News for November 9-13
Hello, parents! I hope you had a great weekend. It was wonderful meeting with all of you last Thursday. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns as our year progresses. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is- what places do you go to during the week? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words routine, neighborhood, local, volunteer, and intelligent. The students will blend and read words containing hard c. Our new high frequency word is go. For our Fundations work, the class will learn the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for qu and z. I will introduce word chains this week as a way to build the children’s reading fluency.
Math
We are wrapping up chapter 3 on Monday as the students take their summative test. They have worked so hard on their counting and number graphs. I am really proud of them! Chapter 4 is called, Compose and Decompose Numbers to 10. This short chapter serves as an introduction to addition and subtraction. This week, the children will devise ways to make and take apart groups of 4-7.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, Jesus Tells Stories. The class will learn that the Bible is a special book that teaches us about God and Jesus. We will discuss how Jesus’ stories taught people how to love others. The class did an amazing job at church last week. Let’s keep it going!
Social Studies
Using our Scholastic magazines, the students will learn about Veterans Day. They will identify ways that veterans showed bravery in their jobs. We will honor veterans at this Wednesday’s all-school mass and will make thank you cards for them as well. Have a good week!
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 261-262.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 267-268.
Thursday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete math pages 273-274.
News for November 2-6
Hello, parents! I hope everyone had a really fun Halloween. Here’s our plan for this shortened week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is-what are different sounds we hear? The students will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words listen, volume, exclaimed, chat, and familiar. The class will blend and read words containing n in the initial and ending positions of words. Our new high frequency word is and. For Fundations, the children will practice the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for x and y. We will work on writing sentences correctly by focusing on capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.
Math
The students will count and print up to 100 this week! They will count by ones and tens, and they will locate various numbers on completed number graphs.
Religion
Because of our Red Ribbon Week and Halloween activities, we were unable to finish last week’s chapter. To wrap up the chapter, we will discuss ways we can say/show we are sorry to others. The class will learn that we should forgive others as God forgives us.
Social Studies
Using the Core Knowledge site, the students will learn about a few European countries’ traditions and landmarks. We will locate Europe on our map worksheets as well. Have a good week; I am looking forward to meeting with you on Thursday!
Reminders:
The children will be dismissed at 11:30 this Thursday, November 5, due to conferences. They do not need a lunch or snack.
There is no school this Friday, November 6, as it is a professional development day.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Wednesday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete math pages 235-236.
News for October 26-30
Hello, parents! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We have a busy and fun week ahead of us. This is Red Ribbon Week, and Wednesday is First Responder Day. And of course, we will have our Halloween festivities on Friday! Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is-what rules do we follow in different places? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words rule, cooperate, guard, prank, and responsible. The students will blend and read words containing n in the initial and ending positions of words. Our new high frequency word is to. For Fundations, the class will learn the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for v and w. We will spell and read 4-letter words and will work on identifying the ending sounds in words.
Math
The children are doing a super job with their number graphs! They are understanding the number patterns and clues within the graphs. This week, we will count and print up to 80.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, Jesus Helps Us Say We Are Sorry. The class will discuss why it is important to get along with others. They will learn that we should forgive others the way God forgives us. We will devise ways to show/tell someone we are sorry. We will attend our first all-school mass next Wednesday, November 4. Please join us if your schedule permits.
Social Studies
Using our Scholastic magazines, the students will learn abut the gear firefighters use to do their jobs. This pairs perfectly with our First Responder Day!
Science
Using our Scholastic magazines, the class will learn about the various things you can do with a pumpkin. Have a good week! Have a spooky and safe Halloween!
Reminders:
Please refer to Dr. Fay’s “Halloween Happenings” email for Friday’s guidelines.
Next Thursday are our parent-teacher conferences. The children will be dismissed at 11:30. They do not need a lunch or snack.
There is no school next Friday due to a Professional Development Day.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Thursday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete the number graph.
News for October 19-23
Hello, parents! I hope you had a great weekend. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is-what kinds of bugs do you know about? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words curious, observe, process, slender, and attaches. This is a review week for our reading series, so there are no new letters of the week or new high frequency words. I will, however, assess the children on the 7 h.f. words they have learned thus far. A complete list of words, as well as the letter sounds the children should know, can be found on my Google site. Overall, the class is off to a good start with blending and reading 4-letter words. We’ll keep practicing this week! For Fundations, the students will practice the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for h, l, and k. We’ll incorporate those letters into our blending work.
