We had a wonderful week in Room 27 and ended with a lot of fun activities today! I have a lot of important information in the blog post and some fun pictures!
Science
Today in science, we did an experiment called "Dancing Raisins." Be sure you ask your student what made the raisins "dance" in the soda. They learned about carbonation and that the bubbles "attach" to the raisins and make the raisins float to the top of the soda and then pop and they fall back down. We also tested it with Craisins and dried blueberries and had the same results. We discussed making a hypothesis today and that you base your hypothesis on things you already know. We also discussed how the goal of the experiment is to answer a questions. Our question today was "What happens when you put raisins in clear soda?". The students had a blast with our experiment today. Click here for pictures.
Social Studies
We also started our first social studies unit today which covers maps. We took a tour of the school with a blank map and they had to fill in the map as we went. We had a discussion about what made our task of creating the map easy and what made it difficult. We will revisit this conversation next week when they start making their own maps. Here are a few pictures from our tour.
Math
This week in math, we learned about different addition strategies. The students learned about part-part-whole charts, number bonds, number lines, drawing pictures and tally marks. We also started using the strategies to solve word problems. When we worked on the word problems, we talked about the 3 main things you need when solving a word problem. You need a complete number sentence, a strategy and a qualifier on your answer (the units). The students also have been working on writing their own word problems when given a number sentence. Next week, we will continue working and reviewing strategies. Our plan is to have a quiz over the addition strategies next Friday.
Reading
In reading this week, we have been discussing characters and character traits. We are making a chart of the 4 main characters in our read aloud book, How to Eat Fried Worms, and their physical traits as well as character traits. The students are learning the physical traits are on the outside and character traits are on the inside. Next week, they will be working more independently on identifying character traits in stories and books.
Bookmarks
In your student's Friday folder, you may find some bookmarks. These are completed after the read a book. We discuss the book and then they get a "book worm" (a gummy worm) for completing their book and then they trade out the book for a new one.
Writing
This week in writing we introduced small moment stories. These are stories that are true, the author is the main character, the story doesn't take much time (actual length of the event) and has a lot of details. The students wrote one completely independently as a way for me to see where they are currently as writers. Now, we have started another story and will go through the entire process together. We will start with setting and characters next week.
Math Wizard
We took our 2nd math wizard test this week. The graded test is in your student's Friday folder. This is our weekly fact practice test. They have 3 minutes to complete at least 46 problems correctly. We encourage the students to practice their facts at home. It is important for them to know these facts "in a snap."
Library Checkout
The students had their first library check out this week. They are allowed to check out any books they want. We had a conversation about the importance of having at least 2 of the books they check out need to be books they can read independently. I didn't enforce that this week, but starting next week, they will need to make sure they can read their books. We discussed that they can check out one book to read with someone at home if they would like, but this is not a requirement.
Pizza Party Money
Thank you to everyone who has sent in their money for our 2 trimester pizza parties. If you haven't sent in your money, just a reminder, it is $5 and that covers both trimester parties. Please do not send in checks, just cash. Also, thank you to everyone who has volunteered to send in fruit, chips, drinks or cookies for the parties. :)
Friday Folders
The kids did an awesome job bringing their Friday folders back this week. THANK YOU parents for signing them and getting them back to your student. The folders are in your student's backpack again this week. Please take the time to go over the papers with your students then sign and return them on Monday.
Parent Pick Up
Please remember to bring your green parent pick up card if you pick your student up from school. Also, if someone other than yourself is picking them up, please give them the green card. If someone other than the normal person is picking them up, even if they have the green card, please contact the office and me so we can get them where they need to be. :)
Sticker Charts/Behavior
The students have been doing very well getting back into the routine of school. They have been earning stickers very quickly and filling up sticker charts. At the beginning of the year, we like to give out a lot of stickers to encourage fabulous behavior as we are learning routines and reviewing expectations. As we get into the swing of things, I will still pass out stickers, but they may not earn as many stickers as we get further into the school year and the students know and demonstrate the expectations.
I have had a wonderful first two weeks with your students!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Ross
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