Good Morning,
We have had a great week and are fully into our academic routine. Spelling consists of three groups. One group is a 1st grade group that is working on firming up letter sounds, short vowel sounds and then will move into digraphs. The other two groups are a mix of 1st and 2nd graders and are based on students' needs and not grade. You will not see a weekly spelling list from me. I believe that memorizing weekly lists doesn't actually teach students how to spell. The spelling groups will all focus on teaching spelling patterns and rules and then allow for multiple practice and repetition.
In writing, the students have learned strategies for spelling in their writing, are learning to revise stories, and how to identify small moments to write about. Now that reading groups have started, we will spend each Friday reading an issue of Time For Kids. There will be three different issues used each week. Each issue is based upon your child's reading level. These issues will be sent home in your child's reading bag on Friday. These magazines can be kept at home. For our beginner readers, these magazines may need to be read to the student. I will read it to them at school. It is important that students have a balance of nonfiction and fiction opportunities in their reading selections. The Time For Kids issues allow me to give them non-fiction opportunities and to test comprehension skills too.
There is no weekly video this week. I didn't capture enough clips on my i-Pad this week. However, I used the following video with my students at Champlain College this week. It gives you an idea about the "new math" and why it looks different from when we were in school. Let me know if you have any questions.
Why is Math Different Now from raj shah on Vimeo.
Notes:
*Your child has their Weekly News journal in their homework bag. Please look through it, respond, and return it on Monday.
*As many of you know, Colleen is a Behavior Interventionist in our classroom. Today marks Colleen last day. She will be moving out of state as she starts the next chapter in her lie. I know the students (especially the 2nd graders) will miss her. We had a little celebration for her this morning.
I hope you all have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