Math
On Monday, the students will take their Check My Progress quiz on numbers up to 20. Additionally, the students will count and print numbers up to 50. The children will use number graphs to help them identify the number order and patterns. These number graphs can be a bit difficult for some children. If it seems like your child is really struggling or is taking a long time to complete them, please reach out to me so I can make an accommodation. You are also welcome to set a timer (15-20 minutes). Your child can stop working once the timer goes off. Please just jot a note on the homework so I know.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Gives Us Neighbors. We will identify the roles of our various community helpers. The class will describe ways we can be good neighbors and share God’s love with our neighbors. Also, they will learn the Bible story of the Good Samaritan.
Social Studies
As we resume our Core Knowledge continent work, the class will learn about South America. We will locate it on a map of the world, and we will learn about South America’s natural features and native animals. Have a good week!
Reminders:
For a $2 donation, the children may wear orange on Friday. The money will be donated to the MuSic Movement organization.
Students will be dismissed at 1:30 next Monday, October 26, due to Curriculum Collaboration. They may be out of uniform for a $1.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete the number graph.
Thursday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete the number graph.
News for October 12-16
Hello, parents! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is- what shapes do you see around you? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words nature, materials, world, games, and decoration. The students will blend and read words containing t in the initial and final positions of words. Our new high frequency word is like. For Fundations, the class will learn the letter-keyword picture-sound combination for p and j. The children have been making great progress with spelling 3-letter words. I think we are ready to try for 4-letter words this week!
Math
As we continue chapter 3, the students will count and create groups of 16-20 using ten frames and tokens. We are learning how to identify these teen numbers as 10 and __ more. They will take their Check My Progress quiz on Wednesday.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Gives Us Friends. We will thank God for the gift of friends, and we will share activities we like to do with our friends. Also, the class will celebrate Jesus as our friend. We are about a month away from attending our first all-school mass together. Please take your child to weekend mass before then so he/she knows what to expect. Thank you in advance for helping our children grow in their faith.
Science
Using our Scholastic magazines, the class will learn about characteristics of bats. After discussing their features, we will decide if bats are “spooky” or “cool.” I know which way I’m voting. 😉 We will make a simple bat craft as well. Have a good week!
Homework:
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 201-202.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Thursday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete math pages 209-210.
News for October 5-9
Hello, parents! I hope you had a great weekend. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is- what tools help us to explore? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words tools, discover, fetch, rumble, and defeated. The students will blend and read words containing p in the beginning and ending positions of words. They are off to a very good start with tapping out the letter sounds to read words! Our new high frequency word is a. For Fundations, the class will practice the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for short e and r. We will spell 3 letter words and work on writing proper sentences.
Math
On Monday, the students will take their chapter 2 test. Our new chapter is called, Numbers Beyond 10. This week, the children will use ten frames and tokens to count and create groups of 11-15. The goal is for the children to identify these numbers as 10 and __ more.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Gives Us Families. We will share what we like to do with our families, and we will discuss ways our families help us learn about God. Also, the students will learn about the Bible story of the Prodigal Son.
Social Studies
As we continue our Core Knowledge unit, the students will learn more about North America. Last week, we learned about globes and located the United States on the globe. This week, we will learn about Canada and Mexico and will find them on the globe too. Have a good week!
Reminders:
Our gym day is Friday.
There is no school next Monday, October 12.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 183-184.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 189-190.
Thursday: Reread the booklet. Complete math pages 195-196.
News for September 28-October 2
Hello, parents! I hope you all had a great weekend. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is- how can your senses help you learn? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words senses, explore, feast, kneads, and finished. The students will identify s in the beginning and ending positions of words, and our new high frequency word is see. For Fundations, the class will practice the letter-keyword picture-sound combinations for d and s. We will also continue our work on rhyming. We have arrived at one of my favorite times of the year when the students learn how to blend and read words! Being able to smoothly blend letter sounds is such a crucial building block for reading success. This week, I will teach the children how to “tap out” and blend letter sounds in 3-letter words.
