Do I give my child the chance to read a story to me using the print, picture clues, his memory—or any combination of these ways that help him make sense of the story?
News from First Grade!
We know that all of you must be as happy to have spring return as our first graders are! It’s been a long winter of indoor recesses and snow days, but now that spring has come, our students will make up for lost time on the playground!
We just completed unit 11 in Superkids, in which skills focused primarily on reading and writing contractions,” long vowel tricker” words (words with a long vowel sound at the end of the first syllable, such as silent), understanding homophones (it’s, its), literary text features (problem-solution, setting, etc.), and writing book reviews stating our opinions about a text. In Unit 12, phonics skills focus on words with –all and –aw patterns (small, dawn), grammar instruction includes understanding and using adjectives and compound sentences. Comprehension skills for Unit 12 are text structure/beginning, middle, end, and identifying main idea and supporting details in informational texts. Descriptive writing is also a focus for this unit.
Reading grade level texts fluently enough to support understanding is a continual priority for first grade. We regularly monitor fluency at school, but you can help him or her build speed and accuracy by:
· Having your child practice reading the same list of words, phrases, or short passages several times.
· Reminding your child to pause between sentences and phrases.
· Reading aloud to your child to provide an example of how fluent reading sounds.
· Giving your child books with predictable vocabulary and clear rhythmic patterns so the child can "hear" the sound of fluent reading as he or she reads the book aloud.
· Use books on tapes; have the child follow along in the print copy.
· Reading your favorite books and poems over and over again. Practice getting smoother and reading with expression.
· Using the SuperKids fluency practice in their weekly homework packet.
The First Grade Team
Second Grade
Newsletter March 2017 Edition
Math: In math, we are beginning to learn about time. Students are learning to tell time to the hour on an analog and digital clock. The students also learned how to write time.
ELA: Students are learning how to write opinion paragraphs. A text or passage is used to support their opinion. Students must continue to read nightly to help build their fluency. Fluency is the ability to read smoothly, quickly, and correctly please support us by ensuring your child reads nightly. Not only does nightly reading increase fluency, but it helps build reading stamina.
Science: The second graders got a chance to become habitat detectives at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Our students learned about the marsh habitat and forest habitat. They saw animals that live in these habitats while there. Students participated in an interactive food chain to wrap up the lesson.
March’s Fourth Grade Newsletter
Second Step: Fourth graders are finishing up the Second Step curriculum. We are reviewing all the areas we covered this year. We are continuing to focus on Problem Solving because that is an area that continues to need reinforcement.
Math: We are in the midst of Unit #7 which is wrapping up fractions and doing some review for skills needed for the next unit. Study Island is continuing to review fourth grade math curriculum without students. Students should continue to practice their math facts.
ELA: During the month of March, students studied affixes and roots from Greek and Latin languages. Continuing to practice our skills of close reading and turn and talk discussions as well as Quick Writes at the beginning and end of lessons, have allowed students to grow in all reading, writing and communication skills. We read The Longest Night, a story about a Native American’s vision quest. The Performance Based Assessment for this unit is an opinion piece. We are very proud of our ELA fourth grade students.
Social Studies: This month students learned how Ohio became a state! We also studied our state's role in the Underground Railroad and the causes that led to the Civil War. After break, we will learn about Ohio inventors and their important inventions, changes to transportation over time, and Ohio's economy.
Science: This month we finished Unit 4 on adaptation and changes to the environment. We will begin our next unit on Energy later in April.
FYI: Students need to bring pencils! We are in very short supply. Also, please make sure your student has their own set of earphones/earbuds. We don’t have enough for everyone.
Fifth
Grade March 2017 Newsletter
Math: Students in fifth grade are working on Division with Whole Numbers and Decimals. Students are showing perseverance as each long division problem involves concentration and stamina. Student have an easy way to remember the long division steps; Dad (division), Mom (multiply), Sister (subtract), Brother (bring down). Students have three choices of strategies to solve division problems: Digit by Digit, Place Value Sections, and Expanded Notation. Digit by digit is the traditional way that most parents have learned. It is imperative that your student knows multiplication facts to be able to fluently solve division problems. When students finish with Unit 5, instruction will include geometry and measurement. This work will be in preparation of the Ohio State Test coming up in April.
