April 2013
Literacy
Activities: Continuation of activities on-going since September. Since April is poetry month we
will also have a stronger focus on poetry in our literacy. We will be especially focusing on
getting started right away and working the whole time to complete assigned activities.
Sight Words:
Week 1: don’t, too, our, found
Week 2: where, friend, can’t, stop
Week 3: kicked, around, every, other
Week 4: another, each, know, phone
CAFÉ (Reading Strategies):
During April we will be using poems and big books to continue introducing and reviewing our
CAFÉ strategies. We will use both fiction and non-fiction books. During guided reading
students will also be working on further developing their understanding and use of the various
strategies.
Here are some important strategies we will be reviewing throughout the month.
Comprehension: Name the Author’s Purpose, Name the Problem/Solution, Back Up & Re-read
Accuracy: Use the Pictures, Use Rhyming Words
Fluency: Read Good Fit Books, Read with Expression & Pacing
Expand Vocabulary: Use Word Tools, Use Interesting Words
Please continue to discuss reading strategies with your child. Comprehension is especially
important!
Sounds: ‘ei’ for ee, ore, le, ture
Writing:
 writing process (think, plan, write, edit, publish)
 word choice ~ adding interesting words
 revising ~ great beginning, excellent endings, adding details
 editing (spelling, punctuation, neatness)
 graphic organizers to plan writing
 Writing procedures for real reasons
 Writing non-fiction text based on interest
Speaking & Listening:
We will be continuing to work on questioning. We will also be talking about how words can
hurt others. We will be focusing on using kind words. Students will also be doing more peer
editing so they will need to make sure they are being helpful with their language.
Math
This month we will be continuing our unit on Geometry. In this unit, students will be learning
about 3-D objects, such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and pyramids, and 2-D shapes such
as triangles, squares, circles, and rectangles. Students will be asked to describe, compare and
sort 3-D and 2-D objects according to their attributes. Students will be asked to identify these
shapes found in their environment as well as to construct models to represent 3-D and 2-D
shapes.
Students will be expected to:
 Determine the differences between two given pre-sorted sets and explain the sorting rule.
 Identify and name two common attributes of items within a given sorted group.
 Sort a given set of 2-D shapes (regular and irregular) according to two attributes and explain the sorting
rule.
 Sort a given set of 3-D objects according to two attributes and explain the sorting rule.
**Please continue to study math facts to 18 for quick recall using the Xtramath website as well
as use the card games outlined on my teacher page.
You & Your World
In April our focus will be on the environment. The topics will be recycling,
sustainability, waste management, and the impact humans have on the
environment. We will be celebrating Earth Day.