Weekly Update 08/26/11

Important Announcements:

*Continue to check your child’s assignment notebook. We are working on organization, and your child should be bringing his/her RED folder home every night.

*Spelling pre-test will be given on Monday. The words were sent home today. If your child scores 100%, he/she will be moved to the alternate list. Those words will be sent home on Monday along with a contract.

*I will be sending book order forms home on Monday. If you would like to purchase books, please return the order form with money by Friday. Thanks!

*Next week I am going to teach the students a lesson on how to pick Read to Self books that are appropriate for them. I am going to use this acronym: I PICK

1. I choose a book.

2. Purpose – Why do I want to read it?

3. Interest – Does it interest me?

4. Comprehend – Am I understanding what I am reading?

5. Know – I know most of the words.

I wanted to make you aware of this so you can use it in your discussions with your child at home while helping them pick appropriate books.

*Our first math test is scheduled to be Thursday, September 1, 2011. Your child will have a study guide for homework Wednesday evening to help him/her review the material. Math homework will become more frequent starting next week.

*This week we had several guest speakers come and help introduce five of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. We had Imogen Ideas, Olive Organization, Princess Willow Word Choice, Veronica Voice, and Flo Fluency come. Next week we will have special presentations from Captain Conventions, Ms. Perfect Presentation and her friend Sloppy Joe.

A Look at Next Week:

Science
Solids, liquids, and gases

Spelling

Words with –ed

Reading
Story: Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon

Skill: Narrative elements - setting

Daily Five: Routines for Reading to self; How to choose a good-fit book

Math

Relations (<, >, =), exploring temperatures, review Unit 1, Unit 1 test, review EDM games

Social Studies

Community

English

Types of sentences

Writing

Introduction of Traits – special presentations made by: Captain Conventions and Ms. Perfect Presentation and Sloppy Joe

Weekly Update 08/19/11

I know I have already said this, but your children continue to work hard and are doing an outstanding job! I love picking them up from specials and having the special area teachers compliment them. I have really enjoyed getting to know your child, and I am looking forward to working together to make sure your child has a fantastic year! This blog will be updated weekly to keep you informed about the things that are going on in the classroom. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at awhisman@brownsburg.k12.in.us or 852-1062 ext. 1266.

Important Announcements:

*Continue to check your child’s assignment notebook. We are working on organization, and your child should be bringing his/her RED folder home every night.

*Spelling pre-test will be given on Monday. The words were sent home today. If your child scores 100%, he/she will be moved to the alternate list. Those words will be sent home on Monday along with a contract.

*Just a heads up...math homework will begin the week of August 29^th. This means your child could have two homework assignments in one evening. The first math test is scheduled to take place that same week.

*We took our first reading test today. It was a big change from the first grade reading tests. One child even said, “This is NOTHING like our reading tests in first grade.” Even if your child does not score as well as he/she normally does, we will continue to work on test taking skills, and they should show improvement.


A Look at Next Week:

Health
Chapter 1 Your Feelings

Spelling

Words with –ame and –ake

Reading
Story: Get Up and Go!

Skill: Author’s purpose

Daily Five: Routines for reading to self; how to choose a good-fit book

Math

Working in Small Groups, Number Grids, Equivalent Names for Numbers, and Counting Patterns

Social Studies

Community

English

Types of sentences

Writing

Introduction of Traits – special presentations made by: Imogen Ideas, Olive Organization, Veronica Voice, Flo Fluency, and Willow Word Choice

Weekly Update 08/12/11

Wow! This has been a fantastic start to the school year! I have really enjoyed getting to know your child, and I am looking forward to working together to make sure your child has a fantastic year! This blog will be updated weekly to keep you informed about the things that are going on in the classroom. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at awhisman@brownsburg.k12.in.us or 852-1062 ext. 1266.

Important Announcements:
*We will be making collages in writing next week. If you have any old magazines that you do not want anymore (make sure they are school appropriate, please!), feel free to send them in with your child starting on Monday.

*Homework will be assigned next week! Make sure to check your child’s assignment notebook and red folder frequently.

*If you have not sent in a clean sock or dry erase markers with your child, please do so by Monday.
*Spelling pre-test will be given on Monday. The words were sent home today. If your child scores 100%, he/she will be moved to the alternate list. Those words will be sent home on Monday.
*If you have not already turned in the beginning of the school year forms, please return those with your child on Monday.

A Look at Next Week:

Health
Chapter 1 Your Feelings

Spelling

Words with –id and –ide

Reading
Story: The Mixed-Up Chameleon

Skill: Main ideas and details and looking up information

Daily Five: Routines for Reading to Self

Math

Calendars and Clocks, Partner Study Routines, Grouping by Tens - $1, $10, $100, Math Boxes

Social Studies

Community

English

Sentences

Writing

Writing workshop procedures