A Peek At Our Week!

                I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Please enjoy a few pictures and updates                                                                                          from Room 115! 😊

Important Dates:

April 2nd:

Autism Awareness Day 💙

Wear blue to show support!

April 3rd:

No School

Day of Low Attendance

April 6th:

Spring Pictures 📸

April 20th-24th:

Spring Break-No School

Announcements:

Media Tomorrow! 📖

A friendly reminder that our class has media/stem as our special tomorrow. It will be a book checkout day, so please have your child return their book to school if they have not already done so. Thank you!

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we completed module (unit) 6 in our Into Reading curriculum! This unit was titled: Home of the Free and the Brave, and posed the question: What makes the USA special? We read the books Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong, and Happy Birthday to the U.S. by Francine Alexander. Both texts explored the 4th of July holiday and how it can be celebrated. In the week ahead we will begin module 7 which will help the children develop their observational skills as the name of the unit is Zoom In! and asks the essential question: What can I learn when I look closely?

Phonics

Last week in phonics we continued to learn about digraphs, or two letters that make one new sound. We learned about the two sounds of the th digraph and how it can say the "voiced" sound like in the word the, or the "unvoiced/breath" sound like in with and bath. We also practice reading the new sight/heart word they. Ask your child to tell you about the song we sang to help us remember the correct spelling of the word they!

Math

In math last week the students reviewed the many number combinations that make the numbers 5, 6, and 7! They enjoyed playing games like Spill the Beans and Fill it up Five to help practice identifying and writing number sentences that equal five, such as 2+3, 4+1, and 5+0. We ended our week by making a spring kite craft for our classroom bulletin board! Each child picked 5, 6, or 7, and wrote four number combinations on the bows of their kite. It is so nice to have some signs of spring in our classroom!

Writing

Last week in writing we began a new unit on "how to" or procedure writing. During our first few lessons the class looked at examples of how tos, brainstormed potential "how to" topics, and sequenced the events for how to make applesauce! In the week ahead we will continue to put the steps of given procedures in order, and begin to write our own "how to" pieces!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world this is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

               Last week was an exciting one as we celebrated many special days. See below for                                                                                     a few highlights! 🌈🌞💮

Important Dates:

March 27th:

Early Release

April 2nd:

Autism Awareness Day 💙

Wear blue to show support!

April 3rd:

No School

Day of Low Attendance

April 6th:

Spring Pictures 📸

April 20th-24th:

Spring Break-No School

Announcements:

St. Patrick's Day Fun! ☘

Our class was as good as gold as we enjoyed a wonderful Irish step performance from the Harney School of Dance on St. Patrick's Day!

Rock Your Socks! 

Thanks to those who celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by rocking their bright, crazy, and/or fun socks to spread awareness. It was a great way to end our week! 🧦

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to explore the essential question: "What makes the USA special?". We enjoyed learning more about Martin Luther King Jr. as we read a biography written by Marion Dane Bauer, which highlighted his importance and the significant impact he made to our country. We also learned about many US presidents as we read the book Presidents' Day by Judith Stamper. The students continue to practice identifying people, places, and events, and discuss author's purpose.

Phonics

It was an exciting time in phonics last week as the class was introduced to a brand new concept, digraphs! We learned that digraphs are two letters that make one brand new sound, and practiced building and reading words with sh. We also continued to practice the sight/heart words who and two.

The students practiced reading words with sh as they made their own sharp looking sheep! 🐑

Math

Last week in math we reviewed teen numbers. Through our lessons and activities the students were reminded that all teen numbers start with a 1, and have one group of ten and then some "more". Circling back to this important concept helped the students recognize teen numbers with greater automaticity, and deepened their understanding of how teen numbers are composed.

Write the Room activities are always a great way to practice both new and review concepts!

Writing

Last week in writing we completed our unit on sentences. The children practiced identifying and fixing mistakes in sentences, as well as generating sentences for a given picture. In the week ahead we will move onto a new genre of writing known as "how to" or procedure writing. During this unit your child will practice writing the steps of a well-known process such as brushing their teeth or getting ready for school. 

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Please see below for announcements and updates      from Room 115! 🌞☘🌈

Important Dates:

March 20th:

Rock Your Socks!

Down Syndrome Awareness Day

March 27th:

Early Release

Staff Professional Development

Announcements:

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thank you so much to all of the parents who met with me for spring conferences last week. I really enjoyed chatting with each one of you! While there are no more formal conferences held this year, please never hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress in class. I am always more than happy to speak with you!

Baseball Day! ⚾

We had a "ball" on Friday celebrating baseball day and everything we learned from our story Take Me Out to the Yakyu. Click the link below to hear us sing a baseball favorite: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Curriculum Update:

Phonics

Last week in phonics the students were introduced to the concept of nonsense words! Also known as silly, make believe, or alien words, the ability for your child to read nonsense words demonstrates their mastery of letter sounds. We also practiced reading the sight/heart words who and two. 

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to explore the essential question: "What makes the USA special?". We enjoyed the book Take Me Out to the Yakyu by Aaron Meshon, which compared the beloved game of baseball in the US to how it is played and celebrated in Japan. The class also had a great time singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game! ⚾

Math

Last week in math we continued to learn about two and three dimensional figures in Unit 6! We played two new games which helped us practice building cubes and triangular prisms with Polydrons, and exploring ways to make 5 by spinning different numbers of cones, cylinders, cubes and spheres. In the week ahead we will circle back to review teen numbers, and practice counting dimes and pennies.

