November News

November News 2018

Reading: We started our new unit NonFiction. Children will study word solving, vocabulary, comprehension,  and fluency. We will use partners that taps into the  social power of peers working together to help each other become more strategic readers and talk about books. We will learn all the parts of nonfiction: table of contents, captions, index, and glossary. Students will learn that readers can start anywhere in the book unlike fiction books that have to start in the beginning. Students will continue to read just-right fiction books to increase their stamina in reading.

Writing: We start our new unit: Nonfiction Reports, All About The students will write all about a topic and include many features of nonfiction books. They will learn to include captions on pictures, a table of contents and/or a glossary. Everyday, students are sharing their writing with their partner to make sure it is readable. We have been working on spelling words that are "no-excuses". These are words must be spelled correctly. We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished short vowels: a, o, u i and just started e.

Math:  We Started Ch. 8- Addition and Subtraction to 20. We will many strategies to add to 20. They include:
1. putting the two numbers together. 7+5= 12
2. Making a 10 and then adding. 9+4 is the same as 10+3
3. Adding on starting with the bigger number. 12 +3. Say 12 and count on 3 more to get 15.
4. Knowing Doubles, 3+3
5. Knowing Neighbors, since 3+3 = 6 then 3+4 = 7
These are just strategies to help them know their math facts fluently. The goal is be able to add and subtract up to 20 in their head. Being able to see the numbers in their head and manipulate them to get the answer they need will help them later with word problems. Computer math sites that reinforce these skills are:

www.gregtangmath.com
https://www.prodigygame.com/

Social Studies: We spent time before Thanksgiving learning about the Pilgrims. We learned that 100 Pilgrims came to America, but only 40 survived the winter. Most of these were children. We talked about why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims. Many of our activities focused on how hard the Pilgrims had coming to this country and we tied it to how hard immigrants have coming to a new place. Currently we are learning about Maps and Globes. So far...students know: map key, compass rose and how to make and read a map. We will focus on globes next.
Looking Ahead:

Early Release: Friday, Dec 7th and Dec 21st. 

Winter Holiday Sing: Thursday, December 20 at 2 p.m.

Winter Holiday Party: Friday, December 21, Early Release day
                                       Kids wear PJs to school, bring a blanket and pillow.
                                      All school Read-in. starting at 9:30 a.m
 Winter Break- No School- Dec 22 through January 2rnd. School Resumes January 3rd

Scholastic Book Orders will be coming home. Orders are due: Friday, Dec. 7 th.

If you order, there are 2 ways to pay:
A) Return order sheet and a check made out to Scholastic.
B) Online order with your credit card.
1. go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
2. use my class activation code: fmr3g
3. shop and pay.

Veteran's Day Assembly

Today we celebrated Veteran's Day with members of our Captain Elementary community who have served our country. We listened to a Book called America's White Table and heard from several veterans. In our classroom, we read a Scholastic News about Veterans and read a take home book on what it means to be a veteran.

October Newsletter

Reading:
We started our Non-Fiction unit. We learned to look at all parts of the book when reading.  We learned many features about nonfiction books. Ask you child about: the table of contents, glossary, index and structure of nonfiction books. The children learned they do not have to start at the beginning to read a nonfiction book. Many children are growing as readers. Make sure they are bringing books home to read that are "just-right."

Writing: We continue to work on small moment stories. We teach the students to start and end their stories with action, dialogue, feeling or time(one day). This week we worked on extending our writing and adding more to the middle part with details. We continue to learn about spelling patterns and how words work. We have finished short vowels: a, o, and i. We will start short u on Monday, Nov. 5th.

Math:  We finished our Math Geometry Chapter and  Ordinal Numbers and Position Words Chapter. Words that tend to be tricky for some students are: before, after, under, between, greater then, fewer then, next, to the left of, to the right of, and how many more, how many fewer/less.  We will start the Math Chapter on Numbers to 20 on Monday, November 5th.

Science: We learned about Pumpkins and their life cycle to finish up the life cycle of plants.  Did you know that all pumpkins float! The extra large ones can be used as boats, too.

 Social Studies:  We will start Map and Globe skills next followed by Rules and Laws. We will take time to talk about elections in a free society.   Before Thanksgiving we will learn why people immigrate to another country like the Pilgrims.

Your Input is Needed - Reminder - Join the School District of Clayton for one of three Open House style input sessions next month to help shape the District’s future. We are looking for feedback from parents, students, staff and community members about important decisions that will be made this school year, including the possibility of asking voters for a tax increase in April 2019 and establishing community priorities for our students’ future. Superintendent Dr. Sean Doherty, District administrators and Board of Education members will be in attendance to answer your questions and listen to your thoughts on the District's future. Please join us for one of the three Open Houses listed below for as much - or as little - time as your schedule allows. Visit claytonschools.net/focus for more details and to RSVP.
 • Tuesday, Nov. 6, 5-8 p.m. at Wydown Middle School, 6500 Wydown Blvd.
• Thursday, Nov. 8, 6-9 p.m. at the Clayton High School Library, #1 Mark Twain Circle
• Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave.

Looking Ahead:
No school- Tuesday, Nov. 6th- Election Day.
Captain Book Fair: Saturday, Nov. 10th from 9- noon
No School Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 21rd - Friday, Nov. 23

Halloween

We had so much fun on Halloween. Thank you to all the parents who were able to come help. 

Mrs. Goode as a ladybug

first graders

The Office Copy Cats

Fifth grade procession

"Three feet in a yard" third grade teachers

First Grade Parading

Fifth grade dancing the Electric Slide and Thiller

Parade on DeMunn

"There is no Crying in baseball", A League of their Own Movie (fifth grade teachers)

Mr. Mayer as Jack Sparrow

Fifth grade dancing

Ms. Frizzle (Mrs. Hwande)