Twelfth Day of School

Today we had our first Drama lesson (Theatre Art).

We retold the story Princess and the Pea using our oral vocabulary words. We also took our second dictation quiz.

In Writing we worked on our plan for our first personal narrative. Tomorrow we will begin drafting.

In Math we worked on problem solving. We had to identify the information being asked for. Choose a strategy, and then write a number sentence (also a strategy). The strategies discussed were:

• Draw a model.
• Make a table
• Write a number sentence (math sentence/equation)
• Act it out (with manipulatives)

We completed lesson 7 of the violence prevention training.

Fifth Day of School

Thanks to those parents who have returned their homework already. I will speak more to that tomorrow evening. Reminder: Folders and Memorable Moment Lists are due tomorrow.

Today we discussed the structure of narratives. We learned that most narratives have a beginning (which often answer the questions of who, where, and when), a middle (containing the basic plot or conflict/problem), and the end (resolution).

We continued work on our Unit Project.

There was homework tonight. Students are to complete the reverse side of the classwork. The last question should be answered in a complete sentence.

We completed our 4th violence prevention lesson today.

In P.E. we worked on moving in open space and maintaining personal space. We moved in high middle and low space in 3 speeds using different locomotion.

Reminder: Tomorrow night is Back-to-School night.

Second Day of School

Today we continued with letter formation and began phonics review. We have begun our initial battery of reading tests. Soon we will begin Math and Writing assessments. We began our first Unit Project which will be to author a book about ourselves.

In Math we worked on another constructed response. A larger number of students were able to accomplish this task with greater success. the question was:

There are 3 students sitting at a table. How many fingers do all of the students have in total. Show how you arrived at your solution . Write a math equation.

We continued our violence prevention training. In P.E. today we learned the beginning of our first dance for the year.

You should should find in your child's possession a yellow folder with which to complete the 2nd parent homework assignment.

Thank you to those parents who were able to complete the numerous forms brought home yesterday. All of the forms were returned by a majority of the students. Thank you as well to the parents who have already donated supplies to the classroom.

First Day of School

First day went by fairly smoothly. A great majority of the students set very good behavior examples for the balance of the children. It was nice to see so many well-behaved children.

Today we began to lay the foundation for our writing program. We also practiced some letter formation. In Math, we discussed behaviors for problem solving  and we worked in our constructed response journals on the following question:

There are 10 students in a classroom. How many student eyes are there? Draw a picture and write a math sentence. 

A few students were able to complete the task with minimal guidance. Some students found the correct answer but were unable to explain their work in writing. A majority of the students were unable to complete the task with the correct answer but had the beginnings of a correct model.

Additionally, we began our violence prevention training (Second Step) today.

As I mentioned earlier, the students do not have homework tonight except to pressure their parents to fill in the emergency cards so they can be sent to the office ASAP.

I will be sending home your child's yellow writing folder tomorrow. Your second and third homework assignment relates to this yellow folder. Your task:

With you child's input, decorate all surfaces of your child's folder with some or all of the following items:

• Pictures of memorable events form the child's life
• Pictures or advertisements of your child's favorite items
• Pictures of topics which particularly interest your child (your child may have an interest in machines, space, dinosaurs, soccer, etc.)

 Return the decorated folder to school with your child by Monday August 24, 2015.

You might notice that the folders are not very substantial in quality. After the folder is decorated you may consider adding a bit of clear packing tape over the items which you have attached. We will (hopefully) be using these folder the entire year.

Please post any questions you may have in the comment section below.