March 26, 2010

READING
This week we will be reading a story called Carousel. It is a realistic story about a girl named Alex whose father doesn't get home in time for her birthday. This makes Alex angry, but after a night filled with strange dreams, she awakens to find that her father has returned.
In phonics we will be focusing on words that end in -y and the un- prefix..
Vocabulary words are angry, fussed, groaned, grumbled, grumpily and promised.
Comprehension strategy is making judgements.
In grammar we will be working on past tense verbs.

MATH
In math we are continuing to work on patterns. After spring break we will finish the chapter and take our chapter test. Our next chapter will be on measurement.

Handwriting
We will be learning to write the cursive letters q, n and m. Please review the lowercase letters with your child.

Science
After Spring Break we will be studying the life cycle of the butterfly and animals from the rain forest.

Reading Logs
The reading logs for March are due April 1st. March will be the last month for the Pizza Hut coupons. We will continue our reading logs for April and May. We are working on earning the Six Flags reward.

March 31 - Tyler

Spring Break
Things to do on Spring Break:
Read with your child.
Enjoy Spring activities with your child!

Supplies Needed
We will be doing a special project in April. We need an empty toilet paper tube for the project. Please send in one tube to school with your child.

Iowa Tests
The Iowa test scores for your child will be sent home with their final report card. If you want their scores before the end of school you need to send in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to school. The scores will be mailed to you or you can come to the office and request a copy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mar. 29 - Spring Break Begins
Apr. 5 – Classes Resume
Apr. 7– Animal Report sheet is due
April 19-20 – Olsat Testing
April 21 – Animal Poster is due
April 22-Early Dismissal
April 29 – Open House and Book Fair

March 19, 2010

READING
This week we will be reading a story called Jalapeno Bagels. It is about a boy named Pablo who spends an early morning at his parents' bakery. When Pablo decides which bread he will bring to school for International Day, he chooses one that shows his Mexican-Jewish-American heritage.
In phonics we will be focusing on contractions.
Vocabulary words are bakery, culture, customer, dough, ingredients, recipe.
Comprehension strategy is following directions.
In grammar we will be working on present tense verbs.

MATH
In math we finished our chapter on plane figures. Our next chapter is on patterns. We will be learning about identifying, describing, predicting, extending and creating a pattern.

Handwriting

We will be learning to write the cursive letters g, o and c. Please review the lowercase letters with your child.

Social Studies
We started a new unit on people and places in history. We will be learning about landmarks and how people celebrate holidays.

Science
After spring break we will be studying the rainforest.

Student of the Week
Ryan is the Student of the Week! He likes to travel, take pictures and play video games. His favorite color is blue. His favorite animal is a gerbil. When Ryan grows up he wants to be a Scientist.

March 5 – Sean
March 6 – Britta
March 20 - Denny

Supplies Needed
We will be doing a special project in April. We need an empty toilet paper tube for the project. Please send in one tube to school with your child.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mar. 30 - Spring Break Begins
Apr. 6 – Classes Resume

March 11, 2010

READING
This week we will be doing a personal narrative workshop. We will focus on the the traits of voice, conventions, and presentation. When a piece of writing has voice it has personality. We will be writing about an experience that matters to them, focus on details and choose words that will show clearly how they feel.
We will be focusing on using possessive nouns and reviewing verbs.

MATH
In math we will be finishing our chapter on three-dimensional objects. We will be learning about slides, flips, turns, symmetry and congruent figures. Our chapter test will at the end of next week. Our next chapter will be on patterns.

Field Trip
This week we went on a field trip to the College of DuPage to see Strega Nona. We enjoyed seeing a collection of Tomie DePaola's stories in this musical/play.

Handwriting
We will be learning to write the cursive letters j, p and reviewing the letters we have learned. Please review the lowercase letters with your child.

Science
We will be continuing to learn about what causes the seasons and reviewing the sun. moon, stars, planets and solar system. Our unit test will be next week.

Social Studies
We will be starting a new chapter on people and places in history and landmarks in our country and the world.

Report Cards/Conferences
Thank you for attending conferences this past week. Please remember to sign your child’ report card envelope and return it to school. Thanks.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mar. 29 - Spring Break Begins
Apr. 5– Classes Resume
April 19 – Olsat Testing
Apr. 22 – Early Dismissal

March 5, 2010

READING
This week we will be reading a photo essay called Brothers and Sisters. It is about younger and older brothers and sisters. As we read, we will share information about our families and make generalizations.
In phonics we will be focusing on two syllable words ending in -er.
Vocabulary words are newborn, distract, twins, pest, teenage.
Comprehension strategy is making generalizations.
In grammar we will be working on verbs.

We celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2nd by reading his books and doing some writing activites.

MATH
In math we will be learning about plane figures. We will be naming them, sorting them by attributes and combining them to make new figures. Please remember to work on math facts with your child.

Handwriting
We are continuing to learn to write the cursive letters . Please review the lowercase letters with your child.

Science
We will learning about the solar system, night and day and the Earth.

Box Tops Collections
We are still collecting box tops for education. We are only in a slight lead over the other classes. Check if any products at home have the box tops to add to our collection. Thanks!

Character Counts
The Character Counts pillar for the month of March is Fairness. I am fair when I play games honestly. I am fair when I share my toys with others. Have your child show their spirit by wearing orange every Friday in March.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mar. 9 – Report Cards
Mar. 12 – Parent/Teacher Conferences – No School
Mar. 9 – Stellaluna Field Trip
Mar. 29 - Spring Break Begins
Apr. 5 – Classes Resume