Weekly Update

Dear Families,

We have had another productive week in our 1st and 2nd grade classroom.

Reading groups are in full swing and we are meeting several times each week for targeted reading instruction. Your child should bring home his/her colorful book bag with “Just Right” books every Monday. These books should stay home and re-read many times throughout the week. Book bags return to the classroom every Friday, so they can be emptied and filled with the books for next week. I have noticed that many students have forgotten to return their books bags and books. Please make sure your child brings them back as we borrow these books from the school library and other classrooms. It is important other students can use them too! Thank you for your attention in this matter.

In Writer’s Workshop, we have continued writing our small moment stories. The students are developing into confident authors, stretching their small moment personal narratives over several pages. The details are getting more interesting and the word choice more elaborate and complex. I am very proud of the progress they are making in writing. Did you hear that we had our first published book? A real hard-cover book on reading strategies? Well, if you did not, please ask your child to explain. (I had our StoryJumper book on reading strategies published into a hard-cover book). The students were so happy and proud to show the librarians and other classrooms this book. We cannot wait to show you at conference time!

The students are continuing their work in math and our district-wide focus upon mathematical habits of mind and interaction continues as well. First and second grade mathematicians spend extra time on justifications this week. Please visit our classroom digital portfolio (Best Practices in math) to access their incredible work. Please take the time to read their comments and thinking. I think you will be amazed. Click here to access our work on "Justifications".
Please click here to access our Best Practices page in math.

The students will participate in another 4Winds class this week. As I am attending a technology conference, I hope the students will respond to my post on the blog asking them to tell me at least one thing they learned during their class. Thank you.

We have two new members in our classroom. We have a teddy bear that the students can read to during free choice and reader’s workshop. We also have a bee pillow to provide some extra comfort and support. Please see picture above for our new friends.

The weather is getting colder. Please do not forget to bring in hats, mittens and jackets. The students have outdoor recess every day (weather permitting).

Thank you so much for supporting your child in posting on the blog. I am amazed with the writing and the pictures you have shared so far. Keep up the good work. I will email you all additional notes on how to get around the blog, post pictures and make comments.

I hope you will have a great rest of the week.

Regards,

Maria McCormack