A few updates -

We are working on Discipline with Purpose.  We have 15 self-discipline skills that we will work on the entire year.  So far we have worked really hard on the first skill  - listening.  We are learning the steps that a good listener does.  Lots and lots and lots of repetition on this skill!  :)

This week we are starting to get into our regular routine.  Here are a few things we have done in our classroom -

Reading -  We are starting the process of Daily 5.  The Daily 5 centers are read to self, read to someone, listening, work on writing, and word work.  While the students are working in these centers, I am teaching reading groups.  Before any of that can happen - we need to practice, practice, practice and build our stamina!  This week we learned about and practiced all the components of read to self.  (Find a good spot, Stay in one spot, Get started right away, Read the whole time, Build stamina)  Tomorrow we will start working on read to someone.

Math - This week we took the beginning of the year inventory test.  We take the test to figure out where the students need to be placed in math.  Today we started working on five groups.
    - Milk Rings - If your child tells you they want the rings off of your milk jugs, they're correct.  :)  We have a board that we put them on to learn about place value.  So far our milk ring number is 48.  4 groups of tens and 8 ones.  :)

Science - We are starting an Einstein science kit - weather.  So far we only had the first lesson - Sharing what we know about weather.

Phonics - We started fundations phonics this week.  We reviewed all of the letter keyword sounds.  We had an assessment on knowing the letters of the alphabet and recognizing letter sounds.  We are working on c-v-c (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and tapping them out.

Handwriting - This year we will work on forming the letters correctly and making sure the letters are in the correct spaces.  Yesterday we worked on our first handwriting page - letter L (capital and lower case).

Writing - Eventually we will have writer's workshop.  To start the year, we write in journals.  We have made one journal entry.  Tomorrow we'll make journal entry number 2.

Religion - This year we have a brand new Religion series.  We started working out of our books this week.  The first chapter we are working on is about Jesus and friendship.  We will also be having Promise Papers this year.  Promise Papers are a weekly lesson about the Sunday Gospel.

Have a fantastic weekend!  :)