WRITING & READING
The writing and reading will be combined again for this week. Our animal research is underway. Our topic is selected, goals picked and being accomplished and we are note taking like crazy from our sources! This week, we will work on weeding out the weak notes and focusing on the strong ones to write our research paper. We are also planning out our product that each student will create to display their new found knowledge of their animal.
Our grammar lessons will be about fragment and complete sentences.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on silent consonants.
MATH
We may be seeing double or triple this week as we introduce multiplication! We will use our hands, cupcakes, stickers, mushrooms and more to learn how multiplication is simply repeated addition. Reinforcing our addition facts (adding by 2s-9s) will be helpful practice at home.
SCIENCE
Last week, we became the food chain and learned how hard it is to survive in the world. This week, we will focus on each animal group (fish, mammals, insects, birds and reptiles). What they look like, characteristics, life cycle, etc.
REMINDERS
Apr. 22 - Earth Day
Apr. 23 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 24 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - Talent Show (K-3)
Apr. 26 - Talent Show (4-5)
May 1 - Early Release Day
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Apr. 15-19
WRITING & READING
The writing and reading will be intertwined for the next few weeks. Our animal research is beginning this week! We will review the research steps and expectations, check out books about our animals, set goals for what we want to find out and learn about our animal, and learn to take notes while reading a book, magazine or website. Our research will continue through next week.
Our grammar lessons will be about dictionary skills - ABC order, guide words, pronunciation, definition, parts of speech.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on dipthongs (ou/ow, oi/oy).
MATH
This is a heavy week in math. We will finish our study of the metric vs customary system with weight (grams/kilograms & ounce/pound/ton), taking our end of year benchmark and assessing over all the measurement - length, weight, capacity.
SCIENCE
Last week we created a food web to see how the sun, plants, bugs and animals (big and small) are interdependent. This week, we will study the food chain and the hierarchy of the groups of plants and animals. We will discuss why certain animals are on top, middle or bottom of the chain and play some chain games to connect our learning to nature.
REMINDERS
Apr. 15 - PTA meeting
Apr. 17 - Family Spirit Night
Apr. 19 - Art for Pets Gallery Exhibit
Apr. 22 - Earth Day
Apr. 23 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 24 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - Talent Show (K-3)
Apr. 26 - Talent Show (4-5)
May 1 - Early Release Day
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
The writing and reading will be intertwined for the next few weeks. Our animal research is beginning this week! We will review the research steps and expectations, check out books about our animals, set goals for what we want to find out and learn about our animal, and learn to take notes while reading a book, magazine or website. Our research will continue through next week.
Our grammar lessons will be about dictionary skills - ABC order, guide words, pronunciation, definition, parts of speech.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on dipthongs (ou/ow, oi/oy).
MATH
This is a heavy week in math. We will finish our study of the metric vs customary system with weight (grams/kilograms & ounce/pound/ton), taking our end of year benchmark and assessing over all the measurement - length, weight, capacity.
SCIENCE
Last week we created a food web to see how the sun, plants, bugs and animals (big and small) are interdependent. This week, we will study the food chain and the hierarchy of the groups of plants and animals. We will discuss why certain animals are on top, middle or bottom of the chain and play some chain games to connect our learning to nature.
REMINDERS
Apr. 15 - PTA meeting
Apr. 17 - Family Spirit Night
Apr. 19 - Art for Pets Gallery Exhibit
Apr. 22 - Earth Day
Apr. 23 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 24 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - STAAR (no parent volunteers)
Apr. 25 - Talent Show (K-3)
Apr. 26 - Talent Show (4-5)
May 1 - Early Release Day
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Apr. 8-12
WRITING
We will continue to sail through the air with our angry birds. This week, we will name our bird, write a detailed and descriptive paragraph of what our birds look like, a poem about our birds and a warning note to the community about our bird and their special powers. The week will end with each student picking their favorite piece of writing and sharing it with the class.
Our grammar lessons will revisit punctuation: period, exclamation, question mark, comma, apostrophe(possessive and contraction).
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on words ending with a consonant + le )ble, tle, gle, dle, fle, cle, kle,ple, zle).
READING
We are discussing two types of meanings: literal and non-literal. This week, we will discuss common cliches and idioms (there's a frog in my throat, when pigs fly, you've lost your mind, zip your lips etc). Then compare the exact meaning of the words to the inferenced meaning.
MATH
We are continuing our study of area by creating a dream room with square units and introducing customary and metric capacity (how much something can hold) and end our week with weight in ounces, pounds and tons.
