It is October 6, 2009. We are just about four weeks into the school year already!
So, what’s going on in your child’s classroom? Read on and find out about more than recess!
The kindergarten group began Theme 2 called Colors All Around in the Houghton Mifflin Language Arts Program this week. Below is an outline of the objectives for this theme.
Phonemic Awareness: beginning sounds and words in oral sentences
Phonics: sounds for S, s; M, m; and R, r
High Frequency words: I, see
Reading Strategies: predict/infer; summarize
Comprehension Skills: sequence of events; inferences; making predictions
Vocabulary: describing words; exact naming words; singular/plural naming words
Fluency: build reading fluency
Concepts of Print: capital letters; end punctuation
Writing: description; journals; graphic organizer; class story
Listening/Speaking/Viewing: support vocabulary and writing
The first grade group also began Theme 2 called Surprise!. The objectives for this theme are as follows:
Phonemic Awareness: blending phonemes
Phonics: consonants d, w, l, x, y, k, v, q, j, z; blending short o words, short e words and short u words
Reading Strategies: phonics/decoding, question, monitor/clarify; summarize
Comprehension: noting details, fantasy and realism, story structure
High Frequency Words: recognize high frequency words
Fluency: build reading fluency
Grammar: capitalizing names, using naming words, using action words
Writing: a class letter, using alliteration, a class message, writing about animals, a class diary, a diary, writing about bugs, writing a story
Spelling and Phonics: write words with d, l, y, v, j, z, short a, short e, and short u
Vocabulary: review kindergarten pattern words, number words, fun things, opposites, foods, days of the week, homographs
Listening/Speaking/Viewing: sharing information, compare and contrast, main idea and details, conflict resolution, retell/summarize, readers’ theatre, retelling a story
Information and Study Skills: following instructions
In addition to the Houghton Mifflin reading program we are beginning leveled guided reading groups. The reading program is also supplemented with many teacher made materials.
In kindergarten math we have explored many concepts including, patterns, shapes, sizes, more, fewer and positional words. We are learning to identify and correctly form our numbers 1 through 20.
In first grade math we are learning the number to 100 using place value. We are ordering numbers and comparing numbers using the greater than and less than signs. We will learn fact families this month and talk about odd and even numbers.
In Social Studies we began with a unit on families. We created a family tree which will be going home shortly. We will be expanding on this unit by talking about our community then on to the helpers in our communities.
In science we have begun to learn all about bats and how useful and good these mammals are. We are now convinced that there is no such thing as vampires! We will continue learning about other nocturnal animals throughout this month as well as other animals that will soon be migrating and hiberating.
The top book pick of the month has been The Black Lagoon series by Mike Thaler. They make for a great read aloud and the kids are wild about them. Check them out at your local library!
While on the topic of books, a new book club order was sent home this week. If you have any trouble ordering on line or just don’t have the time to do so, please send in your order to me and I’ll order them for you. Just send in a check made out to Scholastic. I will try to send out a new flyer each month.
The children are enjoying the weekly specials with Mrs. Arcand (Spanish), Andy (Music), Miss Anne (Art) and gym with the Wheaton College students, Chris and James.
We have several wonderful Wheaton College students that assist daily in the classroom. You may hear the names Zack, Emily, Glorisel, Kate, Sasha, Jimmy or Ashley mentioned from time to time. It truly puts a smile on my face when I turn and see students gathered around an assistant in each corner of the room enjoying a good book together.
Before you know it, Halloween will be here. That is always a favorite holiday in our classroom. I may be asking for some assistance for our annual Halloween party which will take place on Friday, October 30. Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches.