Hello Room 9 families and welcome to the first blog of the year. My goal is to send out bi-weekly blogs in order to keep you updated with everything classroom and school wide related. We have a lot coming up, so please read on for all the information.
Math: We started the year reviewing foundations for adding and subtracting within 20 with number bonds and ten frames. We are now using strategies for adding and subtracting within 100. If you want to help your child at home you can help them skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's. This is a skill that we will be using all year in math and it will help them be successful if they can orally count by tens. If your child can skip count then have them practice writing their numbers by 2's, 5's, and 10's. If they really need a challenge they can do all this by 3's.
ELA: We have been learning about character and other story elements through our NatGeo curriculum with stories such as "Taxi Dog" and "Quinito's Neighborhood." We have also used "Quinitos Neighborhood to introduce nouns and verbs and use them to begin making simple noun-verb sentences. Next week in Grammar we will continue to learn about nouns and verbs, as well as articles. We also began an intro to phonics be teaching how to use our phonics sound mapping mats and word chains with a short vowel review. This week we will begin our Science of Reading aligned Phonics program. Week 1 we will review initial blends, consonant digraphs, and the floss rule.
Science/Social Studies: The beginning of the year is always heavy in social studies. We started the year learning about ourselves and families, and now are extending it to our school's and communities. We read "Me on the Map" and used that to launch our geography unit. We will take a walk on Wednesday across the street to look at the Mosaic bridge, visit the duck pond and discuss what is happening with it, as well as see and discuss the new build site for Marshall. All of this as part of our community unit. When we return to school the students will have an opportunity to make their own mosaic art pieces.
Open House: You are invited to Marshall's Open House this Thursday night from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. This is informal, come in when you can, just a quick meet and greet. I hope to see you there!
Permission Slips: Be on the lookout for a walking permission slip to go out on Monday for our Wednesday outing. Will need it back by Wednesday at the very latest. I will keep it for all walking field trips around the neighborhood the rest of the year (tree park, duck pond, etc).
No Toys At School: Just a reminder that toys at home are not allowed at school. This includes notepads, writing utensils and stuffed animals. Unless students have a learning plan allowing them fidgets they may not bring them to school either. Make sure backpacks only have lunches, water bottles, weather related clothing (no umbrellas - not necessary). Again, they do not need school supplies as those have been provided. As of Friday, all Pokemon cards have been banned at Marshall. There have been a lot of issues surrounding the taking of cards. This should not be an issue for our class, being as these types of things are not allowed. Also, no cellphones (including wrist phones) allowed. If your child has one for some reason it must be in their backpack and on SILENT! Please make sure alarms are disabled. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.
Change in Dismissal: If your child will be having a change in dismissal for the day please make sure to call the front office or email me and let us know. Do not tell your child to tell me. For safety reasons I do not and cannot take the word of second graders, and if they say their dismissal routine is going to be different I will have to contact the office to make a phone call to their adult. Thank you for helping me get your child home safely on a daily basis.
Take Home Folders: I will be sending home take home folders on a weekly basis. These will have a weekly and monthly calendar in them. This will be another place where you can write me a note if needed. Please look for it starting this week. If your child ever has math work that need completing it will go in there as well.
Supplies: Thank you to everyone who has donated snacks, kleenex, hand sanitizer, and headphones for your students. We are set on all of it for a while. When we are in need of anything I will reach out and let you know. You all rock!!
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
- Thursday, August 31st - Marshall Open House 5-6:30 PM
- Monday, September 4th - School Closed - Labor Day
- Monday, September 18th - No School for Students - In Service Day
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me via email at ashaw@fusd1.org. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, I'll see the kiddos tomorrow at 9:00 am :)
