Read on to see what’s been going on in our classroom!
• In shared reading, we have been learning about main idea and details,
writing summaries, making meaningful connections, self-monitoring their
reading, determining author’s purpose, questioning and predicting. When
reading at home with your child, involve your child in using the six reading
strategies we talk about often in class. They are predicting, visualizing,
connecting, figuring out, noticing and wondering/questioning. The children
have been making progress in writing in their Reading Response Journals. I
have reminded them that this journal is a place to respond to the text, not
just retell what they read.
• In math, we finished up our chapters on addition and subtraction with
regrouping. We have now moved onto chapter 12 which is time. At home, take
any opportunity to say the time in different ways (“At quarter of 8, we’ll
read a book together before bed.”) or to discuss elapsed time (“Soccer will be
over in one and half hours. What time will that be at?”). The next chapters
will involve measurement. There may be a few homework assignments involving
an inch ruler so please let me know if you don’t have one at home.
• In science, we finished up an inquiry based mini-unit on soggy paper. I’m
sure the kids have tried to convince you to buy “Viva” brand paper towels by
now! We recently began a unit on changes in matter. The students will be
learning all about solids, liquids and gases.
• In writing, we have learned about entertaining beginnings and snapshots. We
recently began learning about writing the main event, which is the most
challenging part of writing a narrative. The students will have many
opportunities to practice writing a main event. Elaborated main events need
action, description, thoughts, feelings and sometimes a little bit of talking.
• Reminder: Conferences will be held next week on November 17th, 18th and
19th. Please be on time as conferences are only 15 minutes long and they run
back to back. If you do not know when your conference is, please write me a
note or shoot me an email (lpalmieri@milforded.org).
• Please continue to send in Box Tops to help raise money for our school.
Thanks for participating!
• Picture retakes will be on December 1st. The Holiday Fair is on December 3rd.
• The children have earned their first marble party for filling the marble
jar! We celebrated in class today. Thanks to Mike A’s mom, Nolan’s mom,
Alex’s mom, Lila’s Dad, Hannah’s mom and Tyler’s mom for donating treats for
our party! That was very kind of you. Talk to your child about how they
could help the class in filling the marble jar even faster this time! (Two
hints: talk at the right times and listening to directions the first time)
• Thanks to our room mothers for a fun-filled Storybook Character Day party.
The children were well behaved at the party and had lots of fun too! Pictures
should be up on the website after this weekend.
• Please be sure to support your child’s reading efforts at home. Make sure
your child is reading for at least 20 minutes each night AND recording what
they read on the Star Reader sheet.
• As always, contact me with any questions or concerns. I’ll see everyone
next week at parent conferences!