Important Dates . . .
September 28 -- Final Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 29 -- Independent Reading Folder turn in
September 30 -- Picture Day
-- Reading Party
October 1 -- Assembly
Plan Ahead:
*No School on Monday, October 11 - Columbus Day.
Language Arts
We will be continuing our review of basic writing skills in Language Arts this week. We have been reviewing capitalization, punctuation, and the four different types of sentences. The students have had mini lessons then they work on the skills afterwards.
Reading
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 19! Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Once again the children had done a superb job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Monday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
We will continue working on phonics, decoding, encoding, and comprehension throughout the week through direct instruction, Lexia, and hands on materials.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Wednesday, September 29th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day, Thursday, September 30th. Keep reading!
Spelling
This week we will begin working through a list of the top 100 words. These l00 words as listed in the "A.B.C. Language Arts Bulletin" Educational Research Service, American Book Co., account for 65% of all running words in the writing of adults. We will continue to work through the list of these words for the next few weeks. Reading and spelling skills will be built at the same time through this list.
Practice pages will be assigned for the upcoming week's list on Friday to give additional study time. Over the weekend would be a good time to discuss the meaning of the words. Although we work on meaning typically on Fridays and Mondays, help from home is greatly encouraged! They will be receiving them daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given this Thursday. Please try to help your child study if you see they are not performing as well as you'd expect on the weekly test. One strategy you can use to help is: Comic Strip - Use this handy blank comic strip form to create a comic strip using each of your spelling words!
Science
This past week we began Chapter 4, Living Things in Their Environments. The "Big Idea" of this chapter is different areas have places where plants and animals find the things they need, such as food, water, and shelter. In class we investigated to find out about how energy flows through setting up an environment in an aquarium. The children really enjoyed monitoring the soil, plants, and worms daily! There will be a brief quiz given as a review on animals beaks and teeth. This upcoming week we will read and learn about how living things survive in different places. To maintain a consistent understanding of the science vocabulary words, we will be building this throughout the chapter in the form of flashcards.
Math
Some of the concepts we continue to review and instruct are numeration, addition and subtraction with word problems, fractions, patterns, and geometry. The students have been gaining much from mini lessons followed up with multi-modal activities.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in this Wednesday
- study lesson 19 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly to be turned in & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
September 20th - 24th
Important Dates . . .
September 21 -- 2nd Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 22 -- PE Soccer Test (Look for study guide on Friday, September 17)
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
September 28 -- Final Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 30 -- Picture Day
-- Independent Reading Folder turn in
Reading
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 18! Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Once again the children had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Monday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Spelling
This week we will begin working through a list of the top 100 words. These l00 words as listed in the "A.B.C. Language Arts Bulletin" Educational Research Service, American Book Co., account for 65% of all running words in the writing of adults. We will continue to work through the list of these words for the next few weeks. Reading and spelling skills will be built at the same time through this list.
Practice pages will be assigned for the upcoming week's list on Friday to give additional study
time. Over the weekend would be a good time to discuss the meaning of the words. Although we work on meaning typically on Fridays and Mondays, help from home is greatly encouraged! They will be receiving them daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given this Thursday. Please try to help your child study if you see they are not performing as well as you'd expect on the weekly test. One strategy you can use to help is: Memory Game - Make pairs of word cards. Flip them over and try to match the pairs!
Science
The children have been doing a great job with reading/reviewing chapters 1-3. This upcoming week we will be introducing Chapter 4, Living Things in Their Environments. The "Big Idea" of this chapter is different areas have places where plants and animals find the things they need, such as food, water, and shelter. To maintain a consistent understanding of the science vocabulary words, we will be building this throughout the chapter in the form of flashcards.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 18 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
September 21 -- 2nd Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 22 -- PE Soccer Test (Look for study guide on Friday, September 17)
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
September 28 -- Final Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 30 -- Picture Day
-- Independent Reading Folder turn in
Reading
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 18! Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Once again the children had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Monday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Spelling
This week we will begin working through a list of the top 100 words. These l00 words as listed in the "A.B.C. Language Arts Bulletin" Educational Research Service, American Book Co., account for 65% of all running words in the writing of adults. We will continue to work through the list of these words for the next few weeks. Reading and spelling skills will be built at the same time through this list.
Practice pages will be assigned for the upcoming week's list on Friday to give additional study
time. Over the weekend would be a good time to discuss the meaning of the words. Although we work on meaning typically on Fridays and Mondays, help from home is greatly encouraged! They will be receiving them daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given this Thursday. Please try to help your child study if you see they are not performing as well as you'd expect on the weekly test. One strategy you can use to help is: Memory Game - Make pairs of word cards. Flip them over and try to match the pairs!
