Friday, January 27, 2017

Newsletter for January 27, 2017

What We Learned This Week

Word Study
Students started on new spelling features this week. I also reviewed plural noun rules for adding -s and -es (when we add a syllable) before getting into tricky plurals (e.g., fish, moose, goose, man, woman, mouse, ox, foot, tooth, child, person, etc.). I have just introduced possessive nouns and will work on that for a while yet. There is generally some confusion between apostrophes commas as well. Students will learn we use apostrophes for possession and contractions and commas for pauses and lists.

Reading Workshop
We began learning how we can use context clues to help us make an educated guess as to the meaning of unfamiliar words when reading. Context clues include the words and phrases that come before and after the unfamiliar word, as well as punctuation, grammar and beginning phonemes.

Students also began making first person journal/diary entries as the lead character in our read aloud. The initial responses are much more like summaries, but we will move into adding emotions and descriptive language to develop comprehension.

I would love to have some volunteers Monday through Friday from noon till 1 to work with readers. You do not need any training or experience teaching reading. You will simply help ensure students are reading appropriately leveled texts and are engaged in their reading. Please email if you are able to help.

Writing Workshop
I attempted a two text response, but believe the class needs more structure and modeling so we will continue with single text response writing for a while longer.

Math Workshop
Students made flash cards and are working to memorize them. We worked on the commutative, distributive and associative properties in multiplication.

Science
All students have workable problems at this point. Mrs. Hemmelgarn, our library media specialist, led a lesson on researching problems and solutions using Google and Amazon, and search terms. We used our devices to begin researching during science and shared our problems and initial solutions. Peer feedback is an important part of this process. Students should keep their white Invention Convention packet in their homework folder so they can have it at home and school to record ideas as they come. Students should complete their research and the first three pages of their Invention Convention packet by next Friday, February 3rd.

Guidance 
From Ms. O'Keefe...

"I was in your child's class this week, focusing on Decision Making and Goal Setting. We talked about how they make decisions all day, every day. We talked about there are many options to each decision, and they all have different outcomes/consequences. We looked at a decision making model (see below) and used some examples to work through. We applied making good decisions to goal setting. With the new year here, I challenged them to set a goal, like a resolution, that they can work toward. Attached is a sheet we worked on in class. I encourage you to revisit this with them and even set a family goal together!

1. Identify the decision
2. Brainstorm Options 
3. Predict the outcome (positive or negative outcome/"consequence?" Who will it effect?) 
4. Decide on a solution and Act
5. Outcome/Consequence - remember, you need to accept responsibility for your decisions."

Important Dates & Reminders

Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.
A Days: No specials 
B Days: Music and PE
C Days: Art
D Days: Library
E Days: Music and PE

January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm

February 3 - Invention Convention Research Due
February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days
February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment


Feburary 10 - Ohio Wildlife Center donations due
February 14 - Ohio Wildlife Center visit
February 20 No School for Students & Staff:  President's Day

March 1 - Early Dismissal 1pm
March 9 - 3rd Grade Musical
March 10 - Invention Convention 10:30-11:00 Cafeteria/Multipurpose Room
March 10 - Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM
March 10 - End of second Trimester
March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School 
March 20 - No School for students - Teacher Workday 
March 28 - Progress Reports Home Today  

April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 
April 6 Spring Picture Day          
April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14  No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday     
April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair        
April 28  KID FEST 5 - 8pm

May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 22 Field Day             
May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am
May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester     
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm  

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