Thursday, November 10, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
NO SCHOOL Tuesday, November 8th
Don't forget...there will be NO SCHOOL for students on Tuesday, November 8th due to Election Day.
Week of October 31
Hello Parents and Families! It's been a few weeks since I've updated the blog. October went by quick! Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Here is a look at what we learned last week...
Reader's Workshop --> We are focusing on nonfiction (informational texts) during our mini lessons. Last week we talked about the Author's Purpose when writing a text. We learned the "PIE" acronym. The author writes a book to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain. We talked about what those words mean. We worked on the book Pumpkin Circle (a nonfiction text that discussed how a pumpkin's life cycle works). During this time, we also discussed the Author's Purpose in this text was to inform the readers. We also discussed the main idea...which will be a focus this week.
Phonics--> We learned about the long O pattern in words. For example, when we see a word like "vote", we notice the O has to "say it's name" because of the silent E at the end of the word. We call that the Vowel-Consonant-Vowel pattern.
Math Workshop--> Balanced equations and Related Facts were the focus last week. We looked hard at the true meaning of the equal sign in equations. For example, we can say 9 = 9 because they are the SAME on both sides. We can also say 3 + 3= 4 + 2 because they are the SAME on both sides. We can also say 6 = 1 + 5 because they are the SAME on both sides.
We have also been talking about relating addition with subtraction. For example, if we know that 6 + 2 =8, then we should be able to solve 8 - ___ = 6 by knowing the fact family of 8, 6, & 2.
Social Studies--> We learned about Thomas Jefferson. This coming week, we will be making a book of facts regarding Thomas Jefferson.
Writer's Workshop--> We are continuing to write books about topics we are experts about. Students wrote about anything from ballet to Pokemon! I love hearing the ideas of things the kids know a lot about and are excited about! It makes it more meaningful and fun for them to write!!
Have a wonderful week!
Reader's Workshop --> We are focusing on nonfiction (informational texts) during our mini lessons. Last week we talked about the Author's Purpose when writing a text. We learned the "PIE" acronym. The author writes a book to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain. We talked about what those words mean. We worked on the book Pumpkin Circle (a nonfiction text that discussed how a pumpkin's life cycle works). During this time, we also discussed the Author's Purpose in this text was to inform the readers. We also discussed the main idea...which will be a focus this week.
Phonics--> We learned about the long O pattern in words. For example, when we see a word like "vote", we notice the O has to "say it's name" because of the silent E at the end of the word. We call that the Vowel-Consonant-Vowel pattern.
Math Workshop--> Balanced equations and Related Facts were the focus last week. We looked hard at the true meaning of the equal sign in equations. For example, we can say 9 = 9 because they are the SAME on both sides. We can also say 3 + 3= 4 + 2 because they are the SAME on both sides. We can also say 6 = 1 + 5 because they are the SAME on both sides.
We have also been talking about relating addition with subtraction. For example, if we know that 6 + 2 =8, then we should be able to solve 8 - ___ = 6 by knowing the fact family of 8, 6, & 2.
Social Studies--> We learned about Thomas Jefferson. This coming week, we will be making a book of facts regarding Thomas Jefferson.
Writer's Workshop--> We are continuing to write books about topics we are experts about. Students wrote about anything from ballet to Pokemon! I love hearing the ideas of things the kids know a lot about and are excited about! It makes it more meaningful and fun for them to write!!
Have a wonderful week!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Week of October 3rd
Hello Parents! I hope everyone had a wonderful fall break. What BEAUTIFUL weather we have had! Here is a look at what we learned last week...
Reader's Workshop--> We are focusing on one book a week during our Mini Lessons. This week's book was Pumpkin Jack. We closely examined the book and practiced various reading skills such as visualizing, making inferences, identifying the character, setting and events, using our schema (things we already know before we read). The students are doing a great job at using their head phones during Listen to Reading. Thank you to all who have brought in their own head phones.
Phonics--> We practiced with words that have final "n" clusters...ex: "ng", "nt", "nk" words.
Math Workshop--> We reviewed our standards from the first nine weeks each day. We practiced numbers to 120, addition and subtraction within 10, collecting data to put into a tally chart, and solving word problems within 10.
Writer's Workshop--> We have finished our unit on Narrative writing (Small Moment Stories). We focused on EDITING our writing using our own editing checklists that the students will keep in their writing binders. (ex: Do I have punctuation at the end of my sentences? Did I use all that I know about words and chunks of words to spell other words? Did I use the word wall to spell words? ...etc.)
