October 26 Update...

Hi Parents and Students!

Thank you for stopping by today and checking out our latest post.  We had an amazing week with lots of new experiences in our classroom.  Check out below to see what we've been doing.

Phonic/Grammar:  This week, we began our study of verbs.  We are learning, first, about action verbs.  Our spelling list consisted of verbs that are irregular in the past tense form.  This week's spelling test was to write sentences using the present or past tense of certain verbs.  Check out your child's test today...Is he/she consistently applying standard conventions?  Capitalization of the first word and consistently ending sentences with punctuation is a FIRST GRADE standard. Please offer additional opportunities for your child to practice this if you notice a problem.

Reading:  We continued our study of nonfiction texts, focusing on looking for "pop-out sentences" or topic sentences. We read several passages on our early American Indian regions and practiced finding the main idea.  We also practiced finding text evidence in several passages when answering comprehension questions.  When your child is completing reading hw, the idea of finding and highlighting evidence from the text should ALWAYS be done.  We read several more chapters in our novel this week as well.

Math:  We worked on learning how to answer "constructed response" type math problems.  We also began our study of multiplying by 10s and 100s.  We learned how to show the model of these types of problems as well as how to complete the problem abstractly.  Using the model shows a deeper understanding of what these equations actually represent.  We practiced "sprints" with our x4 facts in order to improve our math fluency.  Please encourage your child to practice this set of facts at home if he/she hasn't mastered these facts yet.

Social Studies:  We learned all about the early American Indians and the regions they inhabited. We focused on identifying the resources available to the various tribes and how they used these resources.

STEM:  After researching our region, we were given the challenge of creating an action scene of the inhabitants. We were given a budget of $100 and had to create a plan, make a list of materials and the cost, and then work together in a small group to build the scene.  I hope you enjoyed all of the videos and pictures on SEESAW!

Class News and Announcements...

Our classroom has changed design-wise!  We are trying out "flexible seating", which is simply providing students with seating alternatives to traditional desks and chairs.  Ask your child about the available options and which is his/her favorite so far!

The visitors to our room on our STEM day were very impressed with the students in our class and their ability to convey what they've learned about the early American Indian regions.

Congratulations to Avery Reeves for being chosen as this month's Terrific Kid!  She consistently displays INTEGRITY and she is a role model to others in our class.  Way to go, AVERY!

Thank you to everyone who sent in items to make our STEM challenge a success.

Halloween is a FUN day to be a teacher...almost as much fun as going to the dentist!  PLEASE remember that we DO NOT allow costumes to be worn at school.  If you send your child with a costume, I will be calling you to come in and teach for me that day...