ABC Countdown, a few notes and Happy Mother's Day!

A few notes:

*ALL library books should be returned Monday 5-12-14

*Last week for Spelling words and homework!  YAY!

ABC Countdown this week:

*5-12 L Lollipop day!

*5-13 M Movie Day

*5-14 N New Name day

*5-15 O Outside Day-we will work outside

*5-16 P Pajama Day!!!

And finally-Happy Mother's Day to you all!  I hope you are enjoying your special weekend!!!

ABC Countdown!!

Tomorrow starts our ABC Countdown!  Can you believe we only have 26 days of school left!  Here are the first few days!


April 25th-A day!  Bring your favorite stuffed Animal to school day!

April 28th-B day!  Bring a book to buddy read with a friend!

April 29th-C day!  CAMO day!  Wear your best camo (or green and brown)

***SUPPLIES***

Dear Parents,
     We are in NEED of supplies in our classroom!  The children have used ALL of the scissors, glue sticks, dry erase markers, erasers and highlighters that were sent in at the beginning of the year.  I can't figure out where they have gone!  If you are out and are willing to replenish some supplies in our classroom, we would GREATLY appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #5

This week we learned another vocabulary strategy with Mrs. Koch.  She worked with me on teaching the students how to use a dictionary to look up what unknown words mean.  We did a mimio lesson on how to use a dictionary (using guide words) and the kids LOVED it!  They are ALL about technology!  We practiced ABC with this skill as well.  The students all had a story to read.  The story was higher level and had several unknown words.  We then broke the students into groups of 3 and gave them a word we had circled from the text.  They had to look it up in the dictionary and write down the definition.  Then when we reread the story, that group was the experts on their word.  It was great and the kids were actually asking to read the dictionary and use guide words at recess..not kidding!  Love when they get excited about learning!  Check us out below!!

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VOCABULARY STRATEGY #4

This week we focused on using our pictures to gain clues as to what unknown words may mean.  We had already learned about context clues in the text-these are context clues in the pictures!  We used a Common Core Exemplar text called Earthworms.  Kids broke up into groups and each group had a page(s) from the book with vocabulary words on it that they do not know.  They had to create a web of clues they got from the picture to help them figure out what the unknown words meant.  I feel Mrs. Koch's lessons are AMAZING and she is helping us build vocabulary strategies for your children that will benefit them for years to come!

Black History Month Research Project!

I am AMAZED at what my students can do!  Our wonderful student teacher, Miss Wolfe, created a unit to celebrate Black History Month.  They studied, MLK Jr., Ruby Bridges, and Rosa Parks.  Students then got to choose one of them to research.  They filled in planners and then created Biography Flowers on that person!  They learned to research on the IPADS and worked with other students who were researching the same person to find the most interesting facts!!!  Best of all...they had FUN!

Jargon Journals! I LOVE them!

     For the last couple weeks we have been using Jargon Journals, also known as vocabulary journals, in our classroom!  The kids have ROCKED them and they are learning SO much about...you guessed it...VOCABULARY!
     I found the Jargon Journal idea here
 http://www.secondstorywindow.net/home/2013/11/acquiring-vocabulary-with-a-weekly-words-progam.html 
This lady is amazing and I love her ideas!  We read a book from her units and focus on the four important words from the book.  Then, this is when your children AMAZE me, we create a vocabulary flap with those words from the book.  The kids come up with a visual representation of the word, a kid friendly definition of the word and they also make a connection to the word.  Making a connection to an important word is HUGE!  It helps students recall and be able to use the words in their everyday life!  These Jargon Journals are amazing!

Are you seeing a pattern...VOCABULARY!  Leave me a comment and tell me what your child knows about the vocabulary we have learned!

Have a great weekend!