Mr. Moreland's Memos for February 4th-8th

This past week went by very quickly.  It is hard to believe that we are already in February.  It seems like yesterday we were just returning from Christmas break.  This past week we learned a lot about the weather and the long A sounds and about adding two digit numbers.  This next week will be just as busy with many new things.  Over the weekend I am hoping that the groundhog will not see his shadow so we can get this cold weather out of here and bring back some warmer weather.

Reading/Phonics/Spelling- In reading this week our stories will all be centered all around being a scientist.  We will be reading the following stories “Be Curious” p. 82, “Meet Ben Franklin” p. 84 and “A Close Look” p. 104.  We will also be talking about some new high frequency words and vocabulary words.  Please practice reading and talking about the following words; friends, kind, by, far, house, knew, curious, idea.  These words will appear in all of the reading selections this week.  We will also be looking at how good readers use questioning to help them comprehend.  We will just be starting this topic and will go through February.  We will also be looking at how when we have questions they can lead to answers and guesses.  To go along with the stories our phonics for the week will center around the long E sounds by having an e at the end of a word and -ea, or –ee in a word.  The spelling list that has been also posted on our classroom blog, reflects the long E sound with a variety of long E words.

Math- This week in math we are going to switch gears from addition to subtraction.  This time we will be subtracting two digit numbers from two digit numbers.  We are building up to next week where we will learn about borrowing.  We will start off easy where the students can use a hundreds chart to begin and then gradually get a little tougher.  There will be a variety of strategies we will use.  The best way is to just know you addition and subtraction basic facts.  Please be practicing the basic adding and subtracting facts at home.  It never hurts to do a little more!

Grammar/Writing- This week in grammar we will be studying when to use the present tense and past tense of see.  We will also be talking about using see and saw when the subject of a sentence is singular or plural.  We will continue as usual with our writing journal and relate to a few Valentine’s Day stories this week.

Social Studies- This week we are going to begin our social studies unit on culture.  We will be looking at our culture and talking about families, rules, and school life.  Also, with February being Black History Month we will be reading about and studying a few famous people that have helped shape America into what it is today.

   

Related Arts Rotations for 2/4-2/8

Group A- Computer, Gym, Music, Art, Computer

Group B- Music, Art, Computer, Gym, Music

Group C- Gym, Music, Art Computer, Gym

Group D- Art, Computer, Gym, Music, Art

Just a reminder that Monday is a library day.    Please return your books on Monday.  Remember to bring those library books back if they are at home.  We will be going to the library to check out new books.

Friday February 1^st, 6 to 8 PM: Game On Family Engagement Event at Oak Hill School. Roller skating in the small gym and a vendor fair of our Wildcat home business owners in the large gym. Admission is free to students and PTA members. Adults who are not yet PTA members may join for $7 which will gain not only event entrance, but also other PTA membership perks. Entrance fee for adults without a PTA membership who do not wish to purchase a PTA membership is $5. Pizza and drinks are available for purchase. Popcorn is served free.

(From Mrs. Work) A used book fair will collect books Jan. 30 – February 9. Students will be able to buy books February 4 –February 9. Students will collect and count the books, count the money, advertise and manage the book fair. At the end, the older students will write opinion essays to recommend an animal package, through Heifer’s International, to purchase from the proceeds of the event and benefit a family in poverty. The entire student body will vote to decide on the package to send. Please send in gently used books. A box will be available in each classroom to place the books.  Donations will be collected each morning from January 28 through February 8^th.  The children will have an opportunity to purchase books each day from February 4th-February 9^th at the World Bazaar.  Paperback books will cost $0.25 and Hard Cover books $0.50.

Be sure to send in those box tops.  Every Thursday I send down our bag of box tops to the office.  If you have any box tops or food labels that can be redeemed for money please send them in and I will get them turned in.