Spelling and WIDA

FYI…

The spelling test will be tomorrow, so make sure you study your words after playing outside. All four spelling activities are due tomorrow so remember your spelling folder.

Also, the Writing portion of the WIDA is tomorrow for those that take it. Please get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast to help you do your best.

AND….I have finished typing up our class fairy tale and it will be ready for us to start illustrating it tomorrow! I am so excited!

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Snowman Challenge

Happy Snow Day! Hopefully after clearing the driveway, you will be able to enjoy our Winter Wonderland.  I know as soon as my family is done clearing the snow, we are going to go out and play! I want to invite all my students to build a snowman (woman, animal, or other creature) in their yard, take a picture and post it here to share with everyone. That way we can have our own snowman gallery! As an added bonus, I’ll provide the hot chocolate tomorrow at school!

Can’t wait to see your snowmen!

Happy Fun Day!

PS. If you go sledding, take a pic and post that too! Let’s have fun!

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Here’s a couple quick pics of my backyard!

Math Strategy- Bar Model

Our new strategy is to draw a bar model. All that means is that you draw a rectangle and break it into parts representing the numbers in the word problem. The question mark goes at the end if we are looking for a total, or underneath a part if subtracting. Then using the drawing, set up your number sentence and solve. Please see the photo for an example.IMG_2820

Decomposing to Solve Measurement Problems

Hi! Here are a few snapshots of the Number Talks we’ve done the last two days.

The first one is of adding three or more addends.

  1. Write the problem.
  2. Decompose into 10’s and 1’s.
  3. Add the 10’s. Add the 1’s.
  4. Add the 10’s and 1’s together to get the answer. Make sure to add the units at the end to label the answer.

 

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The second photo is about solving an ADDITION word problem involving measurement.

  1. Circle the numbers in the word problem. Draw a “quick drawing” to help visualize the problem.
  2. Decompose into 10’s and 1’s.
  3. Add the 10’s. Add the 1’s.
  4. Add the 10’s and 1’s together for the answer. Make sure to label the answer with the correct unit. IMG_2768

Valentine’s Day Celebration

Thursday we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in our classroom. We will be doing a variety of Valentine themed activities throughout the day. Students will be able to pass out Valentine cards to the other children in our classroom. A class list went home Friday. If you send Valentine’s please make sure that every student gets one. We have 23 students, plus Miss Noor, our High School helper, and myself. Our celebration will culminate with a movie and ice cream which I will provide. Students are encouraged to pass out valentines. If you want to send small wrapped candy or novelties that would be fine. Please do not send desserts or drinks.

 

Thank you for your support!owl-with-big-valentine-heart

Why Parent Signatures are Needed

Parent signatures are needed on a variety of school-home communication. This is to ensure that parents are receiving important information about their child’s progress. Items that need signatures are Report Card envelopes, tests, and planners. By signing and returning these items, you confirm to the teacher that you have seen these documents and are aware of your child’s progress.

The planner is important because it gives you a peek into your child’s day. The planner often has announcements, homework, and activities that have happened in class. It also lets you know how your child’s behavior is for the day. By reviewing your child’s planner and green folder everyday. you will be better able to monitor your child’s progress.

Also please make sure the following are brought to school:

Green Folder  Everyday
Planner (initialed)  Everyday
Spelling Folder with completed Activities  Friday
Gym shoes  Monday and Thursday
Library books  Wednesday
Book Bag  Everyday

We Can Use Academic Vocabulary!

Academic vocabulary is very important. The correct term helps us be more specific and descriptive when talking and writing. It also helps us understand informational texts. Knowing academic vocabulary also helps us perform better on tests especially NWEA and M-Step. The kids get very excited when they see our vocabulary in other places such as books, websites, and tests! They often exclaim. “Hey, that’s our math word (or science, or social studies)!” or “Hey, that word was on MyOn!”

Here’s a quick snapshot of students using our academic Word Wall in our classroom to complete an activity today.IMG_2757