April 20-24

 Dear Parents

-Reminders: 

-Volunteer tea on May 1.  Please RSVP your attendance to the office.

-Please return permission forms for the zoo field trip

-May 4 Zoo Field Trip

Earth Day

Although the weather has not been spring-like this week, we did recognize Earth Day on April 22.  Through stories, discussions, and hands-on experiences, students built their understanding of the importance of being stewards and taking care of our local and global environment.  In the afternoon, despite the weather, we enjoyed time in our learning grounds,  taking part in a quiet moment at our sit spot and observing our class tree in the spring season.

Learning Outcomes:

• I can describe what Earth Day is and why it is important.
• I can identify ways people can care for the Earth.
• I can recognize natural things like plants, animals, soil, air, and water
• I can participate in activities that help care for the Earth, such as planting or cleaning up litter.
• I can observe nature using my senses.
• I can record what I notice about plants, animals, or the environment.
• I can ask questions about how to care for the Earth.
• I can share my ideas about how to protect the environment.
• I can talk about what I learned about Earth Day.
• I can participate in group discussions about protecting nature.

Literacy

This week we looked at long U sound which can be tricky, and reviewed all long vowel sounds spelled vowel consonant silent e.  Below is some home practice.

April 13-17

Dear Parents

Reminders

-With the wet weather upon us please consider sending an extra set of clothes and socks for your child.

-No school on Friday  

This week we had the amazing opportunity to have Teachers Pet into our classroom to teach us about Energy Movement and Pathways.  Students had the opportunity to build their own wooden race car, race vehicles down an incline and experience different surfaces, race and build their own marble runs, as well as learn about ways animals move in different directions and pathways.  Thank you to all the parent volunteers that made this experience possible. 

Learning Intentions

• I can tell that energy makes things move.
• I can give examples of things that use energy to move.
• I can show how a push or pull can make an object move.

Building & Exploring (Race Car Focus)

• I can build a race car using different materials.
• I can test how my race car moves.
• I can change my design to make my car move better.

 Investigating & Testing

• I can ask questions about how my car will move.
• I can make a prediction about what will happen.
• I can test my ideas and see what happens.

 Observing Movement

• I can describe how my car moves (fast, slow, far, near).
• I can compare how different cars move.
• I can notice what makes my car move faster or slower.

Communication

• I can talk about my race car and how it works.
• I can draw and label my design.
• I can share what I learned from testing my car.

Inquiry 

• I can be a scientist by testing and improving my ideas.
• I can use energy (pushes and pulls) to make things move.
• I can learn by trying, testing, and changing my design.

Literacy

This week we focused on the long e sound and long o.  Please review the home practice with your child. 

April 6-10

 

Dear Parents

Reminders

-Teachers Pet Monday afternoon

-Fun lunch 

Spring is finally upon us!  This week through both science and literacy connections, we have been reading and learning about the seasonal changes that happen in spring.  Students have been working to build their understanding of the changes that occur at this time of year.  By reading non-fiction text and making observations in our local environments students have been gathering evidence of spring and representing thier understanding throug written and visual messages.   

Learning Intentions:

• I can tell how spring is different from other seasons.
• I can observe changes on the land in spring.
• I can notice how animals change or move in spring.
• I can describe how the weather changes in spring.
• I can describe how human activities change in spring
• I can notice that days are getting longer.
• I can observe changes in sunlight during the day.
• I can observe and talk about changes I see outside.
• I can draw and record what I notice about spring.
• I can compare what is the same and different from winter to spring.
• I can share my ideas about spring using words and pictures.
• I can ask questions about changes in spring.
• I can explain what I notice in my environment.
• I can add details to my drawing to show spring changes.

Literacy

This week we have been learning about long A when formed by a_e, and long I when formed by i_e.  Please take a look below at the home practice.

March 30-April 2

Dear Parents,

Reminders

-No School on Friday April 3

-School on April 6.

-Please return decodables on Mondays and Thursdays and library books on Wednesdays

-With the wet weather please remember to send the proper outdoor gear and an extra pair of socks.

Science Math and Social Studies!

This week, we have been wrapping up our math and science concepts of area.  We combine these concepts with our study of local landmarks in social studies.  Students created a list of local businesses and buildings, then, using basic supplies, created these buildings and placed them on a simple map.  After using a cube as non-stardard unit of measure, students measured the surface area of their building and compared it to their partners.  It was a create project full of rich learning and conversations!  Take a look below

Learning intentions

• I can explore and use different materials (like paper and cardboard) to build models.
• I can create a model of a local landmark using simple tools and materials.
•  can identify important places in my community (e.g., school, park, library).
• I can compare the size of surfaces using words like bigger, smaller, and same.
• I can measure and compare surface areas using non-standard units (e.g., tiles, squares).
• I can plan and build a model step by step.
• I can share my ideas and explain my work to others.
• I can work carefully and safely with materials.
• I can compare my work with others and notice similarities and differences.

Literacy

This week, we wrapped up our learning of consonant digraphs and began looking at long vowel sounds.  Below is some home practice.