March 26th - 30th

Reading Workshop - Good Reading Buddies...

• Help each other when they get stuck.
• Read alongside each other.
• Help their partner when they notice that a strategy their partner used didn't make sense.

Writing Workshop - Good Writers...Continue to work on their All About books.

• Add more information to each page.
• Look at other informational books to get ideas.
• Organize their table of contents.

Math...We finished our unit on 2-D shapes and patterns.  We continued to combine numbers.  We began our unit on coins/money.

Social Studies...We finished our exploration of maps!  We created maps of our own make-believe towns.

Word Study - Sorts were sent home at the beginning of the week.

March 19th - 23rd

We enjoyed the beautiful weather this week!  Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make afternoon games successful.

Reading Workshop - Good Readers...Are brave and tackle hard words!

• Reread!  They look at pictures and think about what is happening in the story.
• Look for words that they know inside bigger words.
• Put all the letter sounds together!
• When they are done they don't just say "I am finished!"  They go back and practice so it sounds smooth and makes sense.

Writing Workshop - Good Writers...Write All About a topic!

• Choose a topic and make a list of everything they know about the topic.
• Think about the information that belongs together and create chapters.
• Look at books written by pros and learn new strategies!

Math...we are working on 2-D shapes, creating and interpreting graphs, and extending patterns. 

Social Studies...We continued our exploration of maps.  We looked at a Compass Rose and practiced North, South, East and West.

Word Study - Sorts were sent home at the beginning of the week. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

March 12th - March 16th

We ended our week with a festive craft and snack for St. Patrick's Day!  Thank you to all  of the parents who helped make our celebration exciting!  We also had a visit from Lucky, the leprechaun!

Reading Workshop - Good Readers...

• Are brave and tackle hard words!
• Stop and think..."Does this make sense?" and/or "Does this sound right?"
• Get their mouth ready to say the letter sounds.

Writing Workshop - Good Writers...

• Begin a new unit...All About books!
• Explore and discuss All About books by real authors.
• Brainstorm and write a list of all the things they know "All About!"

Math...we began a new unit on 2-D shapes.  We looked at and talked about 3-sided, 4-sided and 6-sided shapes.  We created shape pictures using pattern blocks.  We continued our exploration of number combinations as well.

Social Studies/Science...We continued to look at maps.  We visited Tiny Town and used the Map Key to answer questions.  We began an activity called "Toucan's Travels."

Word Study...Next week, two new choices will be added to the word study homework.

Have a Happy St. Patty's Day!

March 5th - 9th

Friendly Reminder:  Please return signed report card envelopes to school!  Also, if you would like your child to particpate in the "Trash Free Tuesday" filming, please return the signed waiver to school by Monday!!
Reading Workshop - Good Readers...

• Use a reading mat to keep track of the books that they have read AND the books that they need to read.
• Tell their buddy about one of the books that they are reading.
• Make text-to-self and text-to-text connections.

Writing Workshop - Good Writers...

• Write an "About the Expert" page for their How To books. 
• Fix and fancy up their writing for publication.
• Celebrate all of their hard work!

Math...  We finished our Cathy Fosnot unit; Bunk Beds and Apple Boxes.  Students created their own "Apple Box" problem.  We will continue to explore number combinations.  We are starting a unit on 2-D shapes.

Word Study/Sight Words...Word sorts were sent home this week.  We worked on individual sight words in class.

Social Studies/Science..We continued to talk about and look at maps.  We learned about a map key and how it helps us read maps.

Monday February 27th - March 2nd

Wednesday, March 7th through Friday, March 9th, are early dismissal days because of conferences.  All grades will be dismissed at 1:25.  An adult needs to be waiting at the bus stop for kindergarteners.

Reading Workshop - Good Readers...

• Enjoy celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday!  Throughout the week we read Dr. Seuss books and made text-to-text connections. 
• Noticed patterns that Dr. Seuss used in his writing.
• Re-read sentences until they sound smooth and fluent.
• Read with expression!  No robot reading...

Writing Workshop - Good Writers...

• Review and revise their How To books...add to the picture and add to the words.
• Act out their steps with a buddy to make sure their directions are easy to follow.
• Create a cover for their How To book.

Math - We continued exploring number combinations using Cathy Fosnot's Bunk Beds and Apple Boxes.

Social Studies - We began a unit on Map skills using Google Maps and Google Earth.  We discussed why and how we can use maps.

Sight Words and Word Study- Individual sight words and word sorts were sent home this week.