Week Three

Learning about friendship is a theme that will extend throughout the school year. Although, we are wrapping up our initial friendship and All about me theme it is our goal to maintain stories and social skills instruction throughout the year. It is amazing how quickly relationships are forming.

Last week we discussed the changes in fall weather and fall harvest.  We read a big book titled I am an Apple by Jean Marzollo.  This beautifully illustrated book discusses the life cycle of an apple.  The kids were excited to participate in a shared writing experience, where we drew and labeled an Apple Tree.  The children were able to demonstrate "new learning" by adding captions and labels. The newest songs for morning meeting is the Months of the Year and Four Seasons by Jack Hartman. 

Phonemic Awareness skills: listening and producing rhyme. Isolating initial sounds in words. 

Letter Formation and Sound Association: t, b, f, n & m

Poetry: Apples Three and I Wiggle My Fingers. 

Read Alouds: My Friends by Taro Gomi, Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss, Fall Weather by Martha E. A Rustard I am Apples by  and How Can I Tell It's Fall, Rookie Reader. 

Writer's Workshop: We read the book Bear Has A Story to Tell by Phillis Stead. This story helps students realize the importance of recording and remembering stories by writing them down.  All of the kids were excited to writie stores and share them with peers. We also read the story Roller Coaster by Marla Frazzee. This story has detailed illustrations that help children understand impact of illustrations. Adding details to pictures give the reader more information. 

 Math:  Unit 2 Comparing and ordering numbers 0-5.
Apple Countdown by Joan Holub
1. Number writing continued
2. Comparing data;  more, fewer, same.

The kids did a wonderful job comparing numbers and determining which group has more or fewer. They are having some difficulty determining how many more. Ask your child to compare objects at home. Use the vocabulary words more and fewer. 

Social Skill: Using a kind tone of voice and a smiling face helps friends feel comfortable. 

Reminders: 

• Field Trip to Parlee Farm on Wednesday September 30th. Please pack a bagged lunch. We are unable to get lunch from the cafeteria. Snack should be nut free and packed seperately from lunch. 
• Yellow reading logs should be returned each Monday.
• Clear plastic book bags return daily.
• Green folders are due on Thursday.