**Thanks so much for your attendance at Parent/Teacher conferences. I so enjoyed chatting with all of you and sharing your child's progress. Our students are sure working hard!
**We had a great morning for our FUN RUN!! The students got their picture taken with the Irving Eagle and had a great run. Thanks for your participation and pledges!!
**The Irving School Book Fair begins Monday, October 27 thru Thursday, October 30th. See the flyer for times. Our class will be visiting the fair on Monday morning. Students will bring home a wishlist with a few of their favorite selections.
**Author Eileen Christelow of "Five Little Monkeys " fame will visit Irving on Tuesday, October 28th at 1:00 pm. Can't wait to hear her speak about her ideas for stories.
**Come on out on Wednesday, October 29th from 6:30-7:30 pm for "Sightly Spooky Family Storytime" Please join Ms. Noonan and guest readers ME, Mr. Sak and Ms. Durham for stories to get you in the Halloween mood. Come browse the Book Fair and enjoy a sweet treat!
**We will have a Bus Evacuation Drill on Tuesday, October 28th.
**The culmination of our week will be the All School Irving Halloween Parade and Celebration. There is an on line sign up from our room parents for healthy treats and help with costume changing. On Friday, October 31st, we will have regular morning activities. Students may bring a costume/make up etc. in a bag. After lunch, the students will change into their costumes. The parade begins at 1:30 pm. with our celebration, craft and refreshments immediately following. All parents and sibs are invited to attend. Students may bring a candy or non candy treat if they wish. These treats will go into a treat bag and be sent home. Please remember--we have a PEANUT FREE classroom.
**Picture Retake Day is Monday, November 3rd in the morning. Stay tuned for more info.
**Our 50th Day of School is Wednesday, November 5th! We will be half way to 100!! We will spend some time learning about the decade of the 50's. On Wednesday, November 5th, the students can dress up like the 50's. It can be as simple as a white tee shirt and jeans, slick back hair for boys and pony tails for girls. If you should have a poodle skirt--WOW! Our Math workstations on Wednesday will center on activities and games that feature the number 50. We will top that off with a Sock Hop Dance complete with 50's music! What a great movement break!
**The Children's Clinic of Oak Park will be providing FREE dental care to Irving students on November 5th, 6th and 7th. The consent form is in your child's homework folder. Last week, a representative from the Children's Clinic spoke to the class on teeth brushing and flossing.
**The last "Poppin on the Patio" will be held on Wednesday, October 29th after school. Buy some popcorn and help the 5th grade raise money for outdoor education.
**Student Council Reps, Ethan and Lily spoke to our class about the "Stand Up for Cancer" project. Students will vote for their favorite picture of a teacher standing up for cancer during the week of November 3rd-7th. Students can also submit a picture of themselves standing up for cancer. These will be hung up around the school. All money collected will go to the Stand Up for Cancer Foundation.
**Last call for a fun grown up night to raise money for Irving School. Trivia Night is coming up in November!!
**No Friendship Club this week.
**In Mr. Packer Problem Solving, Mr. Packer began a new unit on Data and Probability.
**FUTURE FIELD TRIP to Brookfield Zoo, Tuesday, November 25th from 9:00-1:30 pm.
**SAVE the DATE: Kindergarten Winter Concert--Wednesday, December 17th. Because of the amount of students participating the concert will be held 2 times---once at 8:15 am and then again at 9:45 am. Stay tuned for more info.
This week:
It was all about pumpkins and spiders. And yes.....the biggest squash around! Lily brought a "cucuzza" Italian squash to show the students. It is one long squash!!! Note the picture on the side of the blog. What does it taste like when it is cooked??? Hopefully Lily will share that with us. The students learned that spiders are not so spooky. They are really very helpful to our earth. They learned the difference between spiders and insects and viewed some spider specimens. The students learned the term--arachnid. Spiders live almost everywhere and hatch from eggs. Baby spiders are called spiderlings. Spiders can be very colorful. Students listened to nonfiction and fiction stories about spiders. We accessed information via the internet on spiders of interest like tarantulas and black widows. Many spiders eat pesty bugs and insects that bother both humans and plants. The students looked inside a pumpkin. They examined the seeds, flesh, pulp and skin. The students viewed the growing sequence and wrote about it in their journals. We were lucky enough to have two station day activities days. The activities included marble painted spider webs, color by code leaf scene, pumpkin 10 frame count, cut, glue, pumpkin plant sequencing activity, pumpkin roll and number color and preparation for our leaf sort reading the story "Leaf Man" and creating a leaf man using mixed media.
Reading/Language Arts: The students continue work in Unit 2 Friends in our Treasures Reading series. They built background knowledge about how friends around the world share activities.
The students listened to the Big Book story, "Friends Around Us." They made connections looking and listening to the activities and places in the world where friends lived. We located the countries on the map so the students could get an idea of where the friends lived. The word a was added to our sight word list. They reviewed the isolated sounds of M, S, A, P. Our Robust Vocabulary words included WORLD, GAMES, PLEASANT, ASSIST, HONEST. The students worked on asking and answering questions about the Big Book story. They also used the retelling cards to review the order of events in the story. Our guest puppets assisted the students in the practice of blending letter sounds to create 3 letter words and students used their elkonin boxes to segment 3 letter words. We read our pre decodable story "I Am a Doctor." The students tracking skills are continuing to develop. Workstations this week included leveled readers--story elements/comprehension, reader's response, draw a picture and write about how you can be a good friend, use the sentence starter--We like......
rainbow words from the word families--am, at, ad.
