Writing- Last week we received a plan sheet to help organize our thoughts and ideas for narrative writing.  The plan sheet has a space for an opening, first, next, then, after, and last.  It also includes a spot for 2-3 details and an ending.  Last Friday we got to make dirt cake in our classroom, and we then used the plan sheet together to make a story. This week we are continuing to use our plan sheet, as well as making sure our details are good.  We talk a lot about "putting a movie in our readers' minds."  We do this by using a lot of good details that "show rather than tell."  Yesterday we read a book called, Come On, Rain by Karen Hesse and found lots of great "showing details."  For example, rather than simply saying that the mom was hot, the author said that sweat was trickling down her back and wetting her shirt.  That is a lot more fun to read, and definitely puts a movie in our minds!

Math-We have been reviewing addition and subtraction strategies this week.  We have been talking about finding the quickest way to solve problems.  For addition we should have our doubles up to 10+10 memorized.  This can help us when we see a near double (example: I know 5+6=11 because 5+5=10 and it’s just one more).  We have also used counting up as a strategy (holding the larger number in our head), and making a ten (example: 9+6 is the same as 10+5).  For subtraction we have worked on using addition to help subtract, using a number line, doubles, counting backwards, and counting up. Many students are still drawing and crossing off, and we are trying to use quicker strategies! 

Today we started a new unit on repeated addition.  We will be making arrays this week with our repeated addition.  This gets us ready for multiplication next year!  We have also been working on Math Stations, and the students are doing great with them!  These include: Math by Yourself, Games, and ST Math.  Next week we will add in "Meet with Mrs. Smith" so we can do some more math based on abilities!

Reading-The Daily 5 is off to a great start.  Our stations include: Read to self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Books, and Word Work.  Next week we will begin "Meet with Mrs. Smith."  This is when I will be meeting with reading groups.  I am so excited to get these started!  For shared reading we started working on predictions today.  We know we make predictions not only in reading, but in our everyday lives as well!  We make predictions in reading based on our schema, patterns, author's words, pictures, and the cover page. We read a book today called, The Spiffiest Giant in Town and made predictions about what was going to happen to some of the characters. 

Social Studies- We have been working on our Geography Unit.  We have read books about maps, made a map of our room, and used a map key and compass rose!