Fundations:

Unit 5 has been a two week unit. We started talking a lot about words with more than one syllable. I'm starting to tap individual sounds out less and clap syllables more. The words in this unit are completely made up of closed syllables (word parts with short vowel sounds). We are also learning new suffixes. Next week, things will get harder when we start learning a new syllable type! Your child has to memorize trick words too! These are words that do not follow spelling rules, and they are high frequency words. I was a bit disappointed in the Unit 4 spelling tests.

Please make sure your child is completing his/her Fundations packet a little each night!

Homework: ***I included a lot for the rest of this week and next week on the back of this paper!!!

• Reading Log: “Little Bat” – read every night ***October Book Report...due October 31

Math Log:

Mon. – H.L place value Tues. – +/- fact triangles

Wed. – H.L. 3-5 Thurs. – +/- fact triangles

Fri. - H.L. 3-6

Fundations packet: U5 packet due Friday, 11/1/13

Important Announcements:

• Be sure to look at the back of this paper for the Homework Log

• Scholastic Book Orders will be placed after school today.

• 1St round of conferences next Wednesday!!!.

• Walk-a-thon is tomorrow...Oct. 29. Please make sure your child has hats, gloves, coats, and appropriate shoes. Donations are due by Friday, Nov. 1 to be eligible for prizes. Otherwise, donations can be sent in at any time.

•HALLOWEEN: On Thursday, October 31, your child is allowed to come to school in his/her costume. The school has stated no weapons or bloody/scary masks. Makeup is permitted for that day only. There will be a parade starting at 12:45...parents are allowed to attend that...you should line up along the sidewalk, in the back where the busses unload, or in the front yard. The Halloween party will start at 1:00. Mrs. Donaldson and Mrs. Caruthers (our room moms) are organizing the party. Please contact them if you are hoping to help in any way. The forms you filled out were passed on to them. Thank you!

Everyday Math

We are working on Chapter 3 in math, which is all about place value. Last week we used base 10 blocks to explore larger numbers and identify the place value of each digit. We will continue to do so this week, and we'll also explore writing numbers in expanded and standard form. You'll notice that addition and subtraction facts continue to be a part of many home links. Remember your child must memorize those!!!

The Daily 5/CAFÉ time/Reading:Last week we explored migration of different animals (where do they go and why do they migrate) with Scholastic News. This is a GREAT resource that will be used very frequently. The recommended website link allows you to explore current and previous issues, videos, games, and activities. It's definitely worth checking out!

This week we will begin reading Stellaluna. We'll be exploring character point of view and how it changes from the beginning to the middle to the end of the story. We will also explore story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution) and adjectives. Using this book will also allow us to explore some nonfiction information about bats as well!

The Bacher BlogFor parents of students in Room 234

Monday, October 27, 2013

Science/Social Studies:

Last week we started talking about goods and services instead of map skills. We'll continue to discuss that. Today our focus will be on producers/consumers, how to earn an income, and paying for a service.

Recommended Website:

www.scholastic.com/sn2

The link to Scholastic News Weekly Reader...

The Daily 5/Work on Writing

We are finishing up our monster writing projects this week. As a class, we identified several adjectives to describe monsters...our goal was to add adjectives to our writing to make it descriptive. Students have been through the process of brainstorming, making a stool, writing a rough draft, and completing a final copy. This is our first major writing project, and I'm excited for you to see it!