Science: Noble Scientists have been learning and researching ecosystems and animal/plant adaptations. Specific adaptations help organisms survive. For instance, the spines of a cactus are modified leaves. They help the cactus survive in a desert ecosystem by minimizing water loss. All ecosystems have food chains and food webs. In social studies students have learned how Asian, Hispanic, African, and European cultures have influenced the Western Hemisphere, specifically the Northern Region. We will begin researching light and sound, and force and motion in science when we return from break.
ELA: Students in ELA have just finished reading The Real Superheroes which was a fascinating book about real-life people doing extraordinary acts of kindness for others throughout history. Students will begin to read The Great Migration which chronicles the exodus of African Americans from the South to the North during World War I in search of better lives. Lastly, students will read Angel Island which tells how one of the largest islands in California’s San Francisco Bay became the largest immigration station in the United States; that served as the main entry point for thousands of immigrants coming to the United States through the West Coast. All these text provide our students with opportunities to understand the relationships between individuals and historical events.
MUSIC
NEWSLETTER:
Did you know that March is “Music in our Schools” Month (MIOSM)? Our Noble Tiger Musicians have been hard at work in the music room! Our Kindergarten students have started making music in cooperative learning groups just like we’re in first grade, while our first grade students have been exploring music through movement, and signing alone and with others. Meanwhile, second grade students have been learning a Japanese hand clapping game and exploring the word “culture.” Our third grade students have also made cultural connections through exploring music from Samoa while they play the recorder. Meanwhile, our fourth grade students have been enjoying their own exploration of world cultures with “Jan Ken Pon.” Our fifth grade students perform their original musical, “Dreams,” this month as well, so we have lots to celebrate in our school. Ask your child why.
Physical
Education
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program and raised money for the American Heart Association. Noble raised over $2000!!! For those students that raised at least $15 and are supposed to receive additional prizes, they have been ordered and should arrive in a few weeks. In class, we have finished our Jump Rope unit and have begun working on Baseball/Softball skills including Throwing, Catching and Batting and will continue to do so this month. Please remind your child to always wear sneakers for Gym. If their shoes are not safe for the activity, they may have to sit out. Thanks for your support and GO TIGERS!
Spanish March 2017 Newsletter
In Pre-School and Kindergarten, we have been learning about what we bring to school iour “mochilas” (backpacks). Meanwhile, 3rd grade students had fun using their knowledge of Spanish to find out their zodiac sign and their corresponding personality traits. All students 1st-5th grade learned about “Carnaval” during the week leading up to Spring Break. Many of the younger students may be bringing home their “marimonda” masks—a silly and traditional costume worn during the Carnaval celebration in Colombia. If your child brings home a mask, make sure to ask them what two animals make up a “marimonda!”
Art News
Spring is in the air! What better way to welcome the season than with brightly colored pieces of art that is sure to make everyone smile!
Kindergarten and 5th graders are learning about Monet and his impressionist style. Students are recreating Monet’s Waterlilies with vibrant colors of paint and oil pastels.
Our second graders are reinforcing their knowledge of the color wheel. Specifically, primary colors and secondary colors. The students are learning how to mix the primary colors to create the secondary colors. The final pieces will look like a rainbow of trees lined up for our enjoyment.
Science Newsletter
Welcome Spring!
I’m sure that students are excitedly looking forward to spring break. Upon returning from break, Noble scientists will began grade level explorations into various aspects of physical science. Kindergarten and first grade will explore the basic concept of push or pull forces and gravity. Grades two and three will investigate grade level concepts related to force and motion with emphasis on real life experiences. Fourth and fifth grades will also explore force and motion focusing on designing and exploring real life investigations that also include application of Newton’s laws of motion. Have a restful and fun spring break, Noble scientists. “May the Force be with you." J