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What We Are Learning...
Reading and Writing
Research shows that kids who read tend to be better readers and stronger students in all academic areas. Reading is such an essential part of daily life. It is important to me that your child finds the pleasure in literature. I truly believe that when a child finds that book which “hooks” them, progress is made in exponential levels.
That being said, not every learner is the same. We all have different interests, abilities, and backgrounds. It is critical that your child is reading a book on his/her level. I will be working with your child to help them select books that are right for him/her. One such strategy is called the “five finger rule.” In this strategy, a child opens up a book to any page and begins to read. Every time he/she comes to a word that is unknown, a finger is held up. By the end of the page, if 5 fingers are held up, the book is too difficult for now. If 0 or one finger is held up, the book is too easy. If 2, 3 or 4 fingers are held up, the book is probably a good fit. Although this is a simple rule, it usually helps in identifying good fit books. Please encourage your child to use this strategy when trying to select a book. It is important that your child is neither reading a book that is not too difficult, nor too easy.
Tips for helping your child select a book that is a good fit for your kiddo:
When helping your child find an appropriate book that fits each child's independent reading level, a method typically used is the "five finger rule." In this strategy, a child finds a book that interests him or her and turns to a random page in the book. As your child reads, he or she should hold up a finger every time the kiddo comes to an unknown word. At the end of the page, the book would be a good fit if only 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers were held up, even though the book may be a bit too easy if 1 finger was held up and similarly, it may be too difficult if 4 or 5 fingers are held up. Ideally, the book will likely be a good fit that provides just enough challenge if there are 2 or 3 fingers held up after doing a cold read.
Math
We have begun Unit 6 of the Bridges curriculum. This unit explores geometric shapes. We will explore attributes of various shapes and classifying them according to these attributes. We will learn about different types of polygons and quadrilaterals, as well as define symmetrical and congruent shapes as a means for sorting shapes with these attributes. We will use these shapes to begin to explore the concept of area and perimeter-both their meaning and how to calculate each.
When adding or subtracting, we are working on building mental math strategies. One of these ways is by thinking about the use of "friendly numbers," or numbers that are easy to work with. I use the term to discuss ways we can decompose numbers to make them friendlier, or easier, to work with. (Think of using multiples of 10 when adding.) For example, if we have the problem 38 + 29, neither of these numbers are very friendly. However, if we decompose one of those numbers by thinking about either adding groups of 10 or getting to a multiple of ten, it will be easier to work with. I might choose to start with 38, add 2 from the 29 (which gets me to 40), and then I could add the rest that is left over from the 29, which would mean I still needed to add 27. 40+27=67.
I could also choose to start at 38, add 20 from the 29, so 38+20=58. Then add 2 of the 9 that is still left to add which gets me to 60 (58+2), and then add the remainder of what is left. Therefore, I would now have 60 + 7=67. Thinking about ways to get to multiples of 10 or adding multiples of ten will make math more efficient and accurate.
Please take a moment to look at Bridges' website! There are great interactive games that your child can play to enhance classroom lessons! (mathlearningcenter.org)
Social Studies
As we conclude our studies of animal habitats, we will move onto our next Social Studies unit, which will focus on famous Americans and then onto economics. We will learn about influential people from America's past and their contributions to our country. We will also conduct a mini research project at school on an influential American.
For economics we will learn about the concept of saving for things we want, as well as the concept of consumer and producer. We will learn about how companies need capital in order to start their business and things that an entrepreneur needs to consider when starting a business, such as consumer needs, scarcity and demand. We will use this knowledge to create a craft in class as a culminating project to sell our goods to other classmates (using play money) in a trade fair at school.
Science
After our final units on famous Americans and economics, we will end the school year by learning about forces and motion. We will create a marble track and engage in other interesting hands-on activities to learn about objects in motion and the forces that act on objects.
Reading
We continue to work in reading groups, where students work in a small group with the teacher to develop skills to become more proficient in reading. Each group has lessons that are catered to the individual needs of the readers. We continue to learn about elements included in fiction and nonfiction stories and reading for meaning. We also continue to use Reader's Theater plays in order to build fluency and expression when reading. It is imperative that every child is reading independently at home. This is an opportunity to practice skills learned at school! Just like anything in life, practice leads to increased success.
Right now we are working on vowel teams and the letter combinations that create vowel sounds.
What We Are Learning...