Math: The students continue to work on counting quantities and one to one correspondence. They are doing a great job of completing their Calendar Books daily. They are working on the concepts before and after, plus one, greater than/less than, and number families. The students did a variety of activities using their ten frames. They counted spiders, pumpkins, seeds and bats. Their number globe projects and shape review jack-o-lanterns are posted in the hall.
Writing: The students worked to complete their writing project on what they like to do in the fall. They are beginning to think about how letters are placed on a given line. Where do upper case letters go....lowercase letters.....tall lowercase? What about lowercase letters that go below the line? Lots to begin to think about. The students worked on a variety of topics including spiders, friends, pumpkins. Students continue to label pictures and work on sentence structure.
Technology: The students continue to use the iPad to reinforce what they are learning. In reading, student small groups used the apps Dolch Words, Reading Magic 1, Word Wizard to work on segmenting, sound/symbol, sight words. In math, student small groups worked on the apps Monster Squeeze, Number Find, Geoboard and student whole group work used Number Rack. Brain Pop Jr. and Facthound were used to research facts on spiders and pumpkins.
Literature: "Leaf Man," "Super Spiders," "Eensy Weensy Spider," "3 Hungry Spiders and 1 Fly," "16 Runaway Pumpkins," "Pick a Perfect Pumpkin," "Splat the Cat--Scaredy Cat," "Spiderlings," "Click, Clack, Boo," "Pumpkin's Circle," "From Seed to Pumpkin," "Fall Leaves Change Color," "Animals in Fall."
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
UPDATES for 10/14-10/17 2014
**Reminder--Parent/Teacher Conferences are Monday, October 20th--I have 7:15 am--Novak, 3:00 pm--Makonnen, 3:30 pm--Hellman, 5:00 pm--Wojcik, 6:30 pm--Nunes, 7:00 pm--Ferrigno and 7:30 pm--Pacelli/Blecha. Tuesday, October 21st--7:15 am--Pendleton, 6:00 pm--Connelly, 6:30 pm--Cervantes, 7:00 pm--Peterson, 7:30 pm--Frank. Wednesday, October 22nd--3:00 pm--McGhee/McDonald, 4:00 pm--Howell, 6:00 pm--Rodriguez, 7:00 pm--Meier. Looking forward to sharing your child's progress with you!
**Reminder--School is in session in the MORNING ONLY on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. Hephzibah, District School Bus and Magical Minds will pick up at 11:00 am.
**Go Ms. Gullo's Class!! The FUN RUN is Wednesday, October 22nd. More info was sent in your child's homework folder. There is still time to sign up to pledge. Come cheer us on!! We run at 8:15 am. You can even make a poster!!
**Family Math Night was the best!! We rocked around the clock and had a tasty root beer float. Thanks to all those that participated!!!
**The Seasonal Babies Project is awesome! Stop by and see our adorable baby pictures.
**Route to Reading Rotation 2 will begin on Tuesday, October 21st. At that time, you will receive notification of the skill your child will be working on and the teacher teaching that skill.
**There will be another "Poppin on the Patio" this Wednesday, October 22nd right after school. Stop by and support the 5th grade outdoor ed project.
**Information for accessing BrainPop Jr. is in your child's folder. It is another cool tool to try to enhance learning. It might come in handy when we do our research project later on in the year. Experiment and have fun with it if you like.
**Ah Yes! The topic of Halloween is now being discussed. The schedule is as follows--Friday, October 31st will be a regular morning of learning. Students may bring their costumes/make up/props to school in a bag. At 1:00 pm, the students will change into their costumes. At 1:30 pm--Students will participate in an all school Parade around the outside of the school. Classroom celebrations will take place from 2:15-2:55 pm. In keeping with our nonviolent classroom atmosphere, please do not send toy guns, swords, hooks, light sabers, poles, knives, brooms or handcuffs. There are no other restrictions on costumes other than that. Students may bring a candy treat for the class if you wish. Candy or non candy will be placed in the treat bags the students are making and be sent home. I will be chatting with my room parents who will have a healthy snack on hand. We will also make a craft related to our study of nocturnal animals. Parents and sibs are invited to attend both events. I will also need some parents to help with costume changing.
**Ms. Bell Bey was absent for Friendship Club.
**In Mr. Packer Problem Solving, Mr. Packer finished a book on future thinking!
**Future Field Trip--Brookfield Zoo--Tuesday, November 25th--9:00-1:30 pm I will need about 4 parents to help out on the trip. More info soon.
This week:
It was all about the culmination of apple mania! The students discussed the sequence of events surrounding the making of applesauce. The key words--recipe and ingredients. They observed and assisted in using the apple peeling machine. The peeling came out like ribbon! Some students ate them at snack time. We discussed the cooking process and talked about the function of a crock pot. Lots of language and conversation. The students took turns using their plastic knives to cut up the flesh and put it in the pot. We added some apple cider and cranked up the crock pot. The smell of cooking apples permeated our classroom! The students thoroughly enjoyed their applesauce treat! This week was our first parent helper station day. Sign up if you can. It's really fun!!! This weeks station day activities included turning pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns/shape count/record, apple print trees, hidden picture-color by code, apple star prints, sink or float--apple science.
Reading/Language Arts: The students took a break this week from our Treasures Reading series to work on some formative assessments relating to jobs of an author and illustrator, story elements- character, setting and specific event, recognizing fiction and nonfiction, examining a book and looking at text features. The students reviewed their sight words thus far and practiced writing them down and using them in sentences. Each day, the students decided what activities they wanted to do in their workstations. Games using beginning and ending sounds were popular. Sentence building activities and syllable counting activities were also chosen. Sound blending using the app Reading Magic 1 was also chosen. It was cool to see each group of students work together to choose what they wanted to do. Students also used time for a group read aloud of their predecodable story, "I Am." They reviewed what a noun was and found nouns in their story. Students used the leveled readers from last week and chose one to read and discuss with a partner. Fun times!
