Newsletter 12/2/16

We got to shop for "Just Right" books in Reading Workshop this week!  You'll be hearing about Just Right books from now throughout your child's time at Ox Ridge.  A Just Right book is one that is interesting to your child, not too hard and not too easy.  Your child will be bringing home his/her book sleeve in the beginning of next week.  In it you will find 4-5 books that your child should read every night.  These books are at your child's INDEPENDENT reading level- meaning, they should be easy for your child to read.  I want your child to enjoy reading at home and to gain confidence.  Please know that at school your child will be reading books at his/her INSTRUCTIONAL level, learning new skills and challenging him/herself.  The teaching is my job and the new learning should be done at school.  Therefore, the books going home should not be a challenge.  Please let me know if your child is having difficulty with the books selected.  There will be a 2-sided golden note in the book sleeve, along with the books.  Please read both sides as they give directions and will be extremely helpful.

This week we also read Just Right books on our Chromebooks!  We learned how to use a wonderful reading tool, Raz-Kids.  Your child has his/her personalized account all set up to use!  I will be giving you more information at conferences next week.

We published our Looking Closely piece in Writing Workshop this week!  Please see the photo below to see some of the teaching points/things we learned.  Please take a look at your child's piece displayed in the hallway when you come for conferences.  I will not be sending them home as you'll each be stopping by.  Thank you!

We did an Exemplar in math this week where we learned about pairs- (i.e. "If I see six cat ears, how many cats do I see?").  Tricky stuff!  We have not mastered this, but are beginning to find the best tools to show our thinking as we solve such problems.  We also began a unit on patterns.  We love them!  We are learning how to recognize, form, label and extend patterns.  We have some patterning work in the hallway to see, too!  See the photos below.

Our science unit this week was on sinking and floating.  We conducted daily experiments where we tested our predictions.  We experimented to see if varying size, material and weight made a difference in our results.

We are beginning to discuss December family traditions in social studies.  Have you sent in your family's tradition candle?

Thank you to Mrs. Katz, Mrs. DiBenedetto, Mr. Nichols and Emma's grandmother for coming to Games this week!  We learned how to match numerals to illustrated amounts, match colors to their word labels, play Old Maid and make a boat!  Super Fun!

News and Notes:

• Half days T-F for conferences next week.  Dismissal is immediately after our lunch time, at 1:30.  There will be no recess on these days.
• Have you sent in your family's tradition candle?

"What's Hidding Under the Cups?" pattern game

"What Comes Next?" pattern snakes