February 13th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week we are analyzing some of the poetry we've been reading about different animals and places.  We are learning about different tricks or tools poets use to make their poems more fun or more interesting!  We've already learned about alliteration and rhyming and we are using these tricks to get started writing our own poems this week!  

We are focusing a lot on vowels in reading right now.  Short and long vowels can be very difficult for kids.  It would be great if you could notice words on signs while driving or in stores, and just ask, "Hmm, is that a short vowel or a long vowel?"  This week we are learning about consonant- vowel- consonant (or CVC) words and CVCe words (words with silent e).  These words are everywhere!  Maybe you could find 2 of each, AFTER reading the book that comes home, or any book really!  That would really help!

In math, we are going to continue practicing “What’s My Rule?” problems.  We will also provide experience finding the value of collections of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.  We will review time and introduce our math reference book.  We will be playing math games using our math triangles, please reinforce this at home by practicing them at home with your child.  Look for Home Links 6.8, 6.9, 6.11 and a subtraction practice sheet to come home this week.  Please keep Home Link 6.11 at home for your child to practice with.

We are currently working on our social studies unit called Our Country.  In the next two weeks we will be taking a closer look at a map of the United States and we will be locating different states.  We will also learn about the locations of the continents and the oceans.  Additionally, we will be learning about important symbols of the United States.  We will be learning about a few of our presidents and taking a close look at George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We will also be comparing and contrasting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Special Points of Interest

• THANK YOU in advance to all of the families that donated items for our Valentine's Party. The kids are looking forward to the party tomorrow!
• Scholastic book orders are due Monday, February 20th. You can go online to order www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and type in the Online Code: JBVLX, or you can send the order form and money to school with your child.