We have been super busy these first three weeks learning the names of all the children in our classroom family, our schedule, activity routines, procedures, and even some new skills! Next week we will continue building on all that we have learned.
Our Schedule
7:20 - 7:50 Arrival
7:50 - 8:00 Announcements
8:00 - 9:00 Morning Meeting & Phonics
9:00 - 10:25 English Language Arts (Reading and Writing)
10:30 - 10:50 Recess
10:50 - 11:20 Lunch
11:20 - 11:40 Restroom Break/Read Aloud/ Finish-Up Work
11:40- 12:25 Specials (Computer Lab, Guidance, Music, Art, PE-2 days)
12;30 - 1:30 Math
1:30 - 2:00 Science/Social Studies
This Week
With each activity in our schedule, the children have had to learn the expectations and then demonstrate self-control to meet them. Since self-control is one of the major developmental tasks of a five year old, it can be challenging for many students. But do not worry! We will patiently work through it together and look for opportunities for each child to demonstrate independence as well as self-control. These two things impact self-esteem in the the most wonderful way!
This week, during our whole group phonics lessons, we worked on rhyming, letter formation and the identification of letters Aa, Bb, Cc. We have also been learning sight words that are helpful to beginning writers ( I love you am see my Mom Dad like the house can we to). In addition, each child received a skills grid that they should be working on at home with their parents. The letters, sounds, or words I selected for your child's grid are based on the assessments Mrs. Holl and I administered. We will begin our reading groups after Labor Day. However, the students have been placed in preliminary groups that will be working on similar skills for the next two weeks. Reading groups are fluid so children may stay with the same group or change groups based on their acquisition of skills.
In math, we worked on number formation, a much needed skill for even our brightest young mathematicians! We will start math groups next week. The focus will be counting skills: rote counting, counting groups, and matching numerals to sets. Mrs. Davila and I will be collaborating on math plans, integrating language skills into math instruction as she will be working with our ESOL students during our math block.
In social studies, the students were introduced to American Symbols. We will focus on different ones each card marking, this time we are learning about the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Next Week Skills
1. ELA: Daily 5 Training and Practice
Read to Self (Yes! They are all readers)
Work on Writing
Read to Someone
Word Work
Listening to Reading
2. Phonics: Dd,Ee,F
New Sight Words: me, from, and, friend
3. Math: Counting Skills
4. Social Studies: Identifying and describing the US Flag, Georgia Flag, and reciting the home address. (There will be homework related to learning your home address next week.)