weeks of November 20 and 27, 2017

Mrs. Borden and Mrs. Jones’ Newsletter
Weeks of November 20 and 27, 2017
(this newsletter is for 2 weeks due to the shortened weeks for Thanksgiving break)
***In Math, we are starting Topic 3, Six to Ten.  We will learn how to read, write, and count numbers from 6-10.  We will learn how to show 6 and other numbers from 6-10.  Our new math words include: six, seven, eight, nine, ten. We count the days of school and review counting by tens, ones, and writing a two-digit number (for example, 64 is a 6 and a 4).  Please review concepts of more, less, and same as/equal.
***In Reading, our new story is: Jack and the Beanstalk and we will discuss realism vs. fantasy within the story as well as the plot of the story. Our new amazing word are: lend, magic, lad, beanstalk, ogre, naughty.  We will continue to build our phonemic awareness by identifying all sounds in a 3 sound word (for example the word dog is broken up by the sounds /d/ /o/ /g/).  Tips and tricks- As the foundation for all written words, letters are important because they are the symbol for the small actions your mouth makes as you say words.  What’s equally important, however, is that your child learns the sound associated with each letter.  These individual sounds are called phonemes, and children who know about the connection between a letter and its phoneme have an easier time learning to read.
***Science and Social Studies-  We will begin Unit B, Life Science, and focus on: Chapter 3, Living and Non Living Things.  Our essential question is: What can you tell about living things?  We will also start looking at winter activities and the various winter holidays.
 ***Handwriting/Writing- As we continue on with our lowercase letter formation, we will be adding words to write as well to increase our writing stamina.  We have been working very hard on using lowercase letters as much as possible and using only capitals to start a sentence or a name.
***Other News:
We have been implementing the Second Step program with the help of Mrs. Rollenhagen.  There is a letter about the program as well as an activity that can be completed at home to further explain the goals.  We are excited to see the progress in the skills for learning and we are making the most of our school experience!

***Important Dates:
Monday, November 20- Day 8
Wednesday, November 22- Early Dismissal, 12 pm
Tuesday, November 28- School resumes from Thanksgiving break

week of November 13, 2017

Mrs. Borden and Mrs. Jones’ Newsletter
Week of November 13, 2017

***In Math, we are continuing Topic 2, Comparing and Ordering 0 to 5.  Our essential question is: How can numbers from 0 to 5 be compared and ordered?  Our new math words include: more, fewer, same as, order, first, second, third, fourth, fifth.  Please continue to practice number writing and counting to 100.  We also review the concepts of: time, money, calendar concepts, and weather in Math Meeting.
***In Reading, our new story is: A Bed for The Winter and we will sequence within the story as well as describing things. Our new amazing word are: nest, stump, hive, meadow, tree trunk, and den.  We will compare and contrast this story to our last story because they both have to do with animals hibernating.  We will also continue to make first sounds in words, rhyme words, and segment the sounds in words.
***Science and Social Studies- We will work on the Weather and Seasons in Science.  We will be looking at what weather usually happens in each season and observe the weather that is happening right now.
 ***Handwriting/Writing- We are so excited to be able to dive right into our lowercase letters and have completed a few this week.  We will continue to reinforce holding your pencil the correct way and to start the letters at the top.  Also, we have been coloring each morning because that is a great way to increase hand strength for better handwriting.  That is something that can be practiced at home as well.
***A few reminders:
- We do go outside for recess.  Please dress appropriately with hats and gloves and a warm coat.  Please label all of the clothing because it is easy to get them mixed up if the children drop something.
- Please refer to the school calendar to keep you informed of upcoming events and information.

***Important Dates:
Monday, November 13- Day 3
Friday, November 17- Day 7- Dress Down Day, Community Involvement Movie Night

week of November 6, 2017

Mrs. Borden and Mrs. Jones’ Newsletter
Week of November 6, 2017

***In Math, we are starting Topic 2, Comparing and Ordering 0 to 5.  Our essential question is: How can numbers from 0 to 5 be compared and ordered?  Our new math words include: more, fewer, same as, order, first, second, third, fourth, fifth.  We sent home a clean copy of numbers 1-10 from the Handwriting series to practice the number formations. 

***In Reading, our new story is: Bear Snores On and we will look at realism vs. fantasy within the story as well as review setting. Our new amazing word are: sleep, cave, storm, winter, woods, bluster.  In our Morning Message, we look at the author and who the author is writing to (the audience) as well as continue to find: exclamation points, periods, and commas within the writing.  This week we will find the capital letters and where we would use them.

***Science and Social Studies- We will continue to explore the Land/Water and Earth/Sky topics and make connections between Science and Social Studies.  We also have been practicing our coloring skills on pictures of: mountains, oceans, and grasslands.  We were very lucky that our Reading story this week tied into this topic and we got to read about the animal babies and their mothers that live in the grasslands.

***Handwriting/Writing- We have completed all of the capital letters as of this week.  On Monday, we will practice correct formations for the lowercase letters.  If you need any extra clean copies of the capital letter formations or the number formations, just let us know and we can send some more.  We have also been trying hard to practice our first and last names when we write our name and will continue this practice.

***A few reminders:
- We do go outside for recess.  Please dress appropriately with hats and gloves and a warm coat.  Please label all of the clothing because it is easy to get them mixed up if the children drop something.
- Please continue with AR, we were so impressed with the number of students who completed the goal for the month of October…Keep up the good work!
- Please refer to the school calendar to keep you informed of upcoming events and information.