This is what happened in the beginning of the week. The students learned about chunky monkey. Chunky monkey is a strategy to try to find words within words to help us read. We tried each day as we read to find words within words. By the end of the week, most students were able to find even the smallest of words within words. It was quite exciting to see their development rapidly progress.
In the middle of the week, we learned about complements of 10 in math. For example 1+9=10, 7+3=10, 2+8=10, etc. First we used beads on a pipe cleaner and physically moved the beads from one side to another to make the math sentences. Next we tried to do the same using a ten frame and two sided counters. At the end, we made “SUM” tree-mendous trees that had only math sentences with the sum of 10.
At the end of the week we finished up our 3rd book of Junie B. Jones. I love reading Junie B. Jones books to the class. Although she is not always a great role model, she does have a lesson or two to learn in her books. When I read the books aloud, I get into the character of Junie B. My voice even changes, ask your child. Also I stop at certain parts to stress right and wrong and I have the class problem solve with me how we could change the action into a positive one. Also, I do not read all of the "unkind and ugly" words in the book. I do not feel it is always necessary…. So as I read, I skip any words I feel really do not need to be said in the classroom. I call them "ugly and unkind" words. You can do that too with your child.
In writing, we learned about writing personal narratives with a beginning, middle, and end. This is a tough process but one that needs to be taught at an early age. By showing them step by step our story writings has gone from 2-3 sentences to over 5-6 sentences each time. I know with more practice we will be writing pages upon pages in the near future.
Word Study--- this should be thought of a fun way to play with words and word patterns. I love seeing your child’s creativity come alive with the painting and play dough. I want the students to know that learning is fun and does not always need to be a pencil and paper like it was when we went to school. Please make sure your child plays with the word patterns each week. Make it fun.
