We have finally joined the ranks of all the other great classes at Teasley with our very own blog! Here, I (we) will update y'all about the exciting learning and growth taking place in our dynamic classroom, so please visit us often! Feel free to comment on this page or email me directly should you ever have questions --- we are certainly a team during what will surely be a huge year of growth for your child.
What Are We Learning?
In math, we are continuing to develop "Number Sense". This includes understanding the values of numbers into the 10,000s through pictures, numbers and words. You may see your child stretch numbers out to show the values of each digit, which may look strange, but they are actually modeling "expanded notation"...
Other math concepts we have been learning include the different properties of addition and subtraction, fact families, multiplication arrays, pattern "rules", and the always challenging concept of "elapsed time". With elapsed time and multiplication especially, please practice with your child nightly. For elapsed time, ask every day questions like, "Mommy put dinner in the oven at 6:15; it takes an hour and 15 minutes to bake --- what time will dinner be ready?" For multiplication, please have your child practice their flashcards and/or draw arrays for the harder facts until they are able to respond to prompts within about 2-3 seconds. This is essential for the harder concepts we will explore later in the year, and especially for success on the CRCT.
Reading --- The Habits of Good Readers (Summarizing, predicting, using background knowledge, etc...)
Writing --- Personal Narratives, and how to use sensory details to capture a reader. We have also been identifying simple/compound subjects and predicates in sentences (The "Naming" and "Telling" parts of a sentence.)
Spelling --- Words Their Way. We will have a test on Word Sort #4 this Friday.
Social Studies --- We have been learning about the influences Ancient Greece has had in our democracy and culture. Did you know Smyrna was named after a city in Greece? Ask your child about the other things we have "Copy-catted" from Greece!
Science --- Rocks and Minerals. Students are learning how rocks and minerals are identified based on their unique properties of color, hardness and texture. By the end of the unit, they will be able to entertain friends and family by being able to act out the three types of rocks! Watch out Hollywood! : )
Thanks for your awesome kids!
Ms. Williamson