I'm always looking for better ways to reach children and to help them be the best that they can be. Doing things "the way we've always done them" just doesn't fit sometimes so changes need to be made if growth is to happen. The two big changes are coming in the areas of math and reading.
You might've noticed a colorful workmat coming home each day in math with the concept that we've learned that day and practiced. These will not be coming home as frequently as I will be pulling lessons from a multitude of great resources that I feel fit the standard that the children need to learn and practice. The lessons will be more engaging and hands-on so that ALL of the students can access and apply what they're learning.
The second change will effect what your child will be bringing home to read in their book-in-a-bags. After reading about how to help children self-select good books, I realized that I am doing the opposite of what I'm saying. Self-selection should be just that but I've been telling children what tub of books I want them taking their "warm-up" books from each week. This isn't allowing them to "sample" books at all levels to then select the ones THEY feel are just right for them. Starting today, the children were allowed to choose "warm-up" books from any of the tubs of books so don't be surprised if your child's "warm-up" books are super challenging and maybe even super easy to read. Self-selection takes time but with lots of opportunities to self-select, they will begin to understand and select books based upon what they feel they need.
Here are some questions to help guide your conversations this weekend about your child's learning this week:
What kinds of pictures did you put on your "heart map?"
What have you learned about bats? How do you know they are mammals?
Which piece of writing did you share on the "share bench" during Writer's Workshop this week?
What did you like best about Steve Harpster's visit?
What happened to Mrs. McNeal when she stayed at COSI when she was a Brownie?
How are you like Lulu? How are you different than Lulu?
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, October 22nd - Parent/Teacher conferences
Thursday, October 29th - Harvest Party in the afternoon
Pumpkin Fun in the morning - I am still in need of four
parent volunteers for this morning fun:) Let me know
if you're interested!
Thursday, November 5th - 50th Day of School! This is a huge milestone for us
and we celebrate this day by dressing up 50's style.
We will be learning about life in the past compared to
life today for the entire month of November beginning
with 50's day. I wanted to give you a heads-up so
that if you see anything "fifties" while shopping for
costumes, you could snag it:)
Next week's related arts schedule:
Monday - P.E. (remember tennis shoes)
Tuesday - Art
Wednesday - Music
Thursday - Library (remember book-in-a-bag too)
Friday - P.E.
Steve Harvester came to our school for an author visit. We have one every year. We learned how to draw turtles, sharks with a jet pack, monsters, and fish.
This girl was looking at Steve Harpster's video of what he drew when he was a kid. We learned how to draw using numbers and letters.
He is listening to Steve Harpster. He is also drawing what Steve Harpster is telling him to draw.
He said that you don't have to make your drawings perfect. Just use your imagination and practice. He helped us draw and then we drew the same thing as him.
Steve Harpster always draws with letters and numbers. He taught us to concentrate. He told us to be silent so we could concentrate on our drawings.
We are taking a picture with Steve Harpster. We took a picture with him so we can remember when he visited the school.
This is a silly picture!
She is sharing her work from Writer's Workshop. Her story was about a cat, a rabbit, and a bear. It was Writer's Workshop. She was sharing on the sharing bench.
He was sharing a story about a good apple. He had so much color and "cheese." He was reading nice and loud so we could hear him.
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