Literacy – Phonics Principle: To show comparisons between words, add ‘er’ or ‘est’ to the word. Exs: tall-taller-tallest, wide-wider-widest. Weekly lessons are taught to provide readers and writers with ‘rules’ they can use when faced with an unfamiliar word. As we are reading or writing, I prompt the children by saying “What chunk do you know/see that might help you with this word?” These weekly rules and examples are posted in our room for a quick reference, and I will often refer the children to a particular posted rule for help. Each day, we also complete an activity connected to what we are learning, or find examples in our daily reading (books and poems/charts).

Math – We are continuing our work with regrouping to solve subtraction problems and story problems. It is important the children understand the process of trading tens for ones, rather than just learn the procedure for carrying over or borrowing a number from one column to another. We do this by using base-ten blocks (tens and ones) or coins (dimes, pennies). We also check our thinking against a 100s chart or by using a number line. Being flexible in thinking tens to ones or ones to tens is vital to understanding!

Themes – Last week, we read a Dr. Seuss story called Bartholomew and the Oobleck. This week, we will explore states of matter and talk about the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. One way to do this is to make our own “oobleck” and talk about into which category it fits!

Report Cards/Conferences – Report cards came home last Friday. Please refer to your continuum sheets for clarification of reading and writing stages. Conferences have been scheduled. Look on your child’s homework log for confirmation of your scheduled time. Please call the office if you need to change your time.

Upcoming events:

Thursday, March 18 – 8:15 AM Awards Assembly,

Early Release/Parent-Teacher Conferences 12:30-3:00

Friday, March 19 – No School / Teacher In-Service Day

Friday, March 26 – Field trip to Strawberry Banke (8:15-4:00 PM)