Math: The students continued to work on rote counting to 40. They worked on counting quantities to 20, one to one correspondence and recognizing numbers 0-20. They are continuing to work in their calendar books on number sequencing, what comes before and after, tally marks, ten frame exercises, patterning and adding a number plus one. They enjoyed playing Apple Roll, Count and Color and comparing their results with other groups. The students continued to work on exercises using the reckenrek. The students also had a chance to decide what activities they wanted to do for their math workstations. They chose Top It, illustrating number with pictures, Heads or Tails game, sequencing their number cards from smallest to largest, using basic shapes in building and counting and reinforcing positional concepts. In the midst of the everyday workstations, small groups of students worked with me on a project called Number Globes on their iPads.
Writing: The students continue to work on their Frog Jump Capitals. So far F, E, D, B, P, R have been introduced. Students applied what they had practiced in their orange books. Students wrote and illustrated in their journals about apples using the words from their sight word list. The focus this week was on writing posture, reinforcing tripod grasp, one hand holding the paper and sitting up so their back touched the back of their chair. Students are beginning to pay more attention to where they are putting their letters. More students are experimenting with using lowercase letters. The students are currently working on a writing project about fall.
Technology: No new apps were introduced this week. Students small groups continue to work on a counting and cardinality project using the app Doodle Buddy. Stay tuned!
Literature: "Click Clack Boo," "How Do Apples Grow?" "Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie," "Ten Apples Up on Top," "Johnny Appleseed," "The Wonders of Apples,"
**Reminder--School is in session in the MORNING ONLY on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. Hephzibah, District School Bus and Magical Minds will pick up at 11:00 am.
**Go Ms. Gullo's Class!! The FUN RUN is Wednesday, October 22nd. More info was sent in your child's homework folder. There is still time to sign up to pledge. Come cheer us on!! We run at 8:15 am. You can even make a poster!!
**Family Math Night was the best!! We rocked around the clock and had a tasty root beer float. Thanks to all those that participated!!!
**The Seasonal Babies Project is awesome! Stop by and see our adorable baby pictures.
**Route to Reading Rotation 2 will begin on Tuesday, October 21st. At that time, you will receive notification of the skill your child will be working on and the teacher teaching that skill.
**There will be another "Poppin on the Patio" this Wednesday, October 22nd right after school. Stop by and support the 5th grade outdoor ed project.
**Information for accessing BrainPop Jr. is in your child's folder. It is another cool tool to try to enhance learning. It might come in handy when we do our research project later on in the year. Experiment and have fun with it if you like.
**Ah Yes! The topic of Halloween is now being discussed. The schedule is as follows--Friday, October 31st will be a regular morning of learning. Students may bring their costumes/make up/props to school in a bag. At 1:00 pm, the students will change into their costumes. At 1:30 pm--Students will participate in an all school Parade around the outside of the school. Classroom celebrations will take place from 2:15-2:55 pm. In keeping with our nonviolent classroom atmosphere, please do not send toy guns, swords, hooks, light sabers, poles, knives, brooms or handcuffs. There are no other restrictions on costumes other than that. Students may bring a candy treat for the class if you wish. Candy or non candy will be placed in the treat bags the students are making and be sent home. I will be chatting with my room parents who will have a healthy snack on hand. We will also make a craft related to our study of nocturnal animals. Parents and sibs are invited to attend both events. I will also need some parents to help with costume changing.
**Ms. Bell Bey was absent for Friendship Club.
**In Mr. Packer Problem Solving, Mr. Packer finished a book on future thinking!
**Future Field Trip--Brookfield Zoo--Tuesday, November 25th--9:00-1:30 pm I will need about 4 parents to help out on the trip. More info soon.
This week:
It was all about the culmination of apple mania! The students discussed the sequence of events surrounding the making of applesauce. The key words--recipe and ingredients. They observed and assisted in using the apple peeling machine. The peeling came out like ribbon! Some students ate them at snack time. We discussed the cooking process and talked about the function of a crock pot. Lots of language and conversation. The students took turns using their plastic knives to cut up the flesh and put it in the pot. We added some apple cider and cranked up the crock pot. The smell of cooking apples permeated our classroom! The students thoroughly enjoyed their applesauce treat! This week was our first parent helper station day. Sign up if you can. It's really fun!!! This weeks station day activities included turning pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns/shape count/record, apple print trees, hidden picture-color by code, apple star prints, sink or float--apple science.
Reading/Language Arts: The students took a break this week from our Treasures Reading series to work on some formative assessments relating to jobs of an author and illustrator, story elements- character, setting and specific event, recognizing fiction and nonfiction, examining a book and looking at text features. The students reviewed their sight words thus far and practiced writing them down and using them in sentences. Each day, the students decided what activities they wanted to do in their workstations. Games using beginning and ending sounds were popular. Sentence building activities and syllable counting activities were also chosen. Sound blending using the app Reading Magic 1 was also chosen. It was cool to see each group of students work together to choose what they wanted to do. Students also used time for a group read aloud of their predecodable story, "I Am." They reviewed what a noun was and found nouns in their story. Students used the leveled readers from last week and chose one to read and discuss with a partner. Fun times!
Math: The students continued to work on rote counting to 40. They worked on counting quantities to 20, one to one correspondence and recognizing numbers 0-20. They are continuing to work in their calendar books on number sequencing, what comes before and after, tally marks, ten frame exercises, patterning and adding a number plus one. They enjoyed playing Apple Roll, Count and Color and comparing their results with other groups. The students continued to work on exercises using the reckenrek. The students also had a chance to decide what activities they wanted to do for their math workstations. They chose Top It, illustrating number with pictures, Heads or Tails game, sequencing their number cards from smallest to largest, using basic shapes in building and counting and reinforcing positional concepts. In the midst of the everyday workstations, small groups of students worked with me on a project called Number Globes on their iPads.
