12-19-14 Newsletter

I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a safe and restful holiday season.  It always seems to sneak up on me.  Seems like the year just started.  I also hope everyone is able to rest up and get healthy.  I'm looking forward to a fresh, healthy start to the new year.

Dismissal

Speaking of the new year.  When we get back from break, student dismissal will now be at 3:38 instead of 3:40.  I don't think 2 minutes will make that much of a difference but I just wanted everyone to be aware.

Homework

I'm not sending any reading or math log sheets home over break.  I highly recommend that you keep the same routines of reading each night and practicing math facts.  I would also like to see some of the kids work on Lexia over break.  The goal for everyone at midyear would be around level 11.  If your child is below level 10, then they are still working on 1st grade skills.  Maybe they can catch up over break if they are below level 10.

I will also set up a class Sumdog contest for over winter break.  The kids seem to like the contests when I do them in the computer lab so we can see how it works over a 3 week period.  I do realize that everyone has a lot going on over break so just do what you can.

Language Arts

We did not move forward with a new story this week.  That is why we didn't have any spelling homework.  Instead, we finished up a few activities from last week and then concentrated on writing.  We worked on a personal narrative about winter and we also made some Christmas cards/letters.

Math

Due to the number of students that were out this week, I was only able to get through 2 math lessons.  I wasn't about to start anything new because I'd just have to reteach it anyway.

Lesson 9 & 10 had to due with composing 10's.  It's just different vocabulary then we are used to, the concept is the same.  When we were growing up we called it "carrying over".  Students have to be able to visually draw out the problems though.

Lesson 9

Objective:  Use math drawings to represent the composition when adding a two-digit to a three-digit addend.

Lesson 10
Objective:  Use math drawings to represent the composition when adding a two-digit to a three-digit addend.
                                                                35
                                                            +109
                                                           _______

Math Night for Elementary Parents

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Portage Northern HS Community Room

(Located at 1000 Idaho)

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

Do you have questions about the elementary math curriculum? Have your questions answered and find out more about Eureka/Engage math.

Matt Mayer, Instructional Specialist, from KRESA and Nancy Haas, Director of Curriculum will answer questions and share the components of the elementary math curriculum.

Please RSVP so we can prepare materials and answer your questions. Please call Kelly Milliman, Administrative Assistant in the Curriculum Office, at 323-5060 or email Nancy Haas at nhaas@portageps.org 

12-12-14 Newsletter

12-12-14

Language Arts

During the next few weeks, we’ll explore the theme Tell Me About It. Our reading selections in this unit focus on how we communicate with each other. From a fanciful tale of typing cows to artists from around the world, we’ll read about the ways people share their ideas and feelings. As we read, we’ll explore the Big Idea “We learn from each other.” We began this week with a humorous fiction story called Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.  Farmer Brown’s cows have found a typewriter, and they’re using it to demand better working conditions. What will Farmer Brown do? We also read about how real animals communicate in the informational text Talk About Smart Animals! Throughout the week we considered the question “What helps you make a decision about a character?”

Target Vocabulary: problem, impossible, understand, impatient, furious, demand, gathered, believe

Phonics Skills: Base words with endings -s, -es (including pronunciation and syllables)

Vocabulary Strategy: Prefixes pre- (means “before”) and mis- (means “not” or “badly”)

Comprehension Skill: Conclusions— use details to figure out more about the text

Comprehension Strategy: Infer/predict—use clues to figure out more about the story parts or important ideas

Math

I posted some video links under Lesson 6, 7, and 8 so you can hear how the lessons are being taught and some of the vocabulary.

Lesson 4 
Objective:  Add and Subtract multiples of 10 and some ones within 100.

Lesson 5

Objective:  Solve one and two-step word problems within 100 using strategies based on place value.

Lesson 6

Objective:  Use manipulatives to represent the composition of 10 ones as 1 ten with two-digit addends.

