First day of Reading Week was a SUCCESS!

Today was an AMAZING kickoff to Read Week!!! :)  We had SO many Mystery Readers today and the kiddos completely enjoyed all of our guest readers today!

Our day started off with Hannah's mom (Mrs. Tiemeyer).  She read Rosie Revere Engineer - in honor of Hannah because she likes to build things.

Our next mystery reader was Alice's mom (Mrs. Grant).  She read two of Alice's favorite books Tiger Can't Sleep and Alice the Fairy (in honor of Alice).

Our third mystery reader was Lexi's mom (Mrs. Newton).  She read three of Lexi's favorite books: I Wanna Iguana, Seven Silly Eaters and Greedy Triangle!

Our fourth mystery reader was Samuel's mom (Ms. Julie).  Ms. Julie works with us during reading intervention time and several students have read a story about Amelia Earhart.  Ms. Julie read us Amelia Who Could Fly (story about Amelia Earhart when she was younger).  As a special surprise, she also brought airplane snacks for us to eat!  They were super yummy! :)

Our fifth mystery reader was Mrs. Angela from the office!!  She read a book to us called Biggest, Baddest Wolf.  

Our last mystery reader before lunch was Braden's grandmother (Mrs. Gordon).  She used to be a teacher!  She read to us a funny book called Max the Bad Talking Parrot.  We had a discussion about what the author was trying to teach us in the story.  We decided that if we have a problem with another person that it is important to talk with him/her about it.

After lunch, Hazel's grandparents (Mr. & Mrs. Porath) surprised her as our sixth mystery reader.  They read two stories from a book that they had when they were in elementary school!  We listened to Fluffy Tail and Chip the Chipmunk.

Mrs. Wood (RBE's library clerk) read to us also!  She talked about the importance of reading and going to Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBLR) since it has so many different books.  She introduced us to the author Adam Rubin.  He wrote a series called Those Darn Squirrels.  She read us the first book in the series and also Those Darn Squirrels Fly South.  There is also a third book in the series Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door - which she didn't have time to read, but encouraged the kids to go check out all the books at DBRL.

After specials, we had two mystery readers!!  Our first reader was Owen's mom (Ms. Redden).  She read two books in a fun series: The Day the Crayons Quit & The Day the Crayons Came Home.

Braden's mom (Mrs. Fleming) was our tenth & final mystery reader of the day.  She started off sharing some weather jokes from a weather book.  Then she read a classic book Make Way for Ducklings and a nonfiction book called Planets since last week we went to the planetarium.

In addition to listening to MANY different and wonderful books today, the kiddos enjoyed reading independently and talking about their favorite books. Here is a list of ALL the books that were read to us today!

 It is so wonderful to be able to share the love of reading with your child each day!  We are looking forward to another day of reading on Tuesday!  A few reminders about tomorrow:

• Read Week Dress-Up Day tomorrow is Top Hat Tuesday - so wear your child can wear his/her favorite hat!  
• Munch & Read is tomorrow 11:00-11:45.  If the weather is nice we have reserved the pavilion - when you check in at the office they will be able to direct you to where we will be eating & reading at. This is a time that you can read to your child, your child can read to you, or you can share read (one reads one page of the book & then trade back & forth).  
• It is also early dismissal tomorrow (12:10) - if your child is going home a different way please let me know.  I have had a couple parents inquire about checking their kiddo out at the end of Munch & Read - we will have a sign out sheet if you choose to take your kiddo with you when you leave.

I hope that you have a wonderful evening & looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow! :)

Happy Friday!

We had a great week and learned LOTS!  

Reading

This week in reading we continued to focus on making inferences.  The kiddos know that an inference is made by using schema (from your brain) and evidence (from the text).  There are motions that we use - so ask your kiddo about them.  

Word Study

We focused on irregular past tense words this week.  Your child's word study test looks a little different this week.  The students had to change the present tense word in a sentence that was given to them & then write a sentence using the past tense.  

Math

We are still working our way through our subtraction unit.  All students should be able to solve 3-digit subtraction problems with two regroups and even across 0!  We have been working really hard on this skill.  This week we also worked a lot with word problems that had extra information and 2-steps.  Please reinforce with your child when solving word problems the importance of slowing down to understand what the question is asking (some kiddos are subtracting when they should add or using all the numbers instead of only the 2 needed, etc.).

Writing

We continued to work on opinion writing this week.  We started our first big opinion paper.  This paper is about what our favorite place to live is.  Each student chose a place that s/he thinks is the best place to live (small town, suburb, rural area, desert, polar region, rain forest, ocean coast, an island, the mountains or the plains).  We researched these areas on PebbleGo last week.  Then we  wrote our lead first supporting reason paragraph.  

Health

We "officially" started our health unit this week.  The kiddos researched about the respiratory system on PebbleGo and reading books  We talked about the importance of keeping our lungs healthy by exercising and not smoking.  We watched a video of what a healthy lung looks like with air going in and then a smoker's lung.  Today, the kiddos made a model of the respiratory system - this model is coming home so make sure to ask your child about it.  The straw represents the trachea, the balloon represents the lungs, the cup represents the rib cage, and the balloon on the bottom represent the diaphragm.

