Newsletter volume 5

In math, we began a new unit. We have been working on finding the partners and the total, by counting up all of our circles from our circle drawing and then writing an additional equation. We talked about how the equal sign goes in the equation to show that the addition number sentence is true. So for example 7+2=9, would be a true addition sentence, since 7 plus 2, does equal 9. 8+1=10, would be not equal, since 8 plus 1 equals 9. We also worked on the counting on strategy. This is where we get the bigger number in our head and count on the lower number. For example if we have the problem 6+2, we could get 6 in our head and add two more to it, giving us 6: 7 and 8. This is a much easier and quicker strategy than using the counting all strategy where we count every number, like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and then adding two more 7 and 8. In Letterland, we worked on three more word families this week: -am, -an, and –ack. –Am and –An are glued sounds and they only make 1 sound. Have your child show you how to tap out the word “can.” It has three letters, but we only tap out two sounds. It would be /c/ and then /an/. –Ack is also special because the /ck/ only makes one sound as well. For the word “back”, it would be /b/, /a/, and then /ck/. Our tricky words last week were: and, like, and I. These words will be added to the word wall since they cannot be tapped out. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them. In Daily 5, we learned another component. This week we learned “Word Work” by working with the word families –am, -an, and –ack from Letterland. Monday we cut our words out and sorted them into their respective groups. Tuesday, we sorted the words and spelled them with Wikki Sticks. Wednesday we sorted the words and made them with magnetic letters. Thursday we sort the words and Rainbow Write them and on Friday we glue the words into our notebook in the correct sorts. In writing, we discussed how we hold writing conferences each day. As students are writing, I will come around and conference with one student at a time. I will tell them something they are doing great with and something they need to continue to work on. We also practiced putting periods at the end of complete thoughts. Remember- “Think a thought. Write a thought. Put a period.” This week in Social Studies, we learned about community helpers. We found that these people, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, mailmen, doctors, nurses, and trash men are all important people in each community. Important information: - Picture Day- Remember this Tuesday is picture day. If you want to purchase pictures, please make sure you have the money in your child’s folder Tuesday morning!