February 3

Happy February!

We have lots going on!  Students are working hard in writing to turn their notes on their Arctic or Antarctic animal into writing that is pleasurable to read.  This is a tough task!  We are working through it with an example of shared writing on the polar bear.  Today's lesson was about creating a scene and incorporating facts into that.  We have drafted our Tables of Contents and opening paragraphs last week.

In reading, we are finishing up with identifying character traits and moving onto identifying the problem of the story and the solution, one of our report card standards.  In reading groups, students are reading nonfiction and identifying important parts/main ideas. Many are reading biographies in reading groups.

For math, we are working through division.  Division is presented as repeated subtraction as well as equally sharing in groups: the opposite of subtraction.  We are laying the groundwork for multiplication and division. It may seem easy for some, but it is very important that they have a true understanding of what multiplication and division are.

In word work, we have focused on open and closed syllables in words.  We are also working in small groups based on phonics rules/vocabulary instruction.

 A class list went home today for the Valentine's Day party. We will be having a party on Friday, the 14th.  Please let me know what you'd like to contribute for the party.  If your child chooses to do cards, please have him/her make one for everyone in our class.  Thank you!