STORYLINE
As you may have heard, Friday was a very busy day in the afternoon. The children participated in a Junior Park Ranger Convention, which will continue all day on Monday. Children are learning about climate, seasons, geology, geography, plants, animal classification and ecosystems. After they participate in this convention, they will receive a merit badge to put on their personal park banner. Last week we also worked on our characters. We all have new storyline names. During storyline time, I will be know as Ranger Crystal Coral.
This week we will begin work on several areas of our park. We will be learning about the four ecosystems located in the park and the history of the park. We will also finish our frieze. The children will be picking an animal to research. Each child will research their animal at home and bring in notes taken at home. With those notes, the children will write a research paper at school. Every other night (or so), your child will come home with a homework assignment to complete based on their animal. It will be VERY important that your child completes each assignment and that all words are spelled correctly. They will need your support to complete this project. More information will come home on Tuesday.
MATH: Last week we worked on measurements using our rulers. We worked on measuring items longer than a foot and measuring objects in inches. Next week we will be introducing time to the quarter hour. The vocabulary we will be using is "quarter to" and "quarter after".
WRITING: This week we will continue to do writer's workshop. Children are publishing books, working with me and working independently.
READING: During our reading time, children are working in a variety of areas based on their needs. We are starting to do a great deal of vowel pattern work. When you child brings home work completed in school, it is important to review the work with your child. Ask them what they did, why, how did they complete the activity. Also, to help solidify the concepts, have them play "I Spy" after reading or before reading. Have your children look for words that contain the concepts taught. For example, if your child brought home a /ee/, /ea/, /e/ word sort, have them look for and read words that contain those vowel patterns. Do not do this while they are reading. However, if they come upon a word that they have difficulty with you can ask them what they know in the word that will help them figure out what it is. If they need more guidance, ask them what they know about the /ea/ vowel pattern. Make sure they re-read the sentence once they figure out the word.
I want to express to you how proud I am of your children. They are working very hard and continuing to develop wonderful friendships. They are becoming more and more independent as we continue through the year. I hope you are seeing the growth they are making and are sharing in the successes they are finding at school.
Have a great rest of your weekend!
Becky
