Week two was spent getting everything in order to start our curriculum up. We are officially up and running with our curriculum and the kids are doing great! This week I also spent a little bit of time researching something called "genius hour." As I am getting to know this group of kids, I am realizing just how creative and innovative they are. I wanted to find a way for them to be able to think creatively and explore. I happened upon some research about "20 percent time" that was used within the Google corporation and how people have begun to implement it in their classrooms. You can read a little about that www.20time.org/here. I would like to encourage that innovative thinking within our classroom in the form of Genius Hour every Friday. Students will be able to explore questions that they have about the world around them and explore new ideas. This will not result in any more homework at home. If a student chooses to explore further at home, it would be completely optional. This time will be set aside so that students are able to do all of the exploring they need. At the conclusion of their findings, they will create something to present to the class. More information about Genius Hour will be coming home shortly. In the meantime, check out this video that explains it a little bit more! Post Card ChallengeThis year we will be working to collect post cards from all 50 states! As we collect these post cards, we will learn about the state that it came from and learn the capital! In order to collect all 50 states, we will need your help! If you know someone who is in another state, or will be traveling to another state, please ask them to send our class a post card! They can write a little message on the back that we can read to class. Please have them address it like this: (Student they know) & Mrs.Gitler's Class 5525 Park ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426 We can't wait to get started on collecting these post cards! Thank you so much for your help! Curriculum update and remindersMath: This week we will be diving into our multiplication and division units. We will be focusing on the idea that multiplication means "groups of." We will also be recognizing the relationship between multiplication and division. Students will also be taking a "mad minute" this week on their 2s. If they pass their 2s, they will receive the next set (5s) of flash cards to add to their bag! Remember, it may take a few times to pass the test! That is perfectly fine! Just keep practicing so that we can know them in a "snap!"
Writing: We brainstormed some awesome ideas for our personal narrative stories last week. This week we will be focusing in on how to make sure we are writing a "small moment" story. Students will also know this as a "seed" story. Social Studies: We will be continuing to work on our Michigan geography this week. We will be learning about physical and human characteristics in Michigan. Reading: This week we will be working on building up our reading stamina. I will be working with students to be sure that the books that they have pulled are a "good fit" book. Students know how to use their fingers to check if a book is just right. If they miss more than 5 words, the book is too hard. If you are not sure if your child has a book that is a "good fit," encourage them to do the good fit check with you. Reminders: Monday - GYM day Friday - Early release (ART special) Mrs.Gitler out at a literacy training. September 19 - Mrs.Gitler out at a Michigan Math teachers conference
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