A few updates -

First grade math - We started a new unit this week.  We are working on adding two digit numbers.  The students have learned many different methods to do the adding.

First grade phonics - This week we continued to learn about closed syllables.  We also learned the difference between a closed syllable and an open syllable.

Science - Our butterflies are finally emerging!  We had lessons on the chrysalis, the emerging butterfly, the life cycle, and foods that our butterflies eat.

Reading - This week we continued to work on homophones in word work.  Our reading groups are working hard!

Stations - Next week Stations of the Cross are on Tuesday.  Our readers this time are Cullan, Kyan, Mary, and Enzo.  Please make sure to practice with them.

Computer - I am so amazed at what the students have learned how to do on their ZooBurst books!  They are turning out great!

Art - The All Grace Schools Fine Arts held at NDA is rescheduled for Tuesday, March 26th. In art class we are continuing our unit on symbols and American Pop artist, Jasper Johns. We are using templates and stencils of a variety of symbols in this work of art. March is Youth Art Month! Celebrate by going to an art exhibit! 


***March 12th***
March 12th is an OPTIONAL conference night.  You do not need to schedule a conference.  If you do want to schedule a conference, I will only be available that night from 3:30 - 5:00.  I will only be available until that time because we are also having our Lego Robotics show and tell night.  :)  The Lego Robotics program is going to start at 6:00.  That night the kids will get to show off to you all of the cool things they learned about building and programming Legos.  If you want to schedule a conference and we don't have time that night, we'll schedule it for a different day.

Have a great weekend!  See you at the auction!

First grade has math homework tonight.

*Second grade has math homework tonight.


*Weekly Spelling Lists -

First Grade - Phonetic List - Long e Words
he
me
we
she
beet
seed
flee
creek
peek
deed

First Grade - High-Frequency List - Words 131-140
place
well
such
here
take
why
help
put
different
away

Second Grade - Phonetic List - k spelled c, k, ck
cook
sick
cave
rock
keep
luck
kick
cake
back
look

Second Grade - High-Frequency List - Words 301-310
living
black
eat
short
United States
run
book
gave
order
open

A few updates...

First Grade Math - We have been working on all sorts of measuring in this unit.  First we worked on telling time.  Then we learned about shapes and fractions.  Next we learned about 3D shapes.  Today we worked on measuring.

First Grade Phonics - We are learning about closed syllables.  A closed syllable has one syllable, it has one vowel, the vowel sound is short, and the word is closed off with a consonant (or consonants). Some examples of closed syllable words are mat and bench.  We have learned all of the bossy r keywords.  We also started vowel teams this week.  We learned the keywords for vowel teams ai and ay.

Science - We are continuing to work on the Einstein butterfly kit.  Only about ten of our caterpillars made it.  :(  We have watched them start out as tiny caterpillars, watched them grow and grow and grow, go into the j shape, and go into the chrysalis.  As of today, two painted lady butterflies have emerged!

Religion - We have been learning about Lent.  We have been focusing on three things - pray, fast give.  Today we focused on prayer.  We made prayer boxes.  The students may write things to pray for throughout lent and keep them in their prayer boxes.  We also have been learning about the purpose of the rice bowl.

Reading - Our word work focus this week has been homophones.  Each reading group has been working hard!

Handwriting - We are continuing to work on our letters.  First grade is continuing to work on forming letters the correct way and writing them in the correct spaces.  Second grade is continuing to learn how to write in cursive.

Writing - We are writing stories in writer's workshop, working on writing in daily 5, and creating books in ZooBurst.

Gym - All students for this week and next week are working on jump roping.  You may think that is “easy-peasy” but each child is working on their best of cross-overs, double unders (some are trying triple unders), no middle jump, the wheel, line jumping, and double dutch.  Each child is working at their own pace.  Whew!!!  There have been a lot of red faces and much work accomplished.  Jump Rope for Heart information will be coming home in the next couple of weeks.  Be on the lookout for it please.  We will periodically revisit jumping to keep them all in shape for the Jump Rope for Heart event.  A special thanks to Mrs. Kristie Bigari and her sister Katie for their help.  Did you know:  5 minutes of vigorous jump roping is the equivalent to a 1 mile run?!!!!!

Art -  In art we are learning about symbols and how artists use symbols in art to create meaning. When we see a heart, we think of love. A peace sign makes us think of peace. When we see a cross we think of Christ, and a dove, the Holy Spirit. An American flag makes us think of the USA. American artist, Jasper Johns, likes to use symbols in his work. Our current art project is all about symbols.......inspired by Jasper. 

Second grade has math homework tonight.

First grade has math homework tonight.

Stations of the Cross -

We will again be having Stations of the Cross this Lent.  We had exactly 16 students volunteer to read Stations - and exactly 16 parts. :)  I sent home all of the reading parts today.  Please practice them at home with your child.  The dates, times, and readers are as follows:

Monday, February 23rd - 12:30
Max, Ella
Cassie, Megan

Tuesday, March 3rd - 9:30
Cullan, Kyan
Mary,Enzo

Wednesday, March 11th - 10:30
Madison, Landon
Reese, Ruby

Thursday, March 26th - 1:00
Katey, Dylan
Mia, Hannah