SCIENCE

First day of Fall

We will be discussing the autumnal equinox and how the first day of fall has an equal amount of day and night.  This week we will start to write an acrostic poem titled Fall Leaves.  Why Do Leaves Change Color?  Is a book we will listen to which discussed how chlorophyl makes leaves green. We discussed different types of trees, deciduous vs. evergreen and learned the deciduous trees are the ones that lose their leaves.

Reader’s Workshop

As we are reading, we practiced jotting down our thinking and also discussed striking sentences this  week.  Now, they will try finding these at home when doing their home reading.  Starting next Wednesday, they are responsible for a reading log and one response per week.  I attached an example on the inside cover of their journal and will attach an example of the striking sentence response next week. THIS WILL START NEXT WEEK.

Home Reading Journal

Wednesday through Tuesday you must read for at least 30 minutes and complete a reading log and a response.  Each week you need a reading log on the top of one page and the bottom half is where you write your response. 

Reading Log-a list containing book or books you have read

Example: 

1/07/08                 Stone Fox             p.1-17

1/08/08                Stone Fox               p.18-35

1/09/08                Stone Fox               p.35-45

1/10/08                 Stone Fox              p.45-61

                        Parent Signature                                       X_____________

Response

You must include at least one STRIKING SENTENCE, which is a sentence that the author uses to create a vivid picture in your mind.  It must follow with a written explanation why you think the sentence, phrase, or passage is striking.

1.     Write the STRIKING SENTENCE as a quotation.  Use quotation marks.

2.     Write why you chose the sentence, phrase, or passage.  Really think about why the author wrote it and explain.

Example

Stone Fox is about ten year old Willy. I found a striking sentence in the third chapter that brought the book to life. The author states “Wind yells while blowing” “Wind yells while blowing” is an example of personification because wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.  I could picture this in my mind and got a good sense of how strong the wind was blowing. 

Ideas to help you find a STRIKING SENTENCE OR PHRASE

·      The author zooms in on an important, sensory detail (a sight, sound, smell, taste, feeling or texture)

·      The author uses words that are true, exact details from the author’s mind.

·      The author uses words to create action(Vivid verbs)

·      The author uses words to create a mood(Adjectives help create moods)

·      The author uses words to create crystal clear pictures that you visualize

·      The author uses words to create a setting where you feel like you are there

·      The author uses words to create a good lead(hook) or a good ending

·      The author uses descriptive language or personification to bring something to life

In math, we are working on various strategies to use when adding large numbers.  Please assist your child with their homework if they need further reinforcement.   Also, make sure your child is practicing their math facts. 

Thanks to all of you who are doing carline!

Ms. Lackey

We are having a great time in Room 26!

Readers Workshop

As you may have heard, we are reading Charlotte’s Web. We discussed character traits, visualization, and looked closely at the very first sentence. The author E. B. White immediately grabbed our attention with the hook, “Where’s papa going with that ax?”

Home Reading Journals

Next week your child will be responsible for a reading log and one response about one of the books they read.  The log and response should be on one page in their journal.  There is an example on the front cover of the journal.  We are focusing on striking sentences at this point for the response in the journal.  Please look for detailed instructions on the inside cover of your child’s journal.  Please remind your child to bring it in every Wednesday.  I will go over with them next week.

Math

Our focus has been on rounding and compatible numbers.  We estimated sums and reviewed word problems.

Writer’s Workshop

We started discussing narrative writing.  Together we brainstormed some ideas and started to create a web to help get our ideas down.  Next we will choose a hook, which will grab our reader’s attention by using a sound word, a startling fact, a question, dialogue, or a description of the setting.

We rocked the pep rally today!  Steeplechase packets go home today and are due Oct. 31. Please look for it in your child’s backpack.

We finished reading a book called Archaeologists Dig for Clues.  Please ask your child about it and what they did as an archaeologist.

                          

Our FIELD TRIP is Tuesday to Ring Mountain.  Drivers please be here at 8:45 and be ready to hike.  Don’t forget to have a good breakfast and wear sunscreen.

Lyra, Kim, Karen, Penny, Rachel are drivers with Leslie(chaperone)

Please make your $40 donation check out to our class treasurer Karen Olson for all the field trips.  Scholarships are available.

I’ll send home volunteer information next week.

Ms. Lackey

                                                                                           September  2014

Dear Room 26 Families,

It was great to see all of you at Back to School Night!  Thank you so much for being there, signing up to help out the class, donating items on my wish list and sharing a little bit about yourself.  I am so excited about our year together!

Classroom volunteers won’t start until October.  I will need some time to work out the schedule and get the kids into their routines.  Please feel free to stop by our classroom or email me if you have any questions regarding either of these jobs.  A special thanks to Karen Olson, our class treasurer.  You can turn in the donation to me or it can be given directly to her.

READER’S WORKSHOP

This week we continue our discussion of what good readers do and “just right” books. We will start practicing choosing books from our classroom library.  Please assist your child at home with their selections and let me know if you need any books.  CHECK OUT SCHOLASTIC WIZARD IF YOU NEED TO KNOW THE LEVEL OF A BOOK. We are focusing on our first reading comprehension strategy of VISUALIZATION. Our next step is practicing reading for striking sentences. Next week we will start discussing how to do our Home Reading Journals so look for those early October.

WRITING

Our daily edit started last week.  I will occasionally add it to the homework packet.  This will become part of the routine so you can refer to the Editing Marks sheet in the Back to School Night packet. We started cursive today.  Our MARVELOUS ME T-SHIRTS are hanging up if you didn’t get a chance to check them out.  This was as a get to know each other activity.  They filled one sleeve with words describing them and the other sleeve is filled with places they have traveled or would like to visit one day.  The middle is filled with things your child loves and a wish.  In the middle of their shirt is a fun nickname using alliteration.  WE PRACTICED USING ALLITERATION. Your child chose an adjective that started with the first letter of his/her name.  The shirts are hanging in the classroom if you want to check them out.

MATH

Our focus has been on rounding to the nearest ten and hundred.  Please help your child play The Great Round Up for extra reinforcement. 

FIELD TRIPS

Please make your $40 donation check out to our class treasurer KAREN OLSON for all the field trips.  Scholarships are available.

Ring Mountain-Tuesday, SEPT. 23 leaving at 9:00

At Ring Mountain the children will learn about the Miwok Indians who lived on the mountain and explore a special Miwok attraction that still remains.  We will also study the natural history of the mountain and how the Miwok used different native plants and animals to survive.  We will be doing a lot of hiking, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle. 

Marin Museum of American Indian-Friday, October 10 leaving at 8:45!

Please pack a substantial snack, water and lunch for your child. 

I’ll be sending home permission slip next week.  Please mark on the slip if you can drive and how many kids you can fit in your car.  I will list the drivers in an email so please be advised.

Have a great day!

Ms. Lackey

Mrs. Zimmer, our amazing principal, has asked that each family send in a family photo that will be on display this year.