We are beginning our Subtraction lessons. Even though we are practicing our subtracting, I am also practicing the addition facts. We do the two addition and two subtraction facts for each. I don't think we can practice too often. They need to know the facts up to 20 by the end of the year. I also showed the kids how to use our triangle flash cards. This is new to them, so it's kind of fun. If you'd like to make some for home, I can give you a pattern. As they get older, they can also make multiplication and division triangle flash cards.
Two other things we're doing that are new are the use of "vowel sticks" which I made from popsicle sticks and vowels. I call out words and they hold up the stick showing me what vowel sound they hear in the word. Sometimes I can trick them and use two vowels. Right now we are working with short vowels. In Spelling, the kids use letter cards to make words. We had fun with that today. We can change words from an to fan to tan, or ten to net, etc.
We will be reading the story "Julius" this week and will be doing an art project to go along with this on Thursday. I will be having a junior high student help us with Art each week. Those who said they'd be interested in doing an Art project with the kids or reading to them, just let me know when you want to do something,and we'll arrange it.
We are planning our first liturgy which will take place next Wednesday.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Sept. 19
What a nice day it is! I hope you and your family get a chance to get out and enjoy this nice weather.
We had another good week of school - our first 5 day week this year. I am getting closer to working with small groups at their pace. The assessments took longer than I'd planned. Mr. Bell listened to some of the kids read, and he assessed them. That helped me!
We will be planning our liturgy for September 30th. Please mark your calendars and join us if you can. Grandparents, friends, anyone is welcome!
A note went home about the Reading calendars. Please sign/initial them each time your child reads. They should read 20 min. a night. The more kids read, the better they become at it. Also included in the note, I've mentioned that we would welcome any books your children have "outgrown", including older siblings. If you see books you think may be appropriate for our kids at garage sales, etc. we 'd be happy to accept those donations, too.
We had our first Spelling test with the new program. The kids did very well Most had 90% or better which included words in the sentence dication also. Hooray!
Have a good rest of the weekend!
We had another good week of school - our first 5 day week this year. I am getting closer to working with small groups at their pace. The assessments took longer than I'd planned. Mr. Bell listened to some of the kids read, and he assessed them. That helped me!
We will be planning our liturgy for September 30th. Please mark your calendars and join us if you can. Grandparents, friends, anyone is welcome!
A note went home about the Reading calendars. Please sign/initial them each time your child reads. They should read 20 min. a night. The more kids read, the better they become at it. Also included in the note, I've mentioned that we would welcome any books your children have "outgrown", including older siblings. If you see books you think may be appropriate for our kids at garage sales, etc. we 'd be happy to accept those donations, too.
We had our first Spelling test with the new program. The kids did very well Most had 90% or better which included words in the sentence dication also. Hooray!
Have a good rest of the weekend!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept. 14
We had a good, but warm first two weeks of school! It sounds like the humidity isn't going to be much better this week. If you would like to send a water bottle with your child, that would be fine with me. They just need to be sure it stays on the desk and not get knocked off and break or not play with it :-).
The kids will be assessed this week for their reading levels so we can get started on small group lessons in addition to the whole group lessons. I will be assessing them fairly regularly to see when they might need to move to a different group.
On Friday, I took the kids to Church to learn about the places and objects used during Mass, etc. I have made "flash cards" that we will use throughout the year. Some of the things they learned ( and some parents might not know) are: lectern or ambo, lectionary, sacramentary, corporal, ambry, tabernacle, etc. We didn't have time to finish our "tour" of the Church so we will do so another time.
Keep Cool!
The kids will be assessed this week for their reading levels so we can get started on small group lessons in addition to the whole group lessons. I will be assessing them fairly regularly to see when they might need to move to a different group.
On Friday, I took the kids to Church to learn about the places and objects used during Mass, etc. I have made "flash cards" that we will use throughout the year. Some of the things they learned ( and some parents might not know) are: lectern or ambo, lectionary, sacramentary, corporal, ambry, tabernacle, etc. We didn't have time to finish our "tour" of the Church so we will do so another time.
Keep Cool!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sept. 7
We had a good first week of school. This is a great class!
This week we will begin our "regular" schedule. They will be having reading assessments to find out each child's level so I know where to begin with for our reading. Math is always a "review" of what they've had prior to second grade so it's pretty easy for kids. In Social Studies we'll be learning about maps. Spelling is different this year as they don't have a "list" to study form each week, and some weeks we won't have a test on Friday depending on how long we spend working on the activities for Spelling. They will have a test on each unit. In Religion we're reading about creation and how we use the things God created for us. In Science, we'll learn about Inquiry skills.
REMEMBER: PARENT NIGHT IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH AT 5:30. SEE YOU THEN!
This week we will begin our "regular" schedule. They will be having reading assessments to find out each child's level so I know where to begin with for our reading. Math is always a "review" of what they've had prior to second grade so it's pretty easy for kids. In Social Studies we'll be learning about maps. Spelling is different this year as they don't have a "list" to study form each week, and some weeks we won't have a test on Friday depending on how long we spend working on the activities for Spelling. They will have a test on each unit. In Religion we're reading about creation and how we use the things God created for us. In Science, we'll learn about Inquiry skills.
REMEMBER: PARENT NIGHT IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH AT 5:30. SEE YOU THEN!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
First Day of School
We had a great first day - one of many, I'm sure! Your children are AWESOME!
Much of today was reviewing procedures - fire drills, tornado drill, lunchroom, and the rules for these and playground. I read some books aloud on using good manners, playground safety, and a book I wrote about the party at Trevor's. We did a couple of sheets on colors, and one was the first graph they said they've made!
Remember that your child needs separate shoes for gym. I'd like an extra set of clothes and an extra sweater/sweatshirt in case kids get cold, wet, etc.
You will be receiving a note from me in case you'd like to volunteer. If you choose to do so, please send that back. The school office is sending a medical information sheet home, too. That sheet needs to come back for sure.
Thanks!
LOOKING AHEAD:
NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH WILL BE THE FIRST AND SECOND GRADE PARENT NIGHT. Plan to be here for that. It will be at 5:30 and won't take more than a half hour or so. It's a night to meet other parents and to find out what my hopes and expectations for the year are, and if you have questions that's a good time to ask.
Tomorrow is our first liturgy at 9:00. Please feel free to join us each Wednesday and invite grandparents, friends, etc. We'd love to have you there!
Much of today was reviewing procedures - fire drills, tornado drill, lunchroom, and the rules for these and playground. I read some books aloud on using good manners, playground safety, and a book I wrote about the party at Trevor's. We did a couple of sheets on colors, and one was the first graph they said they've made!
Remember that your child needs separate shoes for gym. I'd like an extra set of clothes and an extra sweater/sweatshirt in case kids get cold, wet, etc.
You will be receiving a note from me in case you'd like to volunteer. If you choose to do so, please send that back. The school office is sending a medical information sheet home, too. That sheet needs to come back for sure.
Thanks!
LOOKING AHEAD:
NEXT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH WILL BE THE FIRST AND SECOND GRADE PARENT NIGHT. Plan to be here for that. It will be at 5:30 and won't take more than a half hour or so. It's a night to meet other parents and to find out what my hopes and expectations for the year are, and if you have questions that's a good time to ask.
Tomorrow is our first liturgy at 9:00. Please feel free to join us each Wednesday and invite grandparents, friends, etc. We'd love to have you there!
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