App-lying the scientific method

Hello, Families!

Much of what I employ in the classroom is the brain child of someone else. 
Our apple science experiment helped us explore the scientific method.
All credit goes to Deanna Jump, teacher, blogger extraordinaire for these kid friendly posters:

I explained to the children simply:

• Scientists observe (look)
• Scientists ask a question
• Scientists make a guess
• Scientists do an experiment
• Scientists record data
• Scientists come to a conclusion 

Our initial question which shaped our experiment is what will happen to the apple slices if we add lemon juice?
We took two apple slices and placed them each in a bowl.  With our droppers, we poured lemon juice over one apple slice and left the other apple slice without lemon juice.  We had absolutely no idea what would happen so we went on to the experiment stage:

We worked on recording our data by drawing before and after pictures of our apples.
We came to the conclusion that some of the apples turned brown and others didn't.
Our young scientists are not daunted, we have a new experiment using the scientific method coming soon...

Fondly,
Mrs. C.

Fall-ing into Fun

Dear Families,

I like to keep you informed of the exciting academic happenings during our day as best I can.

But, I know what some of you are thinking....

"C'mon, lady!  Tell us about what you will do for the fall party!"

I won't let you down on keeping the information flowing.

Get your kiddies costumes ready!

The children will be celebrating fall by wearing their costumes to school and having a classroom celebration.

Please have your child wear his or her costume to school on Thursday, October 31st.  We will be having a parade around the school to show off our costumes.  We encourage children to come dressed as storybook characters.  Costumes that depict violence, blood or gore are not permitted.  No face paint, masks or props will be allowed.

I strongly recommend that the children wear clothes underneath their costumes.  

This day, after all, is still a day of instruction (I'll let you know how that goes, nyuk, nyuk!).

If you would like to photograph your child, please stop by!
The best time will be from 8:45 - 9:00 as there will not be another opportunity during the day to do so.

Promises to be a fun day :-)

Warmly,

Mrs. C.

Sens-ational science

Hello Families,

Today we explored recognizing the five senses (Common Core Standard:  SC.K.L.14.1).
First, I gave the children a paper bag with an object in it.

Gee whiz, guys!!  Don't look so excited!!

Next, I asked the children if they could determine what was in the bag using their sense of smell, touch, etc.  That part didn't go like I thought, so, we counted to three and pulled out what was in the bag:

Ah!  That's better!!

I posted chart paper with pictures showing the body parts that correlate to the five senses.  We then incorporated reading and language skills like reading words from left to right (Common Core Standard:  RF.K.1a) and recognizing that spoken words are represented in written language (Common Core Standard:  RF.K.1b).

The children then went back to their seats to draw their apple and use their knowledge of sound and letter relationships to kid spell (Common Core Standard:  L.K.2d) their senses experience.

The originator of this activity is Pat Hutchins at Hubbard's Cupboard.

We are going to continue our apple theme across the curriculum this week and next week.

Warmly,
Mrs C.

Show your school spirit

Dear Families,

Next week, 9/30 -10/4, will be Rymfire Spirit week. 
It will cost $1 a day for your child to participate or $3 for the week.
Monday-Weird Sock Day
Tuesday- Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday-Mix Match Shoe Day
(Don't know what happened to Thursday...)
Friday-Sports Jersey or Favorite Team Shirt Day

Let's have fun while showing our school spirit!

Warmly,
Mrs. C.

Please practice

Hello Families,
If you find that after homework is complete, you are still looking for more to do, look no further!
I would like for you to practice with your child:

• Sounds
• Sight Words
• Counting to 100 by 1's, 5's and 10's

Thank you,
Mrs. C.

Place of the way

Hello Families,
In Japanese, the word "dojo" means place of the way.  Yesterday, I began to use Class Dojo as an additional behavior management tool.  Our classroom will be the place of the positive way in rewarding adherence to our classroom expectations.  As a reminder, they are:

Conversely, if the children are not choosing to follow our classroom expectations, points will be deducted for behaviors such as:

• Bullying
• Disrespect
• Off task
• Not seated
• Talking out of turn

The rewards are very fun!!!!

• 3-5 points:  2 Bucket Bucks
• 5-7 points:  Positive Parent Call Home

For children who earn 7-10 points, they can enjoy one of these rewards:

The Class Dojo software even has reports that can be generated that would show you how the points were allocated (or deducted).  I will work on parent access after we get past Open House and Progress Reports.

I am excited!

Fondly,
Mrs. Caronna

Not just cookies and kissing hands

Dear Families,
We have been up to lots of learning! I have made use of our smartboard for so many things in the class, ranging from calendar to practicing handwriting.
The children love it!

Practicing part-part-whole calendar math

Working on number formation during Math

Last week, I introduced to the children 3 ways to read:

We are building our stamina to read the pictures for three minutes.  This concept originates from The Daily 5. The creators of the Daily 5 have structured this program to explicitly teach learners how to develop routines and habits to help them read, write and work independently.  I am crafting these principles into my daily plans as a supplement to our reading series.

 

During Read to Self, the students are taught to:

• Pick a quiet spot
• Stay in one spot
• Read right away
• Read the whole time

The children can expect me to be working with a small group at my teaching table.
When I put the "Ask Three, Before Me" sign up, the children know they can ask their classmates questions they would normally ask me.  In most cases, the children can resolve the matter with the help of a peer.

I contend that learning can be joyous.  Not perfect or easy.  But given care and consistency, the desire to learn can be nurtured and groomed to grow beautifully.

Thank you for planting the seeds!!!

Warmly,
Mrs. C.