Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday. I am grateful to be with your children each day!
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Week of Learning about Native Americans
We learned a lot about Eastern Woodland tribes this week. We completed our stories about the a day in the life of an Eastern Woodland child. Those stories, will go home next Tuesday after we have had a chance to share them with each other.
Reading: We put aside our Open Court book this week and read a biography of Squanto. In it we learned that the famous friend to the Pilgrims had traveled back and forth to Europe twice before coming home and meeting the pilgrims. He was part of a "show" in England. After returning to America he was kidnapped and brought to Spain and sold as a slave. When he finally helps the Pilgrims, he was fluent in English and a savvy politician.
Writing: We worked hard on our stories and focused on hook beginnings, transitions and conclusions.
Math: We took a trip to the vending machine this week to learn about a real life application of making change and sharing. It was interesting to say the least...
Science: We discovered that we can make metal float (a paper clip) by taking advantage of surface tension. We reviewed the states of matter and discussed that the atoms at the surface of a liquid are closer together than the rest of the atoms.
Pizza Party!
Because the attendance at curriculum night was so great, the class earned a pizza party. We will celebrate with our reading buddies next Tuesday, so there is no need to pack a lunch that day. Please send in a water bottle, juice box or plan on buying milk.
Reading: We put aside our Open Court book this week and read a biography of Squanto. In it we learned that the famous friend to the Pilgrims had traveled back and forth to Europe twice before coming home and meeting the pilgrims. He was part of a "show" in England. After returning to America he was kidnapped and brought to Spain and sold as a slave. When he finally helps the Pilgrims, he was fluent in English and a savvy politician.
Writing: We worked hard on our stories and focused on hook beginnings, transitions and conclusions.
Math: We took a trip to the vending machine this week to learn about a real life application of making change and sharing. It was interesting to say the least...
Science: We discovered that we can make metal float (a paper clip) by taking advantage of surface tension. We reviewed the states of matter and discussed that the atoms at the surface of a liquid are closer together than the rest of the atoms.
Pizza Party!
Because the attendance at curriculum night was so great, the class earned a pizza party. We will celebrate with our reading buddies next Tuesday, so there is no need to pack a lunch that day. Please send in a water bottle, juice box or plan on buying milk.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Productive Week
Reading: We read a version of Cinderella and talked about the elements of Fairy Tales. We also took a Silent Reading Comprehension Test. Many children had a hard time drawing conclusions about the story. It is something we will work on next week. Some students took a quiz on Boxcar Children and many students began reading a biography of Squanto.
Writing: We wrote a story about a typical day and published it. They turned out great! We also started writing a story about a typical day for an Eastern Woodland child.
Math: We practiced frames and arrows with two rules this week. We also collected data and graphed it. We talked about the median number. Next week we will work on counting out change.
Social Studies: We are learning about Squanto and other Eastern Woodland tribes.
Science: We learned that bubbles in water affect buoyancy. We also learned that shape affects buoyancy.
Dates coming up:
November 23-Last day of the trimester
November 24-Institute Day-No School
December 10-Report Cards go home
December 16-Fairy Tale Party, please look for information about volunteering
December 17-Field Trip to MSI
Ask your child about
Writing: We wrote a story about a typical day and published it. They turned out great! We also started writing a story about a typical day for an Eastern Woodland child.
Math: We practiced frames and arrows with two rules this week. We also collected data and graphed it. We talked about the median number. Next week we will work on counting out change.
Social Studies: We are learning about Squanto and other Eastern Woodland tribes.
Science: We learned that bubbles in water affect buoyancy. We also learned that shape affects buoyancy.
Dates coming up:
November 23-Last day of the trimester
November 24-Institute Day-No School
December 10-Report Cards go home
December 16-Fairy Tale Party, please look for information about volunteering
December 17-Field Trip to MSI
Ask your child about
- making a hunk of clay float by changing it's shape.
- how a Wampanoag child might say hello, (Kwe).
- how to say "What is your name?" in sign language.
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Short Week
Students enjoyed a short, full week.
Reading: We read the story of the Three Whales. The story was rich in vocabulary and we spent a great deal of time trying to visualize the plight of these three whales. This week we will read a version of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. This is a great introduction to Fairy Tales, as we will spend a great deal of time on them in December.
Writing: This week we practiced writing a beginning that has a "sound" in it to hook the reader in. We are writing narrative stories about a regular day. This week we will begin a narrative story about a typical day for a Wampanoag child.
Math: We worked on place value, time and money. Please have your child help you count your change at home and practice some simple "making change" problems. Ask your child to read the clock a few times each night.
Science: Students learned that the material that an object is made of will affect buoyancy, but size will not.
Ask your child about:
Reading: We read the story of the Three Whales. The story was rich in vocabulary and we spent a great deal of time trying to visualize the plight of these three whales. This week we will read a version of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. This is a great introduction to Fairy Tales, as we will spend a great deal of time on them in December.
Writing: This week we practiced writing a beginning that has a "sound" in it to hook the reader in. We are writing narrative stories about a regular day. This week we will begin a narrative story about a typical day for a Wampanoag child.
Math: We worked on place value, time and money. Please have your child help you count your change at home and practice some simple "making change" problems. Ask your child to read the clock a few times each night.
Science: Students learned that the material that an object is made of will affect buoyancy, but size will not.
Ask your child about:
- the words plight, ordeal, trudged
- how to say "cold" or "warm" in sign language
- how to write the Roman Numerals for 1-12
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Book Orders
Book orders are set up again. Look through the flier that went home. I set up a number of other catalogs online, including one with software. If you are thinking of books for the holidays and want me to keep them a secret, just send me an email. Books are great gifts!
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