Science
The children have been doing a great job with reading/reviewing chapters 1-3. This upcoming week we will be introducing Chapter 4, Living Things in Their Environments. The "Big Idea" of this chapter is different areas have places where plants and animals find the things they need, such as food, water, and shelter. To maintain a consistent understanding of the science vocabulary words, we will be building this throughout the chapter in the form of flashcards.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 18 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
Friday, September 10, 2010
September 13th - September 17th
Important Dates . . .
September 13 -- Magazine Sale Kick-off
--Beginning Band Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Multi-Purpose Room
September 17 -- 1st Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 21 -- 2nd Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 22 -- PE Soccer Test (Look for study guide on Friday, September 17)
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
September 28 -- Final Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 30 -- Picture Day
FYI... The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/13. Look for an information packet to be sent home with your child that day.
Reading
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 17! Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Once again the children had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Monday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Science & Spelling
In order to jump into the 1st graded Science unit, we need to begin with a review of science concepts. We will do this by reading through some chapters in Science. Last week we read and discussed Chapter Two: Animals. The next Chapter is Plants, Chapter Three. To maintain a consistent understanding of the spelling words, I have been sending a copy of definitions to the spelling words studied.
Once again the spelling words this week will reflect the third chapter science terms. They will be receiving a spelling practice page daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given Friday. Please try to help your child study daily. One strategy you can use to help with spelling words this week is utilizing this website: http://www.kidsspell.com/ Students can learn spelling words, practice spelling tests, and play fun spelling games.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 17 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
Information about the picture above:
Rafflesia Flower
This incredible flower, found primarily in the shady lowland tropical forests of Indonesia, has by far the largest bloom of any flower and is one of the world's rarest and most endangered plants. Almost one meter wide and weighing over 6 pounds, it is a fleshy, malodorous plant, I have highlighted here since it is a symbol for all other endangered rainforest plants.
The flower is an excellent example of how fragile some components of the tropical forest are, for its very survival is totally dependent on one particular vine called Tetrastigma, related to the grapevine. The Rafflesia is a disembodied flower. A rootless, leafless and stemless parasite, it drains nourishment and gains physical support from its host vine. Its only body outside the flower consists of strands of fungus-like tissue that grow inside the Tetrastigma vine. It first manifests itself as a tiny bud on the vine's roots or stem. But over a period of 12 months, it swells to a cabbage-like head that bursts around midnight under the cover of a rainy night to reveal this startling, lurid-red flower.
September 13 -- Magazine Sale Kick-off
--Beginning Band Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Multi-Purpose Room
September 17 -- 1st Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 21 -- 2nd Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 22 -- PE Soccer Test (Look for study guide on Friday, September 17)
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
September 28 -- Final Magazine Sale Turn-in
September 30 -- Picture Day
FYI... The magazine drive will begin with the kickoff celebration on Monday, 9/13. Look for an information packet to be sent home with your child that day.
Reading
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 17! Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Once again the children had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Monday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Science & Spelling
In order to jump into the 1st graded Science unit, we need to begin with a review of science concepts. We will do this by reading through some chapters in Science. Last week we read and discussed Chapter Two: Animals. The next Chapter is Plants, Chapter Three. To maintain a consistent understanding of the spelling words, I have been sending a copy of definitions to the spelling words studied.
Once again the spelling words this week will reflect the third chapter science terms. They will be receiving a spelling practice page daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given Friday. Please try to help your child study daily. One strategy you can use to help with spelling words this week is utilizing this website: http://www.kidsspell.com/ Students can learn spelling words, practice spelling tests, and play fun spelling games.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 17 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
Information about the picture above:
Rafflesia Flower
This incredible flower, found primarily in the shady lowland tropical forests of Indonesia, has by far the largest bloom of any flower and is one of the world's rarest and most endangered plants. Almost one meter wide and weighing over 6 pounds, it is a fleshy, malodorous plant, I have highlighted here since it is a symbol for all other endangered rainforest plants.
The flower is an excellent example of how fragile some components of the tropical forest are, for its very survival is totally dependent on one particular vine called Tetrastigma, related to the grapevine. The Rafflesia is a disembodied flower. A rootless, leafless and stemless parasite, it drains nourishment and gains physical support from its host vine. Its only body outside the flower consists of strands of fungus-like tissue that grow inside the Tetrastigma vine. It first manifests itself as a tiny bud on the vine's roots or stem. But over a period of 12 months, it swells to a cabbage-like head that bursts around midnight under the cover of a rainy night to reveal this startling, lurid-red flower.
