Reece's Little Pieces of Class Happenings

How are we navigating learning in our class?

How we are navigating:

These are the essential questions for our Standards and Units of Study:

Reading – How do I use what I know to understand how stories work?  We have been working on telling the difference between fact and opinion.  A fact is something that can be proven true, and an opinion is based on how someone feels.  For example, it rained on Wednesday, is a fact.  I don’t like it when it rains, is an opinion.    

Phonics – How do I read words containing consonant blends?  In Words Their Way, we are reviewing the consonant blends st, sp, sm, sn, sw, sc and sk.  We have also reviewed the letters b and c.  Look around your house and see if your child can identify any items that begin with a consonant blend.  For example, stove, swing, spoon and skate.

 

Social Studies – How did Lewis, Clark with Sacagawea make life better in the United States?  Students learned that President Jefferson appointed Lewis and Clark to travel through the newly bought Louisiana Purchase.  They have also learned that they met a Native American, Sacagawea, who was able to help them by translating with other Native tribes they met along the way. 

 

Writing – How do I write a personal narrative?  Students have been writing a personal narrative pretending that they were a passenger on the Mayflower coming to America to start a new life.  Please have your child practice writing complete sentences with the high frequency words on the back of their homework sheet each night. 

Mathematics – How do I identify each coin and its value, and how do I make fair trades with pennies, nickels, and dimes?  We continue to practice counting coins and making fair trades up to $.50.  We have been practicing counting a collection of coins using touch point math.  At home, please practice with your child counting by 1’s to 100, 5’s to 100, and 10’s to 100.  Also please make sure they know how to write the numbers to 100.

Navigating the year with news from school:

Barnes and Noble Night, Thursday, December 1^st, 5:30-7:30 pm
First Grade will have an opportunity to do a short skit at the Barnes and Noble Night at the West Cobb Avenue on Dallas Highway on Thursday, December 1^st at 5:52 – 6:04 pm. 

Dinner Theater – Sponsored by the Dowell Singers
Come see and hear select classes from each grade level, the Dowell Singers, Recorder Club, and more as we start the season off with music and celebration!
Thursday, Dec. 8^th - 5:30-6:30 PM, Performance - 6:45 -7:45pm, Dowell Cafeteria
For only $3, dinner will include:  1 slice of pizza, salad, drink, and cookie

Mapping your schedule:

November 21^st – 25^th – NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break
December 1^st – Barnes and Noble Night – 5:30 – 7:30 pm
December 8^th – I-Moms 7:15 am

Contact Information

Email: Mrs. Margaret Reece:  margaret.reece@cobbk12.org 
Blog Address:  http://dowell.typepad.com/pdt/ 
Dowell Elementary:  2121 West Sandtown Road,  Marietta, GA  30064 
                               Phone:  678.594.8059
Dowell Elementary Website: http://www.cobbk12.org/Dowell/
Cobb County School District Website: http://www.cobbk12.org
CCSD Legal Disclaimer: http://www.cobbk12.org/legal.htm

Navigating the Seas of Learning 

How are we navigating learning in our class?

How we are navigating....

These are the essential questions for our Standards and Units of Study:

Reading – How do I use what I know to understand how stories work?  We have been working on comparing and contrasting story elements in different books that we have read.  We have also had a lot of fun comparing and contrasting objects, for example hamburgers and hot dogs, soccer and basketballs, and characters from children’s TV shows.    

Phonics – How do I read words containing consonant digraphs?  In Words Their Way, we are reviewing the consonant digraphs ch, sh, wh, and th.  We have also reviewed the letters p, a, n, and i.  Be sure to ask your child to sing you the “Short A and I” song. 

Social Studies – How did Thomas Jefferson make life better in the United States?  Students have learned that he was our 3^rd President; his face is on the nickel; and his home Monticello is on the back.  Don’t be surprised when your child comes home will all kind of interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson, here’s a hint, ice cream. 

Writing – How do I write a personal narrative?  Students have been writing personal narratives about themselves and the things that they like.  Please have your child practice writing complete sentences with the high frequency words on the back of their homework sheet each night.

Mathematics – How do I identify each coin and its value, and how do I make fair trades with pennies, nickels, and dimes?  We have discussed each coin and identified each value.  We have been practicing counting a collection of coins using touch point math.  At home, empty your pockets or change purse and let your child count the coins up to $1 for extra practice.   

Navigating the year with news from school...

Tie Dying
Thank you to all of the parents that have already sent in a pillowcase for our tie dying on Thursday, November 10^th.  If your child has not turned in a pillowcase, please have them bring one by Monday, November 7^th.  I hope you will able to join us for our VIP Luncheon to see them in their costumes. 

Barnes and Noble Night
First Grade will have an opportunity to do a short skit at the Barnes and Noble Night at the Avenue on Dallas Highway on Thursday, December 1^st.  If you would like for your child to participate, please return the enclosed permission slip to me by Friday, November 11^th. 

Thanksgiving Dinner Food Drive
This year as in previous years, Dowell PTA is collecting non-perishable food items.  First Grade has been asked to provide cornbread mix, biscuit mix, gravy mix / gravy in jars, and/or drink mix.  Items will be collected through 11/11/11.  They will also be collecting “Quarters For Turkeys”.  If possible, please have your child bring in a quarter or more to help our Dowell families.

Mapping your schedule for future events...
November 4^th – Veteran’s Breakfast
November 8^th – NO SCHOOL – Election Day – Teacher Workday
November 10^th – All Pro Dads 7:15 am
November 21^st – 25^th – NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break

Contact Information

Email: Mrs. Margaret Reece:  margaret.reece@cobbk12.org 
Blog Address:  http://dowell.typepad.com/pdt/ 
Dowell Elementary:  2121 West Sandtown Road,  Marietta, GA  30064 
                               Phone:  678.594.8059
Dowell Elementary Website: http://www.cobbk12.org/Dowell/
Cobb County School District Website: http://www.cobbk12.org
CCSD Legal Disclaimer: http://www.cobbk12.org/legal.htm

Navigating the Seas of Learning