An Exciting 3rd Week
- Hello everyone! We are looking forward to a challenging, yet exciting 3rd week of school. For the last two weeks, we have spent time bonding and getting to know each other as a class. So far, I've had a lot of fun getting to know each and every one of the students. They seem very eager to learn, which makes me even more eager to teach them. Here is a summary of some of our diving into learning for the past two weeks:
Reading/Language Arts:
I am currently taking informal inventories of each student's reading level, with the idea in mind to compile different reading groups. I believe that it is most effective to divide students up based on their strengths and abilities as opposed to "high" and "low" groups. In other words, student groups will be designed with mixed ability. Students will be able to work cooperatively as teams to improve their overall reading fluency.
For our first literature response project, we are currently reading "The Mouse and The Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary. Our essential focus is on developing main idea strategies, comparing and contrasting the book versus the movie, and writing a persuasive essay about our literature.
For our writing, we have been working on persuasive writing strategies-moving along the writing process continuum. In addition, have taken a prewriting inventory-which will help guide them this year.
Spelling
We have been working on identifying homophones and introducing new students to our spelling program. As I mentioned in the letter I sent home, I will not be sending home a list of spelling words at the beginning of the week for students to memorize. Instead, my focus will be on application of spelling strategies across the curriculum.
Math
We have taken been working on place value and comparing and ordering whole numbers. Our next area will be identifying factors and determining whether a number is composite or prime.
Social Studies
We have been discussing the concept of citizenship and the role we all play in our representative government. We are analyzing the three branches of government. Moving forward, we will discuss the importance of voting and being a responsible citizen and identifying different forms of government and the concept of democracy.
Science
Our first unit in Science will be about electricity. Look out for some shocking secrets about electricity.
Wish List
As mentioned before, we are always grateful for any donations to our classroom.
According to the students, we are in desperate need of jump ropes, kick balls, footballs, and Frisbees. I have asked the students not to bring any of these items in unless they are willing to make them part of our community. Oftentimes, if students bring items that they anticipate taking back home, they become very upset if it gets lost. Also, some students only want to share those items with their friends and not with other students-often leading to a lot of conflict. So please understand that any play items you donate become a part of our community and will only be returned (if it is still available) to the student at the end of the year. With that in mind, only donate inexpensive items because it is up to all of the students to keep up with them. I will label each and every item you donate, but I won't be keeping track of them.
We are also in need of more composition or spiral bound composition books for our journaling. They are consumed pretty fast.
We are in need of colored manila style folders. They are pretty inexpensive, and we use them a lot for various classroom activities. (Note: they are much cheaper if purchased in bulk boxes).
Snacks/Treats.
During our snack time, many students don't bring anything. Any nutritious snack item would be greatly appreciated for those perhaps less fortunate. I donate as much as I can, but it becomes a bit too costly for one person.
We are always in need of treats for the children. While treats are given out sparingly (especially sweets), they go pretty rapidly.
Thanks for all of your help.
Mr. Ricks
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