We Can!

This week we have been trying to get in the habit of saying "I think I can," instead of "I can't" when we encounter something new or challenging.  We began using this phrase after we read and discussed The Little Engine That Could.  "I think I can" is the new motto in our classroom!

During Word Work this week, we practiced ordering and writing the letters in our name while building a "name train."

We also:

• Learned more about each others' names (number of letters, names of letters, size of letters, sounds the letters make...) and added four names to our word wall.  We will add the rest of our names next week.
• Learned the following letters and the sounds they make: r, b, s, and m (both uppercase and lowercase).
  
• Learned about rhyming words.

During Reading Workshop this week we:

•  started reading books from our own book baskets!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• learned that when it is our first time seeing a book, we need to take our time and get to know the book by looking closely at the pictures.
• created expectations for Read-to-Self time.
  
• learned that when we read words, we point once under each word and then hop to the next word.
  
• learned that when we read the pictures in a book, we connect one page to the next by using transition words such as then, next, and after that.

This week in Writing we:

• learned the phrase "When you're done, you've just begun!"  I use this phrase when children tell me they are finished writing, but writing time is not yet over.  Children can either add more to a story they are working on or they can start a new story.
• learned that when writers want to write a word, they stretch out the word like a rubber band.  They say each sound and put a letter on the page for every sound they hear.

This week in Math we:

• practiced finding and showing the numbers one and two.
• learned about sorting.  We sorted ourselves by the type of shirt we were wearing and then by the type of shoes we were wearing.  Then, all the children worked with a buddy to sort a pile of buttons.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• learned about patterns.  We spent two days learning about patterns.  The first day, we practiced sound and motion patterns.  The second day, we practiced building color patterns.
  
  
  
  
• did lots of counting!

We also started our science tree unit on Friday.  The children loved hearing that they are scientists!  We visited the tree that we will be following throughout the seasons this year.  The children drew a sketch of the tree to show what it looks like in summer.

our little scientists

As you can see, we had a very busy week!!

Until next week,
Katie