Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tuesday, Jan. 31st

Today we had a ton of fun in our PJs :)  We watch the scholastic read-aloud video of "Where the wild things are" for our celebration.

In math we worked more on measuring and this time we all measured our arm spans then made a graph of the data.  We also found the median and mode of the data.  These are both math Vocab terms for this unit.

In reading we practiced inferring.  We look for 'clues' in the book that could help us make a really really good prediction.  2nd graders don't guess what will happen next, we infer! :) I stress the difference by always asking the kids about which text 'clues' helped them make their prediction.

Red Wings Day is THURSDAY. Wear red and white for a red wings assembly :)


Monday, January 30, 2012

Monday, Jan. 30

Today in the morning I was out of the room for a bit for a meeting-- we had a sub who helped the kids with a capitalization practice sheet that I left and read them a story.  The students also worked on writing their weekend news during that time.

In the afternoon we worked on using a measuring tape and did some math boxes.  Keegan's dad came in and measured each child in the hallway to help with an upcoming project :)
Today was also our PBS reward day.  We all got to play Bingo! The kids had a fun time and they all got a little treat for playing :)

Tomorrow is PJ Day! No pillows or stuffed animals please, small blankets are OK.  Thanks!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thursday, Jan. 26th

Today was a SUPER BUSY DAY! We came to school and went straight to the computer lab for our NWEA Reading test.  I gave each of the kids a sticky note with their old score on it and we discussed what a good goal would be for this time. I reminded the kids to take their time and to read and reread each question if they didn't understand it the first time.  I was SO HAPPY with their result!!! Every student in our class meet or EXCEEDED their mid-year-goal!!! Hurray!! I couldn't be happier. They truly all did their best work. They were SO focused when we were taking the test.  I heard them reading the questions to themselves, sounding out words they didn't know, and staying on-task for the WHOLE time we were in the lab (which was a loooong time) To celebrate our hard work we are going to have a PJ day on Tuesday next week.  I will send home a note on Monday with the details.

Right after the test, we went straight to Gym, then took our spelling test, went to recess, then lunch, did our math (a fun activity about 'Wubbles' who double while they sleep), got our new homework, had recess, then went home! There was not a spare minute! Ask your child tonight about the Wubbles who double :)

Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Wednesday, Jan. 25th

Homework due tomorrow!

Today in class we all finished our MLK reports! Yaye!! Ask your child about his/hers. We also did a lesson about punctuation during of editing unit in writing.

In reading group we did a retelling project for our Henry and Mudge book that we just finished.  We are working on long and short vowels in reading group right now as well.

In math we wrote multiplication stories! The kids are SO GOOD at this.  The word 'multilication' sounds a bit scary when you think about 7 and 8 year olds... but the concept is actually very simple and concrete. We draw pictures to help us solve these problems.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tuesday, Jan. 24th

Today in class we worked on editing.  There are four main points that all the students are responsible for editing.  They are: 1. Finger Spaces (leaving space between words, good handwriting) 2. Capital letters (using them when they should, and not when they shouldn't-- this includes proper nouns) 3. Punctuation (this includes proper use of commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, ect.) and 4. Does it make Sense?  Sentences have to be clear and computer.

In math we worked on more subtraction and then did some "number stories" which is like: 45 + __ = 90 and then 90 - ____ = 12 and then 12 + 87 = ____ and so on.  The story goes and on until we get to our "target" number.  This is a good way to practice persistence and problem solving as well as computation.

Additionally, we have been having a few chats about getting along well with others and not arguing with our friends.  Sometimes I don't like the tone of voice that the children take with each other, this has resulted in the whole class working in more partner activities and earning more praise for those who use kind words.
Instead of, "HUUURRRYYY UPPP! YOURE TAKING TOO LONG AT THE LUNCH COUNTER!!" we want to ask, "do you need help?"
This has mostly been a problem at recess and lunch time.  Talk to your child at home about using kind words ALL THE TIME and to EVERYONE (even toward those who can sometimes bother us :) )

Remember, no school Friday and homework due Thursday.
Hope you all have a  good night :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Monday, Jan. 23rd

This Thursday at 7pm is the Kindergarten informational meeting at Poupard.  If you have a child who is enrolling in K next year, please attend!

We have NO school this Friday.  Homework will be Due on Thursday this week.

We will be going to school store this Tuesday :) Kids will get to spend the "yellow tickets" they have earned this month for good behavior on prizes at the School Store.

