This was an exciting week! Friday we had a very special visit from an author. He used to be a custodian at Sprague and has just published his first children's book! It was amazing to hear Mr. Ed's stories. We've also continued to work hard during our writer's workshop time. The students learned how valuable writing partners can be. We also learned the difference between a "watermelon" story and a "seed" story. We read some books by the author Donald Crews to help us understand the difference. We are writing seed stories, which are small moments in our lives. An example of a watermelon story would be about an entire vacation, but an example of a seed story would be one specific part of the vacation. Writer's workshop is quickly becoming one of our favorite parts of the day. We also finally have our literacy choices up and running! While I am meeting with groups of kids to practice their reading, the students are choosing literacy activities to work on. They are either reading to themselves, reading to someone else, working on writing, working on word study, or listening to reading. In math, the students have been working on chapter 3, which is adding numbers 0-10. They are learning strategies like counting on from the bigger number and practicing using number bonds and other tools to help them. This week we also got our last accuracy cards into our pockets. There should now be a complete set in both their reading folders at school and their green bags that they take back and forth with them.
Things to ask your children about:
-What was your favorite part of the author visit?
-What's the difference between a watermelon story and a seed story?
-How do you flip the sound or blend sounds together to figure out words?
Things to remember:
-Thanks to everyone who ordered scholastic books. We got quite a few new books for our classroom (at least 30!). The order came with a coupon for each child that needs to be used in the next couple months, so I will make sure to get those out to you and we will do an order before the holidays in case you are interested in ordering any family gifts, etc.
-We have a field trip coming up to Botanic Gardens. I'm only able to take 4 or 5 parents with me (I have to check on the exact number) but I will send out a document and whoever signs up first can come. It will be the morning of Halloween. We will be back in plenty of time for the parade/party.
-PLEASE send the green bags back and forth to school each day, as well as your child's yellow take home folder. It's making it very difficult to get them all of the information they need when they do not have these things. I told the students it is their responsibility to remember these things, but maybe help them make a checklist of things they need to remember to bring to school. Thanks!
-I believe you now have the logins for raz-kids, spelling city, and IXL. If you are new to Sprague this year, your IXL username may have changed. If your child can't get in, email me and I will look up the child's new username. I will try to send home a new sheet with those students early next week, but if they are looking to use it sooner and can't get in, let me know.
Things to ask your children about:
-What was your favorite part of the author visit?
-What's the difference between a watermelon story and a seed story?
-How do you flip the sound or blend sounds together to figure out words?
Things to remember:
-Thanks to everyone who ordered scholastic books. We got quite a few new books for our classroom (at least 30!). The order came with a coupon for each child that needs to be used in the next couple months, so I will make sure to get those out to you and we will do an order before the holidays in case you are interested in ordering any family gifts, etc.
-We have a field trip coming up to Botanic Gardens. I'm only able to take 4 or 5 parents with me (I have to check on the exact number) but I will send out a document and whoever signs up first can come. It will be the morning of Halloween. We will be back in plenty of time for the parade/party.
-PLEASE send the green bags back and forth to school each day, as well as your child's yellow take home folder. It's making it very difficult to get them all of the information they need when they do not have these things. I told the students it is their responsibility to remember these things, but maybe help them make a checklist of things they need to remember to bring to school. Thanks!
-I believe you now have the logins for raz-kids, spelling city, and IXL. If you are new to Sprague this year, your IXL username may have changed. If your child can't get in, email me and I will look up the child's new username. I will try to send home a new sheet with those students early next week, but if they are looking to use it sooner and can't get in, let me know.