Week 6 Update

Exciting QSP Magazine Fundraiser News!
Our classroom has been going bananas over the QSP monkey prizes – as I’m sure you have heard plenty about! Friday morning was particularly exciting within our classroom, as Merrick won an iPad Mini after finding the sought after golden banana hidden inside of his monkey prize! What an awesome surprise! Congratulations Merrick!

Numbers to 100:

We are currently working on our second math unit: Numbers to 100. Students have also been working closely with number lines, while practicing how to skip count both forwards and backwards by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s.  I have introduced a new math game to students called “What’s My Number?” The game is great for building one’s number sense. It can be played at home, (or even in the car), and has become a quick favorite within our classroom. I pick a “secret number” from 1- 100 and students take turns asking “good questions” to determine the secret number.
“Good Questions” include:

• Is it even?
• Is it odd?
• Is it greater than ____
•  Is it less than _____
• Is it between _____ and _____?
• How many digits?
• Is there a __ in the tens place?
• Is there a ___ in the ones place?

This is a quick, easy and most importantly fun way to work with numbers at home! I encourage you to practice skip counting by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s both forwards and backwards and continue to practice basic math addition facts/strategies with your child.

New Theme & Optional Home Project:
We have started our new theme on Motion and Relative Position, this week focusing on positional words. Concepts such as “above, below, to the right, to the left, between, beside, in front, and behind” are all examples of positional words. I sent home an optional home project with your child titled “Building a Balloon Car”. This project is entirely optional. It is a possible idea for parents who are looking for a fun way to make learning connections between home and school. Students are encouraged to work together with their parents to build their own moving car, using objects that can be found at home. The car may be self-powered using a balloon, but it can also move by simply pushing it, or using our classroom ramp. If you and your child have your own idea that is different from the example – go for it! Students are encouraged to bring the car to school to share with the class.  We will race the cars that are brought to school, together as a class, once our unit is complete.

"A Little Birdie Told Me..." Art Project:

I wish it was possible to share everything we have been working on, as it is often hard to choose the highlights of our week! I do want to share some beautiful art which the students have been working on during our All About Me Theme that we have been calling “A Little Birdie Told Me…”  The students have been waiting to bust out their new pastels and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. After creating the background, our "little birdies" wrote personal compliments to each of their classmates. Students were encouraged to write a “feel good message” to their peers, highlighting their admirable qualities and talents that we have learned about over the past month. 

Speaking of art, we also created some Thanksgiving paintings this week. Not only did we get to paint our hands, but we also used Q-tips as our paint brush to create the leaves within our fall scene. Students also had the chance to reflect and record 6 things they were grateful for this Thanksgiving season. 

Important dates and Reminders:
Monday, October 14^th: No School – Thanksgiving
Thursday, October 17^th: QSP Collection Day
Thursday, October 17th: Food Drive Away Hunger Pick Up
Friday, October, 18^th: Green Day  (Go Riders!)

Wednesday, October 30th: Photo Retake Day

I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with amazing students and families every single day!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!
Ms. Cameron