Week Ending 11/17/17

Hello families!
We've had a busy week in Room 250!  We've been working on finishing up different curriculum areas and visited the book fair!

Important Information:

• Wednesday, November 22, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:00 NOT 12:30 and no ASCA classes.  Please plan accordingly.  Thanks in advance!
• There is no school next Thursday and Friday. 
• Don't forget Integrating the Arts morning is Friday, December 1st. Hope you can join us!
• See the information in this link regarding a coat drive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HzIfwmLlI3qwyVEAczUH8Yet8_vZB7n8mvPwsEvlFTQ/edit?usp=sharing

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 literacy activities we've been focusing on are comparing original version of The Three Little Pigs to James Marshall's version, learning about James Marshall's life, and practicing our reader's theater.  The students have done a great job working on fluency, a little acting, and working respectfully in a group.  *Ask your child which reader's theater play they have been working on.

2 math skills we've been working on are adding tens quickly as we play the Leapfrog and Fly Capture games and adding on an open number line.  The open number line helps the students focus on addition strategies such as adding tens, finding landmark numbers, and adding in groups.  

1 new activity we started was looking at a piece of artwork and using the Visual Thinking Strategy to have a discussion.  We view the artwork, have some think time, and then discuss what we notice, what we think, and why we think this.  We also work on how to disagree with someone if you feel that way.  We've only done one, on Thursday, but I was very impressed with their discourse ability and manner in how they disagreed respectfully with others.  The conversation was held by them...I simply just helped keep it moving along.  

Week ending 11/3/17

Hello families!
We've had a great week!  Despite the weather outside earlier this week, we've been plenty busy inside the classroom!
Important Information:

• Information regarding homework will be coming home Monday.   Please be sure have books at home that are just right for your child or ones you plan to read together.  The Newton Public Library came earlier this week so they know all about it and that may be an option for books. Also, if you need  books, please let me know.
• Next Friday, November 10, there is no school.
• Wednesday, November 22, is an early release day with dismissal at 12:00 (NOT 12:30).
• Some of you have been asking about class emails.  The PTO directory is set up and is a great way to find our class contact information.   
• Save the date: Integrating the Arts morning is Friday, December 1st. 

3, 2, 1 things you should know about our week...

3 reading skills we have been working on writing summaries, using the book Goggles, understanding cause and effect, and problem and solution as part of our author study on James Marshall we began this week.

2 math activities we've worked on were measuring different paper sizes using cubes and discussing not only the total number of cubes, but also how did they measure, did they use a corner, or did they organize the cubes a particular way.  The students had a great discussion regarding their thinking and different ways to measure.  

1 activity we completed on Tuesday am was pumpkin observation and seed counting.  HUGE thank you to those that sent in pumpkins and to those that could join us this time in the classroom.  I was amazed at their different counting strategies, how well they worked together, and their observations about the number of seeds and pumpkin sizes in our discussion.

Here's a few pics: 

Have a great weekend!

Megan