All,
Reading- I love teaching in the month of March!! Amazing things happen in reading and it is such an honor to watch your kiddos blossom into a group of passionate readers. This week we’ve been studying the author Mo Willems. He is a gifted illustrator/author whose characters speak to kids’ sense of humor. They can’t get enough of Piggie, Elephant, Pigeon and Edwina! Fun fact: “Elephant Gerald” got his name from Mo Willem’s favorite singer- say it fast. We have one more week with Mo Willems books and we will be analyzing character traits.
Writing- The kids are really enjoying the opinion writing unit. I have never had a class take to opinion writing quite so easily and happily. So far they have learned how to: 1. State their opinion; 2. Provide at least three reasons; 3. Give examples; 4. Speak to those who may disagree; and lastly 5. use sparkly words to jazz things up. Next week we will discuss restating an opinion to write a conclusion. I am hoping to get some of this amazing writing up on the blog for you to enjoy this week.
Math-
Kinders have been comparing numbers. For example: This tower has 8 cubes and this tower has 3 cubes. How many fewer cubes does the shorter tower have? How many more cubes does the taller tower have? These questions are setting the stage for addition and subtraction problem solving.
First graders are still working on addition/subtraction within 20. We ended the week with a focus on word problems which we will extend for another week. We begin measurement next week as well.
Science-
Beginning this week, I will have various bird-cams or African cams turned on for the kids to view in the morning. I will be opening the doors and allowing children to enter the classroom at 9:15. Because I will be with students in the classroom, I will be unable to retrieve students from the playground at 9:25. Students who choose to be on the playground until the bell rings will need to enter the building as soon as the bell rings, not line up. Habits are tough to break, so if you see children lined up, please remind them to head into the building when the bell rings.
I can’t recommend the Merlin Bird ID app enough. http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
I purchased a bird feeder that I will be hanging outside the classroom this week. Bird seed gets expensive - if you’d like to donate a bag that would be greatly appreciated. “Song Bird” feed is what I usually purchase.
I am excited for the auction on Friday!
Shauna
Upcoming Dates:
Reading- I love teaching in the month of March!! Amazing things happen in reading and it is such an honor to watch your kiddos blossom into a group of passionate readers. This week we’ve been studying the author Mo Willems. He is a gifted illustrator/author whose characters speak to kids’ sense of humor. They can’t get enough of Piggie, Elephant, Pigeon and Edwina! Fun fact: “Elephant Gerald” got his name from Mo Willem’s favorite singer- say it fast. We have one more week with Mo Willems books and we will be analyzing character traits.
Writing- The kids are really enjoying the opinion writing unit. I have never had a class take to opinion writing quite so easily and happily. So far they have learned how to: 1. State their opinion; 2. Provide at least three reasons; 3. Give examples; 4. Speak to those who may disagree; and lastly 5. use sparkly words to jazz things up. Next week we will discuss restating an opinion to write a conclusion. I am hoping to get some of this amazing writing up on the blog for you to enjoy this week.
Math-
Kinders have been comparing numbers. For example: This tower has 8 cubes and this tower has 3 cubes. How many fewer cubes does the shorter tower have? How many more cubes does the taller tower have? These questions are setting the stage for addition and subtraction problem solving.
First graders are still working on addition/subtraction within 20. We ended the week with a focus on word problems which we will extend for another week. We begin measurement next week as well.
Science-
Beginning this week, I will have various bird-cams or African cams turned on for the kids to view in the morning. I will be opening the doors and allowing children to enter the classroom at 9:15. Because I will be with students in the classroom, I will be unable to retrieve students from the playground at 9:25. Students who choose to be on the playground until the bell rings will need to enter the building as soon as the bell rings, not line up. Habits are tough to break, so if you see children lined up, please remind them to head into the building when the bell rings.
I can’t recommend the Merlin Bird ID app enough. http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
I purchased a bird feeder that I will be hanging outside the classroom this week. Bird seed gets expensive - if you’d like to donate a bag that would be greatly appreciated. “Song Bird” feed is what I usually purchase.
I am excited for the auction on Friday!
Shauna
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, March 20, 6:30pm | 5th Annual Benefit Auction
- Tuesday, March 24, 6:30am | Parent Ed Night: Dr. Laura Kastner
- Wednesday, March 25, 1:40pm | 2 Hour Early Dismissal
- Friday, March 27- 1st Grade Field Trip to Discovery Park
- Wednesday, April 1, 6:30pm | ParentNet Meeting K-2
- Wednesday, April 8, 7:00pm | PTSA Board Meeting
- Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17 | Spring Break, No School