Social Studies--> We reviewed Landforms from the beginning of the quarter.
Have a wonderful week!
Reader's Workshop--> We are focusing on one book a week during our Mini Lessons. This week's book was Pumpkin Jack. We closely examined the book and practiced various reading skills such as visualizing, making inferences, identifying the character, setting and events, using our schema (things we already know before we read). The students are doing a great job at using their head phones during Listen to Reading. Thank you to all who have brought in their own head phones.
Phonics--> We practiced with words that have final "n" clusters...ex: "ng", "nt", "nk" words.
Math Workshop--> We reviewed our standards from the first nine weeks each day. We practiced numbers to 120, addition and subtraction within 10, collecting data to put into a tally chart, and solving word problems within 10.
Writer's Workshop--> We have finished our unit on Narrative writing (Small Moment Stories). We focused on EDITING our writing using our own editing checklists that the students will keep in their writing binders. (ex: Do I have punctuation at the end of my sentences? Did I use all that I know about words and chunks of words to spell other words? Did I use the word wall to spell words? ...etc.)
Social Studies--> We reviewed Landforms from the beginning of the quarter.
Have a wonderful week!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Week of September 12
This past week was a busy one with students taking the CoGat test 3 mornings of the week. They all did a great job with staying on task, quiet, and working hard! Way to go!
Here is a look at some of the things we did...
Reader's Workshop--> We continued to work on our fluency when we read. We also talked about characters, setting, and details in a fictional story. We read some books on Benjamin Franklin (historical fiction). During our Daily 5 time, students are working on the "Read to Self" for 20 minutes. This is a time where they sit in a quiet spot in the room and just READ. It's also the time for Mrs. Screptock to conference with individual students. We also "read with someone", "listen to reading", complete "word work", and we "work on writing". Lots going on all at once!
Phonics--> We did a little work with s-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We focused on addition within 10. We are working on different ways to make 4, 5, 6, and 7. Next week we will focus on 8, 9, and 10. During our independent work time, students are able to play math games to strengthen their skills, as well as use hands-on materials to master concepts taught.
Social Studies--> Benjamin Franklin has been our focus this week.
Science--> States of water has been our focus this week. We conducted an experiment with 2 cups of water. One had a lid on it and the other did not. They were placed out in the garden and we watched them for 5 days. Ask your child what happened to the cups of water!!
Have a great week!
Here is a look at some of the things we did...
Reader's Workshop--> We continued to work on our fluency when we read. We also talked about characters, setting, and details in a fictional story. We read some books on Benjamin Franklin (historical fiction). During our Daily 5 time, students are working on the "Read to Self" for 20 minutes. This is a time where they sit in a quiet spot in the room and just READ. It's also the time for Mrs. Screptock to conference with individual students. We also "read with someone", "listen to reading", complete "word work", and we "work on writing". Lots going on all at once!
Phonics--> We did a little work with s-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We focused on addition within 10. We are working on different ways to make 4, 5, 6, and 7. Next week we will focus on 8, 9, and 10. During our independent work time, students are able to play math games to strengthen their skills, as well as use hands-on materials to master concepts taught.
Social Studies--> Benjamin Franklin has been our focus this week.
Science--> States of water has been our focus this week. We conducted an experiment with 2 cups of water. One had a lid on it and the other did not. They were placed out in the garden and we watched them for 5 days. Ask your child what happened to the cups of water!!
Have a great week!
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Week of September 6
This week was a short one because of our day off on Labor Day. Hope everyone had a nice, long weekend!
Here's a look at what we did in class this week....
Reader's Workshop--> We started a Reader's Theater script for "Old MacDonald's Noisy Farm". We worked on story elements (character, setting, plot). We also got into learning about FLUENCY. Reading like the character would talk or reading smoothly...not like a robot. Daily 5 has been rolled out in the classroom and students are going to the 5 centers throughout the week. A favorite among the class is "Listen to Reading" where they can go on to Raz-Kids and listen to stories on the computer.
**Thank you to those who have sent in headphones with your child!
Phonics--> We worked on r-blend words this week. At the end of the week, we took a spelling assessment to see how they are learning the r-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We are getting into addition of numbers within 10. Last week we focused on different ways to make 4 and 5. (ex: 3 and 1 is 4, 2 and 2 is 4, 1 and 4 is 5, 2 and 3 is 5, etc.) We have also worked out of our Math Journals doing addition and subtraction story problems. During math workshop time, students go to centers to work independently. These are: At Your Seat (completing a worksheet), Math Games (games that reinforce skills that we are working on), Hands-On activities (anything that uses manipulatives to practice skills we are working on), and Teacher Choice (activities with the teacher guiding the group).
