1 healthy snack to school (the fresher the better- We've been able to collect a lot of garden produce and are taste testing garden harvested food similar to what we have grown/harvested in the Congdon garden ). Please pack it in their backpack pouch not their lunch box. This helps with time efficiency and also not eating extra food. I request 1 snack that fits in their mailbox.

Communication: If you have not sent in your school paperwork, Please do so ASAP! Conferences start on Thursday. I look forward to reconnecting with all of you.

Other:

Oct. 14,18-19: Conferences and Book Fair

Oct. 21-22 MEA-No school for students

Oct. 25-Staff Development Day No school for students