Hello!!

Last week was pretty nutty...schedule wise...but this week is a FULL FIVE DAYS. Going to be a shock to everyone's systems, I think. :-)

We have accomplished a lot in a little time...let me catch you up!

Language Arts

In Reading we have been focusing on informational text since school started. These past two weeks we have been reading an article in the Storyworks Magazine titled, The Volcano that Changed the World. We have used it to work on vocabulary, we have used it to answer text dependent questions, and we have used it to work on finding the main idea and key details.  I really haven't graded anything in reading because we have been working with rigorous text and working on difficult standards. I want them to have lots of practice and understand the expectations. So we have done A LOT of assignments and then corrected them together so that they can see how they're doing. I have been telling them this will change soon and that they will be accountable the first time they complete the assignment.  I can't reiterate enough to the kids how important being engaged in a lesson is...twiddling their pencils, trying to talk to their neighbors, playing that video game in their head or story they're writing (in their head)...it all interferes with learning. Many of your kids have really bought into this idea of being an active participant...one who listens intently, asks questions, and then modifies their thinking. However...not everyone has caught on, and a few are missing key points of lessons. So reiterating this at home can be helpful, too!

One of our tools for citing text evidence...

In Writing we focused on strong leads this week. The kids got in writing partners and shared their best leads and helped each other make improvements. It is really fun to walk around and listen to their conversations. 

In Word Study we work with the words in class at least once a week. The pictures below show the kids meeting in partners and comparing their word sorts (the week prior).  They discuss the pattern or word meanings involved in their sorts.  

Math

In Math we have been working on tough (hurt your brain!!) word problems, and we have also been discussing different strategies to use when adding or subtracting large numbers. Most kids know the algorithm, however I worked with some on the subtraction across zeroes algorithm.  Some kids needed review. Others needed reteaching.  We do a lot of small group work in class so that I can work with the kids more closely...I am able to differentiate for different students in the small group, so I can reinforce with some while I'm enriching others. 

The kids will take a quiz this week...nothing they should study for...it will cover what we have been working on for the past few weeks.  

Also, this past week I gave the multiplication and division basic facts test. This is the 50 problems in 3 minutes test. This is baseline data, as it is our goal to have your child proficient with these facts by year end. Your child's agenda will reflect when he/she needs to be practicing...so stay tuned. 

Social Studies

We are going to take what we have been learning about the regions of the United States and combine that with our reading informational text standards to complete an in-school project. The kids will be developing travel brochures about particular states that highlight the climate, physical features, and natural resources found in that state. It is a project I think they will really enjoy!

Science

You should have heard the excited hum when the kids came in on Friday and saw the water filled aquariums in the classroom. I told them that our next science unit involves aquatic organisms, but that's all I told them. They will know more in the upcoming weeks. They are very excited!

Miscellaneous

**Our Weinburg field trip is quickly approaching...we are seeing The Super Scientific Circus on October 14th. Reminder...I can only take 1-2 chaperones, so once I get the permission slips back, I will randomly select the chaperones and let you know. 

**Your child may have come home over the past two weeks and mentioned they've been taking a test in the Computer Lab. Well...they have! All 2nd-5th grade students are taking the Math and Language Arts Global Scholar test. This test helps teachers guide our instruction.  I can share more about this with you at Parent Teacher Conferences. 

**I just want to reiterate how much fun I'm having with this group. They love learning. They LOVE reading. "Read for Stamina" time in my room is a favorite time. Take a peek...

Hope you had a great weekend...I sure did.  Oh!!  You need to meet my newest favorite little person and his brother (my other favorite little person!)

Meet Tripp Carey Wills

And his big brother, Evan Robert Wills. 

They are the reason I missed school on Monday. We have to drive to Georgia to see them!! We had such a wonderful time. 

The Important Things about....

...Our Classroom!!

I was so happy to see so many of you last night!!  I enjoyed sharing a little with you about our classroom, but there is so much I didn't have time to say...that's why it is important to read this blog at least once a week!!  I will always send a REMIND when I post on the blog, so you don't have to keep checking back to see if I've posted yet.  With three kids at home, I never know when my free moment is going to be, so I blog when I can!!  

Lots of parents were unable to see the two desktop computers last night where the "Important Thing About Me" slideshow was scrolling.  I guess I was just so very interesting and captivating, you forgot to look away!!  haha

Anyway...I have embedded each student's writing for you to see.  I had so much fun reading them, and I hope you do too!

We had a busy week full of learning...here's how it went down...

In Language Arts we focused on the text features found in informational text, as well as topic vs. main idea in an informational passage.  We will continue this work next week as we begin to identify details that prove we've found the correct main idea.  I have the kids grouped by their reading ability and all are being instructed above grade level.

In Writing we continue to write about "small moments"...lots of entries into our Writer's Notebooks.  We will reflect on some of this writing next week as we "step back and take a second look" using a narrative checklist.  

This week we also read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown and then we studied the author's craft discussing her style of writing.  We then used her craft as a model in our own writing as you have seen above.  The kids wrote first drafts in the classroom and wrote second drafts using Powerpoint. 

In Math we've continued working with large numbers, estimating using two strategies:  compatible numbers and rounding, and we've been problem solving...making a point to SHOW our thinking...this is not easy, but will prove to be so helpful down the line.  We will be heading into a new unit soon...stay tuned!

In Social Studies we are all about maps and globes, and today we explored the map of Maryland.  We had a political and physical map of Maryland, as well as a map of all of the counties in Maryland.  The kids answered questions using their maps to learn more about our great state!

MISCELLANEOUS!!

VOLUNTEERS:  First of all, I apologize for not sending the calendars home today...volunteers won't start until October, so its not that big of a deal, but I told you I would send them, and I forgot.  IMPORTANT:  If you plan to volunteer in our building or attend a field trip, you must complete the training on line on our UES website.  If you completed the volunteer training last year, you DO NOT need to complete it this year.  Everyone must have a form on file to volunteer.

NEXT WEEK:  The kids have off Friday next week for Fair Day.  I will be traveling to Georgia to meet my newest grandson!!  I will be out Monday, September 22, but will return on Tuesday.  I will leave detailed plans and the class will be in good hands.  Thank you for your understanding.  I cannot wait to get my hands on that sweet boy.  He was born August 28th, so he will be almost a month old before I see him!!

I hope you have a wonderful, safe weekend with your families.