Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Journeys

Hello Unit 2!!
In our new unit, students are going to be pushing their thinking and using new skills and strategies to grow as readers, writers, and even speakers.
We have two new anchor texts this week.
Animals Building Homes
Whose Home Is This?
Genre: Informational Text
Some key objectives derived from this text will be identifying text and graphic features and using content to determine meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. They will also be comparing and contrasting animals and their homes in both selections and using text features as subheadings in bold print to clarify the meaning.

Homework

Homework came home on Monday! Please remind students to budget their time effectively and have all homework in by Friday. Thank you!
In addition to the daily responsibilities please take a look at what is coming up at the bottom of the homework schedule. Please also take a look at our classroom blog for additional information and details regarding our classroom!

 

Board Books!

Headstart approached us with the opportunity to make all students of this program board books. What little one doesn't love a board book and a fun story to go along? So many ideas rolled through our heads and then we became excited!
These board books are going to be a small gift to the kids entering a new setting. Something one of their new teachers can read to them and then something they can take home to share.
Our classroom made two different board books and we had a blast in the process!

BOOK ONE
We met with our learning buddies for three Fridays as we walked through the writing process to completion. Students had flexibility with their buddy to create a book they thought would be interesting but also involves content that little ones would understand and want to hear.
Their first step was to plan out their pages. They collaborated, using on another's ideas, then created a story to love!
Some students even created non-fiction text where they taught the kids at Headstart a thing or two about insects, birds, and even Traverse City!




BOOK TWO
Due to our field trip to the Bug Zoo and Butterfly House, we decided to write an all about book about a bugs and insects. While making something fun for a little kiddo, we also wanted to make a connection to second grade.
All students chose their insect or bug, then researched their choice in books and even on the computer. After they had enough information and gained more knowledge on the topic, they planned their pages, edited what they had, and then created a REALLY awesome board book that I almost wish they could have kept! Instead, I took a picture of all the book pages! Here is a peek...you can see a more upclose version at parent teacher conferences!









Thursday, October 19, 2017

Important Reminders

Parent Teacher Conferences
Here is the link to click on in order to sign up for parent teacher conferences.

Field Trip
We are heading to Gallagher's Farm Market instead of a Halloween Celebration this year! Please click on the following link to fill out the online permission slip for your child if you haven't already.
Thank you!

Move A Thon
We are behind our goal for the Move A Thon! If you haven't turned in your donations and pledges yet please do so as soon as possible. This was a great fundraiser for funds going back to the school for a great cause!

Box Top Contest
October 23rd-27th
Help our classroom collect tops in a winner takes all event!!
The winning class will receive 10 % of the amount collected to be used for supplies in the classroom. So if the school collects 20,000 tops that means $2,000 and $200.00 for our classroom!! Please ask family and friends to help collect for our classroom as well! We are in it to win it!!

WW Book Fair

The WW Book Fair is OPEN!!
Friday, October 20 - Friday, October 27
The students came home with a sneak peak magazine and a wish list for the book fair. Today we had library where students were able to get a look at all the books available at Westwoods to purchase. They came home with a 'Wish List' to make picking out a book of choice easier for any potential shoppers! 



ONLINE OPTION 
You will also have the option to view and purchase books online!
Please click here to visit the website.
All orders placed will be sent to WW and passed out to students.
  
TIMES TO SHOP
Students will be able to purchase books during their regular library time.
In addition they can shop after school from 3:30-5:00 
Monday, October 23rd
Wednesday October 25th  


TEACHER WISH LIST
Each teacher also filled a basket with books they would love to have donated to their classrooms.  Please stop in to see which books are the teachers favorites and each book purchased will stay in their classroom for all students to enjoy.

Coin-A-Day Challenge
During our book fair Westwoods is participating in the Coin-a-day challenge.  The coin drive will support the All for Books program that helps students purchase books who may not have the funds to do so on their own. All money raised will go towards purchasing books for Westwoods students.  Students can bring their loose change to the library and add it to the Help us Buy Books box.  
Penny Monday
Nickel Tuesday
Dime Wednesday
Quarter Thursday
Any Coin Friday
Please take a moment to donate loose change for All for Books this year.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Halloween Field Trip

Instead of a Halloween celebration we are heading to the farm! Gallagher's Farm Market is going to be our adventure that day!
Please click on the link below for more details involved in our trip and for a permission slip to fill out for your child. We are not asking for donations this time around due to a very generous classroom family! Thank you!

https://goo.gl/forms/p1qSLuuGTj7KxOOz2

Please let me know if you have any additional questions!


Homework

Homework came home yesterday with all students! It was a little hectic as we rushed out of the room on Monday after school. I mentioned this to the students as well, but if there is a child that needs a homework packet, that did not get one, please let me know. I did tell them that coming to me on a Friday morning saying they did not receive a homework packet is not going to fly :)


Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Journeys

For the next two weeks we are wrapping up Unit 1 and assessing on what students have learned thus far. Within our last lesson we have two new texts.
Teacher's Pet
Genre: Realistic Fiction
We are reading as well as practicing to identify the problem and solution in this realistic fiction text. The story demonstrates the elements of a story's structure through both the words and the text, using a familiar topic. Students will be able to identify the elements of a story's structure and understand how the author's word choice creates meaning in a story.
Next time you read a story with your child, ask them to identify the characters (who), setting (where and when) and plot (what happened).

See Westburg by Bus!
Genre: Informational Text
Children will regularly encounter informational text in textbooks and on the internet. This informational text gives children experience with reading a map and applying the information to real life scenarios. Students will be able to follow information in a pamphlet and apply information found on a map.


Homework

Weekly homework is came home in your child's communicator!
We had a 100% return last week! Thank you for the added reminder to your child for our new responsibility of homework.
Please note I forgot two major reminders for the week on the weekly schedule...your child helped me fill in the blanks :)
MOVE A THON is on Friday!!
Please remind your child to get out there and get those pledges! 
And...
Scholastic book order is due on Thursday, October 12!
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Thank you!