Room 7 January News
Here are some highlights for the month of January:
Reading - Reading groups and the Reading Program continue to be in full force. This months Core Literature Books will be centered around our Science "Weather" theme. The first book we will be diving into is "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs". This book is a Tall Tale with all kinds of great weather words and a super book to study story sequence. The second book will be reading is called, "The Giant Jam Sandwich". It is a great book to compare and contrast with Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.
Phonics and Spelling
1) we are reviewing all short vowel sounds
2) new phonic sounds will be the bossy "r" sounds (ar, ir, ur, er)
3) at the end of the month we will start the long vowel sounds especially the "e signal" (a_e, i_e, u_e, o_e)
Math - This month we will be concentrating on measurement (with measuring cups), thermometers,adding pennies and dimes, problem solving, symmetry and number sense.
Writing - Everyday! 
We started "Writing Workshop" this month. The students have a special table they go to write letters to each other or write stories. It has been a huge success! Also we are writing a sequel to go with Cloudy and A Chance of meatballs.
Social Studies/Science - In Social Studies this month we are learning all about Dr. Martin Luther King. In Science we are doing lots of activities with weather including:
1. Learning weather words (evaporation, precipitation, water vapor, condensation)
2. Writing our own weather reports and videoing them
3. Writing in our "Weather Journal"
4. Knowing the three major clouds (cirrus, cumulus and stratus)
5 Learning and painting the water cycle
6. Learning about the four seasons (winter, spring, summer and fall)
Art - Will be woven through out the day. Check out our beautiful art displayed inside our room! The students recently painted Red Cardinals with a winter background. We are also getting ready for the "Winter Gallery" January 26th. On display will be our Red Cardinals, A science watercolor displaying the water cycle and a recent self portrait. Hope to see you there
Music - We are so lucky to have Mr. Laguarta teaching in our Music Lab twice a week! Our music specialist times are Tuesday at 8:35 a.m. and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. We are having a special "Music Day" on Friday, January 20th". It will begin at 9:00 am and students will go into various rooms and have "workshops" with real muscians and learn about types of music and a variety of instruments. At the end of the day we will have an assembly where all the muscians will get together and perform for the whole school. It will be a very special day.
Core Values - our Core Value program is in full force and has been a wonderful addition to M.A.T.E.S curriculum. We are concentrating this month on the "R" in M.A.T.E.S. , "repect your self, your peers and authority".