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415000789795

Students had to use their place value disks and place value charts to solve all the problems.

Lesson 7

Objective:  Relate addition using manipulatives to a written vertical method.

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415000790483

Lesson 8

Objective:  Use math drawings to represent the composition and relate drawings to a written methond.

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415000790508

Sorry it's so small.  Hopefully the examples above help.

Holiday Party

Our holiday party will be on December 19th.  We will be having our Polar Express Pajama Party.  We will watch the movie during the morning and have some popcorn and juice boxes.  Our afternoons are pretty packed as it is but any left over time will be spent having a Read-In.  Kids are more than welcome to bring in a blanket and pillow.  Just remember that they have to be able to take it all home on the bus that day.  I'm all set on popcorn but if anyone would like to send in some juice boxes, please let me know.

Intern

When we get back from winter break, we will be having a Western Michigan Intern.  I'm very excited to have Beth Keith in our classroom.  It will be a great advantage to have 2 teachers in the room at all times.  Her first day will be on January 12, 2015.  When she gets settled, I'll have her share a letter introducing herself to all the parents.

Health

Let's make sure we are all trying to stay healthy.  Especially if you notice your child is coughing a lot.  There has been a case of "The Whooping Cough" in our classroom and it is highly contagious.  The biggest thing about the whooping cough is that it will come back after a week or two.  Antibiotics are needed for it to get better.  Please read over the letter that was sent home earlier this week.  Please keep me posted on any doctor's appointments or schooling that your child might be missing.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or didn't receive the letter for some reason.

12-5-14 Newsletter

December 5, 2014

   Language Arts

We spent the week working on informative writings.  We reread the story Jellies from before break because that has a lot of good information and facts.  We practiced altogether writing an informational paper on Jellyfish.  Then in honor of "Big Cat Week" on animal planet, we did an informational writing on cheetahs.  Students read an article from a national geographic magazine as a resource for their information.  The main things to remember when writing a good informational paragraph are:  1) a good topic sentence or main idea, 2)  important details or facts to support your main idea, and 3) a good closing sentence.  

Here is a good link to Brainpop Jr. about  writing a good paragraph.  Brainpop Jr.

We will move forward with Unit 3 next week and then probably use the week before break to wrap up any writings.

Math

                                         Module 4 - Addition and Subtraction Within 200 with Word Problems to 100

Lesson 1
Objective:  Relate 1 more, 1 less, 10 more, and 10 less to addition and subtraction of 1 and 10.

Lesson 2
Objective:  Add and subtract multiples of 10 including counting on to subtract.

Lesson 3(2days)
Objective:  Add and subtract multiples of 10 and some ones within 100.

Lesson 3 ended up taking 2 days to cover.  Attached below are the notes from the lesson that the kids and I practiced for 2 days.  We used the arrow way to help us add and subtract.  I suggest looking over the strategy so you can provide extra support at home.

Lesson 4(2days)
Objective:  Add and subtract multiples of 10 and some ones within a 100.

Portage:  Past to Present
We wrapped up what life would have been like in the pioneer days.  I showed some bits and pieces of the very first episode of Little House on the Prairie.  Now it's time to move Portage into the present and finish up our dioramas. We will definitely be done with everything before winter break.  The only other thing I'd like to do with our social studies unit is some comparison writings. 

Polar Express Pajama Party/Read-In

On that last day of school before winter break(December 19th), we will be showing The Polar Express.  The rest of the day will be spent completing some fun activities and having a read-in.  Kids can wear their PJ's and bring in a blanket or stuffed animal.  This takes the place of the Holiday party so I don't really need any parent volunteers.  I could use some volunteers to send in some microwaveable popcorn and juice boxes though.  Please email me if you are interested in helping out.

Holiday Boutique:  We will be shopping on Thursday during recess time.  The brochure went home last Tuesday. Only the kids who bring in money will be shopping.  Thanks!