SCIENCE
We have moved on from insects and are now discussing plant and animal habitats, interdependence in their habitat and adaptations to protect themselves in their habitat. As we discuss adaptations, the students will get a chance to simulate some of the special features of animals (claws, camouflage and special eyes). It should be a learning and memorable experience!
REMINDERS
Apr. 11-12 Talent Show tryouts
Apr. 12 Family Fun Night
Apr. 17 Family Spirit Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
We will continue to sail through the air with our angry birds. This week, we will name our bird, write a detailed and descriptive paragraph of what our birds look like, a poem about our birds and a warning note to the community about our bird and their special powers. The week will end with each student picking their favorite piece of writing and sharing it with the class.
Our grammar lessons will revisit punctuation: period, exclamation, question mark, comma, apostrophe(possessive and contraction).
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on words ending with a consonant + le )ble, tle, gle, dle, fle, cle, kle,ple, zle).
READING
We are discussing two types of meanings: literal and non-literal. This week, we will discuss common cliches and idioms (there's a frog in my throat, when pigs fly, you've lost your mind, zip your lips etc). Then compare the exact meaning of the words to the inferenced meaning.
MATH
We are continuing our study of area by creating a dream room with square units and introducing customary and metric capacity (how much something can hold) and end our week with weight in ounces, pounds and tons.
SCIENCE
We have moved on from insects and are now discussing plant and animal habitats, interdependence in their habitat and adaptations to protect themselves in their habitat. As we discuss adaptations, the students will get a chance to simulate some of the special features of animals (claws, camouflage and special eyes). It should be a learning and memorable experience!
REMINDERS
Apr. 11-12 Talent Show tryouts
Apr. 12 Family Fun Night
Apr. 17 Family Spirit Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Apr. 1-5
WRITING
We will be high flying and a bit destructive in our writing this week as we create our own Angry Birds! Students will plan and make a model of their bird, giving them their own special powers and personality. They will describe the stages to go through to make the bird and continue the writing process next week with their bird in different situations.
Our grammar lessons will be about Angry Bird verbs and Angry Bird nouns and pronouns.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on soft 'c' and 'g'.
READING
We will revisit the Retell Rope and climb our way up to reach a good summary of a story. This will be key in helping us comprehend the books we read. As we read different books, the class will create story maps and pathways to explain the beginning, middle and end of the stories.
**Class Needs for Friday: goldfish (pretzel, cheese or original)
MATH
Units of measurement will be our focus this week. We will talk about how to use non-standard units (paper clips, markers, folders, etc) and standard units (inch, foot, yard, centimeter, meter) and then move into calculating area of square units.
**Class needs for Monday: footballs and Cheese Its**
SCIENCE
We have moved on from plants and are starting a four week unit on insects and animals. This week, we will focus on the basic needs of all animals and insects and take a closer look at the two life cycles of insects (ones that go through metamorphosis and ones that don't).
**Class needs for Friday: Fly swatters!
REMINDERS
Apr. 2-3 STAAR testing (no volunteers on campus)
Apr. 11-12 Talent Show tryouts
Apr. 12 Family Fun Night
Apr. 17 Family Spirit Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
We will be high flying and a bit destructive in our writing this week as we create our own Angry Birds! Students will plan and make a model of their bird, giving them their own special powers and personality. They will describe the stages to go through to make the bird and continue the writing process next week with their bird in different situations.
Our grammar lessons will be about Angry Bird verbs and Angry Bird nouns and pronouns.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on soft 'c' and 'g'.
READING
We will revisit the Retell Rope and climb our way up to reach a good summary of a story. This will be key in helping us comprehend the books we read. As we read different books, the class will create story maps and pathways to explain the beginning, middle and end of the stories.
**Class Needs for Friday: goldfish (pretzel, cheese or original)
MATH
Units of measurement will be our focus this week. We will talk about how to use non-standard units (paper clips, markers, folders, etc) and standard units (inch, foot, yard, centimeter, meter) and then move into calculating area of square units.
**Class needs for Monday: footballs and Cheese Its**
SCIENCE
We have moved on from plants and are starting a four week unit on insects and animals. This week, we will focus on the basic needs of all animals and insects and take a closer look at the two life cycles of insects (ones that go through metamorphosis and ones that don't).
**Class needs for Friday: Fly swatters!
REMINDERS
Apr. 2-3 STAAR testing (no volunteers on campus)
Apr. 11-12 Talent Show tryouts
Apr. 12 Family Fun Night
Apr. 17 Family Spirit Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mar. 25 - 29
WRITING
This week, we will revisit personal narratives. The students will brainstorm and select a trip they want to write about. Each story will include a clear beginning, middle and end with descriptive language and details so the reader has a clear picture of what the trip was like.
