News You Can Use!

Literacy

Treasures: 

This week, we started our second unit in Treasures. The children worked with short /0/ words.  They listened to and read different stories about animal families. The children read two genres this week: non-fiction and poetry. After each reading, the children determined the main idea and supporting details. They learned that the main idea is the most important point of the selection and that the details give the reader more information about the main idea. The children were often able to identify the main idea earlier in the selection and then go back and discuss the supporting details. 

Grammar Packets:

The children were introduced to nouns this week. They learned that a noun is a word that names a person, place, or thing. The children identified nouns in sentences. They also continued to work on proofreading sentences, checking for capitals at the beginning and a special end mark (period, question mark, or exclamation mark). 

Guided Reading:

I have almost had time to meet with all of my readers one on one. I will finish up running records early next week and then guided reading groups will resume. I am so proud of how hard our 1-1 readers have been working, it shows in their growing instructional reading levels!

Math 

In Math, the children worked with the number line. They found skip counting patterns and practiced counting by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. The children also used the number line to find the answers for addition and subtraction number stories. On their white boards, they practiced writing the number model that represented each addition or subtraction number story. Remembering to use the correct number symbols: +, -,  and = to complete each number model. 

Science

The scientists enjoyed two science lessons this week and a follow up to our lima bean and corn experiment. On Wednesday, the scientists took at look to see if our corn and lima bean seeds had sprouted. They were surprised to see that the corn seed had sprouted but the only thing the lima bean was growing was mold! They recorded their findings in their science journal.

On Friday, we had twice the science fun, in the morning we examined roots. The scientists explored the structure and function of roots. Each scientist had their own seedling, they observed it using a magnifying glass and identified the roots and root hairs. Then they compared the weight of plant parts that grow above the ground to those that grow below the ground. They recorded their observations and findings in their science journal. 

In the afternoon, the scientists investigated stems and their functions. They observed and compared soft stems to woody stems and learned that stems provide support for plants. The scientists dissected celery to find tubes, they discussed what they thought the tubes were for. The scientists also set up an experiment using celery that will demonstrate how stems move water and nutrients to plant parts. Their hypothesis is that the tubes carry water and nutrients through the celery. They believe that the celery will turn red from the food coloring. We will check on the celery next week. 

Halloween Fun!

The children had a wonderful fun filled Halloween day! In the morning, each child completed a Halloween writing titled, Who Is Hiding Behind the Mask? They started by filling in a graphic organizer about themselves. Then, they turned their graphic organizer into a written paragraph about themselves. To go along with their writing, they made a portrait of themselves wearing a mask. Their name is hidden at the bottom of the page allowing everyone to make a guess at who the writing is describing. You just lift the black flap to see if your guess is correct! 

In the afternoon, the children kicked off the Halloween festivities with a parade around the neighbor. Thank you to everyone for coming out! After the parade, we headed back to our classroom for our Halloween party. The children enjoyed some delicious treats, moved through four different game stations, made a pumpkin craft, and listened to two Halloween stories. Thank you to everyone who sent in supplies for our party: treats, drinks, paper goods, and prizes!  A very big thank you to our two room reps, Mrs. Rabe and Mrs. Topps! Thank you for your incredible job planning and running our party. The children had a great time!

Social Studies

We started our Thanksgiving unit this week. Over the next couple weeks we will talk about Thanksgiving. The children will learn about the Pilgrims, Wampanoag Indians, Mayflower, and what the very first Thanksgiving was like. 

This week, we began the unit by filling out a KWL on Thanksgiving. The children shared facts they already know, recorded questions for what they would like to learn, and then at the end of the lesson completed the learned section. They listened to the book, The Very First Thanksgiving Day and watched the Brainpop video, Thanksgiving. The children were able to create a long list of facts they learned just from these two resources. 

On Friday, the children began filling out a large venn diagram in our classroom.  The children will list the similarities and differences between Wampanoag Indians and Pilgrim life to our life today. We will add to the venn diagram throughout our Thanksgiving unit. 

Star Student

Kelly was our star student this week. Thanks Kelly for sharing all about you!

Royal Reader

A special thank you to Kelly’s Mom, she joined us this week as our Royal Reader. The children loved listening to the two stories that Mrs. Robinson read, Jumanji and Max’s Words. 

Notes:

-Thank you to everyone who has donated food to the Dryden Food Drive. If you have not donated and would like to, you have until November 15th to send in your donation.

-During the month of November, schools across the district are collecting loose change to send to the American Red Cross. The change will help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. If you would like to help, send in your loose change and your child can add it to Dryden’s collection jar. Thank you! 

Have a great rest of the weekend!