Classroom Times

 WHAT WE LEARNED IN ROOM 5 THIS WEEK!             Week of: Decemberer 14, 2009

 "Twas 3 full days left before Christmas break and all of Room 5 can hardly 
wait".... You can definitely tell that the vacation is quickly upon us. We 
had another busy week and completed a lot heading into our short yet just as 
busy following week!. In the GO GREEN puzzle, I am pleased to say that the 
class earned 1 puzzle piece this week...so the magic number is now 1 piece 
left to earn for a class reward (WOW!). Here is the rest of the week in 
review...
 Reading: We continued to review all short vowel sounds (a,e,i,o,u). We also 
learned the sight words.../would/-/could/-/should/-/came/-/someone/. We read 
the story "Moving Day" as part of our shared reading. We also reviewed 
the vocabulary words from the story. We completed a tree map together as a 
class to incorporate the components of the story (characters, setting, 
problem, solution). The class reviewed consonant blends with /l/ and /r/ 
(sled, grab...). We learned about digraphs (sh, wh, ch, th)and read various 
words and completed activities with these digraphs (ex: ship, whip, chop, 
thin...). The class read the poem of the week called "Surprises". We 
recognized the rhyming words and and digraphs in the poem. Then we added it 
to our poetry folders. We worked on new centers and continued guided reading 
groups. The center work for this week was sent home. Please review the work 
with your children. It is what they are working on independently while I am 
working with reading groups.
 Writing: We practiced writing in our journals this week. Topics related to 
Over the weekend, If Santa's sled broke_____., and The story "Moving Day" is 
about____. Mrs. Neevel came in and discussed with the class about "special 
moments". She had the class come up with ideas of a special moment that they 
would like to write about using sequence words (First, Next, Then, Last). For 
example, the topics included a playdate, vacations, baseball game etc. The 
class was told to write about one topic and write about it using the sequence 
words in the order they completed their activity. They will be putting this 
together for their own special moment book. When we write, the class is 
continuing to be encouraged to use their kid spelling and Word Wall words to 
complete their sentences and using proper grammar (capitals, periods, correct 
spacing between words). We have been writing 3 or more sentences with class 
assignments.
 Math: We continued to review our addition skills with sums up to 10, 11, 12. 
We also included doubles with sums up to 18 (ex: 7+7=14...8+8=16 etc.). We 
completed topic 16 and practiced using doubles and doubles plus 1 
(ex:6+6=12...6+7=13). The class was also assessed on their knowledge of facts 
with sums up to 10.
 Social Studies: We continued to learn about holidays this week. The class 
read the Weekly Reader "Bright Holiday Lights" and learned interesting facts 
about various celebrated holidays during this time of the year... and the 
different kinds of lights that are used. We will be having our Holiday Gala 
next week in which we will focus on 4 holidays...Christmas, Hanukkah, 
Kwanzaa, and New Year's. Thank you very much to all of the volunteers to sent 
in items for our Gala...WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT! 
 Science: Our next unit in science will begin after the holiday break. 
 Our Star Helpers this week were Payton and Ryan. I want to thank them 
both for making a wonderful effort with all of our classroom jobs this week! 
 Please continue to practice covering coughs and sneezes properly and 
frequent handwashing. We want to avoid the spread of germs the best that we 
can and keep everybody HEALTHY. 
 Get ready... only 3 school days left until break! On a final note...can't 
say "HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!" this past week (WOW! 2 straight losses). Mr. D 
still has faith. The next game is against the "undefeated" Saints on Saturday 
night. Big D will travel to the Big Easy. It will be a good game...so as 
always...be sure to root for the boys!-(GO COWBOYS!!!!). 
  On Monday it will be Day 6 in our 6 day cycle. We P.E.

*REMINDERS: HOMEWORK- Due Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010.
            SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDER- has been sent out.
            WINTER FESTIVAL: Dec. 21  
            HOLIDAY GALA: Dec. 21 
            HOLIDAY BREAK: Dec. 24-Jan.3 (School Resumes Jan.4)    
                     
                     HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
                            Mr. DeLorenzo