**The students will need to have a picture from their trip to put with their writing. This can be taken from a camera or illustrated.**
Our grammar lessons will coincide with spelling. We will become certified as contraction surgeons and perform operations combining two words into one.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on contractions.
READING
We are putting on our detective hats and searching for clues for facts and opinions. This week we will sort, create, spy and decide on facts and opinions using key words.
Our reading groups will continue with our new chapter books!
MATH
Our focus this week will be on 3D shapes (solid shapes), recognizing the differences between an edge, a face and a vertex or vertices. We will explore the third dimension with Star Wars Storm Troopers, Play-doh and will assess on Thursday.
Vocabulary for 2D: plane shape, vertex, vertices, sides, circle, square, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, parallelogram, polygons
Vocabulary for 3D: solid shape, vertex, vertices, edge, face, cone, cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid, rectangular prism
SCIENCE
We are continuing our study of plants, moving on from functions of the parts to focusing on adaptations and the life cycle. At the end of the week, Thursday, we will assess our knowledge of plants, their parts, and their behaviors.
REMINDERS
Mar. 29 - No school - observed holiday
Apr. 2-3 STAAR testing (no volunteers on campus)
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
This week, we will revisit personal narratives. The students will brainstorm and select a trip they want to write about. Each story will include a clear beginning, middle and end with descriptive language and details so the reader has a clear picture of what the trip was like.
**The students will need to have a picture from their trip to put with their writing. This can be taken from a camera or illustrated.**
Our grammar lessons will coincide with spelling. We will become certified as contraction surgeons and perform operations combining two words into one.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on contractions.
READING
We are putting on our detective hats and searching for clues for facts and opinions. This week we will sort, create, spy and decide on facts and opinions using key words.
Our reading groups will continue with our new chapter books!
MATH
Our focus this week will be on 3D shapes (solid shapes), recognizing the differences between an edge, a face and a vertex or vertices. We will explore the third dimension with Star Wars Storm Troopers, Play-doh and will assess on Thursday.
Vocabulary for 2D: plane shape, vertex, vertices, sides, circle, square, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, parallelogram, polygons
Vocabulary for 3D: solid shape, vertex, vertices, edge, face, cone, cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid, rectangular prism
SCIENCE
We are continuing our study of plants, moving on from functions of the parts to focusing on adaptations and the life cycle. At the end of the week, Thursday, we will assess our knowledge of plants, their parts, and their behaviors.
REMINDERS
Mar. 29 - No school - observed holiday
Apr. 2-3 STAAR testing (no volunteers on campus)
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Friday, March 8, 2013
March 18-22
WRITING
This week, we will learn the art of Showing, Not Telling. Students will learn to use similes, metaphors, vivid adjectives, and vibrant verbs to describe an emotion without using the actual emotion word (kind of like the games taboo). Our grammar lessons will focus on prepositions and prepositional phrases.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on r-controlled vowels.
READING
Our reading will revolve around cause and effect. The students will analyze pictures and state whether it is a cause or effect. We will read several selections that depict funny cause and effect situations.
We will start chapter books in our guided reading groups after Spring Break!
MATH
We are entering a whole new dimension in math! 2D and 3D shapes will be our focus this week. We will discuss the difference between a polygon and a non polygon, build a shape monster, and make a flip book of objects that have the qualities of a 3D shape (roll, side, stack)
Vocabulary for 2D: plane shape, vertex, vertices, sides, circle, square, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, parallelogram, polygons
Vocabulary for 3D: solid shape, vertex, vertices, edge, face, cone, cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid, rectangular prism
SCIENCE
We are starting our unit on plants this week and will carry it over to the following week. As a class, we will discuss what a plant needs to survive and the role of each plant part for the system to function and thrive. Along the way, we will watch and dissect a lima bean as it sprouts and will have a seed exploration to predict what each seed will look like when it sprouts. If you have any seed packets that you can donate, we would appreciate your contribution!
REMINDERS
Mar. 19 - Skate Night
Mar. 21 - Spring pictures
Mar. 29 - No school - observed holiday
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
This week, we will learn the art of Showing, Not Telling. Students will learn to use similes, metaphors, vivid adjectives, and vibrant verbs to describe an emotion without using the actual emotion word (kind of like the games taboo). Our grammar lessons will focus on prepositions and prepositional phrases.
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on r-controlled vowels.
READING
Our reading will revolve around cause and effect. The students will analyze pictures and state whether it is a cause or effect. We will read several selections that depict funny cause and effect situations.
We will start chapter books in our guided reading groups after Spring Break!
