I hope everyone is having a great start to their week. I wanted to start off by saying that I have not been in school yesterday and today due to a sick child. Apparently he has missed having me home so decided to get sick right at the start of school! If your children ask, let them know that Jake is fine and I will be back tomorrow.
Here is a Peek into our Week:
- Reading--We are well underway into our first Reading Unit called "Building a Reading Life". I have been teaching students that they are in charge of their reading life and they can set themselves up to make it great or not. The homework that students have been assigned (picking a reading spot, choosing reading habits) are important steps to building a positive reading life. I have taught them about how to choose just right books, how to read books as if they are gold, and will teach this week the importance of setting goals, sharing books, and reading with partners. I hope you will start to notice your children taking charge of their reading life at home. Please make sure your child READS AND LOGS what they are reading in their purple Reading Life folder every night and at least ONCE over the weekend. We use the information in their logs to set goals and challenge ourselves to become better readers. It is important that they get in the habit of doing this!
- Science/Social Studies--Instruction will start next week. We will being with a unit in Social Studies on Civics and Government
- Word Study--Students have been taking word study assessments to see what group they will be in for word study. Word Study classes won't start for a couple more weeks.
- Math--Students will start Math on Thursday. All children have been assessed. Most children will stay with their homeroom teachers and have instruction/activities differentiated within the classroom. Through Math Workshop, students will be taught a lesson, but the centers, activities, and homework will be differentiated based on their needs.
- Getting to Know Each Other--Students will be participating in activities this week that involve getting to know each other and team-building so that they learn to communicate with each other and work together.
- Flexible Seating--Students have enjoyed getting to choose their own seats but we will be reviewing the purpose of flexible seating this week...to stay focused and do our best. As predicted, with the excitement of choosing seats, students are choosing to sit with friends with is causing excess talking. Talk to your children about the seat choices they are making and ask them why. Remind them to make sure they are picking a seat that works best for them (and not for their friends!)
As always, please email me if you have any questions or concerns. I have enjoyed getting to know your children more and more each day and am looking forward to a fun and productive year together! Take care and have a great week.
Mrs. Martinson :-)
