It is hard to believe the first quarter is coming to a close! It has been an
exciting nine weeks! First quarter conferences will be held starting next
week. I will do my best to accommodate everyone's busy schedule. Please
return the conference form with your top three choice's labeled as soon as
possible. Conference times will be filled on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Thank you!
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Second Quarter Curriculum Overview:
Reading: Our reading focus will be expository, or non-fiction, texts. The
reading homework will change to reflect this in approximately 2 weeks.
Retelling questions include, "What is the topic? What is the most important
information about the topic? What text features are included in this story?
Why do you think the author wrote about this topic? What does this story
remind you of?" Please encourage your child to read expository texts at home
and remember to ask questions about their reading!
Writing: We will continue to write "small moment" personal narratives. Our
first writing unit will be "Writing for Readers." In this unit, students
will learn strategies make their writing easy to read. We will focus on
correct letter formation, handwriting, following margins, and punctuation.
The second unit is "The Craft of Revision." Students will learn when and how
to add elaborative detail. They will also learn about adding dialogue and
study the use of quotation marks. By the end of the second quarter, we will
begin practicing short paragraphs, including a main idea, at least 3
supporting details, and a closing sentence.
Math: We will continue to increase our knowledge of place value and using
place value skills to solve problems. We will build numbers different ways
using base-10 blocks. Measuring objects will also be a focus and we will
generate pictographs and Venn diagrams. Students will continue to learn
problem solving strategies and apply their knowledge and "math language" to
write and solve their own story problems.
Science: Our science unit will be on Matter. Students will learn about the
3 forms of matter and perform many engaging experiments.
Social Studies: The first social studies unit is called Change Over Time.
Students will learn about the lives of pioneer children and compare their
lives to our lives today. The students will also learn how technology has
changed the way of life in communities. The second social studies unit is
Holidays Around the World. The students will study how the holiday season is
celebrated in different countries. This is a fun unit that culminates in our
Holiday Learning Experience, where children will get a passport and travel
around the world, tasting new foods and doing new craft projects.
It is going to be an exciting quarter!