Friday, September 3, 2010
September 6th - September 10th
Important Dates . . .
September 6 -- Labor Day -- No School
September 7 -- Curriculum Night 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Parents Only
September 13 -- Beginning Band Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Multi-Purpose Room
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7th for 4th & 5th graders and my class from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. This is an important evening that will highlight some important information. After being dismissed from the gym, please come to my room. I hope you can make it! If you need to contact me, the easiest way is through email – jkrasno@ccsd66.org
The children have done a great job earning "Classroom Cash” the last two weeks. A student can earn a dollar by showing good behavior, good classroom performance, remembering to get a signature when needed, showing good character, following directions, etc. They will be able to buy rewards and special prizes. They are able to pick out of a prize bin on Friday afternoons. Donations throughout the year for stickers, pencils, and other items of interest are always appreciated!
Reading
It has been greatly appreciated that many children have begun to bring an appropriate silent reading book to keep in their desk for a daily silent reading time.
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 16! We will be continuing with this program weekly. Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Students had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Tuesday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Science & Spelling
In order to jump into the 1st graded Science unit, we need to begin with a review of science concepts. We will do this by reading through some chapters in Science. Last week we read and discussed Chapter One: Living and Nonliving. The next Chapter is Animals, Chapter Two.
The spelling words this week will reflect the first chapter science terms. They will be receiving a spelling practice page daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given Friday. Please try to help your child study daily. One strategy you can use to help is: ABC order- Write your words in alphabetical order.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 16 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
September 6 -- Labor Day -- No School
September 7 -- Curriculum Night 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Parents Only
September 13 -- Beginning Band Parent Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Multi-Purpose Room
September 24 -- Teacher Institute -- No School
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7th for 4th & 5th graders and my class from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. This is an important evening that will highlight some important information. After being dismissed from the gym, please come to my room. I hope you can make it! If you need to contact me, the easiest way is through email – jkrasno@ccsd66.org
The children have done a great job earning "Classroom Cash” the last two weeks. A student can earn a dollar by showing good behavior, good classroom performance, remembering to get a signature when needed, showing good character, following directions, etc. They will be able to buy rewards and special prizes. They are able to pick out of a prize bin on Friday afternoons. Donations throughout the year for stickers, pencils, and other items of interest are always appreciated!
Reading
It has been greatly appreciated that many children have begun to bring an appropriate silent reading book to keep in their desk for a daily silent reading time.
This week we will continue vocabulary skills with Lesson 16! We will be continuing with this program weekly. Your child will be coming home with 7 words that will be studied during the week in class and should be reviewed at home. On the page I will be sending home each Monday there will be suggestions on how you can work with your child & have them get extra practice.
Students had done a great job with their fluency poem last week! They will continue to be introduced to a new poem this Tuesday and be responsible for practicing reading a poem at home during the week to focus on reading fluency. This poem is always introduced on the first day of the week and they are to read it to me on Friday for a grade without any assistance. It is important to keep practicing nightly! The poem this week relates to our Science curriculum we will be reading.
Please keep reading 20 minutes a night for the Independent Reading Program! You may just note the time read in increments of 20 minutes in the pages read section. Please sign on the date the reading was accomplished. This red folder should be turned in every Friday to make sure they are staying on track. The Independent Reading Folder should be turned in for a grade on Thursday, September 30th, to ensure they can attend the lunch reading party the next day. Keep reading!
Science & Spelling
In order to jump into the 1st graded Science unit, we need to begin with a review of science concepts. We will do this by reading through some chapters in Science. Last week we read and discussed Chapter One: Living and Nonliving. The next Chapter is Animals, Chapter Two.
The spelling words this week will reflect the first chapter science terms. They will be receiving a spelling practice page daily as an assignment. A test over the lesson will be given Friday. Please try to help your child study daily. One strategy you can use to help is: ABC order- Write your words in alphabetical order.
Math
We continue reviewing basic math concepts this week.
Daily Homework
Reading - 20 minutes and complete Independent Reading Folder Log - turn in on Friday
- study lesson 16 vocabulary words (quiz on Friday)
- practice reading poems given to work on fluency (read to teacher on Friday)
Spelling - Practice Page nightly & study words for test on Friday
*Please check your child's homework and sign assignment notebook when complete.
**If your child is having difficulties with their homework please send a note and I will help them during free time.
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