Friday, March 15, 2013

Weekly Update

Dear Families,

This week was full of excitement! We enjoyed the many PARB activities that were arranged by our wonderful PTA.  Dr. Margarita, the Foreign Language Curriculum Specialist, visited our class as a secret reader. She shared an amazing book, The Boy Who Loved Words, with us. We loved the assembly with Jester Jim! It was also a treat to have parents visit our classroom.

We would also like to highlight our work in the science lab. This week we began our unit on chemistry. We created molecular models. Check out the photographs below!

In math, we began geometry. We reviewed the types of triangles and quadrilaterals. We also explored line plots.

In social studies, we continued to explore the similarities between the United States and Canada. We focused on history and government this week. We are putting the final touches on our power point presentations on the provinces of Canada.

In our read aloud, The Great Gilly Hopkins we have reached the turning point. We are using this read aloud to explore concepts such as theme and  character change. We are tracking a line of thinking and striving for a deeper understanding to figure out why Gilly behaves the way she does. This work will lead us into book clubs.

In Writer's Workshop, we are writing essays using paired passages. These pasages have a shared topic which our students have to identify and then write an essay. For example, our students read a myth and a science fiction story about flying inventions. They had to analyze both pieces and make text-to-text connections between the two in order to write the essay.

Check out all the terrific photos below!

-Alites












































Friday, March 1, 2013

Weekly Update-March 1st

Dear Families,

This week we celebrated the 100th day of school!  We met with our buddies on this very special day and worked on 100 piece puzzles.  It is hard to believe that in only a few short months your children will be entering the middle school.  We are so proud of how much they have grown and matured.

In math, we are winding down a unit on multiplying and dividing fractions.  We will begin exploring measurement on Monday. 

In social studies, we are learning all about our closest neighbors and greatest trading partners-Canada and Mexico.  In addition, the children completed a webquest on the geography of Canada in the computer lab. 

We have begun a new read aloud, The Great Gilly Hopkins.  We are further developing our inferencing skills by discussing what the author is covertly revealing about Gilly through her actions and dialouge. 

Lastly, we are strengthening our essay writing skills by reading paired texts and identifying the shared topic.  We are supporting our thesis statement by providing texutal evidence from both texts. 

As always, we are busy little beavers in room 27.
-Alites


Meeting with First Grade Buddies on the 100th Day of School!