Writing: The students continue to work on their Frog Jump Capitals. So far F, E, D, B, P, R have been introduced. Students applied what they had practiced in their orange books. Students wrote and illustrated in their journals about apples using the words from their sight word list. The focus this week was on writing posture, reinforcing tripod grasp, one hand holding the paper and sitting up so their back touched the back of their chair. Students are beginning to pay more attention to where they are putting their letters. More students are experimenting with using lowercase letters. The students are currently working on a writing project about fall.
Technology: No new apps were introduced this week. Students small groups continue to work on a counting and cardinality project using the app Doodle Buddy. Stay tuned!
Literature: "Click Clack Boo," "How Do Apples Grow?" "Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie," "Ten Apples Up on Top," "Johnny Appleseed," "The Wonders of Apples,"
Thursday, October 9, 2014
UPDATES for 10/6-10/9 2014
**No School--October 10th-Teacher's Institute--No School--October 13th-Columbus Day.
**We had a lovely afternoon for our field trip to Maze Library! Children's Librarian Ms. Jessica Bartz treated the students to a great interactive reading session which included songs, movement and dance activities. She also took us on a tour of the library pointing out where to find DVD's, audio books, nonfiction, fiction, picture books and readers. Students who completed the library card application got their cards. Thanks to K. Meier and B. Howell for volunteering to walk with us!
**Wednesday, October 8th was Walk to School Day. We had a lots of students who waked to school that day. If students didn't get a chance to walk, I walked around the playground with them. Students colored their gym shoe and got their stamp.
**Don't forget to send in your child's baby picture for our Seasonal Babies Project. We will do the project on Wednesday, October 15th.
**Please keep turning in your confirmation letters for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please email me to reschedule if you need a different day and time. Parent/Teacher conferences are Monday, October 20th, Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd. Don't forget.....Thursday and Friday, October 23rd and 24th, school is in session in the morning only. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. Hephzibah, Magical Minds and the District School Bus will pick at 11:00 am.
**The first rotation of Route to Reading will conclude on Thursday, October 16th. At that time, you will receive notification of your child's skill status. Route to Reading Rotation 2 will begin on Tuesday, October 21st.
**See information for "Poppin on the Patio"--5th Grade Fund Raiser for Outdoor Education in your child's homework folder. It will be 3 consecutive Wednesdays beginning on October 15th. Let's help out our Book Buddies!
**Art Teacher, Ms. Tague sent home information on accessing ARTSONIA. Your child's username and password were included. Great way to see what your child is producing in the Art Studio.
**The 3rd Grade Girl Scout Troop is collecting toiletries for the needy. You can bring in shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, diapers wipes etc. Students can bring items in and we will put them in the collection basket.
**You can still sign up for Family Math Night--"Rocking Round the Clock." Email me for info. It is Thursday, October 16th from 6:30-8:00 pm. You and your child will solve the math problems.....I will make the root beer floats in the lunchroom soda shop!
**There is still time to sign up for TRIVIA NIGHT--sponsored by PTO. Information and sign up can be done thru the PTO website. Great grown up fun!
**Go Ms. Gullo's Class---FUN RUN FUN RUN!!!! We need more students to sign up for the PTO's BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the year!!! Check the PTO website for sign up info. You can do it!!!! Kindergarten will "run" at 8:15 am. on Wednesday, October 22nd. Come cheer us on. You can even make a sign!
**Our Green Team Reps-Evan and Atessa made rags from their old shirts. Each class got a set of rags. We will use them with our dry erase boards. Great way to reuse items!
**Our Student Council Reps-Ethan and Lily reported that student council will be working on a project in conjunction with "Stand Up for Cancer." More info is coming on how they will involve the school.
**FUTURE FIELD TRIP--BROOKFIELD ZOO on Tuesday, November 25th from 9:00-1:30 pm. More info will be forthcoming. I need at least 4 parent volunteers.
This week:
It was all about APPLE MANIA! The students participated in an inquiry to determine what they knew about apples. They had fun using the magnifiers and the microscope to observe the blossom (flower) seeds, flesh, core, skin. They learned what a blossom was. Some apples were cut on their sides to reveal the star! We read informational (nonfiction) books on the subject and used the internet search to find out names that apples have. The students explored some of the many types of apples and observed their similarities and differences. The students learned how to create a diagram and label apple parts. We even had a bit of a taste test! Yes!!! We do have a striped skunk family visiting our classroom courtesy of the Field Museum. We will be studying nocturnal animals, bats, spiders and skeletons in an informative and noncreepy way before Halloween.
Reading/Language Arts: The students began work in Unit 2 Friends in our Treasures Reading series. They built background knowledge about what a friend is and what types of activities you can do with a friend. They listened to the song, "The More We Get Together." Many students remembered this song from their time in preschool. The students listened to the Big Book story, "What Do You Like?" They responded and made connections about activities they do with friends. The students found the title page and discussed the main characters and the setting of the story. They learned about how to compare and find differences and commonalities by using a Venn Diagram. They compared the girl and the boy in the story--what they both liked and the types of things each one liked separately. The sight word like was introduced. The students reviewed their previous words and played "Hands Up, Hands Down." The target sound in isolation was Ss. They used chants and rhymes to reinforce the sound and created a word web of Ss words. The students reviewed what a noun was and sighted several examples in the Big Book story. Robust Vocabulary for this week included FAVORITE, FRIENDS, PARTNER, HOBBY, COMPLETE. The students read their read aloud story, "I Like." Students worked on tracking and beginning fluency. They learned what a speech bubble was. Students discussed the characters and setting and chose an event in the story to share with a partner. Workstation activities included letter/picture sort using letters M, S, A, P, sound blending (3 phonemes) activity using Reading Magic 1--tap the box record the sound/letter on your paper-tap the picture box--did you make the word? word puzzles--use the letters--connect them to make a word. How many words can you make? create a mural with your group on how friends play, a variety of games reinforcing beginning letter sounds and upper/lowercase match. The students are bring in puppets/stuffed animals to help with our Haggerty Blue Book exercises!
