Spelling- Week #5

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Free Baseball

We are currently reading Free Baseball by author Sue Corbett. It is a book off the Iowa Children's Choice Awards list. To visit the Iowa Children's Choice Awards website click here.

Here is a summary of the book:

Baseball is in his blood. Felix know a lot of ballplayers but not the one he wants to know the most: his father, a baseball star in Cuba, who risked everything to send Felix to America. His mom won't reveal anything else. When a team with a few Cuban players comes to town, Felix sneaks into the locker room to talk to them. That's when the players mistake him for their new batboy. Determined to uncover the truth about his mysterious father, Felix plays along. Just for a few days, he thinks-long enough to find out about his dad. Life at the ballpark is perfect. And when the team ends a long losing steak, the fun-loving, wisecracking players hail the new batboy as their lucky charm. But Felix is slowly uncovering the painful reality of his family's past. Is he strong enough to face the truth?

Personal Narrative Writing

We are starting our personal narratives, and the kids are doing a marvelous job! We started by listing special people, next we chose one person to write about. Then we chose 3 special moments that we shared with that person. I gave them an example that you will see in the pictures above. Next, we selected which story we felt was the best and started to develop that one by drawing 3 quick sketches and writing captions. Finally, we will use those ideas to create our personal narrative. I can't wait to see what they come up with-- the ideas are BURSTING from the seams!

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

In a new twist on the Golden Rule, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves. When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad. It's important to know that we can fill our own bucket and so can others. We can also dip into it.

To read more about this awesome character building activity you can click here.

Science & Social Studies Overview

Students will have the opportunity to explore new things in new ways!

Student learning will be innovative and hands-on.

Science Themes

• Physics of Sound
• Water
• Structures of Life

Social Studies Themes

• Community
• Government
• Economics
• Geography
  

The Writing Workshop

Each Child Has a Story to Tell...

We will be exploring the art of writing through a variety of genres.

• Friendly Letters
• Poetry
• Fictional Stories
• Informational Paragraphs
• Descriptive Writing
  

A Balanced Literacy Approach

In Waukee, we have adopted a Balanced Literacy model. Balanced Literacy is an approach to teaching reading that includes many different types of instruction. Reading is taught through whole group instruction, small groups, and independent work. Each component of a balanced literacy program works together to help the child understand language as well as how to read text.

Read-Aloud: Whole Group Instruction
Shared Reading: Whole Group Instruction
Guided Reading: Small Group Instruction
Independent Reading: Independent Work

Introduction to Everyday Math

There are a number of features that distinguish the Everyday Mathematics curriculum. These include:

• Real-life Problem Solving
  Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the application of mathematics to real world situations. Numbers, skills and mathematical concepts are not presented in isolation, but are linked to situations and contexts that are relevant to everyday lives. The curriculum also provides numerous suggestions for incorporating mathematics into daily classroom routines and other subject areas.
  
  
• Balanced Instruction
  Each Everyday Mathematics lesson includes time for whole-group instruction as well as small group, partner, or individual activities. These activities balance teacher-directed instruction with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on explorations, long-term projects and on-going practice.
  
  
• Multiple Methods for Basic Skills Practice
  Everyday Mathematics provides numerous methods for basic skills practice and review. These include written and choral fact drills,
  mental math routines, practice with fact triangles (flash cards of fact families), daily sets of review problems called math boxes, homework, timed tests and a wide variety of math games.
  
  
• Emphasis on Communication
  Throughout the Everyday Mathematics curriculum students are encouraged to explain and discuss their mathematical thinking, in their own words. Opportunities to verbalize their thoughts and strategies give children the chance to clarify their thinking and gain insights from others.
  
  
• Enhanced Home/School Partnerships
  For grades 1-3, daily Home Links provide opportunities for family members to participate in the students' mathematical learning. Study Links are provided for most lessons in grades 4-6, and all grades include periodic letters to help keep parents informed about their children's experience with Everyday Mathematics

Teaching Your Child is the Greatest of Opportunities

It is my true desire to help your child grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

Socially- My goal is to see your child actively participate in our classroom community.

Emotionally- My goal is to see your child feel good about their accomplishments and to celebrate them.

Academically- My goal is to see your child reach their absolute potential as a student.