October, PLEASE don't go!!

October has got to be one of my favorite months.  Now that TX is home (that was a little painful to type...but easier than it used to be), I'm a little sad to not have the same Octobers that I remember as a kid in NC.  Those cool, crisp days with amazing blue skies and orange, yellow, and brilliant red leaves filling up the landscape are to me like heaven on earth.  We've just now started to feel and see some of those cool days, minus the changing leaf color.  Oh well.

Thankfully, I can look back on all the fall-like October days with no regret b/c we Russell's got our Autumn on for every last one of them.

There was the awesome pumpkin exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum earlier this month.

There was also a glass exhibit by Chihuly, so an amazing surprise around most every corner.

 And, then a fun road trip to the German town, Walburg, TX, for yummy German food with friends and fun music in the biergarten.

And, a fun Friday playdate with Aidan and the boys.

I've been looking forward to the annual Master Gardener's Garden Fair since last year, and the weather was perfect again.

And, what October would be complete without....

And, to round off one fun October, we took a trip to the woods of Arkansas to meet up with Aunt Marjorie, Uncle Herb, cousin Vincent, and Granddaddy Russell.  (pictures to come)
Finally, we got to bask in the amazing colors of Autumn!  Yay! 

Lesson plans

**Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on November 2, 2012. There will be no school on this day.

Snack Helper for this Week: Margaret

Snack Helper for Next Week: Miriam

 

Spelling /Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will be using the letter n to spell the /n/ sound. We will discuss the position of the letter n in the word (is it in the initial, medial, or final position?). As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will learn about “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

In literature, we will discuss how narrative and informative elements differ. We will explain that authors use words, phrases, or sentences that make us feel happy, sad, or sorry for others (emotional appeal).

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we continue learning about Mexico. We will review that Mexico is south of the United States. We will learn that the Pacific Ocean is to the west of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico is to the east. We will review that Texas and Mexico are separated by the Rio Grande. We will learn about the capital city, the language, and the culture. We will also be learning about Diego Rivera, a muralist from Mexico, and creating a classroom mural.

 

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 7: Solid and Flat Shapes, where we will learn about the different aspects of solid shapes, including faces, edges, and corners. This week we will identify and extend a shape pattern. After completing Chapter 7, we will begin Chapter 8: Numbers to 100. In this chapter, we will recognize pairs and count by 2s and 5s up to 20, learn to use tally marks, count to 100, count by 10s, and sequence numbers 1 to 100. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about grouping and counting numbers.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be introducing amphibians. We will discuss the characteristics of amphibians (1-vertebrate, 2-cold-blooded, 3-moist, slimy skin (no scales), 4-breathe through lungs and gills, 5-hatch from eggs, 6-live part of life in water and part on land). We will also be learning the life cycle of a frog.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “Joseph the Governor” and “Benjamin and the Silver Cup.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: There will be no school on Friday, so we will not be having Show & Tell.

Lesson plans next week

For the Week of October 22-26, 2012

**Friday, October 26: Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

 

 

Spelling/ Literature: In spelling, we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will be using the letter t to spell the /t/ sound. We will discuss the position of the letter t in the word (is it in the initial or final position?). As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will learn about “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short.

In literature, we will discuss how narrative and informative elements differ. We will explain that narrative writing may be realistic (e.g., The Carrot Seed) or make believe (e.g., The Three Little Pigs).

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will complete our trip to Canada and then head south to the third country in North America…Mexico. We will discuss that Mexico is south of the United States. We will learn that the Pacific Ocean is to the west of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico is to the east. We will review that Texas and Mexico are separated by the Rio Grande. We will learn about the capital city, the language, and the culture. We will also be learning about Diego Rivera, a muralist from Mexico.

 

Math: This week we will continue Chapter 7: Solid and Flat Shapes. In this chapter, we will be learning about the different aspects of solid shapes, including faces, edges, and corners. This week we will focus on drawing flat shapes, identifying basic flat shapes within a scene, and making pictures using basic flat shapes. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about solid and flat shapes.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be reviewing reptiles and introducing the Red-Eared Terrapin. We will discuss the characteristics of reptiles (1-vertebrate, 2-cold-blooded, 3-have dry, scaly skin that sheds as it grows, 4-breathe through lungs, 5-hatch from eggs). We will be reading about terrapins and turtles. We will be observing photographs and even a real Red-Eared Slider.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “Joseph the Slave” and “Pharaoh’s Dreams.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: This week for Show and Tell, children should bring a photograph, stuffed animal, or drawing that illustrates a reptile. Children should be prepared to give three (3) reasons/characteristics explaining how their animal is a reptile.