Math: The students continue working on rote counting and counting quantities to 20. This week, the students began using their calendar books. At present, I am projecting the page on the screen so they can learn the format. We work with a different target number each day. They are recording the date, month, day and year, circling the day of the week, filling in what number comes before and after the target number, showing the target number in a ten frame, using tally marks, adding one more to the target number, writing in how many days we have been in school. The students worked on a variety of apple themed math games in small group, individually or with a partner. They counted, grouped and classified, matched numbers. added numbers, sequenced numbers. Students continue to work on recognizing pattern block shape names and learned geometric solids--cube and cone. We continue work on visualizing number using the reckenrek. Math is fun!!!!
Writing: The students are continuing work on our Frog Jump Capitals. Letters P and B were introduced this week. In Writer's Workshop, the students are working on beginning sentence structure and spacing of words in a sentence. They are using inventive spelling---writing the letters for the sounds they hear in words and working to consistently begin their writing with an uppercase letter and use an ending mark.
Technology: The students continue to use the iPad for assignments in small group workstations for reading and math. This week, the app Reading Magic 1 was introduced and used by individuals in small group for sound blending 3 phoneme words. The same apps as last week in both reading and math continue to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. We began work on a project using Doodle Buddy in math.
Literature: "Amazing Apples," "Where in the Wild," "How Rocket Learned to Read," "The Big Apple Mystery," "How Do Apples Grow?" "Apples," "Apples, Apples, Apples," Song--"Apple Tree," "Johnny Appleseed," "Christopher Columbus,"
**We had a lovely afternoon for our field trip to Maze Library! Children's Librarian Ms. Jessica Bartz treated the students to a great interactive reading session which included songs, movement and dance activities. She also took us on a tour of the library pointing out where to find DVD's, audio books, nonfiction, fiction, picture books and readers. Students who completed the library card application got their cards. Thanks to K. Meier and B. Howell for volunteering to walk with us!
**Wednesday, October 8th was Walk to School Day. We had a lots of students who waked to school that day. If students didn't get a chance to walk, I walked around the playground with them. Students colored their gym shoe and got their stamp.
**Don't forget to send in your child's baby picture for our Seasonal Babies Project. We will do the project on Wednesday, October 15th.
**Please keep turning in your confirmation letters for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please email me to reschedule if you need a different day and time. Parent/Teacher conferences are Monday, October 20th, Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd. Don't forget.....Thursday and Friday, October 23rd and 24th, school is in session in the morning only. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. Hephzibah, Magical Minds and the District School Bus will pick at 11:00 am.
**The first rotation of Route to Reading will conclude on Thursday, October 16th. At that time, you will receive notification of your child's skill status. Route to Reading Rotation 2 will begin on Tuesday, October 21st.
**See information for "Poppin on the Patio"--5th Grade Fund Raiser for Outdoor Education in your child's homework folder. It will be 3 consecutive Wednesdays beginning on October 15th. Let's help out our Book Buddies!
**Art Teacher, Ms. Tague sent home information on accessing ARTSONIA. Your child's username and password were included. Great way to see what your child is producing in the Art Studio.
**The 3rd Grade Girl Scout Troop is collecting toiletries for the needy. You can bring in shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, diapers wipes etc. Students can bring items in and we will put them in the collection basket.
**You can still sign up for Family Math Night--"Rocking Round the Clock." Email me for info. It is Thursday, October 16th from 6:30-8:00 pm. You and your child will solve the math problems.....I will make the root beer floats in the lunchroom soda shop!
**There is still time to sign up for TRIVIA NIGHT--sponsored by PTO. Information and sign up can be done thru the PTO website. Great grown up fun!
**Go Ms. Gullo's Class---FUN RUN FUN RUN!!!! We need more students to sign up for the PTO's BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the year!!! Check the PTO website for sign up info. You can do it!!!! Kindergarten will "run" at 8:15 am. on Wednesday, October 22nd. Come cheer us on. You can even make a sign!
**Our Green Team Reps-Evan and Atessa made rags from their old shirts. Each class got a set of rags. We will use them with our dry erase boards. Great way to reuse items!
**Our Student Council Reps-Ethan and Lily reported that student council will be working on a project in conjunction with "Stand Up for Cancer." More info is coming on how they will involve the school.
**FUTURE FIELD TRIP--BROOKFIELD ZOO on Tuesday, November 25th from 9:00-1:30 pm. More info will be forthcoming. I need at least 4 parent volunteers.
This week:
It was all about APPLE MANIA! The students participated in an inquiry to determine what they knew about apples. They had fun using the magnifiers and the microscope to observe the blossom (flower) seeds, flesh, core, skin. They learned what a blossom was. Some apples were cut on their sides to reveal the star! We read informational (nonfiction) books on the subject and used the internet search to find out names that apples have. The students explored some of the many types of apples and observed their similarities and differences. The students learned how to create a diagram and label apple parts. We even had a bit of a taste test! Yes!!! We do have a striped skunk family visiting our classroom courtesy of the Field Museum. We will be studying nocturnal animals, bats, spiders and skeletons in an informative and noncreepy way before Halloween.
