Hello Families!
We made it to 2021 - woo hoo! 🙂 We also made it through our first week back at school. It was nice to see all the students again, I missed them over winter break.
I have been really impressed by how the students were able to jump so quickly back into the swing of things. I know it can be really challenging after break to do that, but they've all transitioned so well.
Our American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge event is starting soon! To get ready, help your student sign up at www.heart.org/
Join NDLC staff members and other NDLC parents and guardians in discussing the book The Read Aloud Family on Tuesday, Feb 9th from 8:00-8:30 pm. The discussion will take place on Google Meet (a link will be sent prior to the meeting). See below for a description of the book. The book can be purchased on Amazon or any other book retailer.
Discover practical strategies to make reading aloud a meaningful family ritual.
The stories we read--and the conversations we have about them--help shape family traditions, create lifelong memories, and become part of our legacy. Reading aloud not only has the power to change a family--it has the power to change the world.
But we all know that connecting deeply with our families can be difficult in our busy, technology-driven society. Reading aloud is one of the best ways to be fully present with our children, even after they can read themselves, but it isn't always easy to do. Discover how to:
- Prepare your kids for academic success through reading to them
- Develop empathy and compassion in your kids through books
- Find time to read aloud in the midst of school, sports, and dinner dishes
- Choose books across a variety of sibling interests and ages
- Make reading aloud the best part of your family's day
The Read-Aloud Family also offers age-appropriate book lists from infancy through adolescence. From a toddler's wonder to a teenager's resistance, you will find the inspiration you need to start a read-aloud movement in your own home.
Upcoming Events:
January 22nd: 1/2 Day
January 25th: No School
Curriculum Update:
Reading: We started our new unit the Monday after break! We are reading nonfiction texts and learning about being researchers, focusing specifically on topics revolving around the American Revolution. I am excited to continue to work through this unit with the students - they have been loving it so far!
Writing: Our new writing unit began the Monday after break as well. This unit focuses on the same topics that we are reading about during reading - the American Revolution. Throughout this unit we will be creating an Informational Book. Currently, we have been discussing the importance of 'getting ready' as a writer. We have also analyzed mentor texts and other similar resources to give us an image of how we'd like our information chapters and books to look. We will be continuing to draft and write our information books next week!
Word Study: We will be finishing Unit 6 by Tuesday, January 12th and jumping right into our next unit!
Math: The new unit in math that we started focuses on measurement. Our goals for this unit are to understand metric measurement, customary measurement, as well as perimeter and area. This unit goes by quickly, so early next week we will pause to really take into account what we know and what we need to revisit.
We now spend 15+ minutes of each math session focusing solely on our math facts using dot cards and games. Each student has their own designated blue folder where they keep all of their supplies for this time. It is a goal that we master the multiples of each number by the beginning of April. Students currently have a multiplication chart in their fact folder and there is a larger version of it hanging on the wall in the classroom. As we master those facts, they get covered up on the larger version - no longer accessible. They are to be highlighted/crossed out on their student copies as well. This work is to really push them to know their facts, have a goal, and take accountability to achieve that goal! I am feeling positive based off how this week went, that they will do great! We start focusing on multiples of 4 next week!
Content: Much of what we are learning and discussing in reading and writing is carrying over into our content time of the day. We are currently discussing all the events that lead up to the American Revolution. We spend quite a bit of time revisiting and asking ourselves which side we'd be on if we lived during that time
Students will be taking the iReady Test again next week Tuesday (Reading) and Thursday (Math portion).
I hope you all have a great weekend! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Carly Burris
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