Today we began our next unit in math. For the next several weeks, students will be learning problem solving strategies for different types of story problems. Please see the Expressions note that came home today for information on how to help your child with these story problems. Today we also "mixed up" our leveled math groups. Be sure to check in with your child about what skills he or she is working on during our math break-out groups.
Reading groups continue to go well, and I am happy to report that many students are moving forward in their levels! I will have a lot of information for you at conferences in a few weeks about decoding strategies and comprehension activities that students are working on. We are currently studying the author Mem Fox. She has a great website with several activities, including a page where your child can listen to Fox read her own books! Check it out...the link is on the bar to the left. Today we also began to read one of my personal favorite books from elementary school...Sideways Stories from Wayside School. This is a great book, and is often available in the Scholastic orders for $1, so keep your eye out for it.
In writing, we are working a lot this week with the construction of a paragraph. If your child is writing at home, please have conversations about staying on topic and tying in details with a topic sentence. We are also working on strategies for editing and revising. As the year goes on, your child will become responsible for more and more of his or her own editing. If you are looking for a way to help with this at home, dictionary practice would be great!
Our current unit in health is over the body. Next week, our class will be tested over taking care of the eyes and ears, caring for the body, and the purpose of advertisements. As this is a very short unit, I don't plan to put together a study guide. The week after next, we will begin a longer unit over the body systems. If you have any books or items related to this unit and would be willing to share, let me know! We would love to have some X-Rays to look at when we study bones.
You may have heard about the very unfortunate disappearance of our class pet, Chester. He went missing from his enclosure a week ago, and has not turned up yet. Students are, understandably, sad and missing him. I do plan to replace him at some point, but would like to give "Chester Senior" the chance to come back first. Please encourage your child to hang in there and be patient as I figure out this unexpected turn of events...and cross your fingers that maybe Chester will still find his way back to us.
In the months of October and November, we will be doing many projects in class. Over the next several weeks, we will be in need of orange, brown, white, and black tissue paper, google eyes, and supplies for "pumpkin pie in a bag" (I will put out an ingredient list as that time gets closer). We are set for glue for awhile, but you might check in with your child about crayons, markers, and dry erase markers. I know some students are in need of replacements.
Please make note of the following dates. As always, feel free to e-mail, call, or stop in with any questions. I look forward to speaking with all of you in just a few weeks at conferences! Have a great weekend!
October 13 - Scholastic book orders due
October 14 - No school (professional development)
October 19 - Picture re-takes
October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week
October 26 - October Birthday Breakfast
October 31 - Halloween party (parade is at 2:30)
November 4 - No school
November 9 & 10 - Conferences
November 10 - No school
November 11 - No school