Reading/Language Arts: The students began work in Unit 2 Friends in our Treasures Reading series. They built background knowledge about what a friend is and what types of activities you can do with a friend. They listened to the song, "The More We Get Together." Many students remembered this song from their time in preschool. The students listened to the Big Book story, "What Do You Like?" They responded and made connections about activities they do with friends. The students found the title page and discussed the main characters and the setting of the story. They learned about how to compare and find differences and commonalities by using a Venn Diagram. They compared the girl and the boy in the story--what they both liked and the types of things each one liked separately. The sight word like was introduced. The students reviewed their previous words and played "Hands Up, Hands Down." The target sound in isolation was Ss. They used chants and rhymes to reinforce the sound and created a word web of Ss words. The students reviewed what a noun was and sighted several examples in the Big Book story. Robust Vocabulary for this week included FAVORITE, FRIENDS, PARTNER, HOBBY, COMPLETE. The students read their read aloud story, "I Like." Students worked on tracking and beginning fluency. They learned what a speech bubble was. Students discussed the characters and setting and chose an event in the story to share with a partner. Workstation activities included letter/picture sort using letters M, S, A, P, sound blending (3 phonemes) activity using Reading Magic 1--tap the box record the sound/letter on your paper-tap the picture box--did you make the word? word puzzles--use the letters--connect them to make a word. How many words can you make? create a mural with your group on how friends play, a variety of games reinforcing beginning letter sounds and upper/lowercase match. The students are bring in puppets/stuffed animals to help with our Haggerty Blue Book exercises!
Math: The students continue working on rote counting and counting quantities to 20. This week, the students began using their calendar books. At present, I am projecting the page on the screen so they can learn the format. We work with a different target number each day. They are recording the date, month, day and year, circling the day of the week, filling in what number comes before and after the target number, showing the target number in a ten frame, using tally marks, adding one more to the target number, writing in how many days we have been in school. The students worked on a variety of apple themed math games in small group, individually or with a partner. They counted, grouped and classified, matched numbers. added numbers, sequenced numbers. Students continue to work on recognizing pattern block shape names and learned geometric solids--cube and cone. We continue work on visualizing number using the reckenrek. Math is fun!!!!
Writing: The students are continuing work on our Frog Jump Capitals. Letters P and B were introduced this week. In Writer's Workshop, the students are working on beginning sentence structure and spacing of words in a sentence. They are using inventive spelling---writing the letters for the sounds they hear in words and working to consistently begin their writing with an uppercase letter and use an ending mark.
Technology: The students continue to use the iPad for assignments in small group workstations for reading and math. This week, the app Reading Magic 1 was introduced and used by individuals in small group for sound blending 3 phoneme words. The same apps as last week in both reading and math continue to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. We began work on a project using Doodle Buddy in math.
Literature: "Amazing Apples," "Where in the Wild," "How Rocket Learned to Read," "The Big Apple Mystery," "How Do Apples Grow?" "Apples," "Apples, Apples, Apples," Song--"Apple Tree," "Johnny Appleseed," "Christopher Columbus,"
Sunday, October 5, 2014
UPDATES for 9/30-10/3 2014
**BIG REMINDER--Our walking field trip to MAZE BRANCH LIBRARY is MONDAY, OCTOBER 6th. We will eat lunch in our classroom and be on our way at 12:40 pm. K.Meier, B. Howell and T. Treadway have volunteered to walk with us. We will be back at school by 1:50 pm.
**Wednesday, October is WALK TO SCHOOL DAY. All students who walk to school will receive a hand stamp and gym shoe that they will color. Mr. Hancock will display all colored gym shoes in the gym. If you cannot walk to school on Wednesday......no worries.....At lunch, we can walk around the playground to get our stamp and shoe.
**Don't forget to send back your confirmation for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences are Monday, October 20th, Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd. Don't forget that on Thursday and Friday (October 23rd and 24th) school is in session in the morning only. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. District School Bus, Hephzibah and Magical Minds will also pick up at that time.
**SEASONAL BABIES PROJECT. Please send in a baby picture of your child for our Seasonal Babies Project. It can be any size. We will do the project on October 14th.
**The students were all smiles for their class and individual pictures last Tuesday. The weather did not cooperate for us so our class picture was taken inside in the auditorium. Thanks to K.Meier (Jeremy's mom) for her help!
**Route to Reading is off to a great start! You should have received notification of the skill your child is working on and the teacher who is teaching it.. Please email me if you did not receive it.
**The students have earned many EAGLE SLIPS! In celebration, the students in grades K-2 will have music playing during their outside lunch recess on Monday. Job well done!!!!
**Our GREEN TEAM reps--Atessa and Evan are working on their first project of the year. They are bringing an old shirt to their next meeting on Tuesday, October 7th and making rags.'
**Our STUDENT COUNCIL reps--Ethan and Lily will attend their first Student Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 7th during their lunch recess. They will report back to us.
**Sign up for FAMILY MATH NIGHT. Let's Rock Around the Clock!! It's Thursday, October 16th from 6:30-8:00 pm You and your child solve the math problems......I will make the root beer floats in the lunchroom soda shop!!!
**There is still time to sigh up for TRIVIA NIGHT--sponsored by PTO. Great grown up fun!!!
**Don't forget to sign up your child for the FUN RUN FUNDRAISER--PTO'S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR. The event is Wednesday, October 22nd. Kindergarten will "run" from 8:15-8:30 am around the turf. Help raise money for our school!!!
**Scholastic Book Order for October is due October 14th. You can also order on line by clicking the book on the left side of my blog.
