We have had a very busy week in Tamar. We continue to work on learning and solidifying classroom routines and rules. This will remain a major focus of our work at least through the end of the month of September. Once learned, these routines will ensure that our day will run smoothly and easily, and we can focus on learning important academic skills.
Fundations is our phonics program. During Fundations this week, we have been reviewing the sounds and correct formation of a group of lower-case letters. So far, we have reviewed the letters f, t, b, m, n, i, o, u and c. We use two owl puppets, Mama Echo and Baby Echo to help with these lessons. The children have begun practicing tapping out and writing some simple CVC (consonant, short vowel, consonant words). We will be reviewing lower case letter sounds and correct letter formation for the next few weeks. Ask your child to tell you about the sky line, plane line, grass line and worm line.
Our reading time has focused on some basic reading skills and questions. Stop by our room to see the bulletin board explanation of what Tamar students think readers do when they read. Ideas include: read different kinds of books, look at the pictures and the words, tap out words you do not know and ask a teacher or a friend to help with a word you do not know. Over the next few weeks, I will be conducting some reading assessments to help me determine each child’s reading strengths and challenges.
In Social Studies, we have been learning about the American flag and its history. We spoke about the concept of a symbol and the flag as a symbol. Ask your child how many stars were on the original flag. Children began designing their own flags for our country.
It is hard to believe but Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be upon us soon. This week in Jewish Living and Learning, we read the book, The World’s Birthday and talked about some customs connected to Rosh Hashanah. The children have been hearing the shofar at morning assembly since it is now the month of Elul and we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming holidays.
Our math program is called Math in Focus and comes out of Singapore math. We have been reviewing proper number formation using a poem (see below). The children learned a few math games to help with addition facts to 12. Ask your child to explain the Snake Game, Roll and Record and Some Went Hiding. We have been using 10 frames to help explore number combinations to 10. Today we began comparing two numbers to decide which number has more parts, which has less and by how many-trying to answer the questions: How many more (for instance how many more items in a group of cubes with 10 than in a group of cubes with 7) and How many fewer?
Best wishes for a wonderful Shabbat. I look forward to seeing you next Thursday at Back to School Night.
Best,
Joanne