December News #2

 We've been busy in our classroom and we have been working hard. We have just 4 school days before the holiday break and we will continue to stay focused and have some fun too. There will be no new reading skills during this short week.

Math: Last week, we tested over Module 4, which was "Addition and Subtraction" Relationships. We call this "Fact Families. We spent 2 weeks on this module, and used the triangle model as a strategy to help us solve the missing addend/total. We also practice this strategy daily as a part of our "math-warm-ups/slides". I was impressed with how well the kids picked up on this strategy, and how well they used the triangle to help them solve the missing part. Last week, we also started Module 8, which focuses on "Data". Within this module, we will be learning to represent data in the form of tally charts, picture graphs, and bar graphs. Over the holiday break, you may want to encourage your child to do Xtra Math to keep on top of fact fluency, and encourage them to write their numbers to 120. 

Reading: Our reading goals last week were to read and spell words with the long a sound ending in silent e, our comprehension skill was drawing conclusions, and using the illustrations to give us more information about what is happening in the story, and our grammar skill was verbs ending in ed. The kids learned that when a verb ends in ed, the action happened in the past. Within our guided reading groups, the students are introduced to a new book almost daily. I have been pleased with their responsibility of reading at home each night, and returning it the next day. The reread section of our daily lessons move smoothly when the kids have read their books. If you ever feel that the book sent home is too difficult, please put a note in their ziploc. The books sent home are ones we have read/practiced and they should be successful reading it. Encourage your child to take the time to read over the holidays. We also focused on the comprehension strategy of "Main Idea and details" last week, using some fun Christmas passages.

Writing: Our lessons have focused on opinion pieces. When writing in our journals, we have done several I would rather _____ than ______.  An example of one we have done is using; go sledding, or go swimming. We have also worked on stating an opinion about a given topic and using the word because to give 1 or 2 reasons why we chose that. After the “Holiday Break” we will use our spelling words to write complete sentences, as well as writing a sequence for "How-tos".

Science: Last week, we had a lesson on "The Solar System". They really enjoyed putting the planets in order and learning interesting facts about each one. Our mystery science lesson this week is titled, "Sun, Shadows, and Daily Patterns". Anjanette from ISU Extension will visit our classroom this week for our 2nd exploration of "Rolling Things".

Holiday Party: Notes were sent home last week with those who signed up to bring items for our party, which will take place on Wednesday. I have a gift for them, and they have worked on a gift for their family. They will bring home their gift for you on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. The gifts are almost done and we will wrap them as well. They are so excited about their gifts. Wednesday morning will also be a special day, for we will be going to the movie theater to watch "The Polar Express". Your child brought home a note on Friday of last week about this exciting event. The Carroll High School Foundation is funding this trip to the theater, and each student will also receive a kid's pack to enjoy while watching the movie.

Winter Gear: It has been a mild winter thus far with very little snow, but when the time comes, in order to play in the snow, they must wear snowpants, boots, coat, hat, and gloves. If they do not have all of these items, they will stay on the blacktop to play. I also recommend that they bring their “Winter Gear” in a separate bag, which works really well transporting their extra clothes to and from school for it is really difficult to stuff all those items in their book bag, and wet clothes may also ruin folders and papers inside. Please label all their clothing items as well.  I do monitor the locker area after each recess and try to make sure that everything is hung on locker door and put inside. 

Star Student: Crue and Ryder were most recently featured. Crue likes to drink root beer and eat steak. His favorite movie is "Home Alone" and he takes lessons in swimming. When Crue grows up, he wants to be a football player. Ryder likes to drink chocolate milk and eat chicken and rice. Ryder collects football cards and takes lessons in Tae Kwon Do. When Ryder grows up, he wants to be in the Air Force.

The next newsletter will come home after the holidays, therefore, have a "Wonderful" holiday break and I will your child in 2023!!!