News from Room 203: Week of January 19, 2015

Hi Room 203 families, 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, long weekend! Remember, there is no school Monday, January 19th as we honor Dr. King!

Learning Goals:

• FUNdations: We are beginning Unit 8 which introduces a new syllable type: the R-Controlled Syllable. R-controlled syllables have r-controlled sounds, including: ar, or, ir, ur, and er. This week we will only be focusing on the /ar/ and /or/ sounds. The keywords are car and horn. To mark this syllable type, we scoop the syllable from beginning to end, circle the r-controlled combination, and mark an "r" under to syllable to show that it is r-controlled. 
• Reading: We are working on answering questions such as who, what, where, when, and why when reading. We are continuing to build stamina during Daily 5 practice. We are also focusing on our written responses using the acronym RAPS! This acronym may be helpful when supporting your child with nightly written response homework: 
• R- Restate the question (put the question in the answer)
• A- Answer the question
• P- Prove your answer with text evidence and page number
• S- Sum up your response with a concluding sentence. 
• Comprehension Toolkit: We are working on main idea and determining the difference between important information and interesting details when reading non-fiction texts. 
• Writing: We are beginning informative science research reports. Our current focus is weather. We are working with Ms. Allbach and Ms. Eggett to conduct research using books and Discovery Education. We are continuing to practice the 6 writing traits: Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Fluency, and Conventions. 
• Math: We are working on data collection, data representation, and data interpretation. Students will be surveying classmates on a topic of their choice, collecting data, and representing their findings in graphs. 
• Science: We are studying weather and weather patterns. 
• Social Studies: We are studying maps and globes and participating in Mystery Skype with other classrooms around the world to practice map skills. We will also be studying the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this week. 

Homework

•Read 20 minutes and fill out reading log. Remember, students are allowed to use MyON.com for reading homework. Students should know their login but please email me if you would like for me to send it to you. 

•Reading response: please use complete sentences and include details from the text.

•Fundations packet: due next Tuesday January 27th. 

•Math packet: due this Friday, January 23rd.  

Important Dates

• There is NO SCHOOL this Monday, January 19th. 
• Report Cards go home this Thursday, January 22nd. Please feel free to call or email to schedule a conference if you have any questions about report card grades. 
• After School Arts Registration forms due next Friday, January 23rd!
• I am teaching an After School Arts class with Mrs. Peeples on Wednesdays. It is called Books in the Garden. Here is the description: Join us as "Books in the Garden" brings the arts outdoors through literature. Help transform Claxton gardens into a reading wonderland by: creating story walks featuring favorite book characters and book quotes; designing spaces in the garden and around the playground for peaceful reading; reading bundles of books about gardening and nature; writing poetry; and building fairy houses as well as bee and butterfly habitats. Each week we will conduct a taste test to sample locally grown food including food grown right here in Claxton gardens.

Wish List

•snacks

•coffee filters (we ran out again) 

•pre sharpened pencils 

Ms. Wertheim’s Contact Info

Classroom Phone: 828-350-6514

Email: rebecca.wertheim[at]asheville.k12.nc.us

Thanks so much for all you do,