Box Tops are due February 18th! :)

We will be starting 4-part planning for narrative writing. Students will learn how to incorporate description words, emotion, and dialog into their writing. Please emphasize the importance of beginning sentences with a capital letter, using finger-spaces between words, and using ending marks.

Now that testing has been completed in reading, students have new goals that they are working toward. Some students still need practice with sounding out words, recognizing sight words (SO important), and reading words with inflectional endings (-s, -ing, -ed, -es). Others need to focus on practicing retelling details of a story after reading. Your child should be able to tell you their next DRA goal and what their area of focus is to help them achieve that goal.

We have been working on building subtraction fluency to 10 and representing story problems using various strategies (relating addition and subtraction).

We're off and running! :)

Week 2

We have been working on reading and writing long vowel words that end with a silent e. I am very impressed and proud of the progress students are making! We have also been asking questions about various texts we are reading and practicing using text evidence to support our answers. It has been a fun learning experience!

In writing, we have been working on writing an expository. Your child is using a web to organize their thinking and then putting their plan into their draft book. We will begin publishing on computers this month! This is always so motivating for students! Ask your child what the difference is between narrative and expository text...

In math, we are beginning to work on subtraction and seeing the relationship between addition and subtraction. For example, 4 + 2 = 6 can be thought of as 6 - 4 = 2 or 6 - 2 = 4.

We will soon begin our new science kit about solids and liquids. Can't wait for the excitement!

Please make sure your child is practicing reading the paper decodable books at home as well as the leveled reader that was sent home in a ziploc bag along with a reading log. As soon as your child can read their leveled reader fluently (appropriate rate and expression with accuracy), they may return it and I will replace it with the next book. Your child is receiving a leveled reader that matches the DRA level they are working toward.

Our holiday program "Of Mice and Mozart" will be on Tuesday, December 16th from 6:00-6:45pm at the Sunset Gym. Your child has been practicing these songs for over a month now. If you would like to practice at home, the words are on Mr. Roderick's blog at http://jcemusic.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_3.html.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! I sincerely apologize for my lack of posting during the month of November! Yikes! :)

Week 3

Conference week is Tuesday, October 28th - Friday, October 31st. Your child should have recently brought home a conference time on a bright green slip of paper. If this time does not work for you, please contact me as soon as possible at 509-698-8100 or AndreaPiatz@selah.k12.wa.us.

We have completed our first reading unit! Your child should be able to read words with short vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u), blends (st, mp, fl, cr,...), and inflected endings (-s, -ing). Unit 2 will introduce digraphs (sh, ch, tch, th, wh) and long vowel sounds (cake, line, here, poke, cube,...).

Students have been taught to use their "word attack" skills whenever they come to a new word. This means that they first look to see if the word has an ending (-s, -ing). If it does, they should cover it up and read the base word first (mix - ing). They should also look for any previously introduced phonics targets (blends, digraphs, silent e, etc.). Your child should be looking at each part of the word so that they are prepared to read it. If your child is struggling with a word, ask them to use their "word attack" skills.

Each day, I have the opportunity to hear your child read. They may bring home a small colored piece of paper with words written on it so that they can practice at home. There may also be a compliment or a goal written on that paper. This gives you and your child immediate feedback on their reading abilities.

We are continuing our work with finding various combinations of numbers to 10. Your child should be able to draw an accurate picture of a story problem presented, create a number bond, and create a number sentence for the problem.

This week, we have been studying worms! Ask your scientist what happened when we placed a barrier in front of the redworm.

Week 2

No school tomorrow! Teachers will be at an all-day training to help us improve instruction. Yay! We love learning too!

This week was fire safety week. Your child should have brought home a fire safety plan for you to fill out together and place on your refrigerator or near your phone. Your child should have this information memorized. There was also a drawing contest to go along with it. If your child would like to participate, they will need to draw a picture of somebody who is a hero to them and fill out the bottom portion of the form. These will be due back by Friday, October 17th along with the Scholastic Book Orders. The grand prize winner will have a classroom visit from author Tedd Arnold, the writer of the Fly Guy book series. 10 runners-up will receive a 10-book set of the Fly Guy series!

When is the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detector?

Holiday Program Auditions

Our Holiday Program this year is a wonderful musical by Michael and Jill Gallina entitled "Of Mice and Mozart". 

Parents:  If your student is interested in a special acting, singing, or dancing role in "Of Mice and Mozart", please come to our auditions! Information below:

AUDITIONS: (All students grades 1 – 4 invited): Tuesday, Oct. 14, 3:05 – 4:00 PM  AND Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 – 8:25 AM -  Both in the Sunset Gym. 

REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD  BEFORE SCHOOL (7:30 – 8:25) AND AFTER SCHOOL  (3:05 – 4:00), SO ANY STUDENT AUDITIONING MUST  BE ABLE TO ATTEND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS. 

If you want more information about the musical, rehearsal schedule, performance times and even lyrics to the songs, go to mr. Roderick's blog http://jcemusic.blogspot.com/ and click on "Of Mice and Mozart."

Week 1

Hello! Today I am asking for your help with reminding your child of our Cougar PRIDE expectations. Please visit the Discipline Plan tab on this blog and review expectations with your child. We have been having a particularly rough time with noise level and raising hands before speaking. Thanks for your support! We have so much learning and so little time, it seems!

Your child should have brought home an October reading log. Please have your child color in one pumpkin for each day/night that (s)he spent 20 minutes reading. At the end of the month when your child returns their reading log, they will earn a Pizza Hut coupon for one free personal pizza! Reading is YUMMY! Reading at home is also one of the best ways that you can support your child's learning.

We are still working hard on finding combinations of numbers to 10. I am very pleased with the improvements our class is making!

Ask your child about the snail races we had today...so much fun!

Have a fun and safe weekend! :)