December 12-16

Hello!  I am getting our news out early this week!  I wanted to let you know I will be attending a literacy training on Monday.  Mrs. Otto will be the substitute teacher. You can email me or call the office if you need anything!

Few reminders:

• If you did not pick up Square1 Art, you can pick it up in the office or let me know if you would like it sent home in your child's backpack. 
• Remember to send snow gear to school! Students will be able to use it during recess times and getting ready to go at the end of the day.
• Please continue to send a snack to school every day! Some families find it helpful to pack an entire bag of snacks for the week or you could leave a box of snacks in your child's locker. Thanks!

Upcoming Events:

• December 13: No School
• December 14: Wear your favorite college gear!
• December 22: Wear holiday colors!
• December 22: Super Reader Day in Kindergarten (more info coming soon)

Reading: While reading with your child at home, you might wonder "What is the best way to help when they are struggling to read a book?" Here are some tips to help them learn and practice the skills needed to read their book on their own.

• Remind them to use sight words to help them figure out how the book goes
• Have them check the picture
• Look at the first letter of the word and ask yourself "What would make sense?"

Writing: Writers will work on elaboration this week. Whenever we are writing true stories, we can add more details by showing in pictures and writing in words. Writers think about what more to add by asking the following questions:

• Who was there?
• Where is the story taking place?
• What happened?
• What did people say? (speech bubbles)
• How were they feeling? 

Math:
We begin Unit 3 this week, which focuses on identifying 10 groups in teen numbers, finding partners of a number (i.e. partners of 5 are 3+2 and 4+1), and addition and subtraction. Students will learn about identifying 10 groups with a ten bug (ladybug)

• Identify groups of objects and state the partner numbers
• Students will have 10 buttons and a box. They will remove or add buttons to tell an addition or subtraction story. Then, they can write the equation.  
• Create a ten bug & do a hunt around the room for 10 groups in teen numbers 
• Foam 10 frame teen number building

Word Study:   The sight words for this week are: one, two, & three.

Science: Scientists will investigate reptiles, scales, and amphibians! We will read books about snakes, toads, frogs, and more. Scientists will create charts to compare the animals and discuss the purpose of the different body coverings.