For the Week of December 10-14, 2012

*Candlelight Christmas Service—Thursday, December 13, at 6:30 pm

 

Snack Helper for This 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 focus on the Floss Rule (If a one-syllable base word ends in the final /f/, /l/, or /s/ sound immediately after a short vowel, the /f/ sound is spelled ff, the /l/ sound is spelled ll, and the /s/ sound is spelled ss.) As we practice the spelling of our words for the week, we will also be discussing and learning proper handwriting. We will continue to discuss “closed syllables,” a syllable that ends in at least one consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable is short. All Floss Rule words are closed syllables that end with at least one consonant.

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. This week we will listen to narrative selections and explain why children all over the world enjoy the story (universality). We will also be reading in unison and individually.

 

Unit Study: This week we will be learning about Christmas. We will be learning about the history behind many traditional Christmas symbols, including the Christmas tree, the candy cane, the star, and the candle. We will read the story of Jesus’ birth and other traditional tales including The Night Before Christmas, The Legend of the Poinsettia, and The Gingerbread Man.

 

Math: In math, we will begin Chapter 9: Comparing Sets. In this chapter, we will learn to compare two sets one-to-one to find the difference in the number of objects. This week we will focus on comparing sets up to 20, comparing sets to find the difference, and combining sets. Comparing sets is the most basic form of subtraction. Combining sets lays the foundation for simple addition. We will use manipulatives to further our understanding of these concepts.

Nature Study: This week, we will be reviewing birds and introducing the penguin. We will review six characteristics that classify an animal as a bird (1-vertebrate, 2-warm blooded, 3-feathers, 4-two wings and two feet, 5-beak, 6-hatch from eggs). We will read about penguins, discuss their habitat, and post a photo of an Emperor Penguin on our Nature Study wall.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the stories of “The Golden Calf” and “An Angel Appears to Mary.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home with your child.

 

Show and Tell: This week our Show & Tell will focus on Christmas. Children may bring a drawing that illustrates what Christmas means to them or what they are most excited about relating to their Christmas vacation.