February 3, 2017 Dear Parents,   This week, we continued our in-depth study of letter/sound association by sorting initial and medial short /Ii/ as in itchy and hit. We reviewed letters previously taught and practiced manipulating the letters to blend and finger-spell CVC words: rim, rid, dim, etc. We practiced forming the letters correctly using multi-sensory strategies. We highlighted the sight words or and for in our shared reading texts and added them to our Word Wall and word rings. We enjoyed reading the poem Wake Up Groundhog. In Reading Workshop, we shopped for leveled books for the week and practiced independently applying Levels A-C reading strategies that were previously taught during shared reading lessons. We are enjoying reading our “just right” books. We also enjoyed reading and discussing character traits and actions, making predictions, and sharing personal connections to story events with our reading partners in the Piggy and Dad Series. In Writing Workshop, we continued to write for readers by writing a sentence to match each sketch. Some writers were able to add partner sentences in the form of more detail or a feeling. During interactive writing, we practiced writing simple sight word sentences with words we know, and stretching out an unknown word to complete the sentence by listening to the beginning, middle, and ending sounds and writing a letter for each sound. In Math, we continued to compose and decompose teen numbers and completed the Chapter 6 Assessment. We began sharing our amazing 100th Day projects! We learned how to present to an audience by sharing details about our project and counting with good voice projection and eye contact. We also learned how to be a kind and receptive audience by listening carefully and quietly, asking thoughtful questions, offering sincere compliments, and clapping enthusiastically. We enjoyed hearing about the different ways the items were grouped and learned that 10 tens make 100 and 4 twenty-fives make 100. We are counting down to the 100th Day, and as of today, there are only 5 days left! In Science, we continued our NGSS investigation of pushes and pulls by observing and illustrating what our arms and legs are doing, as well as direction and the effect of force, as we pushed and pulled objects in the classroom and on the playground. We had fun sorting objects using a Venn Diagram, acting out pushes and pulls along with a video, and competing in an interactive Tic Tac Go Game. We began thinking about the scientific process, as we formulated questions, designed a plan, and tested and revised our design to make a scooter go farther. We also observed and illustrated our class tree in winter. We loved seeing the snow nestled in the deep V of the branches! In addition, we learned about Groundhog Day through a variety of read alouds and videos. We made predictions about whether the groundhog would see its shadow and explained the thinking behind our predictions. 12 children predicted (and hoped!) that the Groundhog would not see its shadow and that we would have an early spring. 3 children predicted that he would see his shadow and that we would have 6 more weeks of winter weather. We were so surprised to learn that both groups were right! Punxatawny Phil predicted more winter weather and Staten Island Chuck predicted an early spring. A lively conversation ensued about the reason for the disagreement! We made Groundhog hats and played a fun race to the top Groundhog game in small groups with classmates.

Looking Ahead: Special Notes: As always, the children thoroughly enjoyed Maker Monday Explorations and are becoming so creative in their ideas, designs, and creations! I am so proud of how they handle materials and engineer their design plans. We also enjoyed the circus assembly, learning how to juggle scarves with the circus performers during P.E., and attending the 5th Grade rehearsal for Friday’s circus performance. Have a beautiful weekend! Linda Yelvington   Looking Ahead: 100th Day of School Celebration: Fri., Feb. 10 Joshua’s Last Day Celebration: Fri., Feb. 10 Valentine’s Day Cards Due: Wed., Feb. 8 - Tues. Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Breakfast: Tues., Feb. 14 Baby Artifact Due: Wed., Feb. 15 (Information forthcoming) Schools Closed for February Break: Mon., Feb. 20 – Fri., Feb. 24 Special Notes: The 100th day projects are truly fantastic!!! Thank you for all your help with this very special project!!! The children squeal with delight when viewing each other’s projects. The projects will be on display in the hallway following each presentation. Feel free to stop by and take a look! Encourage your child to spell and write sight words, as well as write simple dictated sight word sentences using space between each word, ie., Look at the big ___. I like to ___. I can go to the ___. I am ___ and ___. Your child might enjoy illustrating the sentences he/she creates! Please practice counting to 100 by tens and ones, as well as using reading strategies each night. Thank you for all the Makerspace Donations. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are so appreciated!