Eckman's Explorers

News for Feb. 21st- Mar. 2nd!

Reminders:

· Field Trip on Tuesday, Feb. 21^st!

· Skate Night is on Thursday, Feb. 24^th from 6:00- 8:00 PM.

· Keheley 25^th Celebration is on Saturday, Feb. 25^th!

Learning Targets:

Math- We have been learning addition strategies to 18. Now we are working on subtraction strategies to 18. The learning strategies with addition and subtraction are: doubles, doubles plus one, counting back, counting up, and counting on.

Reading- We continue to work on reading fluently and reading with expression. An important area in reading that we are focusing on is the main idea. The main idea is the BIG idea, or point that the author is trying to tell the reader. Also, your child is working on being able to tell 4 details about the story. The details need to sequential order and the details need to back up the main idea.

Language Arts- We are working on plurals and contractions. Plurals are words that mean more than one. Contractions are joining 2 words together.

Writing- We are writing informational stories. The students will begin researching on an animal and writing an informational story. Be on the lookout for a letter coming home for a at home project your child will need to do.

Social Studies- We are learning about the 7 continents and 5 oceans.

Technology- The children have learned to use WORD and type up a story. Your child knows how to make capital letters and use punctuation at the end of a sentence. Also, your child has learned to insert clip art. Some of the children know what to do if there is a red or green line under a word or sentence. Have your child get on the computer and create an informational story with clip art for you!

HEADS UP! We will begin assessing in 2 weeks on everything your child has learned these 9 weeks!

News for Feb. 6- 17th!

Reminders:

· On Friday, Feb. 10^th is the K-2 dance from 6:00- 7:00 PM in the gym. The children have been learning some great dance moves from Mrs. Lawson. Bring your child and check it out!

· Valentine Exchange is on Feb. 14^th! Please have your child bring their valentine’s to hand out to each child on that day. Don’t forget to send a decorative box or bag for your child to collect his or her valentine’s they receive.

· NO SCHOOL on Monday, Feb. 20^th for Presidents Day!

· Our field trip is on Tuesday, Feb. 21^st!

Learning Targets for the next 2 weeks!

Science- The children will learn to identify the basic needs of a plant- air, water, light, nutrients. Also the children will identify the parts of a plant - root, stem, leaf, and flower.

Social Studies- We will identify the contributions made by George Washington Carver (science).

Math- We will tell time to the nearest hour and half hour and understand the movement of the minute hand and how it relates to the hour hand. The children will learn with analog and digital clocks. Ask your child what time it is on an analog clock. Also, we are working on single-digit addition facts and subtraction facts to 18 with understanding and fluency. Please continue to work with your child at home on his or her math fact fluency especially in subtraction. Use flashcards and time your child to build his or her math fact fluency.

Language Arts- We are learning about commas in a series, compound sentences and "r "controlled vowels. The children have learned that commas in a series are using commas to separate three or more words. Look carefully in your child’s writing to see if he or she is incorporating this into the stories he or she writes. Compound sentences are two simple sentences joined together to make a longer sentence using the words- but, so, before, because, and, but, or, then. I am encouraging your child to have more compound sentences when he or she writes then short simple sentences. “R” controlled vowels are the vowels a, e, i, o and u that are influenced by the letter “r”. Some examples of “r” controlled vowels are- far, fern, bird, for, fur. Can your child fins any when he or she reads a story?

Reading- Please continue to read daily with your child at home. Encourage your child to read for at least 10 minutes a day. This creates a healthy and positive reading habit. Don’t forget to ask your child questions after he or she reads to build his or her reading comprehension. When your child reads pay attention to the following:

1. Is your child reading fluently which means reading like their talking?

2. Does your child read the words correctly or are they substituting the words? For example, the text states “them” and your child says “the”? It’s important that your child is reading the words correctly or it can change the meaning of the text or cause confusion as they read.

3. Is your child reading the text with expression?

4. If your child sounds out a word, does he or she reread the entire sentence again to make sure the sentence makes sense? Be sure to encourage that habit so your child gains meaning as he or she reads the text. This helps with reading comprehension!

5. If your child reads a book with illustrations, is he or she looking at the illustrations? Remember an author does not write everything down. That is when illustrations can be helpful to understand the meaning of the text and gain more information.

Enjoy your week!