Math
As we near the end of chapter 2, the students will compare numbers 0-10 using terms greater than, less than, and equal to. We will add “one more” to groups of objects, and they will use ordinal numbers first-tenth to describe objects’ positions. The children will take their Check My Progress quiz on Tuesday; the chapter test is scheduled for next Monday.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Gives Us Senses. We will name our senses and share ways we can use our senses to explore God’s world. Weather-permitting, we will take a nature walk around the school and discuss how we used our senses during the walk.
Social Studies
As we continue our Core Knowledge unit, the class will learn about maps and globes. We will also discuss our first continent, North America. Have a good week!
Raider Run A Thon Reminders:
Our time slot for Wednesday’s Run A Thon is 9:30-10:15.
The children may wear their Raider Run A Thon shirts (they will get them on Tuesday).
Homework:
Monday: Complete math pages 141-142.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 149-150.
Thursday: Reread the booklet. Complete math pages 155-156.
News for September 21-25
Hello, parents! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Last week, you received instructions for checking your child’s grades through PowerSchool. I encourage you to review your child’s grades weekly so that there are no surprises come report card time. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions. Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is-how do baby animals move? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words adventure, movement, exhausted, exciting, and arrived. The students will identify the short a sound in the beginning and medial positions of words, and we will continue our work on nouns. Our new high frequency word is we. For Fundations, the class will practice the letter-keyword picture-sound combination for short a and hard g. Also, we will work on rhyming activities.
Math
As we continue chapter 2, the class will print number 10 and will create groups of 10 using ten frames and tokens. We will review counting and creating groups of 6-9 as well. The goal in using ten frames is for the students to recognize these numbers as “5 and __ more.” The students will independently take the Check My Progress quiz on Monday.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Gives Me Feelings. The class will name our many feelings, and we will discuss ways to help our friends when they are feeling sad. The children will describe Mary and Joseph’s feelings when young Jesus was lost.
Social Studies
We will begin our first unit from the website: coreknowledge.org. This site offers free curriculum for a variety of subjects and grades. Unit 1 is all about exploring the vast parts of our world, starting with our neighborhoods and eventually branching out to all of the continents. Have a good week!
Reminders:
There is no school this Friday, September 25, due to a professional development day.
Students will be dismissed at 1:30 next Monday, September 28, due to curriculum collaboration. They may be out of uniform for a $1 donation.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA worksheet.
Tuesday: Complete math pages 123-124.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA worksheet.
News for September 14-18
Hello, parents! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ideally, the students will take the math portion of the iReady test this week. We will also need to catch up on the reading section. The children are just itching to use their headphones and iPads! ;) Here’s our plan for the week:
ELA
This week’s essential question is- how can we get along with new friends? We will discuss the meanings of vocabulary words friend, problem, grasped, escape, and rescue. The children will identify the m sound in the initial and final positions of words. Additionally, I will introduce nouns this week, and we will practice our new high frequency word- the. For our Fundations work, the students will practice the letter name-keyword picture-sound combination for hard c and short o. We will do a bit of syllable work as well. At this Thursday’s Curriculum Night, I will give you a copy of the Fundations alphabet that we use in class as well as a list of all of the high frequency words the children will learn through our reading series. Please keep them as reference sheets or for extra practice for your child.
Math
The children did a terrific job with their chapter 1 test! We will begin Chapter 2: Numbers to Ten. The class will work together to answer the essential question- what do numbers tell me? This week, the class will learn how to print numbers 6-9 and will count and create groups of 6-9. We will use ten frames and tokens to model groups of 6-9. (6 is 5 and 1 more, 7 is 5 and 2 more, etc.)
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Creates Me. The children will learn that God made each of us special. We will praise God for our talents, and we will share ways that we are special.
Science
Using our Scholastic magazines, the class will examine what happens during a monarch butterfly migration. We will also discuss the life cycle of a butterfly. Have a good week!
Reminders:
Our Picture Day is this Tuesday, September 15. The children may be out of uniform; please have your child still wear comfortable shoes.
Curriculum Night is this Thursday, September 17, from 6:00-7:00.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Tuesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 97-98.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet. Complete math pages 103-104.
Thursday: No homework-see you tonight!
