Reading - We are using the MMGH reading series and
a variety of literature books to learn strategies that will help us become better readers. We are working on the
following strategies: inferring, using schema, making connections and drawing conclusions. We
are beginning to work with comprehension strategies. We are learning how to use these strategies to help us
become better readers.
Everyone is in AR (Accelerated Reading). The students will bring home a library book in a
baggie every night. Please listen to your child
read the book every night AND make sure the book is returned to school the following day.
It is okay to read it with your child - you read a page, the child reads a page. This helps the students because it
shows them what a fluent reader sounds like and they love to spend the one on one time with you. It is very important
that the books come back to school everyday because we use them during reading time. This is so important! I realize
everyone is really busy, but please take 10-15 minutes out each night to listen to your child read. Thank you!
Phonics - We are working with long vowel sounds,
blends, contractions and compound words. We spend a lot of time identifying vowels in words . We do several activities
to help us with this skill. Some of the activities are: Rounding up the Rhymes, Reading/Writing Rhymes , Making Words
and playing concentration. You can reinforce this at home by having your child identify the vowels in their spelling
words. We are using word sorts to help us with identifying vowels. The students are getting really good at this.
When we finish sorting the words, we glue them on manilla paper. When your child brings this home, have them read the
words to you and tell you the vowel sound each sort represents.
Spelling -the students will bring home their spelling list on Monday's.
The students have spelling homework every Tuesday. The students
need to write their spelling words and sentences 3 times. The students have two sentences now, so they will need to
use the back of their -paper to write the sentences. It is important that students write neatly and spell the words
correctly. Neatness counts! Students need to use the back of the paper to practice the spelling sentence. Neatness is important! Please look over your child's spelling homework - make sure
they spelled the words correctly and that they wrote the sentence correctly. The students are really getting sloppy
with their homework. This activity looses its value when the students do not practice the words and sentences correctly.
We will take a practice test on Thursday. If your child receives 100% on the practice test he/she will not have to take
the final test on Friday.
Writing - We are working on writing complete sentences using capital letters, end punctuation and spacing. We
are also working on showing our "voice" when writing. We want the reader to be able to "hear"
us talk when they read our stories. Please have your child work on these areas when practicing their spelling sentences.
We had a benchmark test in writing, several of the students did a wonderful job including an opening
statement, details and a closing statement. The students wrote their story about one topic. Some students
are still struggling with this. We will continue to practice at school. Please help your child at home by
having them write stories about things you do, or shows they watch. Remind your child to use capital letters, spaces
between words and end punctuation. We will have another benchmark test in March.
Math - We are working on counting money.
The students need to be able to identify and tell the value for a quarter, dime, nickel and penny. We are
also learning how to count a variety of coins. The students will need to be able to show three ways to show twenty five
cents and thirty cents -using dimes, nickels and pennies.
We continuing to work on addition facts.
We take timed addition tests every week. Please help your child with addition and subtraction facts at home. Students will have math homework every Thursday.
Social Studies -We are finishing up a unit
about map skills. The students will need to be able to identify North America, United States and Iowa on a map.
We will also learn what a compass rose is and how it helps you read a map.
Science -
We will begin a unit about plants and life cyles. The students will learn the parts of a plant and how a plant grows.
