Fourteenth Day

We continued our discussion of comparing and contrasting. We discussed synonyms such as alike, different, difference, and similarity. We had our first blending lesson with the short vowel 'a'. We discussed proper protocol and behavior expectations for blending. We continued work in our All About Me Books and began work on our ABC books.

In Social Studies we discussed ideas for being a good friend. I have failed to mention previously that in our Second Step training (violence prevention program) we are learning how to identify people's feelings. We are on our 5th lesson.

We continued our sockball game.We will try to finish up tomorrow. Whew.

The first monthly reading log was due today. Not everyone turned one in. I will not mark them late if they are turned in tonight at Back-to-School. Please remember that all reading logs are required for a minimum of a 3 in homework on the report card. Late reading logs are accepted until grades for the semester are due.

Tonight is a free homework night unless you would like to review the practice math test with your child. Nothing has to be turned in tomorrow. I will explain what happened with the homework tonight.

When you or a designated adult comes to room 11 tonight, please make sure to sign in. Your attendance goes on your child's permanent record with me (essentially this is a non-optional meeting). I will try to begin talking as close to 5:oo pm as possible. I will probably stop talking at 6:30. I will pause frequently for questions. Pencils and paper will be provided for taking notes. This is not an informal meeting. Much information will be given. Children of parents who do not attend Back-to-School night are at a serious disadvantage to those whose parents do.

Thirteenth Day

Today we reviewed our second thinking map, the Double Bubble. This allowed us to compare and contrast ourselves with a friend. Four quick workers were able to satisfactorily complete this task. The date on which the first student completes a particular class assignment is the date in which I enter into the grade book. When parent conference time rolls around and a particular assignment is incomplete for your child you will be able to calculate the difference in time it takes your child to work on a task and the fastest child. Learning the Double Bubble will allow us to apply compare/contrast skills to other subjects as well. When we examine different forms of transportation both across time and by type of energy consumed the Double Bubble will be particularly handy. Additionally, we worked on another page of our All About Me books. Tomorrow we will begin our Alphabet Books.

By the way, one of the reasons I'm keeping you updated on our in-class projects is so that you can use very specific language when speaking to your child in the afternoons, for example: "How much were you able to get done on_________?"; "Have you completed your ________? "When do you think you'll reach completion on your ________?"; etc.

In science we continued our exploration of forms of matter by choosing two solids and a list of properties. We practiced recording our observations in table format. Again, about five children were able to complete this task satisfactorily. The next step will be to pair-share our findings by using sentence frames to compare and contrast the two objects by using the information from our table.

For P.E. we began a game of relay sockball. We will continue the game tomorrow until all have had an opportunity to sock.

In math we completed the topic sheets together as there was a considerable amount of reading to be done. We did not complete the "at home connection" front page. Parents may complete this at home and the page may stay at home. I won't be collecting it. For homework please have your child complete the math homework page 19 and 20 (I think that's the page I don't have it in front of me).