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, and I'd love for everyone to join us at least once this year! Please check the schedule here. Thank you!
Language Arts
Our sight word this week is little. We will focus on the le ending, which is often its own syllable.
This week, we begin Unit 4 of Fundations, which is our final unit. A big focus of this unit is incorporating digraphs (sh, th, wh, ch, ck) into our reading and spelling. There are many valuable parent resources in Unit 4's Home Support Letter.
Math
This is our final week of Module 5: Numbers 10-20; Count to 100 by 1s and 10s. Parent tips for this module can be found
here. We will return to Module 4 for the subtraction portion of that module next week. In class, we have also done a lot of work on
subitizing. To subitize is to instantly recognize the amount shown without counting every single item. It is an important foundational math skill. I have been working on building students' subitizing skills by flashing slides on the screen with various patterns/amounts of dots. I only show the slides for about 1-2 seconds. Children then have to write down how many dots they saw on a whiteboard. The children have really enjoyed this activity!
Kimochis
This week, your child will learn about kindness and the Kimochis® kotowaza—or Japanese proverb—that accompanies this feeling. “Take the time to be kind” is this week’s kotowaza to encourage kindness. This kotowaza inspires people to say and do kind things. Research has shown that there is a close association between kindness and happiness. Kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. Kindness also helps children make and keep friends. Kindness builds patience and tolerance because we can learn to think kind thoughts when others make mistakes or hurt feelings.
Upcoming Events & Activities
Leprechaun Traps: At centers this Thursday, 3/16, children will be designing and creating their own leprechaun traps! This is an annual favorite, so we are excited to see the designs students come up with this year. Children will leave the traps at school to see what happens on the 17th. On Friday, they will bring their traps home.
School Spirit Day Friday: There is a schoolwide spirit day on Friday-- wear green to school. For us, this works out perfectly since it's also Grasshopper T-shirt day!
Reminders
**P.E. is every Monday-- please send your children in shoes & clothes appropriate for fitness. This week we are in the OT room for PE. PLEASE send children in shoes they can take on & off themselves
**Library is every Wednesday. Please send your child's book back to school by Tuesday each week.
**Grasshopper t-shirt day is Friday each week.
This Week's Helpers & Activities:
Monday: PE in the OT Room
Tuesday: Centers (Azra & Barbara)
Wednesday: Library @ 9:10 (Brittny & Bora), dismissal @ 1:15
Thursday: Return Weds. envelopes, Leprechaun trap building (Fadime, Barbara, Brittny, Jen T.)
Friday: Music, Dismissal @ 1:15
Upcoming Events
Thursday, 3/16: Special Event: Leprechaun Trap Making
Wednesday, 3/22: Trip to the Makerspace @ 8:30
4/10-4/14: Spring Break
