week of September 12th

"Individually, we are one drop.  Together, we are an ocean..." -Unknown

What a fitting quote for this week.  In literacy our theme is teamwork and I think teamwork is the perfect word to define our class.  I was able to pop in and visit the class last week and was so excited to see all the great things going on.  The students were telling me all about the fire drill and the star student presentation and were just all in all excited about school.  I saw a great sense of teamwork going on as the students spoke and listened to one another.  :)  I am excited to see them again soon!

This week in literacy the students are building and blending words with final blends (-nk, -nt, -nk, -st).  The students will be working on  words that have cvcc patterns (consonant, vowel, consonant, consonant).  In grammar, the students will understand what a complete sentence is by identifying what is missing and reviewing the properties of a sentence.  Each week literacy skills and strategies are accomplished by teaching in many different methods to assure that we are reaching each individual learning style.  Some of the methods are whole group, oral language, oral vocabulary, listening comprehension, phonemic awareness, word studies, guiding reading and independent practice. 

My little spelling bee's are doing so wonderful learning the different spelling strategies that will help them become lifelong spellers.  I am so proud of them!!  This week they are working on the Sitton Strategy: Add It!  They will use the strategy Add It to words ending in -in and short /a/ along with making lists of words that wend the same way (-ab, -voiced /th/).  The students will also be recalling antonyms using the structure "Not __, but_____" (-you,me, -in, out, -hot, cold).  What a fun game to play at home with your child.  You can start the chant by saying, "Not me"... and your child can end with..."but me".  Have fun!!! 

My mathematicians are hard at work learning a great math strategy!  Touch Math is a great strategy that helps the students visualize the amount in each number.  As your child learns the touch points this week for each number have them teach it to you!  What great teamwork that would be!   :)

Religion is always a favorite subject for the students!  It is a wonderful time of prayer, reflection and learning!  This week the students will show their understanding of concepts covered in the first four chapters by taking a unit test.  The students will also be recalling that Adam and Eve were the first humans, created by God.  They will learn all about the Garden of Eden and how it had everything that Adam and Eve needed.  Ask your child about the gift of grace...

This week in social studies the students are learning all about families and the different celebrations and special times that they have.  They will be identifying human characteristics of places where people live and the similarities and differences of how they meet the need for shelter.  The students will be discussing the need for rules at home.  You can recall with your child the rules that are set in your home and why they are important. 

This week the students are working on the vocabulary word angel.  The students will continue to use our vocabulary packet to explore the meaning of the word. 

Again as I speak with Mrs. Moeller every couple of days and I am so happy to hear all the wonderful things going on in our class.  What a great group of students we have.  I look forward to returning soon and teaching the students again!  You are all in my prayers each day.  God Bless you all!   

Brayden is doing wonderful!  We are enjoying our time with him so much.  We are still getting used to routines of feeding and sleeping.  We are just truly blessed with our gift and love him so much.