BALANCED LITERACY
Phonics: This month in Fundations we will learn the following letters and sounds: Jj-jug-/j/, Vv-van-/v/, Ww-wind-/w/, Zz-zebra-/z/, Qu qu-queen-/qu/, and Yy-yellow-/y/.
Writer’s Workshop: We will be beginning a new unit of study “Small Moments: Personal Narrative Writing.” It involves writing tightly focused true stories. Some of the focus lessons include: Understanding a Small Moment, Stretching One Small Moment, Planning Story Details, Writing Some Words in a Snap, and Focusing on the Most Important Part (Zooming In). We will be reading a variety of mentor texts to help us better understand small moment stories, including Knufflebunny by Mo Willems.
Independent Reading: We are enjoying independent reading every afternoon. Each child is matched up with a collection of books that is “just right” for him or her. Some of the strategies we are working on during Independent Reading are pointing to the words while reading, looking at the first and last letter in a word to help us figure out what the word is, using picture cues and monitoring our own reading to make sure it makes sense.
MATHEMATICS
In math this month, we will continue working on addition and subtraction symbols and terminology as we finish the “Bunk Beds” unit and start the “Apple Boxes” portion of this math unit. We will also continue to reinforce addition, subtraction, and writing number sentences through inventing our own number stories.
SOCIAL STUDIES
This month in social studies we will be talking about the season of spring and about how it affects us and our environment. We will also continue our “Person of the Week” program. Please make sure to put your child’s week on your calendar. Let me know if you have any questions.
SCIENCE
This month, we will begin a new science unit: Exploring Properties of Objects and Materials. In this unit we will investigate the physical properties of water, sand and other sediment. We will work on formulating questions to investigate, we will classify objects and materials, and we will use scientists’ tools (hand lens, Proscope, and pan balance).
CONFERENCES
Spring conferences will begin on March 12th. In an effort to simplify the process of signing up for conferences I have decided to create an online sign-up system. Please be on the look out for an email with the link that will take you to the conference sign-up website. My goal for the spring conferences is to have a chance to discuss your child’s progress, share your child’s work, and to celebrate all of their successes! I look forward to sharing your child’s achievements with you!
