Looking Ahead...

Important Dates:

• January 12 - Early Release. School dismisses at 12:15!
• January 16 - Jet's Pizza Night 
• January 19 - Popcorn/Spirit Day (PJ Day)
• February 2 - Early Release
• February 5 & 6 - Mid-Winter Break (No School)
• February 14 - Valentine's Day 

Reading:

Please remind your child to read each night for 20-30 minutes. Don't forget to record their minutes on their orange learning target sheet. I still collect those each Monday and document the minutes read for the week. We just started a unit on series books. We are reading Sophie the Awesome as a read aloud as an introduction to the topic. Next week students will begin reading a series book in a small group. They seem to be looking forward to this!

Writing:

We are exploring realistic fiction and preparing to write about it! Students have had a lot of time to discuss the characteristics of the genre, read a variety of books, and most are making connections to our reading unit. 

Math:

This week we started a unit on telling time. We discussed both analog and digital clocks, and they were quick to catch on to telling time on an analog clock. Ask them to tell you the time at a quarter after, half past, and a quarter to if you get the chance. We will continue to work on telling time before and after the hour, but they are catching on quick!

Social Studies:

We started a new unit on growth. Mostly we have focused on how farming forced towns to "grow up" and how that contributed to more businesses opening, and in return, towns in Michigan growing. We have had wonderful conversations about artifacts, how the way of living has changed over time, how the land had to be altered for farming, and old pictures. 

Other News:

• Reminder: Please make sure your child brings appropriate winter gear for outdoor recess. (Hats, gloves, snow pants, coats, boots, etc.) Also... please be sure your child either has a pair of shoes at school, or brings a pair each day. Students have to wear everything outside that they bring to school! 
• Valentine's Day Party: Our party will be February 14th at 2:30pm - wear red/pink. 
• Remember to send in box tops if you have them :)
• Mrs. Scholma still hasn't had her baby! The students are getting anxious, but have transitioned well into me teaching. 

Here are some pictures of them reading realistic fiction books this week! It is so much fun to watch them learn from each other.