LOTS OF HAPPENINGS

This has been a busy time in our class.  Since break lots has transpired.

I have given out two AR shirts.  Congratulations to Kade Eagar and Dariun Barreras.  I have several more that are getting close and working hard to get there.  Some even chose to give up recess to read and test.  We had our first AR lunch last Thursday.  Only those who had zipper pulls or shirts were invited.  This week any child that passes 3 tests in a week will be invited.  This should keep everyone working toward a goal.

The Town of Eagar gave out helmets to kids who were selected from a poster contest they sponsored.  We were lucky enough to have 4 winners: Bailee Phillips, Lauren Storms, Alissa Deel, and Tyler Wade.  

It was also the Hundredth Day of school.  The task they had was to count 100 M&M's into a baggie.  We then put the on a hundreds chart to see if we had too many, not enough or were just right.  After making sure everyone had EXACTLY 100, they graphed them by color.  This should also add up to 100.  Some did and some didn't. It was a fun activity and we loved eating the fruits of our labor.

Enjoy the show.

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Week 21

This week we are reading a non fiction story called "Me on the Map."  The sound for this week is long a as in cape.  The vocabulary words are:

country

Earth

over

special

town

world

Math time will be spent on money and time.  These are two of our hardest concepts. We have started taking timed tests on math facts.  They are pretty easy right now. They have 2 minutes to do 42 problems.  As they pass, they move to the next level. Hopefully between this and the facts on the computer we will get these memorized to at least 10 this year.

PE started on Friday.  I think everyone enjoyed it.  The PE time backs up to afternoon recess.  I will be bringing some in during recess time for intervention work in small groups.  Since they have just been outside for PE, I don't think it will hurt them to miss recess.  We will work on skills that are a problem for them.

Spelling is still going pretty well.  Check with your child.  They are very aware of where they are and how they are doing.

Remember that Friday is an early release day.  

Check out the blog for the newest pictures and happenings.

Have a great week.

Week 20

We start a new reading book this week.  It is called Time Together.  Our story this week is realistic fiction,"A Bed Full of Cats".  The new vocabulary words are:

also

anything

know

moved

only

room

should

those

write

In math we will continue working on math facts, frames and arrows, and the in and out box.  New concepts are the quarter and five minute intervals of time.  Money continues to be a difficult concept.  These little guys just don't use it enough to make them know what each coin is worth and how to go about counting them.

Spelling seems to be improving.  I think that writing them each night is helping. Everyone passed a test last week.

I gave out two AR shirts last week and several zipper pulls.  I am glad to see that the kids are getting excited about it.  We will have our first AR lunch this week on Thursday.  If your child has a shirt please have him wear it on Thursday.

PE will start sometime this week, we hope.  It should be a great program for these kids. 

Hope you have a great week.

Week 19

This week we are reading a fable called "The Fox and the Stork".  A fable is a story that teaches a lesson.  The new vocabulary words are:

door

kind

made

who

would

In math, we will continue working on addition and subtraction facts and fact families. We will learn to measure in centimeters.  We will soon start taking timed tests for math facts.  They are something that we need to  learn to use automatically.  

Please continue to practice spelling words.  They are in the booklet that I sent home at conference time. The words that your child writes in the agenda now are vocabulary words.  I am trying to send a note with each child telling whether they passed or not and what list they are on.  I don't know if they are getting home to you or not.  We seemed to do better last week.  I think the practice at home as part of homework is helping. 

Next week we will be starting to have PE every day for 30 minutes.  People at the hospital are coming to run this program for us.  It will be a great thing for our students.  Hopefully this will encourage movement throughout their lives.  We have become such a sedentary society, with TV, computers, and video games.

We also have started the fluoride rinse program.  If you didn't send a permission back and would like for your child to participate, let me know and I will send another permission slip or you can just write a note giving your child permission to participate. Parent volunteers are helping us and it will happen once a week.

Have a great week.

Week 18

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This week we will be reading a nonfiction story called "Friends Forever".  The new vocabulary words are:

each

great

other

place

school

talk

together

In math we will be starting Book 2.  We finished Book 1 right before Christmas Vacation.  This week we will be covering other names of numbers, turn around facts, and  fact families.  We will be reviewing in/out boxes and tens and ones.  Occasionally I will be sending home math sheets when we hit a concept that is difficult.  Sometimes just some extra practice and one on one time with you can help clarify a concept.

Spelling is a concern.  Only 7 children in the class have passed at least one spelling test per week.  I will be attaching spelling practice sheets to this letter.  I'd like your child to do one of these each night.  Maybe that will get us moving and make us more successful.  I will also be looking at other means of practice in the room.

I am also a bit disappointed that I haven't given out any AR shirts yet.  I have 2 that are close.  We will start having AR lunches in the room.  Students that have passed 4 tests per week will be invited to come.  This will happen on Thursdays.  Once a shirt is earned the child will be expected to wear the shirt on Thursday.  

I have set some individual goals for the students, which include handwriting, organization, neatness, and behavior.  It will be like our New Year's resolutions.

I hope you had a great holiday.  

Christmas Activities

Here is a slideshow of our activities during the holiday season.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the time.  Thanks to those of you who helped with the party by sending treats.  A special thanks to Kim Phillips and Jennifer Armstrong for coming to help.  I am hoping that everyone had a great holiday.  See you soon!!!