Lesson plans for next week

For the Week of October 15-19, 2012

 

***Fall Break: October 19, 2012—No School!

Snack Helper for this Week: Connor

Snack Helper for next Week: Lauren

 

 

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: This week we will be focusing on instant letter recognition, unblending sounds in words, omitting syllables, and changing sounds to make new words. Our spelling pattern for this week will be using the letter p to spell the /p/ sound. We will discuss the position of the letter p in the word (is it in the initial or final position?). As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. In literature, we will read many informative selections. We will discuss topics and facts, and identify these in the selections we read. We will also learn about essential information, that which is necessary to the main idea.

 

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will be learning about the country north of the United States of America: Canada. We will discuss that Canada is made of provinces and territories. Our landmark of focus for Canada is the CN Tower.

 

Math: In math, we will begin Chapter 7: Solid and Flat Shapes,

where we will learn about the different aspects of solid shapes, including faces, edges, and corners. This week we will also be learning how to get flat shapes from solid shapes. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about adding numbers.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be introducing reptiles. We will discuss the characteristics of reptiles (1-vertebrate, 2-cold-blooded, 3-have dry, scaly skin that sheds as it grows, 4-breathe through lungs, 5-hatch from eggs). We will be reading about reptiles, and creating a list of animals that are reptiles.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “Jacob’s Return” and “Joseph’s Dreams.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: Due to Fall Break, we will not be having Show & Tell this week.

Have a wonderful week!

Three's a picnic!

We're really loving our new-found quality time just with Aidan these days.  With Connor off to school, our playdates give us opportunity to hang with a 3 and younger crowd more frequently.  So fun!  Last week we had a fun picnic at a local park and Aidan had some fun in the sun and the sand with some great pals.  

Can't believe I was fast enough to get them all in the picture.

 

Silly faces come soooo easy for these two hams!



Digging for treasure with Kate and Annie---from my viewpoint, the sweet treasure is sitting right beside them...budding friendships are so special!

 And boy does it wear us out!  This is how I found him at quiet time that day--complete with candy corn socks and what I think were pretend sock puppets on his hands.  What a cutie pie!  He plays right up until he keels over. 

 Another great tradition we've started is each Friday we meet some friends at one of the Baylor cafeterias for supper.  This is one of Aidan's best buds, Fergus.  He and his parents and little sister, Elsa, are here from Glasgow, Scotland this semester.  We will be soooo sad to see them go back home this December.  But, maybe they'll be a trip to visit Fergus sometime soon! 

Yep!  Three is definitely for me! 

Special relativity

Lately, Connor has been fascinated with stars and space and galaxies.  Every library day at school, he comes home with a different space book.  One week, I could tell that the teacher guided him to a more age-appropriate section b/c he came home with a variation of jack and the beanstalk.  But, the next week...back to the final frontier.

This morning, he spotted a Stephen Hawking special on the universe and physics.  ???  I know, right???!

There were so many "OH MY WORD!"'s and "Look and this Mama!" and "There are ROBOTS studying Mars!" that I could hardly hear the show. 

Some of his observations and questions about it:

--So, Mama, when was the Earth quite young? (yep, he said 'quite')
--Daddy, there have been robots studying Mars since the 70's.  (to which, Daddy said that he was born in the early 70's). Wha!  The robots have been there a LONG time!
--Are the ice crystals on the moon turned into water that we drink?
--I can't believe that humans are in outer space. (then, daddy qualified it and said that humans only live on Earth).  But, Daddy, isn't Earth in outer space....so aren't we in outer space too....sort of?  (Wow, smart boy!)


The other night, we walked outside to try and spot Venus just before bedtime.  When he found out you can see Venus and sometimes Jupiter in the night sky he was all "no way!".  We stood there and watched for 15 minutes or so while four or five stars popped out.  He noticed that some were "blinking"...I told him they were twinkling and sometimes they looked like that b/c of the way the Earth's atmosphere curved and all the gases made it look 'flickery'.  He said, "Just like the silly mirror at the museum!"

Science is so much more fun through their eyes! 

Lesson plans

For the Week of October 8-12, 2012

Snack Helper for this Week: Cole

Snack Helper for next Week: Connor

Spelling/Grammar/Literature: In spelling, we will continue listening for individual sounds in words, unblending words, and becoming familiar with the order of the alphabet. This week we will begin working with spelling words and have our first spelling test on Friday. Our focus this week is on spelling the short /i/ sound. In literature, we will read many informative selections. We will discuss topics and facts.

