Friday, March 1, 2013

Don't forget Seuss Week!!  Monday is Green Grinch Day, so wear green!!

During Reading Workshop we started a new unit on Non-Fiction!  We learned that good readers...
  • Can distinguish between Fiction and Non-Fiction.
  • Read Non-Fiction to learn new information.
  • Study the cover, take a picture walk and think..."What does the author want to teach me?"
Sight Words:  New sight words were sent home this week.  We added number words to our word wall.

During Writing Workshop we started a new unit on "How To" books.  We learned that good writers...
  • Brainstorm and then write about something they know how to do really well.
  • Act out the steps of their how to book with a buddy.
  • Make sketches of the steps and stretch out the words.
  • Use a finger space between each word!
We spent a couple of days working together to interactively write How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich. We acted it out the steps first, then wrote the words, and sketched the illustrations.  This helped the students to see how important it is to include all steps in their writing. Students are now working on writing their own How To books.

During Math we began identifying pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  We discussed the value of each coin and some of the distinguishing features.  We counted coins and played a game on the Smart Board.  We also started learning number words to ten and added them to our word wall. 

Social Studies/Science - We talked about George Washington and Abe Lincoln.  In science we made predictions about objects that would sink or float.  We tested our predictions and discussed why certain objects float, and why certain objects sink - weight, size, shape, air.


Events/Reminders:

Elementary Community Service Fair: Learn about services available to the Darien community.
Over 20 different community organizations will be in attendance, including agencies geared towards students with special needs.

Also meet the author:  Alan Katz. Signed books will be available for purchase.

Place:    Ox Ridge School
Date:     Thursday, March 21, 2013, 5-7 PM