Fundations:

This week we will begin Unit 1 in Fundations. This unit is a review of 1st grade. We will review closed syllables (syllables containing short vowel sounds that are closed in by consonants. We will also talk about the tricks for distinguishing between the spelling options for the /k/ sound, and we’ll learn about digraphs.

There is NO spelling list to study from until later in the year. Fundations tests the understanding of spelling rules. Family packets will be sent home at the start of each unit. Your child is expected to do a little each night over two weeks. They are due on test days.

***Please have your child practice Level 1 trick words. These need to be memorized. Starting in Unit 3, your child will be introduced to new trick words, and 5/6 words will be added per unit.

Homework:

• Reading Log: “With a Friend” poem – students read the poem to a lucky listener each night AND reading fluency packet ***directions are attached to the homework

•Math Log:

Mon. – clock paper Tues. – clock paper

Wed. – money paper Thurs. – +0/+1 paper

Fri. – mixed + facts paper

Fundations packet: U1 packet due Fri., (9/5) AND continue to practice Level 1 words

Important Announcements

•Be sure to look at the backside of this paper for the homework log! I will collect these on Mondays.

•Open House will be this Thursday, August 28 @ 6:30pm. Hope you can make it!

Everyday Math

We have started Unit 1, which focuses on an introduction to tools and resources, as well as a brief review of addition facts and counting patterns. Students are also exposed to the number grid, which we will use A LOT in 2nd grade.

Please note that students should be able to successfully complete 100 addition facts in 5 minutes by the end of 2nd grade. Students should also be able to tell time, write the date, and count coins. I can already tell with some of the basic introductions that there are some students in my class who really struggle with basic addition and identifying which coin is which/what its value is. Those are skills they really should have mastered in 1st grade…2nd grade is more a review of those skills…and we build upon those skills.

One important thing to note about Everyday Math is that it reviews what students learned before, teaches what they need to know now, and introduces things that are to come. At times, math will seem extremely hard, but it’s very likely those are the lessons that your child does not need to master at this time. Rather it’s an introduction to what is to come.

The Daily 5/CAFÉ time/Reading:I have already started reading interviews with my class and am about halfway done meeting with each student. This week I will be administering STAR Reading (and STAR math tests) to get a sense of Independent Reading Levels. I combine this information with benchmark results and listening to students read in our one-on-one reading conferences. All of this helps me to determine if and what interventions might need to be put into place.

Last week we talked a lot about 3 ways to read a book, choosing an I PICK book, and what Read to Self (part of Daily 5) looks like. We also put Read to Self to practice. As a whole, my class had a reading stamina of about 3½ minutes. We will be practicing each day to build their stamina, which will allow me to start reading conferences. I have also begun to introduce CAFÉ reading strategies, which students can use to become better readers. We will talk about author’s purpose this week as well.

The Bacher BlogFor parents of students in Room 234

Mon,, August 25, 2013

Science/Social Studies:

We will be partnering this year with Mrs. Rogaliner’s class for science and social studies on Mondays. This week we’ll be focusing on making friends and citizenship for social studies.

Recommended Website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

I introduced this website in our computer lab time last week. Great typing practice for kids!!!

The Daily 5/Work On Writing

This week we will start talking about types of sentences/punctuation at ends of sentences and capitalization rules. I’m excited to see the decorated writing notebooks!!!