Can you believe we are entering into MARCH already?
Week Review: In reading groups this week, we will be building words and filling in graphic organizers. The activity will depend on the Guided Reading Level. Level E will be building words using the letter "i" as the medial sound. We will discuss and strengthen our understanding of a short i sound and a long i sound. Level F will be chunking words into smaller, known words. We will practice with spelling patterns & word families. This will help us approach new, unknown words. Level G will practice giving verbal predictions. We will discuss what "resources" are available to us to help us make a good, supported prediction. Then we will put it into practice. Level H will also discuss good, supported predictions AND will be expected to fill out a graphic organizer, putting their thoughts onto paper. Levels I and above will create good, supported predictions by filling out a graphic organizer before reading the book and then critiquing the other predictions within the group. We will also have a follow-up conversation to review if our predictions came true.
Book/Author Suggestion: The Frog Principal* by Stephanie Calmenson. This story is so cute! It is my book choice of the week because Wednesday is Principal's Day. Thank you Mr. Hamby! The Frog Principal received the Show Me Readers Award for 2003-2004. The story begins with Principal Bundy, who is loved by his students and staff alike. He is looking for a magician act for the next school assembly. When the magician comes in for a preview, he turns Mr. Bundy into a frog. Can he still be a good principal? Will the kids take him seriously? It is wonderful learning experience for Mr. Bundy and a wonderful lesson on honesty and judgement for the students.
* indicates if it can be found in the Sappington Library.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Week of February 21st
Happy President's Day!
Enjoy your day off of school and we'll see you on Tuesday.
Week Review: In reading groups this week, we will focus our attention on building words or reading strategies. Level E will continue to work on middle sounds. This week we will be addressing the "when two vowels come together, the first one says its name and the second one is silent." For example, treat, or boat. Level F will be chunking parts of the word into sounds or blends that they already know. Students will be expected to know and practice blends such as st, bl, tr, sh, th. Level G will be building words in a pattern or sequence as found in Patricia Cunningham's book Making Words, 1st Grade and continuing to practice their expression and fluency. Level H will be making predictions before we read, and during our reading. We will be using a graphic organizer to help guide our group discussions. Levels I and above will also make predictions, but they will be discussing how their predictions are made. What sort of resources are at our disposal to make a GOOD prediction? The title, the picture on the front cover, the Table of Contents (if applicable), and the summary in the back of the book (if applicable).
Book/Author Suggestion: If I Ran for President* by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Lynne Avril.
This story is described as a multicultural cast of children imagining what it would be like to run for president. It is also wonderfully jam-packed with facts, procedures, campaign humor, and constitutional rules. The story is so sweet that I forgot I was learning a lot while I was reading :) It concludes by saying, "And what I would do when I became president? Well, that's another story." Which leads me to the Parent Tip...
* indicates if it can be found in the Sappington Library.
Parent Tip: Have you ever asked your child what they would do if they were president? My 4 year-olds' preschool teacher asked their class and the answers were awesome! Some said they would have people help clean their house or sort the laundry! Others said they would have people help clean up our world. It is amazing what ideas and plans our children pick up from our example. Take the time this week to ask your children to dream, to imagine, what they might do or change if they were president. Better yet, ask them to write it. "If I were President I would..." and then save it. This is one that you will enjoy looking back on later in their life :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Week of February 7th
Whew!!! What a week we have had! With the weather and Chinese New Year celebration, our five-day week of reading got shortened to TWO! I will be carrying over a lot of the same reading goals as last week and furthering them as the new week progresses. Hopefully the ground hog was right and there will be no snow days in our future :)
Week Review: In reading groups this week, we will compliment our stories with writing. We will be writing sentences or filling out complimentary Graphic Organizers. Level E will be writing sentences that include at least one word with a long vowel sound that follows the rule of having a silent "e". (hide, came, home) Level F will also write a sentence that follows that vowel pattern, but they will also be writing a sentence that answers a question about the story. Level G will be writing a two part sentence that is joined by an "and, or, but". Level H will continue with their work on main idea and supporting details. They will be displaying their knowledge of main idea through the sentences that they write. Levels I and above will be discussing predictions and writing a descriptive prediction using our book covers, Table of Contents and perusing through our stories.
Book/Author Suggestion: Jump Rope 4 Heart will conclude on Friday, February 11th. A wonderful program encouraging children to make a difference and exercise doing it! Here is a silly story to get your child in the mood to jump :)
Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk* by Trinka Hakes Noble; pictures by Steven Kellogg. This is a humorous story that will keep your first grader laughing and help them practice sequencing, too!
* indicates if it can be found in the Sappington Library.
Parent Tip: It is important to find a book that is 'just right' for your child to read. Knowing their reading level from school can help, but only if you have the level of the book that they are reading. I have a couple of sites that help with this search. You can find them at my website. There is also a "Five Finger Rule" that can be done with any book. Visit the Reading Rockets website for more information.
Week Review: In reading groups this week, we will compliment our stories with writing. We will be writing sentences or filling out complimentary Graphic Organizers. Level E will be writing sentences that include at least one word with a long vowel sound that follows the rule of having a silent "e". (hide, came, home) Level F will also write a sentence that follows that vowel pattern, but they will also be writing a sentence that answers a question about the story. Level G will be writing a two part sentence that is joined by an "and, or, but". Level H will continue with their work on main idea and supporting details. They will be displaying their knowledge of main idea through the sentences that they write. Levels I and above will be discussing predictions and writing a descriptive prediction using our book covers, Table of Contents and perusing through our stories.
Book/Author Suggestion: Jump Rope 4 Heart will conclude on Friday, February 11th. A wonderful program encouraging children to make a difference and exercise doing it! Here is a silly story to get your child in the mood to jump :)
Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk* by Trinka Hakes Noble; pictures by Steven Kellogg. This is a humorous story that will keep your first grader laughing and help them practice sequencing, too!
* indicates if it can be found in the Sappington Library.
Parent Tip: It is important to find a book that is 'just right' for your child to read. Knowing their reading level from school can help, but only if you have the level of the book that they are reading. I have a couple of sites that help with this search. You can find them at my website. There is also a "Five Finger Rule" that can be done with any book. Visit the Reading Rockets website for more information.
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