January News
Welcome back!
Hope you had a relaxing break with your family!
Our phonics focus for the month is long
vowels, we will reinforce the difference between short and long vowel sounds
and learn more about Magic E at the end of words which taps the vowel and makes
it say the long sound, as well as Two Vowels Walking, the First One Does the
Talking. These can be a little tricky and the kids need lots of practice both
decoding and blending for reading AND writing. We will also focus on editing
skills watching for spelling, meaning, capitals, spaces, and ending
punctuation!
Sight Words for
January
|
6-10
|
13-17
|
20-24
|
27-Feb. 31
|
|
he
|
away
|
eat
|
blue
|
|
she
|
come
|
please
|
came
|
|
we
|
three
|
be
|
make
|
|
one
|
green
|
me
|
take
|
|
two
|
see
|
saw
|
name
|
In Math we are diving into our next big unit which is addition and
subtraction to 12. Within this unit we will be using all kinds of tools to help
the kids get a concrete grasp of how Mental Math works. We are starting with the strategy of Counting
On, as it is the
easiest for most students. Chances are that some or many of your children are
already using this strategy without knowing it. Counting on means that you
start with the biggest number in an equation, and then count up. For example,
in the equation 5+3, you want students to start with the “5″ in their heads, and then count up, “6, 7, 8.” This is to discourage students from counting
like, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5…..6, 7, 8.” Students also need to be taught that if an equation looks like this: “2+6,” they still should start with the bigger
number in this case “6″ and count up “7, 8.”
The strategy
of Doubles will come next, as it usually comes quite easily to students. Doubles are all around us;
think of fingers and toes – 5+5, wheels on a car – 2+2, or the eggs in a carton – 6+6. When students know their doubles well, they should no longer have
to think about the equation to solve it. Rather, the answer becomes automatic.
This means that the student has developed automaticity. For example, when a student
sees the equation 8+8, he should know that it equals 16 without even stopping
to think. Building a strong foundation of doubles will help students with the
next strategy, Doubles Plus One.
We are finishing up the Senses unit in
Science. After that we will be starting a very hands on and creative Building
Unit. The children will be transforming a variety of materials into recycled
treasures over the next few months!
In Social, we are continuing our mapping unit which includes learning
cardinal directions, finding Lethbridge on a map, landmarks, and rural vs.
urban communities and more!
IMPORTANT: The theme for Spirit Day has changed. It is now toque and hat day! (We are going to save the sports day for
during the Olympics!)
If your child
is arriving at school prior to the bell in the morning, please do not leave
them in front of the school. We have supervisors outside on the
playground and it is a much safer area to be. In instances when it is too
cold, supervisors will be outside shooing students into the bootrooms.
Thanks so much!
UPDATE:
We have a special presentation by SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOL on Thursday January 30th.
I will need five parent
volunteers to come in and help out with Science
centres for that afternoon. If you are interested please send me an email!
Thanks so much!
