FEBRUARY 22ND-26TH Sunshine Smiles Reading Workshop Setting Goals and Reflecting This week, the SUNSHINES looked into their own learning by reflecting through the academic areas. The students wrote about what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses. They also wrote about what they are proud of and how they learn best at school. We can’t wait for you to see these at conferences Learning Reflections Across Academic Areas (or in your conference packet). During Indoor recess, the students at Eli Pinney have the options (on certain days) to go to various rooms that have movement, creativity spaces, and construction. Nonfiction Writing: “HOW TO” Check out the learning that is radiating from the SUNSHINE room this week! Themes of the Week: * Economics * New Word Wall Words * Nonfiction Texts Using Technology to Research for our Nonfiction Writings * Telling Time * Winter Words of the Week: explore, reading, more, think, dream, hour, question, equal, time, Creating at Indoor Recess at the Maker Space 1 always Science/Social Studies/Health Reading * We continued to talk about the features of a * In Social Studies throughout this week, the NONFICTION text. We added to our features chart as we noticed them in texts. SUNSHINES learned about THE SUN and ENERGY. We charted what we know about the sun and what we would like to discover. * We finished Toy Dance Party. The kids created Math a reading response based on their interest in the book. They had the opportunity to write about their favorite character/part, a connection to another book or their lives, or what they think the author’s message might be. * We began our unit on measurement this week. The kids used all types of manipulative from cubes to rulers to even their own feet! Using these objects, we practiced measuring items accurately. We read several measurement books and had class discussions Writing on why it is important to measure things * We finished writing our goals and self reflections to share accurately. with you at conferences (or in our conference packet). * We continue to complete mini-math assessments to check-in with skills from throughout the year. * We reviewed math vocabulary (sum, difference, equal, etc.). We practiced making the difference through a collaborative math game. * We began learning about the format of “HOW TO” writings. The SUNSHINES tried this style of writing throughout the week. * We continued to talk about different types of NONFICTION writings. The kids will have many opportunities to write nonfiction. We generated a topic to write about and are collaborating with our librarian to pick out books to use as resources. * We continue to work on perseverance and using mathematical thinking to solve problems in different ways. The kids are getting really good a communicating their Technology thinking and strategies. * New word wall words came home yesterday. We will begin to publish “HOW TO” writings soon! Please practice these words at home. The words are also on the first page of the newsletter. We will be focusing on these words for the next 2 weeks. UPCOMING EVENTS AND REMINDERS * Conference packets are coming home today (if you do not have a formal conference). After looking through the packet, please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. There are more specific comments on Progress Book under each academic area about your child’s learning. * Don’t forget about the Image of the Week and the February Reading Response on my website. * There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, February 26th. * Book Orders are due on Thursday, February 25th. * February 29th-March 4th is READ ACROSS AMERICA Week. Look for more information to come home soon about this fun week * We are in need of plastic sleeves for our First Grade MEMORY BOOKS. If you would like to donate, please send them in at anytime. Thank you in advance! 2