| October 10th, 2008
Dear Parents,
This week in:
Reading we began to discuss “schema” – thinking while you read about what
you already know so that you are able to make text-self connections. I
explained to the students that schema is similar to files in our minds,
which hold all of the information that we already know. I had the students
open up their mental file about pumpkins and I recorded their responses on
post-its and added them to our schema chart. Throughout the week I read The
Pumpkin Book by, Gail Gibbons. As I read the book I paused periodically to
ask the students if they had added any new information to their
pumpkin “schema file”. Towards the end of the week we reviewed the
information on our class schema chart and discussed why some of the
information was more important. We then went through the chart as a class
and deleted information from our schema that we didn’t feel was necessary
and found to be untrue.
Math we had our first Unit 1 Assessment. Prior to the assessment we reviewed
concepts and skills, went over the directions as a class and each student
filled out a self-assessment. We also began Unit 2 this week and introduced
addition number stories. We discussed parts-to-total and change-to-more
number stories and went over several examples of each as a class. Following
the group practice the students had a chance to come up with their own
Halloween number stories! Towards the end of the week we reviewed addition
problems and the various sequences they may appear as: 11=8+3, 4+5=9 etc. We
did several examples as a class and then the students practiced the skill
independently in their math journals.
Writing we discussed why it is important to use clear and specific words in
our writing rather than “general” words. For example, “he came into the
room” would be general and “Nick tiptoed into the kitchen” would be clear.
Using clear and specific words helps to keep the reader engaged! Student
read through existing writing pieces and replaced “general” words for
more “specific” words. This week I also modeled the editing process for the
students. The students then had a chance to use their own editing checklist
to revise and edit an existing writing piece. The students also had a chance
to free write in their writing journals!
Science we continued with the Rock Unit, which will be coming to and end
next week. We completed a fun experiment that reviewed the three types of
rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Ask your child to tell you
about the experiment and for a challenge see if they can tell you how each
type of rock is formed. They are all becoming rock geniuses and I am so
impressed with how much information they are absorbing about rocks!!
Reminders!
* Field Trip to Mt. Kearsarge – Next Thursday, October 16th, 2008.
All chaperones should be in the classroom by 8:45am so that I can introduce
you to your groups! Once again I appreciate you coming!!! F.Y.I. You may
want to bring a large blanket for your group to sit on for lunch. It will
be a very fun day.
*Thank you to all of you who donated tissues and paper towels! You all had
a very quick, overwhelming response and I hope you know that it is very much
appreciated.
*There is no school on Monday, October 13th! Happy day off!
*Red Sox begin the ALCS on Friday night in Tampa Bay! Keep your fingers
crossed for another trip to the World Series! The Patriots play Sunday
night @ 8:30 in San Diego! Let’s hope for another win!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmest regards,
Kim Chaffee
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