**In Friendship Club this week, Ms. Bell Bey continued discussion and activities on the Zones of Regulation. You will find a copy in your child's homework folder. Next week, she will start a unit on friendship.
**In Mr. Packer Problem Solving this week--Mr. Packer began reading the book, "Tomorrow's Alphabet." It is a really cool book about ABC's and what items become in the future. This book is the catalyst for an upcoming project.
**NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 10th--Teacher's Institute Day.
**NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13th in observance of Columbus Day.
**FUTURE FIELD TRIP--BROOKFIELD ZOO on November 25th from 9:00-1:30 pm More info is forthcoming. I will need at least 4 volunteers.
This week:
The students are working hard on their daily curriculum. They continue to respond to our Eagle Essential Guidelines and our class 1..2..3. They are now very much a part of shaping their own behavior! We are all learning a lot from each other. The students continue to work on fostering positive peer relationships both in and out of the classroom. We had our second meeting with our Book Buddies on Friday. The "little" kids selected a book and "big" Book Buddy read it to them and then they discussed the story elements --Characters, Setting and Story Events--Fiction/Nonfiction. Afterwards they illustrated their favorite part of the story. We have amazing 5th grade Book Buddies!!! They work so well with our precious kindergarten students! We will begin our next cross curricular theme: Apples, Pumpkins and Autumn next week.
Reading/Language Arts: The students completed Unit 1 Families in the Treasures Reading Series. The students discussed how families can change. Family members move away or move in. Children get older. I read the trade book, "Peter's Chair." It's the story about a boy who has a change in his family on a few different levels. We worked on story structure--a way in which things in the story happen. Stories have a beginning, middle and an end. The students made predictions about story content using the title and cover picture. After the second reading, the students matched pictures to a text that I read to them. They worked on retelling the story to a partner. They also work on reviewing sight word vocabulary and "walking" and writing their words. Robust Vocabulary for this week included CHANGE, RELATIVES, EAGER, OCCASION, CELEBRATE. Students reviewed rhyming patterns and sound blending 2 sound words. During our read aloud time, the students read "Can We?" Students caught on to the story structure...question....answer. Tracking skills are becoming more consistent. Workstations this week included completing sentence starters...I am.....I can.....with illustrations, picture sort by initial sound, before and after writing and illustration about how you have changed, rhyming word families AD and AT--nonsense or real words using the app Word Wizard, leveled readers/comprehension/story elements, shared reading with partners. Students continue to enjoy playing "Working on Syllables" and Rock. Paper, Scissors--upper/lowercase match. We were fortunate this week to be guided thru our Haggerty Blue Book exercises by Mr. Squirrel the puppet on loan to us from Evan!
Math: The students continue to work on counting quantities 0-15, recognizing numbers 0-15 and writing numbers. They used their number cards in a variety of games including the partner game Top It, where each partner draws a number and the partner with the greater number get the cards, Got It--number recognition where you roll the dice and color in the number on your recording sheet, Heads or Tails where you flip a penny and use tally marks to keep your score and number puzzles-matching number to quantity. The student worked on recognizing pattern block shapes and basic flat shapes. On our ten frames, students worked on "Slide and Say" and "Show Me" number. The students are beginning to recognize number more consistently using the reckenrek.
Writing: The students worked on activities from our hand and finger strengthening box. Holding an eraser with the ring and pinkie fingers of their writing hand, they practiced using their tri pod grasp to pick up objects, turn gears, search for pennies and beads, stamp in clay. Students continued to work on Frog Jump letters F, E, D, P. They practiced on their mini boards and also used Wet, Dry, Try method. They applied what they learned in their Orange Practice Books. In Writer's Workshop this week, the students worked on a writing project using the story, "The Day the Crayons Quit." They worked on forming their own opinion of what was their favorite color. The students are creating a class book with writing and illustrations about their favorite color. When it is completed, we will share it with you!
Technology: Students are using the iPad as a tool to enhance and reinforce skills taught. In student small groups used the apps Word Wizard to work on rhyming word families, ABC Magic to reinforce sound/symbol, I Write Words for letter formation, My ABC for letter matching, letter/sound relationship, upper/lowercase match and Sound Sort for sound/object match. In math small groups students used the apps Easy Match, Intro to Math and Geoboard to reinforce counting, number recognition, shape recognition and design.
Literature: "I See Patterns," "We Share Everything," "The Quiet Book," "The Cactus Hotel," "It's Okay to Make Mistakes," "The Playground Problem," "Pete the Cat Too Cool for School," "Me and My Family Tree," "The Day the Crayons Quit," "Peter's Chair," "If Your Were a Capital Letter," "The Rabbit and the Coyote."
**Wednesday, October is WALK TO SCHOOL DAY. All students who walk to school will receive a hand stamp and gym shoe that they will color. Mr. Hancock will display all colored gym shoes in the gym. If you cannot walk to school on Wednesday......no worries.....At lunch, we can walk around the playground to get our stamp and shoe.
**Don't forget to send back your confirmation for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences are Monday, October 20th, Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd. Don't forget that on Thursday and Friday (October 23rd and 24th) school is in session in the morning only. Dismissal is at 11:00 am. District School Bus, Hephzibah and Magical Minds will also pick up at that time.
**SEASONAL BABIES PROJECT. Please send in a baby picture of your child for our Seasonal Babies Project. It can be any size. We will do the project on October 14th.
**The students were all smiles for their class and individual pictures last Tuesday. The weather did not cooperate for us so our class picture was taken inside in the auditorium. Thanks to K.Meier (Jeremy's mom) for her help!
**Route to Reading is off to a great start! You should have received notification of the skill your child is working on and the teacher who is teaching it.. Please email me if you did not receive it.
