Spelling Words - 12/15/08
1. catch
2. which
3. whistle
4. teeth
5. wreath
6. watch
7. restaurant
8. kitchen
9. festive
10. Christmas
* Bonus - (optional word)
11. celebration

No book report this week


Spelling Words - 12/8/08
1. minute
2. caught
3. furry
4. meadow
5. listen
6. echo
7. cereal
8. exactly
9. rarely
10. curve

Spelling Words - 12/1/08

1. these
2. stone
3. brave
4. drove
5. use
6. direction
7. information
8. surround
9. education
10. opinion

(some review words as you notice)

Spelling Words - 11/12/03

We're still practicing the -tion- sound. Only five words this week, since it's a short week. We're focusing on using syllables to help sound out, spell, and read words. Please remind them to use their syllables and to put their hand under their chin. They will know what you're talking about... :-}

1. motion
2. fiction
3. transportation
4. information
5. education

Math update

We are currently working on adding coins (putting them in order from greatest value to least, then counting on). Most students are familiar with the values of each coin. So, we have been able to focus more time on adding them together. Any practice at home (especially involving real coins) would benefit and enhance what we've been doing in the classroom.

At this point, we have moved on from double-digit addition (with two and three addends) and will soon be moving to double-digit subtraction. One thing that I've emphasized in class is making sure the students ALWAYS start with the ones place and fill in the answer in the ones place before moving to the tens place. This is important so that they realize when they need to regroup, or as we called it - carry, a ten from the ones place to the tens (and so on). We will also be moving to three-digit addition and subtraction soon.

Please remember to let me know if at any point you notice your child having difficulty with a particular concept/homework assignment. The homework assignments are meant to be primarily independent, so it is important if someone is having trouble with this.

Spelling Words - 11/3/08

1. opinion
2. onion
3. selection
4. attention
5. direction
6. vacation
7. election

Homework as usual, but we are focusing on fact/opinion in class. So, some homework assignments will involve spelling words as well as identifying facts and opinions.

Social Studies

We are moving into Unit 2 - and focusing on natural resources (specifically discussing ways to conserve water and other ways to help the environment); landforms; continents; and the climate in various areas.

Spelling Words - 10/27/08

1. wonderful
2. statue
3. urban
4. scout
5. about
6. shout
7. pouch
8. around
9. surroung
10. mound

homework as usual - Weekly book report due on Friday

Spelling Words - 10/13/08

1. life
2. wrote
3. smile
4. outside
5. vote
6. cycle
7. table
8. rhyme
9. clue
10. have

Homework as usual :-)

Social Studies

We completed our unit on government. Hopefully you're impressed with what your child can tell you about voting and the election process! :-) We have started learning about groups, leaders, rules, and communities. The family flag project was such a success. It was wonderful to hear the children explain why you all chose the symbols you did to represent your family. I hope you all enjoyed working together to create something so important to you. I enjoyed them so much that I would like to assign a family project for each unit. So, stay tuned to find out what the next project is...and be sure to have fun with it!

Spelling Words - 10/6/08

Dear families-
The first two spelling lists contained words that the students chose from the story we would be reading for the week. I noticed that they seemed to be too challenging for now. For the next few weeks, I will be selecting words that are still related to the story we will be reading, but that will be a bit more focused on specific phonics skills. As the year progresses (and your children progress, too) we may be able to go back to having them select their own spelling words. I will certainly keep you posted.

Here are this week's spelling words- **Remember the test will be on Thursday because the students do not have school on Friday**

1. was 6. because
2. have 7. every
3. said 8. write
4. they 9. our
5. any 10. come

(Regular spelling homework as usual except, no book report this week. Wednesday will be three times each instead of Thursday.)

READING - Weekly homework

Monday - Spelling words in alphabetical order
- Begin working on book report due on Friday (SEE AGENDA BOOK for weekly book report details)
Tuesday - Put 5 of the spelling words into thoughtful sentences that show you understand what the word means -(SEE AGENDA BOOK for further directions- specific words, etc.)
Wednesday - Practice your spelling words and work on book report that is due Friday
Thursday - Write spelling words three times each - Prepare for spelling test on Friday
Friday - Hand in book report and be prepared for spelling test
(And of course, be sure to have a fun weekend!)

READING - Weekly Spelling List

Week of September 22, 2008
These words were chosen from the story Mrs. Brown Went to Town:
1. hospital
2. lives
3. everything
4. hundred
5. better
6. different
7. bicycle
8. scene
9. commotion
10. dispatched