We have been diligently working on our science experiment in and outside of science lab. Our hypothesis was, “How does water effect different types of paper.” This week the class observed the changes in different types of paper after 1 week in water. The cardboard absorbed 13 grams of water, and the glue became slimy. There was no change with the waxed paper. You can get more information about their observations at our school science fair! It will take place Tuesday, March 25th, from 3:45-6:00.
MUSTACHE DAY: We filled our giant E from our STEAM board with tiger tickets so today Thursday, March 6, we are going to have mustache day. Your child may come to school with a nice mustache!
READ-A-THON: In recognition of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, our Tavelli Read-a-Thon will be Friday, March 7th. Local author, Mark Hoog, will be visiting with the students during the day. He will also have a presentation for Tavelli families from 6:00-7:00 that evening in the cafeteria. Your child may bring a small stuffed animal or a small pillow, and several books to school that day. (It should be able to fit in their backpack.) We will have time during the day for the class to kick back and read. If you have Read-a-Thon donations, they will be due Thursday, March 6th.
BOOK ORDER: March book orders are Monday March 10. Please put the order in your child’s Thursday folder. If you’re on book trust, please sit down and choose a book with your child. Or I will put in a general order for your child. I do not have time to sit with each student to have them pick out their own books. Thank you to the parents who do help their child choose a book.
INDEPENDENCE: With 4th quarter quickly approaching, we are working harder at getting ready for 1st grade. The children are taking on more independence and responsibility, as part of the preparation. Therefore, to foster this independence and responsibility, I’m respectfully asking that, beginning March 24th (4th quarter), you say your goodbyes to your child at the classroom door, and let them hang up their own backpacks and walk in on their own. This practice will make the transition to 1st grade easier. Thank you for your understanding and support!
MARCH READING LOG: Your child’s March reading log went home today. Please take the time to read with your child or have your child read to you for at least 20 minutes every day. It’s incredibly pivotal in a child’s life to be read to from a young age. It provides quality time with family and helps develop a love for reading. Thanks for taking the time to instill a love of reading in your child. Please return your child’s completed February reading log in their yellow Thursday folder.
POSTER CONTESTS: I sent home information about two poster contests where your child could win a bike and helmet, among other prizes. If you would like another entry form, let me know. The school bus safety poster is due back to me by April 21. The Be Kind to Animals Poster contest is due back by April 9.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with me. Have lovely weekend!
Margaret Sandberg
Here’s what we worked on this week:
Reading: Review week
· Identifying the letters and sounds Ee, Bb, Ll
· High-frequency word this, do, what, and
· finding the main idea in a story
· knowing the difference between main idea and details
· Summarizing and Sequencing a story, knowing predictions, characters, setting
· Blending with letters (dad d…a…d, ddaaad, dad) , isolating sounds (dolphin begins with the letter ‘d’ and ends with the letter ‘n’), rhyming (map, tap), and finding the beginning, middle and end sounds in simple words.
· breaking words into syllables, knowing how many syllables a word has (practice this. Students are getting confused between making sounds and breaking up the word into chunks)
· Vocabulary words: clear, cozy retreat, experience, hibernate
Writing:
· Students are now learning to write 5 sentence paragraphs about 1 topic (adding details to their writing using first, next, then, last). I am teaching them the writing process. Students think about a topic they would like to write about. Then we make a web with the topic in the middle and three details to support that topic. Then we’re able to look at that web and create a 5 sentence paragraph with an opening topic sentence, three detail sentences and a closing topic sentence.
· We practiced using our best and precise handwriting and coloring.
· Continued to work on 5 star writing (finger spaces, uppercase letters at the beginning of a sentence, picture matches writing, sounding out and spelling words we know correctly, and punctuation marks at the end)
Math:
· We identified numbers 0-100 and talked about what numbers come before or after a number.
· We practiced counting dots we saw for a half second and discussed our counting strategies we used (counted by 1’s, grouped dots together… etc.)
· We practiced simple addition and subtraction and practiced writing number sentences and stories.
· Introduced the quarter
· Created 3d shapes using toothpicks and marshmallows
Science:
· We are learning about wood and paper and where it comes from. This week we compared what happens to different kinds of paper when we put water droplets on them. Our question was, which type of paper absorbs water the fastest?
· We are also talking about the weather with a focus on clouds, seasons and the water cycle.