Friday, October 23, 2009

Welcome New Students!
We have two new students in our classroom.  Grace S. joined us October 5, from South Shades Crest.  Javon C. joined us this week from the Tampa area in Florida.  We are so happy to welcome them into our classroom community. 

Important Dates
Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26-30
PE 60's Day Dance Oct. 30
Cheetah Charge Nov. 6
No School for Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11
Field Trip to World Song Nov. 12
Progress Reports Nov. 18
Professional Development Nov. 23-24 No students
Thanksgiving Holidays  Nov. 25-27

WHAT ARE WE DOING IN CLASS?

Math: 
We have started Unit 3 which deals with addition and subtraction of larger numbers.  I will be sending home a math sheet a few times a week so you can see what we are working on in class.  I will also be sending home all of Unit 1 work so please take the time to go over it with your child so they can explain what that have been learning.  If your child needs extra practice with Unit 1 make up problems for them like the ones they have been doing in class.

Reading:
We have started book clubs.  Each child is in a club with peers and they are reading the same book in class.  Each day they spend a few minutes talking about what they read, what their favorite part was, or discussion the characters.  After they have met with me, they can get their snack and their own independent reading book for quiet reading.  Eventually, they will be assigned a chapter to read at home and be prepared to talk with their book club members about the chapter the next day.  Right now they are using books I checked out from the library so I want to be sure they stay in the room.  I am working on building my library with multiple copies of the same book.  Please be sure your child logs his reading in his agenda each night.  I have not been very faithful at checking this but I will be looking for it this 9 weeks and it will be reflected in their grade.

Read Aloud:
We should be finished with "The White Giraffe" today.  It has been an excellent read aloud and we have had some really great discussions about the characters, the plot, the setting, etc.  We have come to love the main character Martine.  Once we finish the book we are going to sketch our strongest mental image.  I would also like to have them do a mural in the hall (I am missing the art extensions we did so often in first grade!)   I am hoping that the class will want to choose the next book in the series, "A Dolphin's Song."  If they don't then I will let you know and maybe you can read it to your child at home.  My boys and I listen to books on tape while in the car.  In fact that is how I found "The White Giraffe."   You can find all 3 books in this series at the Public Library. 

Spelling:
I have not been 100% happy with the spelling program that I have been using but I have not found anything I like better.   This week I gave the whole class an assessment in spelling to see where they were developmentally.  Now that I can see where each child is, I can plan activities in the classroom accordingly instead of every child having the same words.  ON MONDAYS I WILL GIVE A PRETEST ON THE WORDS IN SITTON (the spelling program I have been using).  If your child gets all the words correct then they can pick words from a list of challenging words that I come up with.  If they miss 2 or 2 words then those will be on their test but they will also be able to pick some words from the list.  I will never give more then 10 words.  If you were at DV in 1st grade then this method should sound familiar.  They will have a list at school and a list at home.  I think they will have to add their own words into Spelling City but they should know how to do that.  If not they I will teach them.  I will have the basic words there to practice.  I will no longer do the fill in the blank spelling test.  I may find a system where they can take it on the computer some times.  I will also give one or two dictation sentences.  So...Pretest on Monday and spelling test on Friday.  If I find that we have time on Friday, then I will give the pretest on Friday so you can also have the weekend.

Cursive: 
WE ARE LOVING CURSIVE!  I didn't know I could have such pretty handwriting!  I am usually in such a hurry to write but when I take my time and form the letters correctly, it is really nice.  I am learning with the children!  We have been going to Mrs. Lindsey this week for our first lessons.  Please be sure you watch as your child practices at home and help correct any mistakes they are making.  Every practice sheet that comes home will have the letters or words on their correctly for them to go by. 

Science:
We need to finish up our environmental science studies.  We have been learning so much about the environment and what is harmful to it.  I hope that our study will make a LASTING impact on your child and they will teach others (like you) ways that we can make a difference in making our environment a better place.  I want them to teach by being examples.  Already this week we have had very little waste in our classroom.  Instead of throwing everything in the trash can, they are putting bottles in the recycle bin and paper is either being reused on the other side or recycled.  We have used the same trash bags all week, dumping our small amount of waste into the larger cans in the hall and reusing the bags.  I am excited to see all the tips they come up with for helping me "be green" at home.  I want them to help your homes be green too! 
We will have a test next week on endangered animals and the environment.  I will send home a study guide at the beginning of the week.  Our movie is coming along.  I don't know if we will be able to sell it because it might have copyrighted material on it.  We are still making it and everyone will get one.  It is a slow process because I only have one computer to make the movie on (an iMac).  The kids said they would like to shoot a commercial for "Saving the Earth."  That would not have copyrighted material on it and we could sell it and use the proceeds to help an environmental agency of their choice. 
Our next unit will be Rocks and Minerals.