Classroom Happenings

ELA: Students have been reading fiction and nonfiction. They are working on reading smoothly. So when they need to slow down to figure a word or words out, they need to remember to go back and reread. Students practice retelling stories to their ELA partners. They use transition words like first, then and next to retell important events in order. Transition words are also used in writing small moments, or personal narratives. Students will be assessed on this type of writing this week. Then we will move on to pattern books. I will read literature with a pattern and students will write write their own stories with a similar pattern. And patterns are always a part of our word work. Students learn new words and what they mean. The hope is that as the children learn new vocabulary they will begin using it in their writing.

Math: We have completed our first unit. As we move into our next unit on place value, students will maintain problem solving skills during bell time, homework and math time. Students will count by 10s and 100s, starting at any number. Given a number, like 781, students will tell the value of each digit. Given several numbers like 312, 321, 132, and 123, students will circle the numbers with a 2 in the tens place. These are samples of the expectations for the children as they learn about place value.

Science: Overall, the class was very successful on the balance quiz. The children also enjoyed working in teams making and balancing mobiles. They have made and observed spinners in action. We will continue activitities with different type of spinning tops.

Social Studies: While we will typically focus on science or social studies, we are doing both due to our upcoming national election. We held a mock election where students nominated a class mascot. Reasons were given on why the nominated mascots would be good choices. Then we had primaries to narrow the field. Our final election was between a dog and kitten, with the dog coming out on top.  Just like an actual election, there was happiness and disappointment.