Happy New Year!

Welcome back, Families!  The children had a great first week of 2016.  They came back rested and ready to learn.

During Reading Workshop and Word Work we:

• reviewed the vowels then focused on the short and long sounds for "a."  We learned that when "a" is the only vowel in a word and it is in the middle of the word, it usually makes the short sound. We learned that when "a" is in a word with an "e" at the end of the word, the "super e" tells the "a" to say its name, so it makes the long sound and the "e" becomes silent.
  
  
  
• learned that readers get ready to read a new book by looking at the cover, reading the title, and predicting what the book will be about.  We can also do a picture walk for even more information, especially if we need help reading the title.
• learned to make sure our reading makes sense.  If something doesn't make sense and doesn't sound the way it should sound, we need to stop and think more about that word/sentence.
• reviewed that buddies act as coaches, giving us kind, helpful reminders when we get stuck.
  
  
  
  
• learned that the words tell part of the story, but the pictures tell an important part of the story, too.  Readers pay attention to both words and pictures to fully understand what is happening in a story.

This week during Writing Workshop we worked on our midyear writing prompt.  Without help from me, the children wrote a story about something they've done.  At winter conferences next month (information will be coming soon) we'll compare your child's midyear prompt to his/her beginning-of-the-year prompt.  I bet you'll be impressed with the growth your child has made!  In addition to our prompt, we also spent time reviewing what a small moment is, thinking of ideas, and telling a story before writing it so we can recall as many details as possible.   

During Math we:

• played a number grid game with a partner.  This game helped us practice moving on a number grid and also encouraged us to start/continue noticing patterns on the number grid.
• played Roll and Record, a game to help us practice adding.  Children roll two dice then add the dots.  Children are encouraged to subitize, to recall facts from their memory, and to start with the larger number and count on when adding.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• completed a number grid mystery picture.
• played Ten Bears on a Bus, a game to help us learn combinations of ten.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

As you can see, the children were very productive this week.  They deserve a weekend to play and relax.

Best,

Katie