Science

This trimester for science we have been studying the moon.  We have been learning why it looks different at different times.  We will continue to learn and discuss the reason behond the phases of the moon, and we will also learn the names of the different phases.  In order to help your child learn about the repeating phases of the moon Mrs. Robert's and I will be sending home a moon log.  You and your child will be able to record what the moon looks like each night over the month of October.  It is our hope that you will enjoy doing these observations with your child, and that you will hear them connect what they learn at school with what they observe with you.  More information and a the log sheet will come home tomorrow.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://astronomologer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/8_MoonPhasesw.jpg&imgrefurl=http://astronomologer.com/2012/12/2013-moon-phases-eclipses-equinoxes-solstices/&h=588&w=785&tbnid=SQ7MASmvKjSHlM:&zoom=1&docid=yLZnOwpZIYqFXM&hl=en&ei=bA0qVODOOs2yyASlmoGQBQ&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CCYQMygBMAE

Lots Happening on Learning Lane

This week we decided in light of Johnny Appleseed's birthday that we would do a Learning Lane celebration and learning rotation.  Students in Learning Lane were grouped into multi age groups; they then went to a Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade classroom in the span of three days.  While they were in those classrooms they learned about apples, how an apple tree changes throughout the seasons, Johnny Appleseed, and they experienced tasting and graphing about different apple products.  It was not only a fun experience, but it was a chance for the older students of Learning Lane to mentor and help the younger students.  Those that had been a part of Learning Lane last year jumped right in and helped those that were new, and those that were younger then them.  It was wonderful to see 1st graders helping K students find their way to the correct room, and to see 2nd graders helping K and 1st through the activities.

This activity was also important in helping students to get to know the teachers of Learning Lane a bit better in a fun way.  Part of the idea behind Learning Lane is to build community among students of different classrooms and grades.  By doing this they can work together to learn and grow as students.  Also, it provides a wide array of learning opportunities for students to be met right where they are in different subject areas.  One of the areas in which we provide this setting is through guided reading, and this week we also started our rotation for these reading groups.   We have all been working on transitioning between classrooms, setting the routines, and explaining centers with our reading groups.  Next week we will all be starting guided reading.

Also, in the midst of this 2nd grade is learning about butterflies so, we were invited over to see a caterpillar forming its chrysalis.  It has been a busy and exciting week!


Here are a few highlights from our Learning Lane week!

In the 1st grade room we made seasonal apple trees

K-2 working hard

2nd grade room - tasting and graphing

Learning 1st hand

Wonder and amazement

Johnny Appleseed movie

Pajama Day!!

We have finally filled our marble jar!!! So, as a reward we chose to have a p.j. day!!! Please make sure your child has extra clothes, just in case they want to change at some point during the day.  Also, because of safety reason we are not allowed to wear slippers.  We are all super excited about earning this reward!!

First Couple Weeks of School

The first few weeks of school have been very busy, I am sure your child has come home extremely exhausted!  We are still learning the expectation for our classroom and the school.  We have also started the routines of math, daily 5, and writing.  Here are a few highlights of what we have been doing these last few days, remember to ask you child all about it.

One our first activity was a name game.  Students had a pipe cleaner with the same color beads on it.  There goal was to go around and meet each person in the classroom.  They had to politely introduce themselves and share about their favorite school special.  Once they had done this they were to exchange beads.  By the end of the activity they had a variety of colors, and they had met each student in the room.  This was a great opportunity to learn each others names and get to know a little about one another.

Time to meet and greet everyone

Exchanging and collecting beads

 A routine we have been starting to learn is our daily 5 routine.  These are our centers for guided reading time.  It is an important time for students to practice reading, spelling words, writing, and it is  also the time they will meet in small group with me to learn reading skills.  Daily 5's website goes into great details about the purpose of each centers.  Please check out https://www.thedailycafe.com/daily-5.

Practicing Read to Self

• 
  

Building Stamina

This week we also started our math program, enVisions.  In this first topic we will be focusing on the concept of addition.  Our goal in first grade is to be able to add numbers to 20, and also to be able to fluently add to 10.   There will be a number of strategies that we will learn to be able to help us add quickly, and also to be able to solve addition word problems.  I will be sending home the fliers so that you can see what your child is working on.  Once we are in the routine of math I will start to put their homework within these fliers.  

Buddied up to play our addition math game

Learning to work together and play math games

In writing we have just been working on writing 1-2 sentences.  Our goal is to build stamina in writing and to remember that every sentence needs an end mark, right now we are working on periods.  

Painting our hippos to go with our summer stories

Everyone had a blast with the water color paints!

Classroom Management

Over the next few weeks teachers will be taking time to teach the children what is expected of them in the various settings of the school.  I will also be doing this for our classroom setting.  For example, during our morning meeting I ask children to sit on their pockets, voices off, ears turned on, eyes on the speaker, and to raise their hand to contribute to the conversation.  I start by teaching children what I expect from them, and then we practice.  Children are recognized for demonstrating the appropriate behavior.  Here is how I intent to encourage your child to demonstrate the expected behavior in our classroom.

1.  Student may be verbally praised, given a high five or perhaps a sparkle,  sparkle is a pom pom that has glitter on it.  Children will be able to collect sparkles and turn them in for a reward.

2.  When a student has 5 sparkles, s/he can turn them in to get a pony bead on a ring.  These rings are kept to collect their beads.

3.  After earning 5 beads, children may trade them in for a reward ticket.  These tickets include things such as; pick your own seat, a no homework pass, bring a stuffy to school. or use a pen in class.

While we want to work to positively praise children, there does come a time when children may need to be redirected or corrected.  As the teacher, I will always give children a warning to correct their behavior.  This may be a verbal redirection or a look.  In the event that a child may need a moment to collect themselves, they may be asked to take a break at their table space or with Ms. Johnson next door.  

Please never hesitate to call me if you have any concerns about your child’s day, or if you have any questions.  

Newsletter 9/5

Saunders’ Newsletter

Dear Families,

I hope that you have found your child having a great week!  I know that they are very tired, and that it will take some time for them to adjust to the long learning days.  Please do not be surprised if your child is falling asleep earlier than normal or, too tired to practice spelling or read at night.  

Monday I will be sending home our first spelling list.  We will have have our first spelling test next Friday, September 12th.  One resource that can be used to help your child study is Spell City, the Spell City account is http://www.spellingcity.com/krissaunders1/.  This is a fun way to have your child study their words during the week.  

This week we have been extremely busy!  We have been learning the routines for not only our classroom but, also for the common areas in our building.  I am very proud of everyone for how well they have been doing on our routines.  One routine we have started is Daily 5.  This is what we will be doing during our reading group time.  Daily 5 is a way for students to practice different literacy skills independently.  To read more about what Daily 5 is you can go to http://www.thedailycafe.com/ and click on Daily 5.

In order to better communicate with you and what your child is doing in the classroom I will be I writing a blog.  The blog is at http://mrssaundersclassroom.blogspot.com/.  From now on I will be posting most of my newsletters on my blog.  If you would like a paper copy please e-mail or send me a note to let me know.

Finally, next Thursday, September 11th will be open house!! This is always a special night for students to show off their work and classrooms to their families.  Open house will be from 6-7:30.  Because of the size of our school we are encouraging families with children in k-2 to come towards the beginning of open house if they are able to.  I look forward to meeting you that night!            

Sincerely,

                             Mrs. Saunders