Mid-January Newsletter
January 18, 2016
Notes from the Classroom
Primer students are loving poetry. Their poetry projects turned out just delightful. Listed below is the video of students reciting their poetry. We have learned basic elements of poetry such as repetition, rhyme, rhythm and alliteration and we have tried our hand at composing couplets, list poems and tongue twisters. We will learn a few more kinds of poetry this week and start to publish our poems the last week of January.
Our math block has included time for sorting times by attributes and surveys. You can extend this by having students sort items by a rule at home. Homework this week focuses on our survey unit. Students will work to create a survey question and ask 15 people. After recording the data students will represent their data by using a graph or table. Students will present their data displays to parents on Friday, January 22 at 9:00 AM. in the Primer classroom.
Our phonics block has shifted focus to parts of speech which helped students when composing poems and sorting objects. Students learned about nouns and adjectives. We will wrap up our discussions on adjectives this week and focus on long vowel pattern A patterns the following week.
Science time included exploration with sounds. Students LOVED making different instruments and learning about how sound travels. We will now shift our focus to light. Students will learn about shadows and light.
Social studies has included a focus on Dr. Martin Luther King. We will now tie in discussion of our virtue of the month as we conclude our study of Dr. King.
Finally, Primer students will receive their Primer play parts and lines in a few days. We will all need to work together to help the Primer Pals learn their lines and when to say them. Homework assignments will include exercises that will help students learn their play lines. We all appreciate your help with this endeavor. Our play is on March 17 at10:00 A.M. and 1:15 P.M.
To-do list
- Sign up for reader of the week
- Fill out Invitation link with contacts and addresses
Academic Objectives:
- Reading and Writing: Poetry
- Phonics: Long Vowel A patterns
- Math: Surveys
- Science: Light
- Social Studies: Virtue of the Month
Frog and Toad Dallas Children's Theater
We have loved learning about Frog and Toad in class. It has been delightful to hear students discuss the characters and to get one another excited about the stories.
January 29th is a Lower School Spirit Dress however, since the Primer students will be off campus we will need to be in our uniform. January 29th will not be a spirit dress day for the Primer students.
Listed below is a summary of the show taken from the website.
This whimsical musical follows two unlikely best friends and their quirky egos from hibernation to planting, to swimming, to sledding with plenty of fun and lots to learn along the way. This adorably charming story captivates audiences of all ages - even those who think they're too old for make-believe. Join Frog and Toad as they weather the seasons and celebrate the differences that make them special. You and your best friends will be tapping your webbed toes all the way home!
Reader of the Week
Please sign up for one week for your child to be the reader of the week. More details can be found on the Sign Up Genius link.
Valentines
Primer invitations
Big Word Club
BIG WORD CLUB delivers one new animated BIG WORD OF THE WEEK animated video that introduces kids to one new "BIG" word every week of the school year. You can learn more about the program by watching the video.
Primer students to carry the cross
Important Events
- Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School
- Thursday, January 21 Primer and First Grade to The Dallas Symphony Orchestra 11 A.M.-1 P.M.
- Friday, Janaury 22 Data Presentations 9:00 A.M. & Jump for Heart (Wear Red Day) 9:30 A.M. Parents are invited to both events.
- Friday, Janaury 29 Dallas Children's Theater Visit 9:00 A.M.-1:30 P.M.
- Thursday, February 4 Marathon Kids Family Run 7:30 A.M.
- Friday, February 5 Family Game Day 1:45P.M.-2:15 P.M. Three Volunteers needed please
- February 10 Ash Wednesday and Valentine Party 1:00-1:50 P.M.
- February 11 Early Dismissal 11:45 A.M.
- Winter Break February 12-15 ( No School)