This week we begin an author study of Jan Brett. We will begin by reading The Mitten. This is another personal favorite. It is a wonderful book for practicing sequencing/retelling. It is also a fabulous book for exploring strong word choice and shades of meaning. We use these skills when deciding how we want to describe something to another person. We want to use words that create clear pictures in people's minds. We have another animal friend to help us practice this skill- PicturingPeacock. We will also be comparing The Mitten to another of Jan Brett's books, The Hat.
We will also focus on reading nonfiction texts in order to gain information. We will learn how to reword facts that our author gives in order not to "steal their words". Our writing focus will be on gathering facts and recording them in our own words to make an informative report on foxes.
In math, we will continue and wrap up our unit on measurement. One tricky thing that can pop up while we are comparing things by weight is that larger does not always mean heavier (it often does, but not always). Students may bring in an item from home on Thursday to use in our final lesson for this unit. This object should easily fit in their backpack. IT SHOULD NOT BE AN ITEM OF EITHER SENTIMENTAL OR MONETARY VALUE. Unfortunate things can happen and I can not take responsibility for each item's safety. Any student that does not bring an item will still be able to complete the activity with a school item- it just won't quite be as much fun.
Some upcoming dates to remember-
No school on January 15th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
No school on February 19th for President's Day.
I hope that your Winter Break has left you enthusiastic about the rest of our year!
HOMEWORK
Reading:
10 minutes each night. Reading can include reading stories, the poems in the binder, sight words, and working on alphabet sounds and letter names.
Math:
Remember, math should be done for 10 minutes.
10 minutes each night. Reading can include reading stories, the poems in the binder, sight words, and working on alphabet sounds and letter names.
Math:
Remember, math should be done for 10 minutes.
Making comparisons with real life items is an engaging and valuable way to practice these skills. Your child (along with family members) can gather items together to compare. When making these comparisons it is also valuable to encourage your child to use what we have been practicing in class with our Habits of Discussion and Format Matters. This means that they should:
* Look at the person they are speaking to.
* Use their partner's name.
* Use complete sentences.
* Use specific vocabulary.
* Ask questions of their partner.
For example: "Mom, my stuffed animal is heavier than your book." and "Dad, which is longer the straw or the pencil?"
If you email me by Wednesday night to let me know your child has been using these traits to compare real life objects at home, I will move them up on our behavior chart. (One move total this week, although they can practice this skill each night.)
Monday- S.3 Light and heavy
Tuesday- S.4 Holds more or less
Wednesday-S.5 Compare size, weight, and capacity Have your child pack their item for making math comparisons. Please remember, the item should not be of sentimental or monetary value.