News for September 7-11
Hello, parents! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. This week, the students will begin the first iReady diagnostic. On Tuesday and Thursday, the children will take the reading portion; math will be completed next week. The results of the reading test, in combination with my own observations, will inform my differentiated groupings for ELA. Here's our plan for the week:
ELA
We will complete the third week of Start Smart as we focus on the essential question-what can you do? The class will review high frequency words I and can, print letters Qq-Zz, and count the number of syllables in words. Last week, I introduced 2 of our Daily 5 rotations: Read to Self and Work on Writing. The children will practice them again, and I will teach them another round: Word Work.
Math
The children did a great job on last week's quiz! We will wrap up chapter 1 this week as the students compare numbers 0-5 and add "one more" to groups of objects. They will have 1 more formative quiz on Wednesday, and the summative test will be on Friday.
Religion
Our new chapter is called, God Creates People. We will thank God for loving us and making us, and we will discuss ways we can show our love for others.
Science
Using our Scholastic magazines, the children will identify the characteristics of a Hidden Rose apple. Additionally, we will conduct an experiment to see if lemon juice stops apple slices from turning brown. Have a good week!
Reminders:
Our Picture Day is next Tuesday, September 15. Weather-permitting, we will still have outside recess, so please have your child wear comfortable shoes.
Curriculum Night is next Thursday, September 17, from 6:00-7:00.
Homework:
Tuesday: Complete math pages 65-66.
Wednesday: Complete the ELA sheet.
Thursday: Reread the ELA booklet. Complete math pages 73-74.
News for August 31-September 4
Hello, parents! I hope everyone had a good weekend. The children are off to a great start with learning our classroom routines and procedures. For your reference, these are our 3 class rules: be respectful (be kind, helpful, do not interrupt), be responsible (follow directions), and be safe (keep our hands to ourselves). I am going to start the ClassDojo points this week. The children are able to earn up to 5 "positive" points a day for things like following directions, staying on task, raising their hands, being helpful, and putting forth good effort. Conversely, they may earn "needs work" points for things like not following directions, being off-task, interrupting, being unkind, and not putting forth good effort. The students and I will review all of this Monday morning. Please check your child's points daily, and feel free to reach out with any questions about this. Here's our plan for the week:
ELA
The first 3 weeks of our Reading Wonders series are called "Start Smart" weeks. During these 3 weeks, the children will learn how to print letters Aa-Zz, learn their first 2 high frequency words, and engage in several phonological awareness activities. Each week of our reading series also has an essential question. Because it was a full week of school last week, we already completed the first part of Start Smart! The students learned high frequency word I, discussed how we are all special, and practiced printing Aa-Ff. This week's essential question is- who is in your family? The class will learn h.f. word can and will practice printing letters Gg-Pp. Last week, we began our first Fundations (phonics) unit. The children learned the letter-keyword-sound combination for b, f, and t. This week, we will focus on m and n as well as identify those sounds at the beginning of words.
Math
We are progressing nicely through Chapter 1: Numbers 0-5. Throughout this chapter, the class will work to answer the essential question: how do we show how many? Last week, the children learned how to print numbers 1-3, and they counted groups of 1-3. This week, we will print 4, 5, and 0 and will also count and create groups of 1-5. Additionally, the students will match objects with a one-to-one correspondence to create equal groups and will compare groups to determine "greater than" and "less than." On Wednesday, the students will independently take their first Check My Progress formative assessment (like a quiz).
Religion
Our first chapter was called, God Creates the Earth and Skies. We celebrated all of the wonderful gifts of creation God has given to us. This week's new chapter is called, God Creates the Animals. The class will share our favorite animals, and we will devise ways we can care for our pets. As I mentioned in our handbook, we will start attending the all-school masses in November. Please be sure to take your child to weekend mass before then so he/she is prepared for when we go.
Social Studies
The class will learn about Labor Day, and the students will discuss what they might want to be when they grow up. Have a good week!
Curriculum Night on 9/10:
Unfortunately, I will not be at Curriculum Night as I have a prior engagement. Please feel free to still stop by our classroom.
Reminder:
There is no school next Monday due to Labor Day.
Homework:
Monday: Complete the math worksheet.
Tuesday: Complete math pages 39-40.
Wednesday: Complete math pages 47-48.
Thursday: Complete math pages 53-54.