Peter and the Wolf

Happy Weekend!

I am loving all of the comments!  They are great.  I'm glad everyone is enjoying the blog.  Keep coming back for updates.

What a great week!  Daily 5 is going wonderfully.  Students have built their stamina for Read to Self, and we are almost to 20 minutes.  We are just starting Working on Writing!  Their little hands will be so tired from all of that writing!  I can't wait to add in the other parts: Word Work, Shared Reading, and Listen to Reading.  They have all been working so very hard.

Our vocabulary words this past week were--
- Trudged
- Nonsense
- Chuckled
- Nervous
- Fumbled

Students...acts these words out for your parents.  Nervous?  Nonsense!!  Don't be.  I know they will chuckle watching you trudge around this week as you fumble an item.    

Graded Papers were sent home on Friday.  Sign the paper that states that you will be keeping the papers.  If you have a question about any assignment, then please contact me.  Return the green folder back to school so that we may continue to send home more grades.  Thank you!

On Monday, a HOMEWORK PACKET will be sent home!  It will consist of counting syllables, putting words in alphabetical order, a reading passage, a ROLLER COASTER plot activity, and reading questions! Students have all week to complete the packet, so this will need to be turned in on Friday.  Parents, I encourage you to assist your child in the way that you see fit.  If anything, review the packet to ensure that he or she has answered the questions correctly.  Also, each student will continue to read 20 minutes for the Reading Log.  We will be going to the library this week to get new books!  The day...TBA!

I'm very excited about next week's lessons!  We will use the elements from plot to learn about Summary and Theme with Peter and the Wolf.  I remember watching this video in Music Class every single year of my elementary life, and I always loved it.  I hope the Elephants and the Honeybees will enjoy it as much as I did.  We will begin by relating the instruments to the different characters in the story.  Then we will read the story in order to create a summary and find the theme of the story.  I'm excited to take them to Computer Lab on Wednesday so that they can watch the video and do an activity.  If you want a sneak peak of the video, click the link below!  If your child has already watched it in class, then great, watch it again and again!!  So many great things are in store for this week, so make sure you ask your child what he or she has learned!

***Extra Assignment***
Your student will be rewarded if he or she creates a musical instrument at home and brings it to school.  Watch the video to know which instruments you can choose from.  Household items work wonders:  Paper towel rolls, kleenex boxes, rubber bands, wax paper, and other creative items!  CLICK HERE to listen to the instruments

We are in the process of writing an imaginative story!  Your kids are so creative, I can't wait to see the final products.  Also, in order to become better spellers, we are understanding syllables and alphabetical order (dictionaries).

Watch out for a letter that will be sent out this week.  It will be asking your permission to upload photos of activity in the classroom on the blog.  There will be some great photos to come out of this week through Peter and the Wolf.  Either way is fine; I respect your privacy. :-)  

Have a great weekend!  Leave a comment and I'll write you back!
~ Ms. Lightfoot

Welcome to The Blog!

Good Evening, Everybody,

I really enjoyed last night's PTA Meeting and Parent Orientation.  I just know it's going to be an awesome year!! 

I would like to begin by stating, parents, you have amazing children.  It has been a treat getting to know them these past two + weeks.  I'm very impressed by them.  Creating our class Social Contract (student/teacher-created rules) was easy because they already have such great manners, respect, and have an eagerness for learning!  Thank you parents :-)

Re-cap of The Reading Information from Parent Orientation:
- Since we are going to the library this week, students will begin their Reading Log.  Procedures for Reading Log can be found in your child's agenda.

- When other reading homework is assigned, it will be written in the agenda.
- Graded papers will be sent as soon as we have Folders for them.

My door is always open.  If you would like to get in touch with me, my conference is from 2:25-3:15.  I'm also available before and after school. 


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Ba da ba ba ba, I'm Lovin It!
This is a phrase that we often chant in class!  We say it when great things are going on in the classroom.  For example, students have been learning about Characterization and Plot.  They expressed characterization by first describing their own personal characteristics.  Their "About Me" bags were helpful in this assignment.  I was excited to learn how many children also love the color purple! ;-)

 Later, we were able to see how characters have relationships that change in a story!  Reading The Berenstain Bears' Report Card Trouble to them was very entertaining!  They enjoyed how the relationship between Papa Bear and Brother Bear improved when they worked together in order to bring up the son's report card. 

Right now, we are using the visual of a riding a roller coaster to learn the elements of plot: problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and solution.  Have your student act out this Roller Coaster!!

I look forward to more learning!  Have a great night. 

If you are reading the blog, then please post a comment when you are finished. Your student will be rewarded for encouraging you to visit! (The comment will appear after I "approve" it.)

~ Ms. Lightfoot