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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Let the Games Begin

I think the only games that are being played with us are by Mother Nature.  You know when the kids have had enough when they come into school saying that they don't want it to snow anymore!!!  I am right there with them. Yes, I love the beauty of it and the silence that it brings when it is falling but I do not like when it disrupts our learning.  From days off to 2 hour delays, it is tough to get into a learning mode.

However, when we are in school here is what is happening in class.  We have begun our bubblegum math. We do this on even numbered days.  If your child needs help with their facts, I will send home the flash cards need to be mastered with your child.  As stated in the letter home, your child sets the pace for this learning activity.

We started our Black History Month unit.  It seemed only fitting with the Olympics beginning this week that we focus on Jesse Owens.  Did you know his name was not Jesse but rather J.C. However, when he moved at age 9 his teacher asked him his name and he said J.C. but the teacher heard it as Jesse and wrote his name on all his books and called him Jesse. From then on her was called Jesse Owens not J.C.

We are becoming thinkers as we become stronger readers.  We are working with making text to self, text to text, and text to world connections with our reading. There are several strategies to aid us in our comprehension of books.  This week we will be also learning about Questioning Owl.  He reminds us to ask questions like who, what, where, when and why while we read.

The Winter Olympics have begun and we made torches to help get us excited about this event.  Here are some pictures of the class in action.  Go U.S.A.!!!!