MATH
We are entering a whole new dimension in math! 2D and 3D shapes will be our focus this week. We will discuss the difference between a polygon and a non polygon, build a shape monster, and make a flip book of objects that have the qualities of a 3D shape (roll, side, stack)
Vocabulary for 2D: plane shape, vertex, vertices, sides, circle, square, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, parallelogram, polygons
Vocabulary for 3D: solid shape, vertex, vertices, edge, face, cone, cube, cylinder, sphere, pyramid, rectangular prism
SCIENCE
We are starting our unit on plants this week and will carry it over to the following week. As a class, we will discuss what a plant needs to survive and the role of each plant part for the system to function and thrive. Along the way, we will watch and dissect a lima bean as it sprouts and will have a seed exploration to predict what each seed will look like when it sprouts. If you have any seed packets that you can donate, we would appreciate your contribution!
REMINDERS
Mar. 19 - Skate Night
Mar. 21 - Spring pictures
Mar. 29 - No school - observed holiday
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Tuesday
Friday, March 1, 2013
March 4-8
WRITING
Our descriptive writing about Mr./Mrs. Potato Head was really fun. We used a lot of unique adjectives and smilies to describe our creations. This week, we will focus on writing a personal narrative about a time when we were hurt. Our stories will need to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. I'm excited to see your child's narratives come to life with expressive language!
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on the R-Controlled vowels.
READING
Cultural folktales from Cuban, Chinese, and Spanish cultures will be read this week. We will discuss the characteristics of each and how they are similar and different from each other.
Our reading groups will finish up with leveled readers this week and new novel study groups will begin after Spring Break.
MATH
It's TIME to practice telling time again! We will continue to use analog and digital clocks to tell time. Word problems and games will be incorporated to help practice. We are focusing our instruction this week on the movement of the hour hand. Once the minute hand has passed the "quarter marks", the hour hand needs to show some movement as well.
At the end of the week, three-digit addition and subtraction will be introduced. We will use the same strategies for regrouping as we did for two-digit problems. Math homework will be due on Wednesday.
SCIENCE
Weather and seasons are our focus this week. We will discuss the four seasons, reading a thermometer, weather instruments, meteorologists, and predicting weather. We will use our knowledge to create a weather report throughout the week. If you have a wind vane or wind sock that we could show to the class, please let me know. We would love to borrow it for Thursday.
REMINDERS
March 2nd- Family Dinner Night! Don't forget to drop in a raffle ticket for my prize!!! Your child could win an afternoon at JumpStreet on March 21st!
Mar. 5 - Kindergarten Round Up
Mar. 6 - Early Release Day
Mar. 8 - Kindergarten Hoedown
Mar. 11-15 - Spring Break
Mar. 19 - Skate Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Wednesday (due to Kindergarten Round Up on Tuesday)
Our descriptive writing about Mr./Mrs. Potato Head was really fun. We used a lot of unique adjectives and smilies to describe our creations. This week, we will focus on writing a personal narrative about a time when we were hurt. Our stories will need to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. I'm excited to see your child's narratives come to life with expressive language!
SPELLING
We will work on our words throughout the week and check for understanding on Friday. This week's words will focus on the R-Controlled vowels.
READING
Cultural folktales from Cuban, Chinese, and Spanish cultures will be read this week. We will discuss the characteristics of each and how they are similar and different from each other.
Our reading groups will finish up with leveled readers this week and new novel study groups will begin after Spring Break.
MATH
It's TIME to practice telling time again! We will continue to use analog and digital clocks to tell time. Word problems and games will be incorporated to help practice. We are focusing our instruction this week on the movement of the hour hand. Once the minute hand has passed the "quarter marks", the hour hand needs to show some movement as well.
At the end of the week, three-digit addition and subtraction will be introduced. We will use the same strategies for regrouping as we did for two-digit problems. Math homework will be due on Wednesday.
SCIENCE
Weather and seasons are our focus this week. We will discuss the four seasons, reading a thermometer, weather instruments, meteorologists, and predicting weather. We will use our knowledge to create a weather report throughout the week. If you have a wind vane or wind sock that we could show to the class, please let me know. We would love to borrow it for Thursday.
REMINDERS
March 2nd- Family Dinner Night! Don't forget to drop in a raffle ticket for my prize!!! Your child could win an afternoon at JumpStreet on March 21st!
Mar. 5 - Kindergarten Round Up
Mar. 6 - Early Release Day
Mar. 8 - Kindergarten Hoedown
Mar. 11-15 - Spring Break
Mar. 19 - Skate Night
Life Journals due Friday
Library: Wednesday (due to Kindergarten Round Up on Tuesday)
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