January 15, 2016

Still following the Woolwich Way~even in snow times!

We have finished an author study of Jan Brett and jumped into many different versions of The Gingerbread Man. I have sent home some “homework” that should be a lot of fun! I attached a note explaining what I would like you to do with your giant gingerbread person. The sky is the limit!

I hope you enjoy your 3 day weekend!

Books Read: The Gingerbread Baby, Gingerbread Friends,The Gingerbread Girl and many, many versions of the traditional Gingerbread Boy/Man.

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. Our learning target is: "I can write my story so my partner can read it." We also wrote a personal letter to Jan Brett and we are excited to get a letter back from her soon!

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; Leaping Eve and Winkie Walrus.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, describing patterns, counting and number recognition, assessments for report cards 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: 

January 18- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School

January 22- End of 2^nd quarter

January 28- Report Cards Home

January 29-Teacher Inservice- No School

January 8, 2016!

Dear Families,

The happiest of New Years to you! It will be a wonderful year. 

We have started an author study of Jan Brett. Her stories and illustrations are perfect for this time of the year! 

Books Read: The Mitten, The Hat, Hedgie's Surprise and also another version of The Mitten which was written by AlvinTresselt. We spent time comparing and contrasting the two versions of the story as well as predicting, sequencing, and retelling the events. 

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, telling a story across pages, taking 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.

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; Chauncy Chipmunk and Old Joe Crow.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, describing patterns, counting and number recognition through graphing , using a pan balance as a tool to compare the weights of objects 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: 

Monday January 18- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School

Friday January 22- End of 2^nd quarter

Friday January 29- Professional Development Day-No School

December 18, 2015

Dear Families,

Thank you all for coming to the Christmas performance this week. I believe it to be the first year in my fifteen that there has been 100% participation in the concert. Well done!

Books Read: Countdown To Christmas, Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express

During writing time they are; using patterns like-"I like" and "I see" to make books to share with their friends. The pattern of language and staying on one topic while exploring this kind of writing are the key concepts.

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; Lou Lou Moose and Woody Woodchuck.

In math we are discussing volume and capacity using the rice table and weight using the pan balance, working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice 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:

Monday December 21-We will be having some fun with the story, The Polar Express. The students are allowed to bring their pajamas to change into here at school.

Tuesday December 22- A VERY low-key “Party”-NO GIFTS- 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 23-January 4- Vacation-Enjoy family and friends! (My middle son will not be home from his overseas mission until summer, but will be able to spend time with my other children and my two granddaughters.)  Blessings all!

December 11, 2015

December 4, 2015

                                                                                 

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 adding words (letters) to their pictures, rehearsing what they want to say about what they wrote, taking 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 are Ellie Elephant and Thick Thorny Thing.

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 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 15- Christmas Concert here at WCS

December 23-January 1- Vacation

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Happy Thanksgiving~

November 20, 2015

Thanksgiving dinner at lunchtime was simply delicious today! We were able to slow down our busy day and eat a huge feast together as a class. The food was wonderful and the company was even better! 

If you have not signed up for conferences yet-please do, or if you are having difficulty logging into the system to sign up, please let me know. I look so forward to this time of year and being able to look at where we are now and setting some common goals for the next few months. Exciting!

Books Read: One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims, The Night Before Thanksgiving, T is for Turkey, Clifford's Thanksgiving

During writing time they are; finishing writing their nonfiction texts and reading them to their writing partners as well as their eighth grade reading buddies to get some feedback from many sources. We began writing "I am thankful for..." books and we will be sharing those at conference time. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for. 

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; Gilda Goose and Crazy Camel.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, playing a "spin a number" game, addition and subtraction practice 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: 

November 23 & 24 Parent & Teacher Conferences-1/2 days for students (lunch served)

November 25, 26, 27 No School for Thanksgiving Break