I feel as if I am dropping the ball on some items where I have stayed on top of previously. If things are coming home later or I am posting updates less frequently, it is because I have started my classes at the U of I for the semester. Much of my time after school and in the evenings are spent going to class and doing homework for my courses. I am trying my best to balance it all, so please be patient with me as I adjust. I do believe my coursework helps me to be a better teacher or else I would not put myself through all the work. Thanks for understanding!! Please feel free to let me know if you have any concerns.
Reading: We continued our study of visualizing and discussing why it is important to picture the stories that we read. We came up with the conclusion that it helps us understand the story better and also helps us to remember what happened in the story.
Math: We finished up Unit 2 by looking at different ways to do subtraction. For -9 and -8 rules, we discussed how we could first subtract 10 and then count up 1 or 2. We are going strong with our math facts, but I have noticed that fewer and fewer students are passing their tests every week. Please be sure to study the math flashcards EVERY NIGHT for at least 5 minutes. It is imperative that the students become fluent with their math facts as it will impact their math education in the future.
Science: We learned about the mealworm and beetle this past week. The district was supposed to send us mealworms to observe as they changed into beetles, but they never arrived. Instead, the students were able to look at books and we discussed how many of the things we already knew about insects held true for beetles as well.
Writing: We discussed trying to develop our stories more by looking at how most stories don't just have a simple problem and solution, but problems usually get worse and worse and then a couple different steps in resolving the problems. The students really took to our "problem mountain" and further developed many of their fiction stories.
Superstar of the Week: Next week will be Hussen. We can't wait to learn more about him!
Upcoming Important Dates:
Reading: We continued our study of visualizing and discussing why it is important to picture the stories that we read. We came up with the conclusion that it helps us understand the story better and also helps us to remember what happened in the story.
Math: We finished up Unit 2 by looking at different ways to do subtraction. For -9 and -8 rules, we discussed how we could first subtract 10 and then count up 1 or 2. We are going strong with our math facts, but I have noticed that fewer and fewer students are passing their tests every week. Please be sure to study the math flashcards EVERY NIGHT for at least 5 minutes. It is imperative that the students become fluent with their math facts as it will impact their math education in the future.
Science: We learned about the mealworm and beetle this past week. The district was supposed to send us mealworms to observe as they changed into beetles, but they never arrived. Instead, the students were able to look at books and we discussed how many of the things we already knew about insects held true for beetles as well.
Writing: We discussed trying to develop our stories more by looking at how most stories don't just have a simple problem and solution, but problems usually get worse and worse and then a couple different steps in resolving the problems. The students really took to our "problem mountain" and further developed many of their fiction stories.
Superstar of the Week: Next week will be Hussen. We can't wait to learn more about him!
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Thursday, September 12: Field trip (9:00am - 11:15am) to the U of I Pollinatarium
- Tuesday, September 18: PTA Meeting (6:00pm)
- Thursday, September 20: Early Dismissal (11:05am)
- Thursday, September 20: Parent Teacher Conferences (3:00pm - 7:00pm)
- Friday, September 21: No School, Parent Teacher Conferences (8:00am - 11:00am)