Pastries with Parents & Other Updates

Students are coming with a reminder from the office.  The reminder is also attached at the bottom of this email.

In Readers' Workshop, students asked and answered questions in order to help them develop insights as they read. 

In Writers' Workshop, students are learning the elements of an opinion essay.  Students have written opening paragraphs using a hook, claim and reasons.  Today we looked at the structure of body paragraphs.  Students can organize their body paragraphs using the "Claim Evidence Reasoning" (CER) structure.  With partners first, then independently, students practiced making claims i (or opening statements, topic sentences, etc.) for each of our body paragraphs. Take a look!

In Math Workshop, we used unifix cubes to break apart factors to help us solve more complex multiplication equations.  We also reviewed helper facts.  Students can use x2, x5, or x10 to help them solve equations they don't have memorized.  In class we say, "the factor we change (to a helper fact), is the number of groups". 

In Science, students took a pre-assessment to assess their ability in responding to scientific guiding questions.  Once I get this data, I'll teach students how to use the CER structure when responding to questions in Science.

In Word Study, students "leaned in" to the plot/ mental movie to help them discover the meaning of unknown words.  We then used our mental movie to act out the new words.  

Homework:

• Math homework: Unit 4 Test Review
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Recess: If the temperature is above 32F, we will try to go outside.  Please continue to send students to school with warm weather wear (winter coats, mittens, hats, etc.).  I will only take students out if our whole class is appropriately dressed.  We don't want anyone getting sick :).  Thank you for your support!
• Unit 4 Math Assessment: Tomorrow
• Book Fair Project: Due tomorrow

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

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Attention Parents, Guardians and Grandparents,

Due to the after effects of the pending snow storm, "Pastries with Parents" dates have been rescheduled.  The new scheduled dates are:

• Monday, Feb. 1:  Last Names A - J
• Tuesday, Feb. 2:  Last Names K- Z

Also, the book fair will be extended to February 3.

Homework:

• Math homework
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Assessment: Friday, January 22
• Book Fair Project: Due this week

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Math Test Friday

In Readers' Workshop, students asked questions to help think and talk about informational texts.  We use sticky notes to document these questions.

In Writers' Workshop, students tried different beginning sentences to help them "hook" their readers in their opinion essays.  The strategies they tried out today are: 5 senses, question, shocking fact, dialogue, onomatopoeia, and expert quote.  Encourage your child to practice these.  Ask them which holiday is best? Have them use one of the strategies listed above to hook their reader.

In Math Workshop, students used the break apart strategy to break factors into simpler numbers in order to help them quickly solve more complex multiplication equations. Just a reminder that students have their Unit 4 assessment on Friday.  This assessment covers multiplication and division.

In Word Study, we looked at the word "rummage" from our read aloud book, Holes.  Ask your child to show you what rummaging looks like.


Homework:

• Math homework
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Assessment: Friday, January 22
• Book Fair Project: Due this week

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

K Buddies Blogging!

After lunch, we met with our kindergarten buddies.  With our buddies, we read an informational text about Martin Luther King, Jr.. Together, we identified a color that best represents what King stood for, his beliefs, etc..  On our blogs, we wrote a claim identifying our color and used evidence from the text and our own reasoning to justify our thinking.  Ask your child what color their buddy picked and how they helped them.  

Homework:

• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Assessment: Friday, January 22
• No school: Monday, January 18
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Math Test Next Friday

In Science, students are conducting a controlled experiment to test and compare different bridges.  See some snapshots from yesterday below. 

Homework:

• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Assessment: Friday, January 22
• Multiplication Fact Quiz (x5): Friday, January 15
• Early Dismissal: Friday, January 15
• No school: Monday, January 18
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

SRI Scores

This morning students took the Scholastic Reading Assessment (SRI).  They are coming home with their old score (from the Fall) and new score (today's score) on a neon flashcard.  These do not need to be returned.  Students will take this assessment again in the Spring. Students are expected to grow 75-100 Lexiles per year.  By the end of third grade, we want students scoring 520-820 Lexiles or greater.

