Monday Update

Hello!

I am sorry that you didn't get an update yesterday.  I had a very busy weekend.  A couple quick notes....

• We will not go to media center this week due to the Book Fair.  
• On Tuesday, October 15th we are going on our field trip to Gaver's Pumpkin Patch.  If you have not returned your students permission slip with $7, please do so.  I would like to notify chaperones of their transportation.  Thank you in advance!
• Reading groups and literacy rotations are in motion!  Please remember to send your students book baggie and everything that came home with it, back to school every day.  We use these materials each day in reading group.
• I am so impressed with the students ability to navigate and utilize technology.  We will continue to make a weekly visit to the computer lab.
• In writing we are writing letters to friends and family.  If you would like to donate envelopes to our classroom that would be fantastic.  Some families donated envelopes a couple weeks ago...but those donations went to our application center room. 
• I had the students homework all ready to go home and I forgot to give it to them!  I will send this home tomorrow...teacher brain : ) 

Morning Meeting:

WEEKLY SIGHT WORDS: so is see 

POEMS: 
Five Little Pumpkins 
Pumpkins
I'm a Little Pumpkin (tune of I'm a little teapot) 

Students will....

• act out each poem
• focus on return sweep 
• identify rhyming words
• identify beginning sounds 
• add poems to poetry journal 
• pointing to each word while we read

Ask your student to act out these poems.

Math: 

We will focus on...

• when counting objects, say the number names in standard order, pairing each object with one number name and each number name with one and only one object.  

Ask your student about the Smash the Pumpkin Game

Social Studies: 

Essential Questions....

• How can you tell if someone is listening to you?
• What can you do to be a good listener? 
• face the speaker
• be still 
• listen carefully
• don't interrupt 

• What does it mean to take turns?
• Why is it important to take turns?
• What does it mean to make a good choice?  Poor choice?
• How can you make a good choice?

Ask your student about the getting along quilt.

Writing:

Students are working on many different pieces this week.  Some students are finishing up their booklets.  Others, are working on making lists with picture clues.  Today, I introduced how and why to write letters.  Some students are working on writing letters.  Students are going to learn how to "publish their work."  In other words, they are going to practice editing or making their writing "FANCY."  

At the end of the week we are having a publishing party!

Read Aloud: 

We are reading information text about pumpkins.  

The students will focus on...

1. using before, during and after reading strategies while reading informational text. 
2. participate in discussions about the information derived from details in the illustrations/photographs in an informational text. 
3. participate in discussions about how these details contribute to the understanding of informational text. 

I am going to wait to add pictures until this weekend.  I would like to get some pictures of students working at literacy centers.

If you have any individualized questions about groups, please call or email me. 

Thanks and have a great week!
Ms. Grimes