Welcome to room 67's website!
Our first trimester has flown by...time flies when you are on a
wonderful journey, full of great educational adventures and challenges!
In reading, we read many classic, award-winning picture books during our
first trimester. When we return from track break, we will begin an extensive
study of fairy tales, folktales, fables, and tall tales
We wrote our third of many friendly letters to our pen pal, Trucker
Robert Costa, after we received several new postcards. He will be sending us
many postcards and letters from around the nation throughout the school year
and we will write letters to him in return.
We began learning cursive handwriting on Monday, August 31, 2009. We
have learned the proper formation of the lowercase letters and the capital
letters. When we return from track break, students will be expected to use
cursive handwriting on all assignments except spelling.
A cursive letter chart was sent home the first week of school. It is
vital to practice at home, ensuring the children's success when writing
cursive, using the proper, current Zaner-Bloser formation, and reading
cursive information from the board.
Our fifth mathematics topic focuses on multiplication. We took our
challenge test on Tuesday, November 17, to determine which students will
have their mathematics instruction differentiated. A special thanks to those
students who were up to the challenge. Congratulations to Aaron, Alexis,
Benjamin, Kenny, Preston, and Britannia. They received 80% or higher on the
challenge test and will have the opportunity to complete challenge
work...work that focuses on the same mathematical concepts as class work,
just at a higher level.
Prior to track break, a multiplication chart was sent home to begin
the memorization process. Practice at home will enhance the immediate recall
of multiplication facts and will improve the students' ability to master two
digit multiplication and division.
Our first science unit was entitled, Structures of Life. We learned
about plants, their life cycles, and what they need to survive. We also
observed Gary the Snail, our class pet. He welcomed the arrival of ten
friends, thanks to Jamison Peyton, a former student. With our new additions,
we hope while on track break, baby snails will be born...and, upon our
January return, we will learn about a snail's life cycle as well.
Our next unit of study is entitled, "The Human Body". Each student will
make a life-sized body replica and, as we learn about each organ and it's
function, add them to our "bodies".
In social studies, we completed our Native Americans unit, learning
about the four major regions: Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Plains, and
Eastern Woodlands. We also learned about the Pilgrims and their interaction
with the Wampanoag tribe. And, as a culminating activity, we made
Thanksgiving Party Treat Mix and played several rounds of Native American and
Pilgrim Jeopardy.
We will next learn about Pioneers.