We are looking forward to returning to centers this week! Center time allows me to instruct children in a small group setting, while other students are doing crafts, projects, and educational games with parent helpers. There are a few future openings for centers and library readers that I've just added to the Sign Up Genius. I've also added a new special event to the sign up, Spring Fling. This is a fun event with Spring-themed crafts and activities that will be on Thursday, 4/4. I hope some of you can join us!
We had a lot of fun on Thursday with the leprechaun traps. The kids were so creative and were true engineers! I look forward to hearing back from them on Monday about what happened to their traps. We also have a trap set up in our classroom, so we'll see what happens over the weekend!
Language Arts
Our sight word this week is said. This is another "heart word." Children should know the beginning sound and the ending sound from their phonics knowledge, but the middle ai is the part they will need to learn "by heart."
I have been focusing on the "Magic E" in our phonics lessons the past week, and will continue with that focus this week. Silent/magic E has many jobs in English, so focusing on it helps children break down words in both their reading and spelling.
We will be reading a lot about rainbows this week, both fiction and non-fiction books. By the end of this week, you should be hearing many rainbow facts from your children.
Math
This week, we return to Module 4: Number Pairs, Addition & Subtraction to 10. We will spend the upcoming weeks on subtraction, then move to addition & subtraction word problems and fluency. Parent tips for this module can be found here.
STEAM
We will take our first trip to the Makerspace on Wednesday, and will be working with Strawbees. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activities give the students an opportunity to work together to create, as well as solve problems. We look forward to getting started in the Makerspace!
Art Vista
We have an Art Vista lesson this Friday at 10:30. The children will be looking at prints with different kinds of houses, then using their imaginations to create their own dream houses. I have a great book, The Big Orange Splot, that I always like to read in advance of this lesson. Thank you to Snigdha, Sahana, Sandy, Gazal, and Shelley for presenting & helping with these lessons.
Reminders
**Library is every Wednesday. Please return your child's library book by Tuesday each week.
**School spirit days are every Wednesday. Wear your Alta Vista t-shirts or your Grasshopper t-shirts to show your school pride
This Week's Helpers & Activities
Monday: Centers @ 12:20 (Sandy & Barbara)
Tuesday: Centers @ 12:20 (Barbara & Bhavna)
Wednesday: Makerspace @ 8:30 (Jackie & Jessica), Library @ 9:10 (Kristine & Jackie), Dismissal @ 1:15
Thursday: Centers @ 12:20 (Barbara & Sogol)
Friday: Art Vista @ 10:30 (Snigdha, Sandy, Sahana, Shelley, Gazal) Music @ 12:30
Upcoming Events
Saturday, 3/23 2:00-4:00: USD Health & Wellness Fair @ UMS
4/8-4/12: Spring Break
Friday, 5/3 @ 5:00: Kindergarten Movie Night