Science--> We've still been working on weather journals and talked about Water and how it changes states (liquid, solid, evaporates).
Have a wonderful week!
Here's a look at what we did in class this week....
Reader's Workshop--> We started a Reader's Theater script for "Old MacDonald's Noisy Farm". We worked on story elements (character, setting, plot). We also got into learning about FLUENCY. Reading like the character would talk or reading smoothly...not like a robot. Daily 5 has been rolled out in the classroom and students are going to the 5 centers throughout the week. A favorite among the class is "Listen to Reading" where they can go on to Raz-Kids and listen to stories on the computer.
**Thank you to those who have sent in headphones with your child!
Phonics--> We worked on r-blend words this week. At the end of the week, we took a spelling assessment to see how they are learning the r-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We are getting into addition of numbers within 10. Last week we focused on different ways to make 4 and 5. (ex: 3 and 1 is 4, 2 and 2 is 4, 1 and 4 is 5, 2 and 3 is 5, etc.) We have also worked out of our Math Journals doing addition and subtraction story problems. During math workshop time, students go to centers to work independently. These are: At Your Seat (completing a worksheet), Math Games (games that reinforce skills that we are working on), Hands-On activities (anything that uses manipulatives to practice skills we are working on), and Teacher Choice (activities with the teacher guiding the group).
Science--> We've still been working on weather journals and talked about Water and how it changes states (liquid, solid, evaporates).
Have a wonderful week!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Ways to practice sight words at home
Ways to practice sight words at home
• Paper Plate Toss: Write sight words on paper plates. Use like Frisbees to throw
after reading the word.
• Concentration: Make a duplicate set of word cards and play “Concentration”
• Go Fish: With a duplicate set of word cards play “Go Fish”
• Tic –Tac-Toe: Write words in the tic-tac-toe spaces. Take turns selecting a
space to read. If read correctly, an X or O is placed on the space until someone
wins.
• Word-O: This is played just like BINGO. Fill in a card with the words that you
are working on. Call out the words and mark the spaces. The first one with a
card covered calls out the word "WORDO"!
• Word Hunt: Look for target words in books or in the newspaper. If using the
newspaper your child can highlight or circle the word ring words that he/she
finds
• SNAP: You put the sight words you want them to practice on flash cards and
put the flash cards into a jar (maybe like an oatmeal jar). Also, you write the
word SNAP! on a a few flash cards and put them in the jar also. The kids can
play in partners or in groups of 3 or 4. They take turns pulling a card out of
the jar. If they can say the word on the card automatically with no struggle,
they get to keep the card. If they struggle, they have to put it back. If they
pull out one of the cards that says SNAP! They have to put back all of the
cards they've drawn.
• Play coin toss – Put words on the floor - children take turns to toss a coin onto
a word and say that word.
• Play who am I? For example, I rhyme with bed, I have 3 letters, and I
end in “d”.
• Children go outside and practice writing their words with
chalk on the concrete.
• Flashlight words - turn off lights. Tape words on the wall or ceiling. Use the
flashlight to shine on the word then read.
• Children make their own word wall/dictionary using photocopied small sight
words and scrapbooks labeled with a letter of the alphabet on each page... can
be added to throughout the year.
• Make words using play dough.
• Beat the clock - how many times can a word be written in 1 minute etc
• Play stepping stones - place words on the floor and children walk over them
saying the word as they go to get to the other side of the stream. Make words
using letter tiles -scrabble pieces
• Make words using stencils.
• Make words using alphabet stamps.
• Make words using magnetic letters
• Delicious Words -Write your words in whipped cream, peanut butter, or anything
you can eat
• Good Clean Words -Write your words in shaving cream on a counter or some
other surface that can be cleaned safely
• Paper Plate Toss: Write sight words on paper plates. Use like Frisbees to throw
after reading the word.
• Concentration: Make a duplicate set of word cards and play “Concentration”
• Go Fish: With a duplicate set of word cards play “Go Fish”
• Tic –Tac-Toe: Write words in the tic-tac-toe spaces. Take turns selecting a
space to read. If read correctly, an X or O is placed on the space until someone
wins.
• Word-O: This is played just like BINGO. Fill in a card with the words that you
are working on. Call out the words and mark the spaces. The first one with a
card covered calls out the word "WORDO"!
