For the Week of January 14-18, 2013

 

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 use the letter h to spell the /h/ sound. 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. We will also be introducing “vowel pair syllables,” syllables that have vowel pairs or teams that work together to make one sound (ex. how).

In literature, we will be discussing narrative writing and identifying the author’s purpose and the elements of narratives (characters, setting, plot). When reading, we will discuss universality (why children all over the world enjoy the story) and we will introduce insight (authors help us understand that people feel bad when they are mistreated). We will also be reading in unison and individually.

 

Unit Study: This week we will be traveling to the continent

of Europe. Our first stop on the European continent is the United Kingdom, with our focus being on the city of London, England. The United Kingdom consists of four countries on two islands: England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. We will discuss that England is on an island. We will identify the English Channel, the body of water separating England from the European mainland. We will learn about the flag of England and Big Ben, the largest bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. We will also be learning about Beatrix Potter, the author of Peter Rabbit, who lived and worked in England.

 

Math: In math, we will complete Chapter 10: Ordinal

Numbers. In this chapter, we will learn to order small sets using first, second, third, and last. This week we will focus on physical position and showing our preferences. We will be making picture graphs based on our preferences. We will use manipulatives to further our understanding of these concepts.

 

Nature Study: This week, we will be learning about the Human body. We will learn that humans belong to the Animal Kingdom, as part of the class of mammals. We will review the characteristics that identify mammals (1-vertebrate, 2-warm blooded, 3-have fur or hair, 4-give birth to live young, 5-give milk to their young, 6-live on land or in water). We will discuss that humans are made of many systems that work together, including the respiratory, circulatory, muscular, and skeletal systems.

 

Bible: This week, we will be reading the story of “Rahab

and the Spies” and “The Battle of Jericho.” Please feel free to read and discuss these stories at home.

 

Show and Tell: This week our show and tell will focus on the human body. Each child should bring an item that demonstrates something they can do with their body (i.e. a soccer ball for playing soccer, a drawing of them climbing a tree, etc.).