**The students have earned many EAGLE SLIPS! In celebration, the students in grades K-2 will have music playing during their outside lunch recess on Monday. Job well done!!!!
**Our GREEN TEAM reps--Atessa and Evan are working on their first project of the year. They are bringing an old shirt to their next meeting on Tuesday, October 7th and making rags.'
**Our STUDENT COUNCIL reps--Ethan and Lily will attend their first Student Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 7th during their lunch recess. They will report back to us.
**Sign up for FAMILY MATH NIGHT. Let's Rock Around the Clock!! It's Thursday, October 16th from 6:30-8:00 pm You and your child solve the math problems......I will make the root beer floats in the lunchroom soda shop!!!
**There is still time to sigh up for TRIVIA NIGHT--sponsored by PTO. Great grown up fun!!!
**Don't forget to sign up your child for the FUN RUN FUNDRAISER--PTO'S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR. The event is Wednesday, October 22nd. Kindergarten will "run" from 8:15-8:30 am around the turf. Help raise money for our school!!!
**Scholastic Book Order for October is due October 14th. You can also order on line by clicking the book on the left side of my blog.
**In Friendship Club this week, Ms. Bell Bey continued discussion and activities on the Zones of Regulation. You will find a copy in your child's homework folder. Next week, she will start a unit on friendship.
**In Mr. Packer Problem Solving this week--Mr. Packer began reading the book, "Tomorrow's Alphabet." It is a really cool book about ABC's and what items become in the future. This book is the catalyst for an upcoming project.
**NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 10th--Teacher's Institute Day.
**NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13th in observance of Columbus Day.
**FUTURE FIELD TRIP--BROOKFIELD ZOO on November 25th from 9:00-1:30 pm More info is forthcoming. I will need at least 4 volunteers.
This week:
The students are working hard on their daily curriculum. They continue to respond to our Eagle Essential Guidelines and our class 1..2..3. They are now very much a part of shaping their own behavior! We are all learning a lot from each other. The students continue to work on fostering positive peer relationships both in and out of the classroom. We had our second meeting with our Book Buddies on Friday. The "little" kids selected a book and "big" Book Buddy read it to them and then they discussed the story elements --Characters, Setting and Story Events--Fiction/Nonfiction. Afterwards they illustrated their favorite part of the story. We have amazing 5th grade Book Buddies!!! They work so well with our precious kindergarten students! We will begin our next cross curricular theme: Apples, Pumpkins and Autumn next week.
Reading/Language Arts: The students completed Unit 1 Families in the Treasures Reading Series. The students discussed how families can change. Family members move away or move in. Children get older. I read the trade book, "Peter's Chair." It's the story about a boy who has a change in his family on a few different levels. We worked on story structure--a way in which things in the story happen. Stories have a beginning, middle and an end. The students made predictions about story content using the title and cover picture. After the second reading, the students matched pictures to a text that I read to them. They worked on retelling the story to a partner. They also work on reviewing sight word vocabulary and "walking" and writing their words. Robust Vocabulary for this week included CHANGE, RELATIVES, EAGER, OCCASION, CELEBRATE. Students reviewed rhyming patterns and sound blending 2 sound words. During our read aloud time, the students read "Can We?" Students caught on to the story structure...question....answer. Tracking skills are becoming more consistent. Workstations this week included completing sentence starters...I am.....I can.....with illustrations, picture sort by initial sound, before and after writing and illustration about how you have changed, rhyming word families AD and AT--nonsense or real words using the app Word Wizard, leveled readers/comprehension/story elements, shared reading with partners. Students continue to enjoy playing "Working on Syllables" and Rock. Paper, Scissors--upper/lowercase match. We were fortunate this week to be guided thru our Haggerty Blue Book exercises by Mr. Squirrel the puppet on loan to us from Evan!
Math: The students continue to work on counting quantities 0-15, recognizing numbers 0-15 and writing numbers. They used their number cards in a variety of games including the partner game Top It, where each partner draws a number and the partner with the greater number get the cards, Got It--number recognition where you roll the dice and color in the number on your recording sheet, Heads or Tails where you flip a penny and use tally marks to keep your score and number puzzles-matching number to quantity. The student worked on recognizing pattern block shapes and basic flat shapes. On our ten frames, students worked on "Slide and Say" and "Show Me" number. The students are beginning to recognize number more consistently using the reckenrek.
Writing: The students worked on activities from our hand and finger strengthening box. Holding an eraser with the ring and pinkie fingers of their writing hand, they practiced using their tri pod grasp to pick up objects, turn gears, search for pennies and beads, stamp in clay. Students continued to work on Frog Jump letters F, E, D, P. They practiced on their mini boards and also used Wet, Dry, Try method. They applied what they learned in their Orange Practice Books. In Writer's Workshop this week, the students worked on a writing project using the story, "The Day the Crayons Quit." They worked on forming their own opinion of what was their favorite color. The students are creating a class book with writing and illustrations about their favorite color. When it is completed, we will share it with you!
Technology: Students are using the iPad as a tool to enhance and reinforce skills taught. In student small groups used the apps Word Wizard to work on rhyming word families, ABC Magic to reinforce sound/symbol, I Write Words for letter formation, My ABC for letter matching, letter/sound relationship, upper/lowercase match and Sound Sort for sound/object match. In math small groups students used the apps Easy Match, Intro to Math and Geoboard to reinforce counting, number recognition, shape recognition and design.
Literature: "I See Patterns," "We Share Everything," "The Quiet Book," "The Cactus Hotel," "It's Okay to Make Mistakes," "The Playground Problem," "Pete the Cat Too Cool for School," "Me and My Family Tree," "The Day the Crayons Quit," "Peter's Chair," "If Your Were a Capital Letter," "The Rabbit and the Coyote."
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