• Word Hunt: Look for target words in books or in the newspaper. If using the
newspaper your child can highlight or circle the word ring words that he/she
finds
• SNAP: You put the sight words you want them to practice on flash cards and
put the flash cards into a jar (maybe like an oatmeal jar). Also, you write the
word SNAP! on a a few flash cards and put them in the jar also. The kids can
play in partners or in groups of 3 or 4. They take turns pulling a card out of
the jar. If they can say the word on the card automatically with no struggle,
they get to keep the card. If they struggle, they have to put it back. If they
pull out one of the cards that says SNAP! They have to put back all of the
cards they've drawn.
• Play coin toss – Put words on the floor - children take turns to toss a coin onto
a word and say that word.
• Play who am I? For example, I rhyme with bed, I have 3 letters, and I
end in “d”.
• Children go outside and practice writing their words with
chalk on the concrete.
• Flashlight words - turn off lights. Tape words on the wall or ceiling. Use the
flashlight to shine on the word then read.
• Children make their own word wall/dictionary using photocopied small sight
words and scrapbooks labeled with a letter of the alphabet on each page... can
be added to throughout the year.
• Make words using play dough.
• Beat the clock - how many times can a word be written in 1 minute etc
• Play stepping stones - place words on the floor and children walk over them
saying the word as they go to get to the other side of the stream. Make words
using letter tiles -scrabble pieces
• Make words using stencils.
• Make words using alphabet stamps.
• Make words using magnetic letters
• Delicious Words -Write your words in whipped cream, peanut butter, or anything
you can eat
• Good Clean Words -Write your words in shaving cream on a counter or some
other surface that can be cleaned safely
Monday, September 5, 2016
Week of August 29th
Week 5 is over and now on to Week 6!
Here is a bit of what we learned last week...
Reader's Workshop/Daily 5--> I have rolled out the last component to our Daily 5 centers which was LISTEN TO READING. Students practiced logging in to computers in the classroom and going to the Raz-Kids website (you can also access this at home with the login card I sent home last Friday). We have also worked on READ TO SELF, READ TO SOMEONE, WORK ON WRITING, and WORD WORK. Asking Questions as we read and determining the Main Idea and Details of nonfiction texts were also a focus last week.
Phonics--> We finished our work with L-blend words. Students used letter cards, workmats, and finger writing to spell words with l-blends in them as well as practicing sight words for that unit. We took a spelling assessment on Friday to see how we are learning our l-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We have started our Math Journals and have been completing story problems in them. The students have been doing a great job with drawing a picture and including a number sentence to solve the problems. We have also focused on tens and ones as well as decomposing numbers (ex: 12 is 1 ten and 2 ones and it is also 12 ones). We have worked on number puzzles to 120, counting by 10s using dimes, and showing 2-digit numbers using base 10 blocks.
Science--> We finished up our unit on weather. The students are still working on a weather journal, recording the daily weather, characteristics, and illustrating what the weather was like for that day.
Writer's Workshop--> We are still working on narrative writing (stories of events that have happened to us). Small moment writing has been a focus. The students are choosing topics that aren't so broad (like going on vacation), rather choosing one part of the vacation to focus on. We also got to choose our favorite piece of writing and set it out on our desk for a Museum Walk. They absolutely LOVED this! They are beginning to take pride in their work!!
Have a wonderful week!
Here is a bit of what we learned last week...
Reader's Workshop/Daily 5--> I have rolled out the last component to our Daily 5 centers which was LISTEN TO READING. Students practiced logging in to computers in the classroom and going to the Raz-Kids website (you can also access this at home with the login card I sent home last Friday). We have also worked on READ TO SELF, READ TO SOMEONE, WORK ON WRITING, and WORD WORK. Asking Questions as we read and determining the Main Idea and Details of nonfiction texts were also a focus last week.
Phonics--> We finished our work with L-blend words. Students used letter cards, workmats, and finger writing to spell words with l-blends in them as well as practicing sight words for that unit. We took a spelling assessment on Friday to see how we are learning our l-blend words.
Math Workshop--> We have started our Math Journals and have been completing story problems in them. The students have been doing a great job with drawing a picture and including a number sentence to solve the problems. We have also focused on tens and ones as well as decomposing numbers (ex: 12 is 1 ten and 2 ones and it is also 12 ones). We have worked on number puzzles to 120, counting by 10s using dimes, and showing 2-digit numbers using base 10 blocks.
Science--> We finished up our unit on weather. The students are still working on a weather journal, recording the daily weather, characteristics, and illustrating what the weather was like for that day.
