January 6th - January 9th, 2014

I would like to start off by thanking you for all the of the emails and welcome back notes.  Our week couldn't have gone any better!  I am missing a few email addresses so please send those to me as soon as you can.  

This week we reviewed classroom expectations and continued on with Daily 5.  Everyone has been working extremely hard and I am so impressed!  We have had a few indoor recesses this week but I have kept them busy exercising in the classroom and on the walking track.  We started to read the book Miss. Daisy is Crazy and everyone seems to be enjoying it.  We are going to be doing a lot of writing this term.  We made some writing folders and I gave everyone a special journal to write in. 

I have introduced PWIM (picture word inductive model) in our classroom.  PWIM is where we use a large picture and “shake” out words.  We practice spelling the words orally and we also sort them.  We find patterns in other words and categorize and classify them.  We make sentences about the picture and sort those into paragraphs. This week we shook out the words and have been using the Icardsort app to sort them.  

In math we have started Unit 3: Addition and Subtraction to 18.  I will be using something called Explore Plus 4 in math which is a structure like Daily 5.  Students will be working on different activities in small math groups. I will work with one group while the other groups will be working on games, MOMO (math on my own), math talk, or math with someone.  This week we learned a few math games with ten frames such as Go Fish and Face Off.   I will teach your child a few addition and subtraction card games so that you can play them at home to help them practice their facts. 

This week we talked about getting started with Genius Hour projects during Fun Friday.  Students pick something to learn, create or do.  They then research, explore, and work on their topic at this time.  I am sure you will hear your child talk about Genius Hour soon.  Some have many ideas and some need help coming up with something.  The idea needs to be one that your child is passionate and excited about!  We will start student blogs about our Genius Hour journeys soon!  We watched a video called Caine's Arcade to get us excited about our projects.

Please email me at shannon.sanchuck@rbe.sk.ca if you have any questions or concerns about what is going on in the classroom. 

Upcoming dates: 
Wednesday January 15th: Book orders due
Thursday January 30th: Book Swap (send your used books January 27th, 28th, 29th and exchange them for new books on January 30th)
Thursday February 6th: Outdoor Field Trip to Boggy Creek (note will be sent home the week of the 20th)