August-September
Readers Workshop
Students will be working on selecting just right books for our classroom book bags. Our first unit focuses on building good reading habits and reading stamina. Good reading habits set students up for success throughout the year. The goal is to help students internalize the processes and procedures of reading workshop.
Daily reading book bag
Within the next several weeks, your child will begin bringing home a reading book baggie (M-TH). Please have your child read the book to you. Then have your child choose a question from the orange response sheet (inside the book baggie), and talk about that question together. Write the question # you chose to discuss together on a post-it and stick it to the front of the book. Remember to return the book baggie daily so that your child can bring home new books to read!
Writers Workshop
In our first writing unit, students will work on writing personal narratives and stretching small moment stories across the pages. Our Narrative Writing unit is called, "Small Moments, Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue." They will be learning to write simple sequential personal stories (small moment) just like the authors of books that we read in class. We will also work on building independence and writing stamina. Students will self select topics from their experiences and learn to focus on one small moment in time. They will also focus on the mechanics of spelling difficult words independently and writing in complete sentences with appropriate punctuation.
Math
Module 1 focuses on building math fluency with addition and subtraction of numbers 1-10, counting on, and finding various ways to take apart numbers to build number sense. We will also begin solving word problems; learning how to understand the real question of the problem and how to show thinking on the page with drawings, number sentences, labels and number bonds.
phonics
In our first unit, students will be working on letter sounds, letter formation, phonemic awareness, and blending short vowel words.
Science
Our first unit is about living things. They will learn about 5 senses and what makes things living!
social studies
We will be building our classroom community while learning about school routines and procedures. We will also be learning about maps, globes, and national symbols.
library
Our class visits the library every Tuesday. Please help your child find a safe place (away from food, liquids, siblings, and pets) to keep his/her book for the week. Don't forget...library books are due on Mondays!
pc lab
Students will be working on keyboarding skills in a site called Dance Mat. They will also log on Raz-Kids and Zearn in the PC Lab for reading and math. Zearn is an excellent website for math practice. Raz-Kids is a great way for them to read interactive leveled books while improving their comprehension skills.
Common Core
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were developed through a state-led national initiative to establish consistent and clear education standards for English language arts and mathematics that would better prepare American students for success in college, career, and the competitive global economy.
3 Key Ideas for Parents about the Common Core
SUPPORTING THE COMMON CORE AT HOME
1. Ask “why” when children tell you they want something or want to do something.
2. Use the word “because” after “no” or “not tonight.”
3. Communicate reasons- them to you and you to them.
4. Encourage questions and explore answers.
5. Explain and discuss age appropriate issues or problems in your house, neighborhood and community. Brainstorm solutions.
6. Compare how things are alike and different (ie: books, games, movies, food)
7. Look for patterns.
8. Describe and categorize things.
9. Tell your children what you value and why.
10. Encourage and validate opinions.
(adapted from www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com 2013)
3 Key Ideas for Parents about the Common Core
- Thinking Deeply- The Common Core emphasizes critical thinking. It requires students to analyze more, discuss more, evaluate more, justify more and explain their thinking and understanding, especially in writing.
- Integrating Learning-The Common Core emphasizes learning across disciplines (reading and writing in math, social studies and science etc…) Students spend more time working together.
- Showing How They Know- The Common Core emphasizes proof and evidence of understanding.
SUPPORTING THE COMMON CORE AT HOME
1. Ask “why” when children tell you they want something or want to do something.
2. Use the word “because” after “no” or “not tonight.”
3. Communicate reasons- them to you and you to them.
4. Encourage questions and explore answers.
5. Explain and discuss age appropriate issues or problems in your house, neighborhood and community. Brainstorm solutions.
6. Compare how things are alike and different (ie: books, games, movies, food)
7. Look for patterns.
8. Describe and categorize things.
9. Tell your children what you value and why.
10. Encourage and validate opinions.
(adapted from www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com 2013)
Photo used under Creative Commons from montessori toolkit