Week 25

THINGS TO TALK ABOUT OR ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT THEIR LEARNING AT SCHOOL THIS WEEK…..

 

 

·       The IB word of the week is KNOWLEDGEABLE:  How does your child explore concepts and ideas that are of local a global significance?

 

·       “How to Writing” – Celebrate your child’s “How To” books. Your child’s writing has come so far!

  

·       Compound Words – Compound words are two words put together to make one word.  What compound words can your child come up with?

 

·       We read the book, Journey by: Aaron Becker. This book is a 2014 Caldecott Honor Book. The book has no words and only pictures. It follows the adventures of a young girl who escapes the boredom of home to find a magical realm – in which she can control her destiny with her imagination. In class we discussed how authors can publish books without words and still convey so much meaning and imagination.  Some students develop writing skills at a faster or slower rate than others and that is okay. Students can still publish class books with pictures.
If you don’t have this book at home please check it out at the library or consider purchasing. This book leaves so much to the student’s imagination and had them talking about the book all week.

Week 24

THINGS TO TALK ABOUT OR ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT THEIR LEARNING AT SCHOOL THIS WEEK…..

·       The IB word of the week is INTEGRITY:  Is your child honest and does he/she the right thing? Talk about examples.

·       “How to Writing” – We are starting a new unit of writing during Writers Workshop called the “How To” process.  This type of writings zooms in on a small moment focusing on teaching the reader “how to” do something.  This usually includes an activity by following simple steps. First, then, next, last.  We have practiced “how to” make an alligator, “how to” draw a person, “how to” make a PB&J and “how to” draw an astronaut.

·       Math/Tally – How is your child doing with tallies? Counting by 5s is a great example for helping your child make tally marks. Keep practicing.

·       President’s Day – Can your child tell you any important facts about George Washington or Abraham Lincoln?  What are some of the criteria for becoming president of the US? Live in the US for 14 years. You have to be 35. You have to be born in the United States.   We read several books this week on traits that are important for being president. Your child made a “Vote for Me” poster telling us why they would make a good President.

·       Peter Pan at Lamar – What did your child think of the musical? We say actors flying, we saw Captain Hook, an alligator and so on. We also read several Peter Pan stories in class and compared the play/book.

·       Lunar New Year – The year of the Ram/Sheep/Goat. On Thursday we had several parents give a presentation about the Lunar New Year. Thank you to the following families: Grace, Yul, Charlie, Mona, Jake! Story read by Grace’s family, Dumplings by Mona’s family, oranges from Yul’s family, kumquats and red envelope from Charlie’s family. THANK YOU!! Did you hear about our surprise visitor all the way from China?

Houston has a large Lunar New Year celebration. For more information:  http://lunarnewyearhouston.com/