Next Week is Read Week!!

We are looking forward to wonderful Read Week!  Due to all the guests that we have coming in to read, we will not be having homework next week or new word study words.  I hope that you have thought of ideas for all of our Read Week dress up days - I can't wait to see all the kiddos next week!! :)

Dress Up Days

Monday: wear mismatched clothes

Tuesday: Hat Day

Wednesday: Book Character Day

Thursday: Green Day (wear as much green as possible)

Friday: PJ/Flannel Day

Our Door Decorations!

Also, as a reminder, we have our Munch & Read on Tuesday 11:00-11:45.  I have heard from many families & it looks like we are going to have a GREAT turn out!  If you haven't signed up, but are able to come - please come!!  Tuesday is also early release (12:10) - so students will not be having lunch recess that day, I know that the blue sheet that came home said part would be recess - sorry for the confusion!!

Have a wonderful weekend & it looks like the weather will be beautiful again! :)

Mrs. Ross and Ms. Hackmann

Happy Fabulous Friday!

We had a fantastic Friday today!

Pizza & Pajamas

For lunch, we had our 2nd Trimester Pizza Party.  The kiddos enjoyed eating lunch in the classroom and eating pizza, chips, healthy side & a dessert!  Today was also RBE's February Spirit Day & it was Pajama Day!  We were having too much fun at the pizza party to get pictures.  :)

5th Grade Colonial Wax Museum

We went and visited Ms. Archer's 5th grade class and their wax museum.  The kiddos were dressed up and had props as they told about colonial times.  This correlated wonderfully with what we learned about colonial jobs and dress in November!

Lots of Learning is Happening in Room 26!

Reading

We have been working hard making inferences while we read.  An inference is an assumption that can be made about what is happening in the book.  You need two things to make an inference: 1) evidence from the book & 2) schema from your head.  Last week, we had focused on making inferences from clues that were provided.  This week, we focused on making inferences from short passages.  Next week, we will continue to work on inferences from short passages and comic strips.

Spelling

This week, we have continued to work on making words past-tense.  We talked about needing to double the last consonant and then add "ed" to CVC words (example: clap - clapped), dropping the "e" and then adding "ed" to CVCe words (example: skate - skated), and then adding "ed" to CVVC & VCC words (example: mark- marked).  Next week, we will continue to work on past tense words, but will focus on irregular past tense words.  Below is a chart of the next week's spelling words. The purple words are the spelling words, but we will also be expecting students to be able to spell the present tense words correct in their writing.  Please make sure that you are practicing your child's spelling words with him/her!  

Writing

This week in writing, we have worked on second opinion piece about our favorite flavor of ice cream.  Our focus has been on making sure that the reasons to support their opinion are specific to only their flavor.  The students were expected to come up with two specific reasons to support their opinion and then a counter argument of why they did not like a different flavor of ice cream.  We made a really cute ice cream cones and these are hung in the hallway.  The next time you come to school, make sure you check these out!  To celebrate all of our hard work we had an ice cream party today!

Next week, we will continue to work on opinion writing.  Last week, we took notes using PebbleGo, on two places that we would like to live (which correlates with our Social Studies objectives). Our third opinion piece will be on our favorite place to live.  We will be using a writing checklist to create a four paragraph opinion piece that has two specific reasons why s/he would like to live in either a small town, city, suburb, rural area, desert, polar region, rain forest, mountains, plains by the ocean, or on an island.  Then a counter argument why s/he would not want to live in a different part of the world.

Math

We continued to work on subtraction with regrouping (borrowing).  We have learned how to solve 2 & 3 digit subtraction problems with regrouping twice.  Next week, we will continue to work on solving subtraction problems with regrouping twice and also regrouping across a 0 (example: 405 - 278).  We will also be practicing solving addition and subtraction word problems containing extra information.

Health

We started our health unit this week.  As a kick off to our health unit, Alice's dad came in to speak with us because he works in the healthcare profession.  He talked with us about his job as anesthesiologist nurse.  Next week, the students will have the opportunity to read about all the different body systems and take notes.  By the end of our health unit, your child will have learned about the circulatory, digestive, muscular, nervous, respiratory and skeletal systems.

Planetarium

On Tuesday, 2nd grade will be going to the planetarium at RBHS.  We will be loading the bus at 9:15 and will be getting back around 10:45.  This is a change from what we had on the Friday Folder checklist - sorry!

Counselor

This week in counselor, Mr. Smith talked with the class about importance of safety and what to do if something was to happen that they felt was unsafe.  When making a decision there are 3 R's that the kiddos were taught: Recognize (is the situation safe?), Refuse (if the situation is unsafe say) and Report (tell a trusted adult).  The students also learned 8 "Never, Never Rules."

