Dear Parents,
Last week we studied hard in class for our 7-word spelling test. The work the scholars did at home and in school paid off - everyone did a great job! Way to go Room 7 Scholars! We also learned a lot about numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9 and learned how to manipulate each to make groups of numbers (e.g. if I have 4 butterflies, how many more do I need to have 7?). In History, we learned about courage and honesty and talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and George Washington. We are making a “Good Citizenship” book that will come home once this history lesson is complete. All week, we practiced a lot of writing and the scholars are doing an excellent job with their penmanship.
This Week’s Lessons...
This week’s spelling words focus on reviewing “short i.” We are going to compare “short a” and “short i” words to see and hear the difference. We will have a lot of opportunities in class to study our spelling words, but please continue studying them at home, too. Our spelling test is this Friday at 9:15 a.m.. Spelling test make-ups will be given at 3:00 p.m. on Friday only.
In Math, we are going to concentrate on how we get to ten. We will look at numbers such as four and six, noting that four is smaller than six, and talk about what that means when we combine them together to get to ten. This is a major beginning step to adding. So exciting... this, in my opinion, is when the fun begins... (I can’t help it - I love math!). Our chapter 5 test is scheduled for Thursday.
In History, we will continue our lessons in “Good Citizenship,” learning about responsibility, respect, and compassion. We will be coloring pictures and writing about each topic. All pictures and writing will be combined into a book for the scholars to take home.
Writing/Reading Practice - At Home
To help your scholar practice his/her writing and reading skills, you can play some of these games at home:
Secret Messages
- Have your child write a simple message on white construction paper with a white crayon (must be a “wax” crayon - like a Crayola) - spelling words! “short i” words! “short a” words!
- Use watercolors (or any water soluble paint like tempera) to paint over the written word(s) on the paper (lay down some newspaper or an old sheet to soak up any messes)
- The “message” will be revealed like magic!
- Note: You can write the messages first and have your child reveal them - then switch roles. This might be a fun way to study spelling words on Thursday!
Lesson: Practice writing skills and experiment with study strategies
Alphabet Hunt
- Have your child write all the letters of the alphabet in a column running down the left side of a large piece of paper (poster board, cardboard, etc.)
- Now, it’s time to find those letters! Look through magazines and picture books and hunt for pictures that begin with each letter (“artichoke” for A, “basketball player” for B, etc.). Write the word for each next to the appropriate alphabet letter on the chart
Lesson: reinforces alphabet and writing skills
Writing with Pictures
- Cut some pictures out of magazines or look at pictures in books (**see The Red Book and Tuesday in the Book Club selections below...**)
- For cut-outs, glue one picture per piece of paper (lined or blank)
- Ask your child to look at a picture and then tell you what’s happening
- Write down exactly what he/she says beneath the picture (do not edit)
- Read back the “story” back with your child
Lesson: teaches your child how text/illustrations are related and skills in reading comprehension (stories have beginnings, middles, and ends)
Handwriting Worksheet Maker
- Visit www.handwritingworksheets.com and create your own “Print Style Worksheets” to work on at home.
Lesson: Because the parent can create the worksheet, you can reinforce any skill you’d like! And your scholar will be getting writing practice...
Volunteering...
We now have a calendar hanging on the “NEWS” bulletin board by the front door of our classroom. Please flip through the months and sign up for a few spots. Separate volunteer sign-up forms will go out for holiday parties (as usual, on our clipboard).
Book Club...
Here are some new titles - great for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, and cuddles at night...
Beginning reader chapter books - -
And some lovely picture books - -
Enjoy!
As Always...
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me, stop by the classroom, talk to Ms. Diane, or leave a comment on our blog. Please become a “follower” of our blog and “like” our school’s Facebook page, if you haven’t already done so.
Have a terrific week!
Mrs. Stuhr
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