February Newsletter

Happy February everyone! Wow... did anyone else feel like January lasted forever? Below is information on our curriculum and important upcoming dates!

Important Dates:

• February 7: Fun Run! We run at 9:45.
• February 11-12: Parent-Teacher Conferences (by request only - I messaged individuals on Dojo if I wanted to meet, but you are also welcome to sign up if I didn't request one.)
• February 13: Valentine's Day Parties - we will exchange Valentines at 1:45-1:30 and I will lead the kids in a craft/game that I will organize. Please use this class list to make sure every student gets a Valentine.
• February 14: NO SCHOOL Teacher Work Day
• February 17: NO SCHOOL President's Day
• February 21: Gold Assembly and End of Trimester 2
• February 28: Report Cards Going Home
• March 3-7: Scholastic Book Fair
• March 6: Bagels with Bulldogs 7:00-7:40

Curriculum Updates:

• Math: Well we have moved into our unit on fractions! This is quite the abstract concept so I encourage you to use visuals - number lines are very helpful in class! This unit will cover what fractions are, how to locate and label fractions on number lines, equivalent fractions, fractions as whole numbers, and finally comparing fractions.
• Reading: We are moving through our reading units, covering a lot of ground. During this second half of the year, we dive deeper into making inferences, identifying author's craft, analyzing text structure, literary elements, and figurative language. We are reading interesting stories about communities and how one person can make a difference. You could ask your students to tell you about Farmer Will Allen and his city farming or Isatou and how she recycled plastic bags in Gambia. They could also tell you about an island in the Netherlands that uses wind as energy or about the storyteller in New York who takes in Puerto Rico immigrants and shares stories that bring their culture to the New York Library.
• Writing: We have entered our unit on informative writing. We call this form of writing TIDE. This stands for Topic, Important Fact (x3), Details (x2 for each Important Fact), and Ending. Ask them to share the chant... it tells you all the parts of the paragraphs they are writing. Our first paragraph is all about Dolphins. Next, they will choose an animal to research and write about. Finally, they will choose a topic (anything but animals) to research and write about. I hope you enjoy learning alongside your student as they share their writing with you. P.S. Personal Narratives are coming home soon! :)
• Social Studies: We are starting our Economics Unit! This unit is so hands on. The kids learn about budgeting, rent, jobs and salaries, entrepreneurs, and so much more! Our classroom turns into an economy and they will work to create a product, market, and sell their product for a profit. I hope they enjoy this unit as much as I do!
• CMAS Prep: We have started exploring our CMAS practice test website. CMAS is not for awhile, but we can never be over-prepared! I encourage you to look at the webiste (Math and ELA) for yourself and then maybe sit with your student to share knowledge.
• Social Emotional: We are wrapping up our unit on identifying how big emotions are, what to call them, and how to calm ourselves down. Our next unit is all about empathy and kindness. We will learn how empathy and kindness can help build and strengthen our friendships.