Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Twiehaus Tidbits - Friday, September 25, 2015
This week
The kids truly continue to amaze me each and every week. This week we began the work of setting goals. After their math assessment, we were successfully able to identify areas each student would benefit from extra practice and support. Thank you for working with them to identify their goals and set up strategies to improve. It takes a village!
Next week...
Readers Workshop Students will work with figurative language (similes, metaphors) and understanding words by relating to synonyms and antonyms.
Writers Workshop The kids are so excited about next week as we will begin the work of publishing their realistic fiction pieces and celebrate their hard work. Stay tuned!
MathWe are really working to explain our thinking behind our math strategies. Next week, we will work to express our math logic clearly.
Social Studies
Over the next few weeks, we will explore different regions of the United States. Next up, the Southeastern US.Virtual Classroom
This week, we introduced our Virtual Classroom. I will be posting links we will use in the classroom to make it easy for the kids to locate sites in the classroom, but also for them to explore independently at home. Ask your child more about this!Looking Ahead
September
29 - PTA Rink Ratz Family Night 6-8 pm6 - Picture Day
October
6 - Picture DayPTA meeting 6:30 in the library
McTeacher Night - Grain Valley 4-8 pm
7 - All Pro Dad 7:45 am
11 - PTA Lunar Bowl Family Night 3-5 pm
14 - Two Hour Late Start
16 - End of 1st Quarter
21 - Muffins with Mom 7:45-8:30 am
21-29 - Book Fair in library
27 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8 pm
28 - Fall Party 2:15-3:15 pm
28 - No School: Parent Teacher Conferences 8 am-7 pm
29 - No School
Friday, September 18, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Twiehaus Tidbits
In the Classroom
Today we started using the iPads in math. While this is a work in progress as we get the kids accustomed to using the technology, I am convinced this will be a great interactive tool for our classroom. The new math focuses on meeting students at their individual needs while increasing student engagement.
We have also started book clubs. Groups volunteered to read some of the Mark Twain nominated books for 2015-2016 with partners. As students are reading a traditional paper copy of the book, they are also listening to the audio book. Studies show that students who routinely listen to an example a fluent reader, such as provided by audio books, demonstrate remarkable improvements in reading skills. Students are able to read higher leveled text than they would be able to read independently when they are listening to the text read aloud. The listening comprehension is also being fine tuned. My goal is for every student to participate in at least one audio book club per month, but I also would encourage this as an at home activity too.
Reader's Workshop - We are working on making inferences this week by using details from the text and background knowledge to form new thinking about the text we read.
Writer's Workshop - We are writing! Students are starting their own realistic fiction pieces. This week will focus on the technique of fine beginnings and story development.
Math - Our first math unit is almost complete. After reviewing lines, rays, and line segments, students will test over unit 1 on Thursday and begin our next unit next week. After receiving their tests back, students will set goals for their learning.
Science - We will also wrap up our living/nonliving things unit this week and move into regions of the United States for Social Studies.
Midterm Reports
It is completely shocking that we are already at midterm of first quarter. Midterm reports will be sent home on Friday. Midterm reports will identify specific areas of strength and areas of growth. The same attachments will be sent home at the end of each quarter. We will discuss this thoroughly at our conferences at the end of October.
This Week
Thursday - Two Hour Late Start (School begins at 10:40 am)
Saturday - Homecoming Parade (10:00 at the high school)
Looking Ahead
9/22 - Papa John's Night
9/29 - Rink Ratz PTA Skate Night 6-8 pm
10/6 - Picture Day
10/6 - PTA Meeting at 6:30 in library
10/6 - McTeacher Night 4-8 pm Grain Valley location
10/7 - All Pro Dad 7:45 am
10/11 - PTA Lunar Bowl 3-5 pm
Monday, September 7, 2015
Twiehaus Tidbits
Celebrations
Happy birthday Isabella!!!!
In the Classroom
Readers Workshop - This week, readers will learn more about how to read and analyze a text to gain more meaning and deepen understanding.
Writers Workshop - We have begun the work of our first writing unit, realistic fiction. Writers defined the genre last week by reading and discussing a few mentor texts. This week we will begin choosing story ideas and mapping our own realistic fiction pieces.
Math - We will begin using the iPads this week as we implement the new technology component of Everyday Math. Our focus this week will be on reviewing subtraction strategies and units of measurement.
Science - Our scientists now have a basic understanding of living and nonliving things as well as how they live together in communities and ecosystems. This week, we will focus on how living and nonliving things depend on one another to survive.
Word Work - This week, students will begin word sorts in the classroom. We will use word sorts throughout the year to differentiate learning based on each student's individualized needs in the area of word work. Students will practice sorts at school.
Classroom Visit
This Thursday, we will have our first visit from the fire department. Periodically throughout the year, we receive special visits through which students are introduced to basic fire safety and emergency response. We are thankful to have the opportunity and look forward to their visits. ]McTeacher Night
Mark your calendars for our first McTeacher Night of the year!
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
4-8 pm
Grain Valley McDonalds
Looking Ahead
September
15 Cookie Dough Pick Up
17 Two Hour Late Start (School will begin at 10:40 to all for teacher development in the morning)
19 Homecoming Parade
29 PTA Skate Night at Rink Ratz in Blue Springs 6-8 pm
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)