Wolfe Neck Farm

Week of October 12-October 16

The children came back from their long weekend well rested and ready to learn.



We kicked off our new writing unit, Looking Closely. This unit has the children observing, labeling, and listing like scientists.  On Wednesday we went for a nature walk and 
found a variety of items to write about.  We have also been observing our plants and drawing them in our science journals.  On Friday, we found Twistables in the mystery bag. These will be a special writing tool for this unit.  

During Reader's Workshop readers learned different ways to read with partners. Partnerships practiced echo reading, choral reading, and taking turns. We also read rhyming books and sang rhyming songs. On Monday we will make rhyming monsters.  

Students have learned three sight words, the, see, and can.  


Mathematicians developed their understanding of addition and subtraction by solving pocket problems.  They also practiced sorting and classifying objects in different ways.  On Friday we went for a shape walk through the school and found lots of circles and triangles throughout the building.  Shapes are EVERYWHERE!  

This week we began work stations. Throughout the week there are four stations which students work at in pairs or small groups. At the beginning of the year the stations include play areas. This helps me to introduce the students to the concept of stations and to new materials in the classroom. Students also learn a lot through play. As the year progresses the stations will become more academic but still lots of fun.  The number will also increase to eight stations and students will complete two a day.  (We usually complete work stations four days a week.) 

Week of October 5-9

Week of September 28

 

  We officially started handwriting this week. Students learned how to form capital E's and F's.  The students practiced on chalkboards using a process called wet, dry, try. Then they each received their very own handwriting workbooks!

During math time we explored a variety of shapes and brainstormed ways to describe them.  Students were introduced to repeating patterns and growing patterns.  They had a chance to use manipulatives to build their own and then describe them to a partner.  We played two math games using dot cards. One was called Dot Card Match Up.  The other was Dot Card Top-It.

 During Writer's Workshop the children continued writing true stories about themselves.   Writers practiced adding labels to their stories and writing stories across pages.  Each Friday is Fancy Friday. Writer's have the chance to fancy up their stories by adding color.

Did you know we started our job chart ?  Each Monday students are assigned a job for the week. Jobs include line leader, supply helper, calendar helper, attendance and lunch count, messenger, light switcher, number of the day helper, and lunch basket carrier.  Asking your child about their job for the week is always a good way to start a conversation about their day.

I arrived at music class a little early on Monday and was able to hear the students practicing rhythms with instruments.  They were playing along to "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed."

To end the week, we combined math and art to make symmetrical butterflies.  The students made two.  One to bring home and one to hang in the hallway.