Wonderful 1st Visit with our Pen Pals!

Hi,

We had a great first meeting with our Pen Pals. The kids were very flexible because there were some last minute changes and they were VERY polite, kind, and completely engaged with our new friends from The Court Assisted Living Facility. The pen pals had huge smiles and were excited to meet and talk with your kids. There were lots of stories being told, games being played (bingo, dominoes, memory, checkers, etc..) and some creating with play dough. The kids also shared their personal narratives with their pen pals. It was a wonderful visit for all of us. Thank you to the parents who came and helped. We will be writing more letters soon and discussing our interview answers. The pen pals will be visiting again in November.

Reading: This week in reading we began learning about poetry. We read a lyrical and free verse poem and discussed their similarities and differences. We discussed how poetry can be interpreted in different ways and watched two videos of the same poem with completely different interpretations. Watch and compare. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x587PpF-J1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1I4uaRt6bMThe kids were very surprised by the second one! We also read a poem about the Moon and learned about personification and how readers ask lots of questions, make predictions, make connections, and have thoughts and feelings as they read poetry just like when they read fiction and nonfiction. We will continue to read poems next week and even write some poetry.

Writing: We completed our first published piece this week and had a fun Author's Celebration. Thank you to all the parents who could attend our celebration. Many of the children were nervous about reading but we heard lots of examples of great leads, small moment stories, good sequencing, and good details. A lot of students slowed down their most important part of the story to build suspense and make the reader feel like they were right there and many of our endings really pulled the story together and gave some closure. Great job for our first personal narratives of the year! We will be writing some poetry and working on some essays about bullying and our Native American Tribes.

Math: We are practicing input/output tables and looking for mathematical patterns. We are beginning to create algebraic equations as well. We are using multiple strategies for problem solving and sharing those strategies with each other. Continue to practice using strategies to solve problems using multiplication, addition, and subtraction.

Social Studies: Native American research and projects are going well. We are trying hard to finish by Monday or Tuesday of next week then we will work on mixtures and solutions in science.

I enjoyed talking with all of you at conferences. Be sure to let me know if you have any concerns or questions. Email is always the best way to reach me.

Dates to remember:
Monday, October 17-2:45-3:15 Running Club-Email me to let me know if your child is staying.Pick up by the playground
Wednesday, October 19-Water Experiment Paper is due
October 24-28-Red Ribbon Week & Book Fair in the library
Thursday, October 27-Passport to Adventure Literacy Night 5-8pm
November 1-11=Annual Food Drive for the Round Rock Serving Center
Thursday, November 3-Reflections due to Mrs. Arnold

Have an amazing weekend! Thank you for sharing your children with me.

Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew