December 5, 2014

Happy December! 

Dear Families,

We have been having so much fun learning about the solar system this week! We know what makes day and night and that the sun is our closest star. How exciting!

Books Read: Out In Space, Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, Stars! Stars! stars!, Eight Spinning Planets, Good Night Moon, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, There's No Place Like Space, Sun: Our Nearest Star, What Makes Day and Night?

During writing time they are; visualizing places and people to write about, adding words (letters) to their pictures, rehearsing what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners, going back into their writing pieces and revising what they have written by changing or adding to what they wrote and continuing to build up their confidence as writers. We are ALL writers!

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week were; Baby Barnaby and Gilda Goose.

In math we are working with teen numbers, playing games with partners, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, a fun game called "roll and record" where we collect data and start thinking about probability and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

December 16- Christmas Concert 6:30 at WCS

December 19- A VERY low-key “Party”. The students are allowed to bring their pajamas to change into here at school. We also will have some healthy snacks, so if you are interested in sending in a healthy snack or juice or cups or plates, let me know at ssample@rsu1.org

December 22-January 2- Vacation~Enjoy Family and Friends! (My eldest is getting married New Year's Eve and my middle will be home on leave to be a part of the festivities. Blessings everywhere!)