For the Week of December 3-7, 2012

Snack Helper for This Week: Remi

Snack Helper for Next Week: Sarah

 

Spelling/Grammar/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 f to spell the /f/ sound. We will discuss the position of the letter in the word (is it in the initial position 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 be discussing narrative writing, informative writing, and informative-narrative writing, and comparing these types of literature. When reading, we will discuss what type of story it is, and identify the author’s purpose and the elements of the story. We will also work on reading in unison and individually.

 

Unit Study: This week we will continue our unit on South America. We will learn that the country of Brazil is the largest country in South America, while Chile is the longest. We will discuss the equator, and learn that it is an imaginary line around the middle of the world, like a belt. We will learn that the weather near the equator is always the same, wet and warm. We will discuss the Amazon River, the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes mountain Range, the Atacama Desert, and the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls. We will also learn about different animals who call the Amazon River/Rainforest home, including the Amazon River Dolphin, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, and the Scarlet McCaw. We will also spend time discussing the people and various folktales. On Friday, we will begin to learn about Christmas by discussing different Christmas symbols and traditions around the world.

 

Math: In math, we will continue 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. On Friday, we will begin Chapter 9: Comparing Sets. We will begin this chapter with counting sets up to ten.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be reviewing Insects and introducing the grasshopper. We will review six characteristics that classify an animal as an insect (1-invertebrate, 2-exoskeleton, 3-three body parts [head, thorax, abdomen], 4-six legs, 5-antennae, 6-some have two wings). We will read about grasshoppers and post a photo of a grasshopper on our Nature Study wall.

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “God Watches Over the Israelites” and “Moses Receives God’s Laws.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: This week our Show & Tell will be free choice, but with a twist! This week we will be having Secret Show & Tell. The chosen item should be placed in a brown paper bag or gift bag, so that it cannot be seen. Each child should be prepared to give 3 clues about their item, and will then allow their classmates to guess what the item may be.