Classroom Update
Everyday Math
We have launched EDM Unit 7 - Geometry and Attributes. During Unit 7 the Scholars will investigate attributes and properties of two and three dimensional shapes. In addition, they will learn all about symmetric shapes and designs, and expand their EDM vocabulary.
Scholars discussing the attributes of various shapes.
Reading and Writing Workshop
We have started our All About Unit!
Unit 4 focuses on informational texts. The Scholars will learn all about the features/attributes of nonfiction texts such as: the table of contents, glossary, sections and headers, diagrams, labels, and bold print. They will learn how to use these features to locate and gather information to help build their reading comprehension skills.
The Scholars are busy working on their “All About My Family” books. I am having so much fun eavesdropping on their conversations as they share stories about their families. It warms my heart!
The Scholars will also publish an “All about an Animal” book. This will provide them with an opportunity to practice using what they have learned about nonfiction tools to help them research information. The Scholars will incorporate nonfiction text features into their own books.
We will have a publishing party – date to be announced.
Each year Westerly Creek staff and children wear their pajamas to school! This year it is on February 9th. Other schools and organizations do it too so they can participate in Denver’s “PJ Day” sponsored by the Mayor’s office to help end homelessness in Denver. For those that can, please bring in a $1 donation and wear your favorite jammies to school. We are also collecting stuffed animals that day to provide to the Loving Hugs organization who distributes the gently used stuffies to orphanages throughout the world.
Celebrating
Chinese New Year
Classroom Update
We have begun our “How-To” unit in Reading and Writing Workshop. The Scholars are very excited! The unit focuses on nonfiction text features in how –to- books such as: a list of materials, sequential steps, pictures, and other expository text features.
The Scholars are learning all about the importance of using nonfiction text to expand their schema, learning how to follow explicit directions, and how to write their own How –to- books.
Homework
Authors are blooming!
I am very pleased with the Scholars writing. They are using their writer’s manners and including lots of details in their stories.
The expectation is that their stories have a beginning, middle and an end. A grabbing lead not a yawner! Sentences should begin with a capital letter and have an end mark. In addition, proper nouns should be capitalized; no run away sentences and no-excuse words are spelled correctly.
Whew! This may sound like a lot;however, the Scholars have been practicing all of the above in class and are becoming EXPERTS!
Please help reinforce correct spelling. Often Scholars can spell no-excuse words during a spelling test; however, the consistent transferring into their writing is not always demonstrated.
Practice Makes Better!
EVERYDAY MATH
Please continue to practice place value, counting coins and exchanging coins for the same amount with fewer coins, more than and less than, telling time to the half hour, quarter-to and quarter pass hour, addition and subtraction.
UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
· January 31st – Arvada Arts Center to see How I Became a Pirate
· February 6th- Our 100th Day of School!
· February 16th – Museum of Nature and Science
Field Trip -
Change of Date
We’re Going on a Field Trip!
Where: Arvada Center
When: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Why: To see How I Became A Pirate
How:School bus
Cost: $8 per student and adult chaperone
Time: Departure time is 10:30. Return time is 1:30
We will have an EARLY lunch. Please pack a hearty lunch and drink for your child along with a snack to eat when we return.
Please sign the permission slip below and have your child return it by Thursday, January 12. All money will be due by Tuesday, January 18th.
I need at least two chaperones (sorry, no siblings). If you would like to accompany us, please return as soon as possible.