We will be taking the Reading portion of the NWEA this week on Thursday in the computer lab.  This is the test that I shared with you at conferences.  Your child took this test once in the fall and now they will take it again to measure their growth thus far.  It is imporant to be on time to school that day, get a good nights sleep the night before, and have a healthy breakfast in the morning.
***I will be sending home infor about our Valentine's Day party and a class list this Thursday with the homework :)   Our party will be on the 14th in the afternoon.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Friday, Jan. 20th

** The homework that went home today will be due on THURSDAY next week since we do not have school on Friday.  I will also give the spelling test on Thursday.

Today in class we had our pizza party :)  The class really enjoyed it and had great behavior!

In math we took a break from our "Everyday Math" series and did some 'serious' subtration work. We need to practice more with borrowing.  I was REALLY happy with how the kids did on the math tests from yesterday-- almost everyone got 90% or above :)

It was too cold today to play outside so we opted for indoor recess.  The kids FROZE yesterday out there so I was happy to make the adjustment today for them.  In the future, the office only announces inside recess in SUPER cold weather so keep sending the snowpants, gloves, hats, coats, scarves, ect.  20-25 minutes outside in this weather is not pleasant without the proper clothing.

Have a great weekend! Stay Warm!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thursday, Jan. 19th

Dont pack a lunch tomorrow-- we will be having our pizza party at lunch time :)

Today in class we had computer lab and many students chose to take scholastic Reading Tests.  We also had an  assembly (Town Hall Meeting) where lots of students got a charm for their reading points :)

In math we took our Unit 6 Test! I will TRY to grade them all tonight so that I can get them back to you tomorrow :)

Homework Due tomorrow!! No bagel sales tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Wednesday, Jan. 18th

Did you notice that the daily report today had a little note letting you know that your child does not need to bring a lunch to school on Friday?  We will be having our pizza and Ice cream party that day during our lunch hour so there is no need for them to bring a separate lunch.  This party is our reward for winning the book exchange contest last month :)

Today in class we practiced some division strategies and started writing MLK biographies!  The class did a really nice job with the 'early life' portion of the biography and will start on the 'major accomplishments' portion tomorrow.  Ask your child what they wrote about MLK's early life :)




Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Tuesday, Jan. 17th

Today in class we made a timeline of MLK's life on long rolls of paper.  The class worked in groups of 3 to complete the time line.  We also did a little play about MLK.

Below is a you tube video made by a kindergarten teacher with a song to help kids understand what MLK did for our nation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQy1o6JVPIQ&feature=channel_video_title

Tomorrow morning at 8am is the Citizenship breakfast!! Maelisa is our citizen this month-- congrats! :)

Town Hall Meeting is on Thursday

PIZZA PARTY for winning the book exchange last month will be this FRIDAY! We will eat the pizza and ice cream during our lunch time so there is no need to pack a lunch that day :)


Tuesday, Jan. 17th


February 2012

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

 

1.  B-Day
2.   C-Day
Red Wings Assembly
10:00-11:00
3.  D-Day
10:15- peer resistance
5th Grade
6.  A-Day
7.  B-Day
8.  C-Day

Count Day

Book Exchange


9.   D-Day
10.  A-Day

Daddy & Daughter Dance
13.   B-Day
14.    C-Day
Citizen’s Breakfast-7:45
15.    D- Day
Town Hall Meeting 1:50
16.   A-Day
17.   B-Day
PBS Award- Paper Airplanes
20

No  School this week.
21.

No  School
22.

No  School
23.

No  School
24.

No  School
27.   C-Day

School Re-opens
28   D-Day
Primary Presidential Election -GYM
29    A-Day

Market Day


Friday, January 13, 2012

Friday, Jan. 13th

Happy Friday!
Today in class we did a TON of reading and were focusing on 2 major strategies: Imagining as you read and looking for little 'clues' from the author that might explain why a character does something, or what might happen next (this is actually called inferring).  As your child reads at home remind them to "make pictures in their head" of what is happening in the book.

In math we did multiplication story problems and the kids did great with this.  We always draw pictures when solving these but instead of making a detailed picture, we just do tally marks and circles.  I have been so impressed by how well the class is doing with all these new computation strategies.

I gave out the homework binders today along with the papers from the office and graded work from last week. Please look it over. Thanks!!

Have a great weekend :) No school Monday!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Thursday, Jan. 12

FYI: Harper Woods library is running some fun programs for kids.  Here is the link to their page if yo uare interested :) http://kidspage.wordpress.com/

Today  we had book exchange.  Many student brought books to trade in-- the book exchange has a TON of great books at our level these days :)

In math we practiced borrowing with 2 digit subtraction.  The kids did AWESOME with this.  I am so happy to see that this concept is 'clicking' with the kids now :)  We also did a lot of arrays (to get ready for multiplication concepts!)

