EWWW! Pumpkin Guts!

Pumpkin Math was AWESOME! A lot of children dove right in and wanted to get their hands full of guts! They estimated, measured, weighed, and counted the seeds that were inside their pumpkins! They had fun and learned a lot at the same time! Isn't that what it's all about?!



 

 

 

 

Sweatt Hill Adventure

Check out the kids on Sweat Hill. They participated in a fall scavenger hunt and were SHOCKED to see Boston all the way from Wrentham! What a fun hike!

 

Letting the red pen go!

One of our district goals this year is to improve our students' writing.  In order to do so, the teachers are participating in several professional development workshops to learn and further understand how to successfully execute Writer's Workshop.
The workshop has three parts to it. The first being the focus lesson. This is where I talk and the kids listen. I teach a particular craft that I am looking to see in their writing. For example, using a good "hook" at the beginning of your writing piece to "catch" your reader's attention.
During independent writing time, which is the second part of the workshop, the students try to incorporate this craft.  My job is to walk around and confer with students. At this time, I am not editing their work with my red pen! :) Instead, I am looking for a goal for the writer to focus on. This is to improve their writing skills.  This information is important because what you see coming home will be the students' work and not my work.  You will see misspelled words and I will encourage the students to apply the pattern rules they learn in phonics to their writing. What happens in phonics, doesn't stay in phonics!
The third part is group share. This is where they can express themselves and learn from others.  They pick a piece to read out loud and their classmates can compliment them.  Who doesn't love a compliment!

I am very excited for Writer's Workshop! I can't wait to hear from these great authors!


 

Masters in Bonus Letters, Researching and Sentence Unscrambling!

Bonus Letter Slide:
Our Unit 2 Fundations Unit begins with introducing bonus letters. The bonus letters are f, l, s and sometimes z. They are called bonus letters because they are added at the end of short vowel words. For example: huff, hill, toss, and buzz are all bonus letter words.
Check out them practicing this pattern with Bonus Letter Slide!

 



 

Sentence Unscrambling:
In order to practice subject and predicates the students participated in an activity where they had to unscramble sentences so they would make sense! They had to focus on capital letters and periods in order to be successful at this activity.

Researchers:

In order to incorporate informational writing throughout the school year, we do research! I bought fact cards at Target (in the dollar section-which I love) for the kids to use during their research writing. They take notes on the topic and then expand their notes into sentences. They love this because the topics are engaging! Check out their AWESOME work!

 

 



Friendly Reminders

 

Here are a few reminders...

1. If you haven't done so already, please send in your money for Scholastic News. The check can be made out to Wrentham Public Schools in blue or black ink for $4.95. Thanks to those who have already turned in the money. Scholastic News is a GREAT supplement to use as a non-fiction resource!

 

2. Please send in a couple of gently used books to add to our "Birthday Basket" by Friday, September 25th. This will be a fun treat for the kids!

 

3. The Staff vs. Police softball game is this Thursday! I'll be swinging! I hope to see you there! Go teachers!

 

4. Please send in a photo of your child, as we will be using them to create a non-fiction text feature booklet.

 

Important Curriculum Information

 

Reading

Making Connections

We are working on making connections as we read or listen to a story.  Making connections help students to think about what is being read and relate to situations in the text. In doing so, their ability to comprehend increases. 

How you can help? As you read with your child, stop and talk to them about their connections by asking them what that part in the story reminds them of. Tell them your connections too! This is a fun way to talk about the text and know that your child is understanding what is being read!

 

Math

Addition Strategies

In math, we are reviewing addition strategies such as counting on, making a ten, and doubles, to name a few.

Please have your child use Xtra Math and MobyMax Fact Master to help them learn their facts. Also, don't forget about Reflex!  All of these task cards are stapled inside your child's homework folder.

 

Writing

Punch Card

This week I will introduce the writing punch card. We will use these throughout the year. It is a fun way to incorporate all different types of writing. They can make a list, make connections to poetry, research, create a prompt and pick a prompt.  Once a task is complete, they will get a punch. After all 5 tasks are finished, they bring the card home and receive a new punch card. The students love this because they can choose what to do during the writing center. They feel in control and therefore are more excited to write.

 

Thanks for reading and enjoy the fall weather!

Kristin