This Past Week

March 8-11

iPads

I completely believe that in today's learning environment technology is playing a pivotal role in aiding in our students' education. I am definitely a teacher that grabs technology ideas and begins implementing them into the classroom without hesitation. Our students are the same way and have embraced every new thing that we have done this year. Unfortunately we have reached some stumbling blocks in the use of some of the apps like Google Docs and Google Classroom. From what I understand from the technology department, our issues lie with the way the filtering system works when the iPads are being used through home wifis. A simple but unrealistic solution would be to remove the filters from the iPad. Unfortunately, this cannot happen as we want the devices our students use to be as safe as possible, and these filters keep unwanted and inappropriate information from reaching our young students. I know our tech department is working tirelessly to come up with a workable solution to the problem. I have not given up by any means on any of these apps, and I appreciate your patience as the issues get worked through.

Peer Editing

Students this week did peer editing. Once they completed a writing assignment, they partnered with another student. The students would read each other's work and looked for the following things: neatness, proper capitalization and punctuation, spacing, and letter reversals.  Students did an amazing job giving each other positive feedback.

Erin's Law - Be Seen and Heard

Victor Pacini came to deliver a great presentation to the first graders called Be Seen and Heard. The subject matter was abuse, and Victor does an amazing job talking and teaching little ones about this sensitive topic. 

Epic/Padlet

Students participated  this week in this cool national activity. Students chose from a list of books for the month of March that can be read on their Epic app. Once they finish reading the book, they then scan a QR Code related to that book. The QR Code takes them to a Padlet where they can make a post about the book. Students had to tell why someone should read the story and tell about their favorite part in the story. Students can also read the comments other students make. There are comments from students all over the country.

Reading a story in Epic.

Responding to the story on Padlet.

Double Digit Addition

This students learned a great strategy for adding 2 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers. Students caught on very quickly and were amazed how fast they could add big numbers.

Explain Everything

Students learned and explored a new app called Explain Everything. This app has limitless possibilities. Students became familiar with some of this apps features by using a Poem by Jack Prelutsky called "Green Giant" to create a picture using the descriptive details in the poem. They then used the recording feature to record themselves reading the poem about the picture they drew. Students caught on quickly and loved this new app.

Kidblog

Students wrote their own Blog Friday about what they had learned earlier with the introduction of the new app Explain Everything.

Mystery Reader

Mr. Silber surprised us as our Mystery Reader this week. He brought a Dr. Seuss favorite. "Oh The Places You'll Go!" We love Dr. Seuss' wacky rhyming style and enjoyed listening to the story.

This Upcoming Week

March 14-18

Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day

Thursday is St Patty's Day and we are having an all school spirit day - Wear Green! Let's see if our class can have 100% participation!

Progress Reports

The second semester progress reports will be available for your viewing in Skyward sometime on Friday. Checkout Mr. McConnell's Parent update for the exact time they will be released.

ELA

Grammar

• Contractions - I'm, he's, she's
• Long u spelled ( oo, ue, u_e, ew, u)
• /oo/ like in cook
• Changing y to i before adding er or est

Reading

We will continue reading the non-fiction story "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind." In addition, we will read the story of Rosa Parks. Between these two stories and Ruby Bridges, students are very intrigued how people became such strong leaders in their communities. Their stories are jump starting great conversations. Through these stories we will focus on. . .

• Identifying the main topic and key details.
• Ask and answer questions about the stories.
• Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners.

Writing 

Students will continue adding to their character journal. They will identify the meaning of the words responsible and kindness and write how they show these character traits in their own lives.

Math
This week we will. . .

• Use 2 digit numbers add 10 more and 10 less.
• Continue adding 2 - 2 digit numbers.

Science

This week science will focus on how shadows are made.

Specials Schedule

Monday - Day 4 - Library 
Tuesday - Day 5 - Art and Music

Wednesday - Day 1 - PE and Spanish

Thursday - Day 2 Music and Art

Friday - Day 3 - Pe and Spanish

Have a great week!