Unit Study: This week in Unit Study, we will continue learning about the United States of America. We will review that the USA is located in the middle of the North American continent, between Canada and Mexico. We will review that the USA is made up of 50 states, with 48 being connected together, and that our country grew west from toward the Pacific Ocean. This week we will discuss the Grand Canyon and the Golden Gate Bridge. On Friday, we will move north of the United States of America, to Canada. We will discuss that Canada is made of provinces and territories.

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 6: Numbers 0 to 20 and then begin Chapter 7: Solid and Flat Shapes. In Chapter 6, we will be focusing on counting from 17 to 20 and reading and writing the corresponding numerals, and also comparing and ordering groups of up to 20. We will then begin Chapter 7 where we will learn about the different aspects of solid shapes, including faces, edges, and corners. We will be using manipulatives and hands on activities to learn about adding numbers.

Nature Study: This week, we will be reviewing mammals and introducing rabbits. We will discuss the characteristics of mammals (1-vertebrate, 2-warm-blooded, 3-have fur or hair, 4-live on land or in water, 5-give birth to live young, 6-give milk to their young). We will be reading about rabbits, observing pictures of rabbits, and completing a drawing of a rabbit in our Nature Notebooks. We will also be observing the live rabbit at school.

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of“Jacob and Rachel” and “Jacob’s Wedding.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories with your child.

Show and Tell: This week, Show and Tell will be free choice.

Snakes and snails....

Lots of fun conversations lately---one getting to be a know-it-all boy and one that's very stubborn-headed. 

Tonight, I overheard:

Connor: Aidan, do you know what boys are made of?
Aidan: uuh, plastic?
Connor: No.  It's buggars and spices and everything nice.
Aidan: yyuuck!

What a pair!

They LOVE bath time.  They especially love working certain words into the conversation...like bottom, and BM, and pee pee, and penis.  **sigh**

Tonight, they had an all-out yelling match b/c Connor told Aidan that he was older and Aidan screamed that no! that he was older than Connor.  Sometimes I think that I see smoke coming off Connor's little righteous head.  Brothers...Aidan really knows how to push Connor's buttons.

But, oh my!  When they're sweet to each other.  What a gift that is!
Aidan's struggling with nighttime fears and being scared to go to bed lately.  He heard an acorn fall outside and that sent him over the edge last night.  I could bearly understand him through his sniffs and choking cries as he explained that he was 'cared.  Poor thing! 
Connor (with the sweetest voice) said,"Aidan, that's okay.  Acorns and leaves don't always stay on the trees.  It's fall and that's what they do when it's fall.  They fall down.  It's okay Aidan."

Love them.

/rē-diNG/

It was like a light was turned on in Connor's mind the other night.  A few months ago, I'd thought I thought I noticed a readiness to learn to read in him so I bought a few readers and tried to walk him through it. 

This was met with very little effort and a lot of grumbling.  It was clear that he understood the sounds of each letter, but refused to let me guide him to put the sounds together, barring a couple of a+t or a+n sounds.  Anything further than that brought on lots of eye-rolling and moaning.

Fearing that I was instilling a dislike for the whole process, I stopped and put the books away.  He just wasn't ready.

All of a sudden, this past weekend, he asked out of the blue for me to get the books back out.  He wanted to show me how he'd been working at school with his teacher to sound out words.

 

I was so proud of him!  I loved watching his little mind working through the letters...tongue sticking out as he thoughtfully studied the words. 

 

And, what a joy to see his excitement at this accomplishment!  He was so proud of what he could do that he finished book after book and asked for more.  By bedtime, he was armed with a flashlight and books and dove under the sheets; and, I remembered, fondly, so many nights as a little girl when I would sneak books under my covers at night. 

 

Richard is reading The Hobbit to them at bedtime right now.  I've been amazed at how excited Connor has been about the story.  During breakfast, he inundates me with plot summary from the night before....and, he's all,"Can you believe that Mama?!"  He really liked The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe earlier this year, but it's nothing like this. 

 

Aidan likes to listen in too, although, I'm not quite sure what exactly he's taking away from the narrative.  He talks about Hobbits, repeats some phrases, and gets tickled when Richard changes his voice for each character; but, we'll be excited to reread it to them when he gets a little older and has a bit more perspective and grasp of the story.

 

 

 But, for now, I just love witnessing these little, everyday miracles.