Writer's Workshop--> We are still working on narrative writing (stories of events that have happened to us). Small moment writing has been a focus. The students are choosing topics that aren't so broad (like going on vacation), rather choosing one part of the vacation to focus on. We also got to choose our favorite piece of writing and set it out on our desk for a Museum Walk. They absolutely LOVED this! They are beginning to take pride in their work!!
Have a wonderful week!
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Weeks of August 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd
What We Are Learning...
Each week I will update the class blog with a snapshot of the amazing things your children are learning and doing in the classroom. For this week, I have added the last few weeks' learning as well...
Reader's Workshop--> Mrs. Screptock has been rolling out the Daily 5 program into the classroom. We have practiced and mastered 3 of the 5 components to Daily 5. Read to Self, Read to Someone, and Work on Writing have all been introduced. (These are going to be the rotations for our literacy block in the mornings). The students have been working hard on the routines and procedures for the Daily 5 program. We are learning the Main Idea in a text as well as key details surrounding the main idea. Toward the end of the week we will learn the 4th component to Daily 5...Word Work.
Phonics--> We have just begun our phonics lessons. This week we are focusing on the l-blend words.
Math Workshop--> Numbers to 120 have been our focus for the past few weeks. Filling in missing numbers in 120 charts, putting together 120 number puzzles, and counting in various number sequences are a few of the activities we have done. We have worked on graphing and data collection as well. The students have graphed anything from favorite ice cream flavors to birthdays in the classroom.
Writer's Workshop--> Narrative writing (personal stories) is the focus for the first quarter. We have worked on choosing a "small moment" story. For example, instead of writing about a vacation to Disneyworld, the students would choose ONE small moment at Disneyworld to write about. (We call these seed ideas). We are now working on making books to organize our stories into chronological order.
Social Studies--> We have learned about the different types of landforms throughout the world. The students made a layered landform project that is hanging in the hallway!
Science--> Weather will be the focus in the next coming weeks.
Each week I will update the class blog with a snapshot of the amazing things your children are learning and doing in the classroom. For this week, I have added the last few weeks' learning as well...
Reader's Workshop--> Mrs. Screptock has been rolling out the Daily 5 program into the classroom. We have practiced and mastered 3 of the 5 components to Daily 5. Read to Self, Read to Someone, and Work on Writing have all been introduced. (These are going to be the rotations for our literacy block in the mornings). The students have been working hard on the routines and procedures for the Daily 5 program. We are learning the Main Idea in a text as well as key details surrounding the main idea. Toward the end of the week we will learn the 4th component to Daily 5...Word Work.
Phonics--> We have just begun our phonics lessons. This week we are focusing on the l-blend words.
Math Workshop--> Numbers to 120 have been our focus for the past few weeks. Filling in missing numbers in 120 charts, putting together 120 number puzzles, and counting in various number sequences are a few of the activities we have done. We have worked on graphing and data collection as well. The students have graphed anything from favorite ice cream flavors to birthdays in the classroom.
Writer's Workshop--> Narrative writing (personal stories) is the focus for the first quarter. We have worked on choosing a "small moment" story. For example, instead of writing about a vacation to Disneyworld, the students would choose ONE small moment at Disneyworld to write about. (We call these seed ideas). We are now working on making books to organize our stories into chronological order.
Social Studies--> We have learned about the different types of landforms throughout the world. The students made a layered landform project that is hanging in the hallway!
Science--> Weather will be the focus in the next coming weeks.
Raz-Kids
Your child has been added to the Raz-Kids website in Mrs. Screptock's class. To visit Raz-Kids, please go to the following link:
http://www.raz-kids.com
1. Click on "Kids Login" (green button).
2. The teacher username you will type in is "jscreptock1"
3. Click on your child's username on the dashboard. (It is their first initial followed by their last name).
4. The password is the rabbit picture.
Please let me know if you have any problems logging in at home. This is a WONDERFUL tool for reading reinforcement at home!
http://www.raz-kids.com
1. Click on "Kids Login" (green button).
2. The teacher username you will type in is "jscreptock1"
3. Click on your child's username on the dashboard. (It is their first initial followed by their last name).
4. The password is the rabbit picture.
Please let me know if you have any problems logging in at home. This is a WONDERFUL tool for reading reinforcement at home!
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Open House
Open House is Thursday, August 11th! Come see what is going on at
our School!
Special Needs PreK: 5:00-6:00
ALP: 5:15-6:00
PTA Meeting: 6:00-6:30
Session 1: 6:40-7:20
Session 2: 7:30-8:10
***The Swift Cantrell gate will be opened.***
I hope to see you all there! I have some great information to share with you!
Mrs. Screptock :)
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