August 27-31

Writing:
This week we are launching Writer's Workshop. We are beginning the week by reading Eileen Spinelli's The Best Story,  where students will learn that the best stories come from the heart. Students will practice writing a story with a beginning, middle, and end and they will learn strategies to plan their writing before starting. They will also learn what to do when they finish a story. Along the way, students will have plenty of time to work on their stories and start creating the habits of a good writer.

Spelling:
Spelling begins this week! Students will take a pre-test to determine their knowledge of the pattern of the week, short vowel sounds. After being given the appropriate list, they will practice their words all week and will take a test on Friday. Be on the lookout for your child's spelling list in their take home folder to practice at home.

Reading:
Last week we picked books for our book boxes and we are ready to read! Students will begin learning procedures for Read to Self. All year long, students are working on becoming independent and self-sufficient readers with lots of help and guidance along the way. We also will be reading A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon and will be practicing the skill of retelling and summarizing a story.

Math:
This week we are focusing on number sense with lessons on different ways to write a number, ordering numbers, and using tally marks to display a number. Students will continue to practice independence during math stations and will complete a journal activity for each day.

Science:
"I am a scientist!" is what students will say this week as we begin our first unit of science for the year. We are focusing on what a scientist does and the tools a scientist uses. We will also look at different careers a scientist might have and discuss science safety during experiments and investigations.

Reminders:
Parent Night: August 30th at 6:30pm
No School: September 3rd
PTA Sunday Funday: September 9th