Ms. Clapp's class uses the Daily 5 model to help everyone become a better reader.  This means that each day we strive to read to ourselves, someone else, listen to someone read, write, and do word work.  Reading at home is VERY important too, so be sure to do it for at least 15 to 20 minutes every night!

 Here is what we've been up to.....

Science - This week we are learning about living and nonliving things.  We are reading books and doing activities related to this topic.  Please ask your child to explain how they can tell if something is living or nonliving, as well as what living things must have to survive.  They may even be able to sing you the song that goes along with this!

Math - 35 is greater than 12.  14lbs is less than 21lbs.  27in is equal to 27in.  These are some phrases you have heard in our room during math this week.  We have been working on greater than, less than, and equal to using animal cards with weights and heights, story problems, and also money.  We will continue to review and practice time to the quarter hour, counting coins, using dollar notation, fact families, and measurement.  

 Reading - I have completed the Benchmark Assessments that give your child's reading level.  The results will be coming home soon.  I was very pleased with everyone's progress!!  We have continued to work on comprehension skills such as making connections, retelling, and predicting this week.  The kids have enjoyed doing this with several books about snow, which seem to fit right in with our surroundings right now!  We are also incorporating our science books about living things and habitats into our reading lessons.

 Writing - Our pet paragraphs are complete!  These will be displayed in the classroom and then sent home.  At this point, I would like for your child to be able to use a graphic organizer, like a web, to organize their thoughts before writing.  Then, they should be able to use that information to create GOOD sentences for a paragraph.  Each paragraph should begin with a Topic Sentence that should be the key focus of all the sentences. 

We have also been working on using transitional words to help with sequencing or directions in our writing.  Today we worked together to explain how to make a PB&J.  They enjoyed this.  Here is what they came up with:

 Spelling - We are on Sitton Spelling Unit 2.  The words we have introduced so far are: the, of, and, a, to, and, Sunday, Monday.  The first Take Home Task went home Tuesday night.  These need to be completed at home but not returned.  They will have to perform activities, like the tasks as them to do with you at home, on the tests.