We had computer lab this morning and a LOT of us wanted to take scholastic reading tests.  The charms for readers who earned 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100 points will be given out at Town Hall meeting on Jan. 19th at 10:25am.

Homework binders are due tomorrow! Have a good night!

PS-- Thank you to Keegan's mom for sending in a TON of glue and to Nylah's mom for the awesome pencil sharpener :)  We are so lucky to recieve so many donations from parents that I can hardly keep up with all the Thank Yous!! All my parents are the best!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Wednesday, Jan 11th

Want a good way to motivate your child to read at home? Try having them read Ebooks on the computer.  I use this site http://www.wegivebooks.org/books in the classroom and you could easily do it at home as well.  The books have age/grade levels listed so it is easy to find a 'just right' book for your student.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tuesday, Jan. 10th

Today in class we were BUSY! We wrote about Martin Luther King, read about him, thought about him, and made a 'dream cloud' of our own based on his dream! Ask your child tonight what their dream is! They turned out really cute. I need to put pictures up for you to see!

In math today we practiced MORE 2 digit addition.  We also went back to practicing some estimation (ballpark estimates) and did math boxes (review of past skills) .  I am very impressed with how good a lot of the students have become with the 2 digit addition-- today they called the work 'too easy!' ...and that's great to hear!

Tomorrow we will be getting a new student! Her name is Hailey and she will be our 19th student in the class.  All the students are very excited to meet her.  This groups of kids could not be more welcoming :)

I made arrangements today for the kids to go on a field trip March 28th to see the Beauty and the Beast at Brownell middle school.  The cost will be $2 and I will need parent drivers.  I only have space for 5 drivers so it will be first-come-fist serve to attend the trip. 
I will be sending home permission slips the first week of March but I jsut thought I would give you all a heads up.

*** I sent home some important papers today with C.P. and J.C. I don't have parent email's handy here tonight and am hoping you will check the blog and get those papers from the backpack! ( I know it's a long shot but worth a try!)

Have a good night! :)

Monday, January 09, 2012

Monday, Jan. 9th

Today in calss we finished our "New Year Resolution" project that we have been trying to get done! The kids did a super job on them. They are hanging in the hallyway if you would like to take a look :)
We also read some MLK book that were at our own levels.  Each child had a different bok and a partner to read with.  We really like learning about MLK.  Ask your child what he/she knows about him tonight at home.

EVERYONE was on GREEN today!! Yaye!! We celebrated with a little early recess :)

Those who bought bagels on Friday got their bagels today.
NO SCHOOL next Monday ( a week from today)
Town Hall meeting will be on Jan 19th


**We need Glue Sticks! We are down to about 10 sticks total for the kids.  I fyou would like to donate to the room, we would appreciate it. Thank you!!

got an ipad or iphone?

This is a link to a bunch of free educational apps for kids! The site is for students with special needs, however, a LOT of the content is a great for ALL kids in the primary grades. Kids are SO motivated by the chance to use cool technology! Let me know if you try any of them out-- I'd like to know how kids do with it (I don't have an i-anything or else I would test it myself with them at school).

http://a4cwsn.com/free-educational-apps/

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Thursday, Jan. 5th

Another great day!
Today we worked on subtraction and solved subtraction stories.  The kids tend to want to add everything so it is important to remind them to read the stories really carefully.

In writing we started writing little biographies about ourselves.  Tomorrow we will read a biography about MLK :) Ask your child what a biography is tonight- see if they remember!

Remember that HW is due tomorrow! Send a dollar if you want to participate in bagel day.

**The next town hall meeting is Jan.18th at 10:25

** We WON the book exchange contest!! We will be having a pizza and ice cream party on Jan 20th  :)  I will send a little reminder when it gets closer.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Wednesday Jan. 4th

Welcome Back!! The kids were AWESOME today! I was a bit worried that they could be a little tired and cranky after a long break (like I'm sure a lot of adults felt going back to work too!) but they really surprised me and did a fantastic job all day long :)

Today we spent some time talking about resolutions.  We read a book about New Years and made resolutions of our own.  A few popular ones were: read more books, have better handwriting, have a clean desk, don't lose my hat.  Then we talked about how you have to make a plan and work hard to reach your goals. Tomorrow we will be decided what we can do to make sure we reach our goals.

In math we started unit 6 with a fun 2 digit addition card game and some ballpark estimates.  We are working on remembering that numbers under 5 round DOWN and 5 and up round UP. I say"5 through nine, climb the vine. 0 through 4 go down to the floor"

Homework is due Friday.

Bagel sale this Friday for $1

Have a great night!