Reading and Writing
Research shows that kids who read tend to be better readers and stronger students in all academic areas. Reading is such an essential part of daily life. It is important to me that your child finds the pleasure in literature. I truly believe that when a child finds that book which “hooks” them, progress is made in exponential levels.
That being said, not every learner is the same. We all have different interests, abilities, and backgrounds. It is critical that your child is reading a book on his/her level. I will be working with your child to help them select books that are right for him/her. One such strategy is called the “five finger rule.” In this strategy, a child opens up a book to any page and begins to read. Every time he/she comes to a word that is unknown, a finger is held up. By the end of the page, if 5 fingers are held up, the book is too difficult for now. If 0 or one finger is held up, the book is too easy. If 2, 3 or 4 fingers are held up, the book is probably a good fit. Although this is a simple rule, it usually helps in identifying good fit books. Please encourage your child to use this strategy when trying to select a book. It is important that your child is neither reading a book that is not too difficult, nor too easy.
Tips for helping your child select a book that is a good fit for your kiddo:
When helping your child find an appropriate book that fits each child's independent reading level, a method typically used is the "five finger rule." In this strategy, a child finds a book that interests him or her and turns to a random page in the book. As your child reads, he or she should hold up a finger every time the kiddo comes to an unknown word. At the end of the page, the book would be a good fit if only 1, 2, 3 or 4 fingers were held up, even though the book may be a bit too easy if 1 finger was held up and similarly, it may be too difficult if 4 or 5 fingers are held up. Ideally, the book will likely be a good fit that provides just enough challenge if there are 2 or 3 fingers held up after doing a cold read.
Math
We have begun Unit 6 of the Bridges curriculum. This unit explores geometric shapes. We will explore attributes of various shapes and classifying them according to these attributes. We will learn about different types of polygons and quadrilaterals, as well as define symmetrical and congruent shapes as a means for sorting shapes with these attributes. We will use these shapes to begin to explore the concept of area and perimeter-both their meaning and how to calculate each.
When adding or subtracting, we are working on building mental math strategies. One of these ways is by thinking about the use of "friendly numbers," or numbers that are easy to work with. I use the term to discuss ways we can decompose numbers to make them friendlier, or easier, to work with. (Think of using multiples of 10 when adding.) For example, if we have the problem 38 + 29, neither of these numbers are very friendly. However, if we decompose one of those numbers by thinking about either adding groups of 10 or getting to a multiple of ten, it will be easier to work with. I might choose to start with 38, add 2 from the 29 (which gets me to 40), and then I could add the rest that is left over from the 29, which would mean I still needed to add 27. 40+27=67.
I could also choose to start at 38, add 20 from the 29, so 38+20=58. Then add 2 of the 9 that is still left to add which gets me to 60 (58+2), and then add the remainder of what is left. Therefore, I would now have 60 + 7=67. Thinking about ways to get to multiples of 10 or adding multiples of ten will make math more efficient and accurate.
Please take a moment to look at Bridges' website! There are great interactive games that your child can play to enhance classroom lessons! (mathlearningcenter.org)
Social Studies
As we conclude our studies of animal habitats, we will move onto our next Social Studies unit, which will focus on famous Americans and then onto economics. We will learn about influential people from America's past and their contributions to our country. We will also conduct a mini research project at school on an influential American.
For economics we will learn about the concept of saving for things we want, as well as the concept of consumer and producer. We will learn about how companies need capital in order to start their business and things that an entrepreneur needs to consider when starting a business, such as consumer needs, scarcity and demand. We will use this knowledge to create a craft in class as a culminating project to sell our goods to other classmates (using play money) in a trade fair at school.
Science
After our final units on famous Americans and economics, we will end the school year by learning about forces and motion. We will create a marble track and engage in other interesting hands-on activities to learn about objects in motion and the forces that act on objects.
Reading
We continue to work in reading groups, where students work in a small group with the teacher to develop skills to become more proficient in reading. Each group has lessons that are catered to the individual needs of the readers. We continue to learn about elements included in fiction and nonfiction stories and reading for meaning. We also continue to use Reader's Theater plays in order to build fluency and expression when reading. It is imperative that every child is reading independently at home. This is an opportunity to practice skills learned at school! Just like anything in life, practice leads to increased success.
Right now we are working on vowel teams and the letter combinations that create vowel sounds.