Upcoming Events:
October 3rd City of Sammamish Watershed Presentation
October 6th Popcorn Friday/Parent Play Day (Our recess: 11:45-12:10)
October 7th & 8th Issaquah Salmon Days
October 13th Drama Begins (Also on Oct. 20th, 27th & Nov. 3rd)
October 15thScholastic Book Orders Due Online
October 18th Kate Poaster Life Cycles Workshop
October 23rdNo School for Kids/ Teacher Work Day
October 24th-27th Secret Pumpkin Pals
October 31st Halloween Party 12:30- 1:30
October 31st Class Auction
Plans for October:
Reading:
I have finished administering the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment to the students and will begin guided reading groups next week. As a class, we continue to learn comprehension strategies (visualization, making connections) and practice these strategies through independent reading of “Good Fit” books.Also, we will work on identifying plot elements in a story:
Science:
We have learned about the salmon’s external anatomy and discussed what might happen if one part of the system (anatomy) is missing. Students have begun a science notebook on salmon to record their observations, learning, thinking and reflections. We will start toobserve our class pet, “Carl the Coho” (sponge salmon submerged in clean-at this point-water), as he travels downstream to the ocean. Unfortunately, he encounters many problems along the way… oil runoff, erosion, trash, etc. His clean home looks pretty murky by the end of his journey. The children will record their observations of Carl’s journey in their salmon notebook. Finally, this month, the children will learn interesting details about each stage of the salmon’s life cycle.
Math:
We are continuing with Module 1 in math – multiplication and division using units of 2,3,4,5 and 10. It is a challenging program and the kids are learning a lot of new math vocabulary (commutative property, distributive property, number bond, quotient, product, factors, tape diagram…). Please try to stick with just working on the math homework for 15 minutes. We will go over it the next day and correct it together. It would be helpful if you have your child practice counting by three’s to 30 and back down to 3 and 4’s to 40 and back down to 4. I administered the mid- module test this week and the kids should have brought it home this week. I went over the correct answers with the class. This test helps me to see who needs more support. The end of the module test will be given in a couple of weeks. I gave the kids their passwords for the Clever/Zearn website (inside their blue take home folder). It is a fabulous website that helps support the Eureka math curriculum.
The optional October Math Packetis on my website (click on files tab) and can be printed out at home.
Mrs. Jochim’s Website
Writing:
This month we will begin a writing unit where the kids will take a small moment from their life and stretch it out into a detailed and descriptive narrative. Lessons will focus on writing a good lead, using dialogue effectively, bringing out the heart of story and bringing the ending back to the heart.
Secret Pumpkin Time:
What is a secret pumpkin? Beginning onTuesday, October 24th each student in our class will be a secret pal for another student in the class. We will draw names and each school day secret pals are to bring a little note of kindness that will build self-esteem and foster friendships. This is a secret so try to encourage creative ways to accomplish this task. The goal is to have fun while developing appreciation for fellow students. Their hidden identities will be revealed Friday, October 27th.
Computer Lab:
We are working on word processing so we can efficiently type up our own stories.
Halloween Party:
Our Halloween party will take place from 12:30 to 1:30 on Tuesday,October 31st. Our party coordinators will send out more information about the party later this month. Students will be able to wear their costumes to and from school. No blood, gore, violence, weapons. It needs to be “school friendly”.
I look forward to seeing you and working with you more this month now thatmy volunteer schedule is in place.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Jochim 837-5525
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