Happy birthday Johnny Appleseed! We did everything with apples this week, in celebration of Mr. John Chapman's birthday on 9/26. We counted apples, read apple poems and studied the seasons of the apple tree. We are so lucky to have apple trees growing right outside our window!
Our math lessons this week were about: developing strategies to accurately count and keep track of quantities up to ten, creating an equivalent set and representing quantities with pictures, numbers and words. We counted and sorted all kinds of things- even ourselves! We began making a counting book, too. We are working on numeral formation in both math and handwriting lessons.
We are building our reading stamina and learning new sight words. This week we looked for words we know in our favorite books. We had fun retelling classic tales, like The Three Bears by Paul Galdone. Our emergent story reading unit focuses on reading many classics. They're great for your kids to "read" because a child can tell the story just but following what's happening in the illustrations. No need to really be able to "read" it quite yet. Retelling in your own words is an important skill!
Our writing is really taking off. The students are growing more and more comfortable with taking risks with their spelling and beginning to be independent writers. This week we learned how writers can solve their own problems, such as generate a new topic or get a new pencil. We also learned that authors close their eyes and "make a picture in their minds" before they jump into their drawing and writing.
News and Notes: No School on Monday
Remember to pack a disposable snack for your child next Wednesday for our field trip. We will return to school in time for lunch. Also, dress your child for playground fun- sneakers and pants/jeans please.
Don't forget to check out today's Second Step lesson about FOCUSING in your child's backpack.
Coming up: Columbus and Fire Safety (be on the lookout for fire safety homework next week)