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is looking forward to the spring-like weather in the week ahead! Please enjoy a few pictures and updates from Room 115! 🌞💮

Important Dates:

March 10th:

Parent/Teacher Conferences (5-7pm)

March 12th:

Parent/Teacher Conferences (5-7pm)

March 13th:

Early Release

Parent/Teacher Conferences (1-3pm)

March 27th:

Early Release

Staff Professional Development

Announcements:

Parent/Teacher Conferences

It's hard to believe but spring parent/teacher conferences start this week! I'm looking forward to meeting with everyone who signed up and discussing your child's progress! Please note that the conference scheduler is now closed, so if you need to change or cancel your appointment please email me directly. I realize life happens, so I'm more than happy to reschedule if needed!

Guest Readers Wanted!

Did you know that March is National Reading Month? We will be celebrating our love of reading all month long in Room 115, and would like to open our door to parents, grandparents, neighbors, or siblings who would like to share their love of reading as well! Below you will find a link to sign up to be a guest reader in our classroom. On the day of, please bring a book of your choice to read aloud OR contact me ahead of time and I'll happily select one for you! In order to ensure everyone gets an opportunity, please sign up for only one slot. If the dates and/or times available don't work for you, please reach out and I will do my best to find a more convenient time. I am looking forward to welcoming guest readers into our classroom! Sign Up to be a Guest Reader Here!

It's Time for Lunch!

A new month brought new seats in the cafeteria! 

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

Last week in Reader's Workshop we kicked off module (unit) 6 in our Into Reading program! This module is titled "Home of the Free and the Brave" and poses the essential question: "What makes the USA special?". We began to answer this question by reading the books America the Beautiful: Together We Stand by Katherine Lee Bates, and In Our Country by Susan Canizares. During our lessons we also explored the genres of poetry and songs, and were introduced to the comprehension strategy of visualizing. 

Phonics

It was an exciting time in phonics last week as the students learned about open and closed syllables! The class discovered that when a word has an open syllable like no, go, or so, the vowels says its long sound. In words with closed syllables such as map, hot, and tug the vowel makes it's short sound. The children also practiced reading the new sight/heart words my and by.

Math

In math we have spiraled back to learning about 3D/solid figures, a concept that was introduced in November through Number Corner! During last week's lessons the children sorted 3D shapes by their attributes, explored cylinders and spheres, and even became shape detectives!

A Peek Inside Specials 👀

The class enjoyed showing off their gymnastics moves in P.E. and kicking off March Music Madness with Mrs. Cassani!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is doing well after the blizzard! I'm looking forward to the full week of school ahead as we will be getting back to our old routines and even starting some new ones! 😊

Important Dates:

March 10th:

Parent/Teacher Conferences (5-7pm)

March 12th:

Parent/Teacher Conferences (5-7pm)

March 13th:

Early Release

Parent/Teacher Conferences (1-3pm)

March 27th:

Early Release

Staff Professional Development

Announcements:

Parent/Teacher Conferences

It's hard to believe but spring parent/teacher conferences are right around the corner! The conference scheduler closes today, so please make sure to book your appointment ASAP (a link was provided in Mr. Dearborn's SMORE).  I'm looking forward to discussing your child's progress!

March Specials

Please note that tomorrow our class with have media/stem as our special. It is a book check out week, so please have your child return their previous selection to school if they have not already done so. Click Here to view the full March special calendar. A hard copy will be sent home tomorrow! 

Curriculum Update:

Reading

Although last week was a short one, is was also exciting as the students were introduced to our brand new Read to Self Shelf! This additional classroom library provides students with the opportunity to apply the phonics skills we have been learning in class while reading decodable texts. The Read to Self Shelf will always be a choice for students who finish their work early, and will also be a station during our reading center time.

So many exciting titles just waiting to be read! 📖🩷

In addition to our hardcopy books, the students also enjoyed reading digital decodable texts! These books are posted in our Google Classroom and will also be a station during center time.

Math

In math the children continue to learn about two dimensional shapes. In last weeks lessons we were sorting, comparing, composing, and decomposing shapes using pattern blocks. This week we will spiral back to review three dimensional figures and their attributes!

The class had a fun time picking a two dimensional shape and writing clues about it in an activity we called "Guess My Shape". 

Ms. Lemmler Visits!

It was so nice to have Ms. Lemmler back to teach her February SEL lesson which focused on friendship! The students listening to the story Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, and discussed the qualities of a good friend. 

Thanks for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

 I hope your child is enjoying their February break so far! Please enjoy a few pictures and updates from Room 115! ❄

Important Dates:

February 16th-20th

No School

February Vacation

Announcements:

Valentine's Day 💘

Room 115 was filled with lots of love on Friday as we celebrated Valentine's Day! Each child got the chance to sit in a special Valentine chair, and collect Valentines from their classmates. This provided each student with a personal experience, as kind words were also shared as Valentines were delivered. Please enjoy a few pictures from our celebration below!

The children also enjoyed completing a valentine themed math activity last week! 💝🍫

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop last week we continued to discuss the essential question: "What does it mean to try hard?". To help deepen our understanding of this question we read the story Ish by Peter H. Reynolds. While we read we practiced comparing characters, identifying character traits, and making inferences. In phonics, we reviewed all of the short vowel sounds and practiced reading the sight/heart words have and love.

The class enjoyed identifying the missing vowel in cvc words using the interactive Touchview last week!

Math

In math we continue to work in module (unit) 5 and explore geometry concepts. During last week's lessons the children practiced constructing and drawing 2D shapes through hands-on partner games.

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