The Old Pad

October 5, 2007

The Writing Kit
For an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to promote writing at home, decorate a box with your child. Supply it with:

• lined, unlined, and graph paper
• note cards: 3x5 and 5x7 sizes
• colored construction paper
• pencils, erasers and pencil sharpener
• washable markers
• crayons
• clear tape
• stapler (use to create books)
• glue sticks
• scissors
• ruler with shaped cutouts
• notebooks (i.e. steno pads and spiral)
• alphabet chart, print and cursive
• picture postcards - collect these!
• writing paper, envelopes, and stamps
• ink pad, rubber stamps
• stencils - letter, shapes, etc.

What to do with the Writing Kit:

• make signs
• make grocery lists
• write thank-you notes and invitations
• write letters
• create dinner menus
• write poetry
• write diaries
• write plays
• design maps
• make birthday cards
• create cartoons and comics
• make up jokes, rhymes, riddles
• create a neighborhood newspaper
• design mazes and puzzles

October 5, 2007

We have been working on the letter Jj.  We made biscuits and jelly today for this letter.  We will be working on the letter Dd next week.  We are using "rubber-band spelling" (stretching a word out to hear and write each  sound) as we write our stories.

We are working on numbers in math.  Some of our vocabulary words for this unit are:  more than, less than, fewest, equal.  Children should be able to correctly write numbers 0-5.  They will have to be ablie to write numbers 0-20 and be able to recognize numbers 0-30 by the end of the year.

We are working on rocks and soil in science.  We are using our senses and the skill of sorting we learned in math to group rocks and soil by color, shape, size and texture.

You should have recieved your third list of sight word cards by now.  Please continue to practice them each night.

Our E.Q.s (essential questions) for next week                                                                                                                     

Math-  How do we use numbers?

Science-  How are rocks alike and different?

Reading-What is an example of cause and effect in this story?

Writing-  How do I use letter sounds to sound out words?

October 4, 2007

Hope to See YOU at Math Night tonight!!!

I hope all of you will be able to come to Dowell Math Night at Publix.  We have so much fun every year.  Please, if you can, set aside this night for some great family fun while learning!  If your family name falls in a time slot that is late, come on to the earlier time.  You'll be sent all through the store with clues to solve math problems.  There will be prizes, food and fun.  I'll be there from 6:00 to 7:00 and hope to see YOU, too! See details below.

DOWELL MATH NIGHT

at

Publix on Dallas Hwy

(across from Target & Chick-Fil-A)

DATE:   Thursday, October 4^th

TIME:  6:00-6:50  Family names N–Z

7:00-7:20  PTA Meeting

7:20-8:00  Family names A–M

FOOD:   Hotdogs – Drinks – Treats

Available to purchase:

Dowell Spirit Wear

(Wear a Dowell T-shirt and be eligible to win a prize)

*All Students must bring an adult to participate.

I hope all of you will be able to come to Dowell Math Night at Publix.  We have so much fun every year.  Please, if you can, set aside this night for some great family fun while learning!  If your family name falls in a time slot that is late, come on to the earlier time.  You'll be sent all through the store with clues to solve math problems.  There will be prizes, food and fun.  I'll be there from 6:00 to 7:00 and hope to see YOU, too! See details below.

DOWELL MATH NIGHT

at

Publix on Dallas Hwy

(across from Target & Chick-Fil-A)

DATE:   Thursday, October 4^th

TIME:  6:00-6:50  Family names N–Z

7:00-7:20  PTA Meeting

7:20-8:00  Family names A–M

FOOD:   Hotdogs – Drinks – Treats

Available to purchase:

Dowell Spirit Wear

(Wear a Dowell T-shirt and be eligible to win a prize)

*All Students must bring an adult to participate.