First Week of School

What a great first week! Here is what what we've been doing...

Math

Our math book in online! http://www.eharcourtschool.com/

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This week we began chapter 1, place value. We are learning about place value to the millions, the value of a digit, the names of the periods, and how to write numbers in standard, expanded and word forms. Next week we will have our chapter 1 test on Thursday. The extra credit packet will also be due on Thursday.
We will also continue our work on multiplication facts. Please be sure to continue practicing facts at home!


Word Study

This week we took a word study pre assessment to determine our needs as spellers. Next week we will begin learning the routines and procedures of our word study program, Words Their Way. We will learn these routines by using all of the student names in our classroom. This is a great way to learn the ins and outs of our word study program and also learn the names of our classmates.


Reading

Last week we talked about choosing "just right books." Each student had the opportunity to book shop in our classroom and fill his/her book box. I also began individual conferencing with students. In our conference we talked about books they have read in the past, what type of reading material they enjoy, and how they think of themselves as a reader. Next week I will continue conferencing and we will have our first trip to the school library.

Writing


This week we talked about the importance of personalizing our writers' notebooks. It was fun to see all the unique things the students added to their notebooks to give them pizazz! We also took some time to read from a book by Ralph Fletcher about keeping a Writer’s Notebook. We began working on methods to generate ideas for our writing. Ask your students about some of their "I wonder..." ideas!

Science

This week we explored our science books with a fun A-Z scavenger hunt!  Next week we will be investigating soil.


Upcoming Events:

Next Thursday, August 26th is Curriculum Night. I hope to see you all there. If you can not attend please call or e-mail me. I will be glad to send home a packet of information.