1.     Never, never go in water without an older person.

2.     Never, never use sharp tools with out an older person's help.

3.     Never, never ride on wheels without a helmet.

4.     Never, never ride in a car without a seat belt.

5.     Never, never touch a dog without asking the person in charge.

6.     Never, never touch guns.

7.     Never, never play with fire.

8.     Never, never cross the street without looking both ways.

Mr. Smith with be revisiting the importance of safety during his next counselor class.  Please let me or Mr. Smith know if you have any questions!

Lots of Items Are Due Next Week!

Six Flags Read to Succeed

A Student Reading Log came home with your child at the beginning of January for the Six Flags Read to Succeed program.  Your child must log 6 hours (360 minutes).  This form is due to Mrs. McKinzie by February 28.

Yearbooks

A year book order form came home at the beginning of February.  Yearbooks are $7 and can be ordered until Wednesday, March 1.  If you are wanting to order a yearbook for your child please send in the order form & money by Wednesday.

Book It

As a reminder, February's Book It form is due by Thursday, March 2.  For your child to be able to receive a free personal pan pizza your child needs to log 300 minutes of reading for the month.  Homework reading can be used for a part of this time.

Read Week is Almost Here!!

RBE's 3rd Annual Read Week is during the week of March 6!  We are so super excited to have LOTS of different guest readers.  If you would like the opportunity to come in and read a favorite book to the class there are still a few openings available.  You can checkout our SignUp Genius page with our available times. I just wanted to reiterate that our classroom & MS. Mottaz's classroom are peanut free - so if you choose to bring in a snack to share with the class as a connection to the book you read, please make it peanut free.  As a reminder, we will have a special Munch & Read Lunch on Tuesday, March 7.  You can come to school to eat lunch and read with your child.  Munch & Read Lunch will be from 11:00-11:45.  I hope that you can make it - if you are able to come please let us know by signing up on the SignUp Genius.  We will be sending home a form on Monday, please fill it out if you are planning to attend (even if you signed up online),  so we can give the cafeteria an idea of how many lunches will be needed that day.  

To celebrate the love of reading during our Read Week, each day will be a different dress up day.

• Monday, March 6: Mixed Up Monday! (wear your clothes inside out, backwards or mismatched)
• Tuesday, March 7: Top Hat Tuesday! (wear your favorite hat to school)
• Wednesday, March 8: Who's Who Wednesday! (dress as your favorite book character)
• Thursday, March 9: Think Green Thursday! (in honor of Green Eggs & Ham - wear green)
• Friday, March 10: Flannel Friday! (wear flannel - pajamas, shirts, etc.)

A flyer is also coming home in your child's Friday Folder - so make sure you look this over & start planning! :)  You can click here to view the flyer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross and Ms. Hackmann

Happy Wednesday Morning!

Happy Wednesday Morning!

Health Unit

We will be starting our health unit this week and the kiddos always love having guest speakers come in to talk.  Our focus during this health unit is on the different body systems.If you or anyone in your family/friends is in the health care profession & would like to come and speak to the students, please let me know & we can set up a time.

Nutrition Pretzel Class

To kick off our health unit today we had a lady from Nutrition Services come and speak with us about the Grain Family.  She taught us about the different parts of a wheat plant and the importance of eating wheat bread versus "white" bread.  She brought in examples of grain plants that everyone was able to look at.  After she talked with us, we got to make & then eat our pretzels!  Check out all of our pictures here!

Opinion Writing

We started our second opinion writing today on our favorite flavor of ice cream (from controlled choices of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or cookies and cream).  We talked about the importance of coming up with specific reasons to support our opinion.  For example, a specific reason that I might like cookies & cream ice cream is that it has Oreos in it and Oreos are my favorite cookie.  However, a not specific reason might be I like cookies & cream is that it has stuff in it.  There are a lot of ice creams with "stuff in it."  Your reasons need to be specific to your opinion, in this case, your ice cream flavor.

Math

We are continuing to work on regrouping with subtraction in math.  Today, we taught the kiddos to highlight (or circle) the bigger number to bring attention to this number.  We have been using the sayings below when teaching about regrouping.  On homework this week, one of the sections asks students to circle the biggest number and then identify whether or not regrouping is necessary.

Pizza Party

As a reminder, our 2nd Trimester Pizza Party is on Friday.  Students may bring in a drink (20 ounces or smaller, no glass) if they would like.  Each student will get 2 slices of pizza, a healthy side, chips, and a dessert.  They do not needs to bring in a lunch on Friday, but please still send in a snack for your child during snack time.

Reading Week Mystery/Guest Readers

If you or a family member/close friend would like to come in during the week of March 6 to be a mystery/guest reader, we still have available times.  Check the Sign Up Genius for available times.  Also, we have our Much and Read Lunch on Tuesday, March 7 from 11:00-11:45 - if you are able to attend you can sign up to let us know.

Have a fabulous day!

Mrs. Ross and Ms. Hackmann