Homework:

• Math homework 
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Multiplication Fact Quiz (x5): Friday, January 15
• Early Dismissal: Friday, January 15
• No school: Monday, January 18
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Drinking Water: Bottled or From the Tap?

In Readers' Workshop, students organized their notes with boxes (main ideas) and bullets (supportive facts) to help them think about and understand informational texts.

In Writers' Workshop, we read like writers, noticing characteristics of strong opinion writing.  Students looked for claims, reasons, shocking facts, questions, expert quotes,etc. in an article entitled "Drinking Water: Bottled or From the Tap?".  Below are some snapshots from our mini-lesson.  You'll see students identifying/ marking up the article.

In Word Study, students learned the verb "cite".  They identified examples and non-examples of citing and then generated their own examples.  Ask your child to cite an illustration from Voices in the Park to prove the claim, Smudge is optimistic. 

In Math Workshop, we used multiplication diagrams to help us solve multiplication word problems.

Homework:

• Math homework 
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Multiplication Fact Quiz (x5): Friday, January 15
• Early Dismissal: Friday, January 15
• No school: Monday, January 18
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

x5 Quiz Friday

In Word Study, students learned the word "impact".  The definition we use in class is "to have a strong effect on someone or something".  Ask your child to come up with examples of impact.  If they're stuck, ask them how Ruby impacted Ivan or how the desert is impacting Stanley.

Homework:

• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Multiplication Fact Quiz (x5): Friday, January 15
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Fluency Quiz Information

Hi All,

Today students took their first multiplication quiz.  They were tested on their x2 facts.  Each week, students will work on memorizing new facts, and will have a quiz the following Friday.  If your child does not score well the first time they take the quiz, they are allowed to retake the quiz any morning. If they earn a better score, their best score will replace their old score.  Please continue to encourage your child to work on multiplication.  Memorization of these facts is crucial for students to be successful in third grade and as they move forward in their education. 

Thank you!

Homework:

• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 and 5  
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils
• Pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Supplies Needed!

Our class is very, very low on supplies, especially sticky notes, pens and pencils.  Please consider donating to our room.  Thank you in advance for your generosity! 

Homework:

• Math homework
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Multiplication Fact Quiz (0-2): Friday, January 8
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes: Very low
• Pencils: Completely out!
• Pens: Completely out!

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Multiplication!

We have officially began our math unit in multiplication! Part of this unit is memorizing our multiplication facts, 0-12.  Each week, students will make flashcards as we progress through our facts.  Throughout the day, students will have time in class to practice their multiplication tables using their flashcards.  Please encourage your child to practice their flashcards at home as well. We'll have quizzes on Fridays.  Thank you for your support!

This morning, students finished their Big Ten Reading and Writing Project. These will be displayed in the school for RES students vote on which university they'd consider attending based on the data provided on each college. 

Homework:

• Math homework
• Multiplication Facts: Practice 0-2 
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

• Multiplication Fact Quiz (0-2): Friday, January 8
• Book Fair Project: Due Tuesday, Jan. 19 - Friday, Jan. 22.  A letter outlining the project will come home this Friday.

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes
• Pencils and pens

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill

Welcome Back!

In Writers' Workshop, students finished working on the computers for their Big Ten project. Tomorrow we will assemble our posters and hopefully hang them for RES students to vote.

In Readers' Workshop, students learned to use bold print and the glossary to help them reread, rephrase, and make sense of informational text and unknown words. To practice this we used National Geographic Explorer magazines.  These are great informational texts for students to read as the text is meaty, but supported with fantastic photographs and text features.  If you see these at your local library, encourage your child to check them out!

In Word Study, I re-assessed students to see their progress with their letter relationships.

In Science, students explored push and pull forces on a two story structure.  We examined where the forces were not equal to improve our design and make our structure more sound. 

In Math Workshop, students used the equal groups strategy to show and solve multiplication problems.


Homework:

• Math homework
• Read 20 minutes 

Reminders:

Classroom Supplies:

• Sticky Notes:   We're still in need of sticky notes! Any donations are appreciated! Thank you so much to families who've already donated! 

Kidblog Link:  

• https://kidblog.org/class/RES11/login

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill