The Jungle Book
Mrs. Knueven's Classroom Newsletter
Upcoming Events
- 9/9 - Wordly Wise Unit 2 Test
- 9/12 - Bullying Lesson with Mrs. Cox
- 9/13 - Map Skills Quiz
- 9/14 - WTW Quiz
- 9/15 - Camp Tecumseh
- 9/16 - Camp Tecumseh
- 9/21 - Mrs. Knueven out (sub)
- 9/23 - WTW Quiz
- 9/23 - Wordly Wise Unit 3 Test
- 9/23 - Unit 1 Math Test (tentative date)
- 9/26 - Parent Teacher Conferences Begin
- 9/28 - Jog A Thon
- 9/30 - WTW Quiz
- 10/7 - WTW Quiz
- 10/7 - Wordly Wise Unit 4 Test
- 10/7 - End of 1st Quarter
Curriculum Corner
Writing
Our first writing unit of study will cover narrative writing. We will spend the next two weeks studying narrative mentor texts, including Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe, Thundercake by Patricia Polacco, and Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. After we get back from camp, students will begin writing and publishing their own narrative story!
Reading
We have gotten started reading A Tiger Rising and have several interesting characters to study! We also have been talking about how to pick a book, both that is at the right level for each student and will be one that they enjoy reading.
We will also begin using our Reach for Reading series this week. Our first unit uses the theme of culture to teach main idea and details through fiction and nonfiction text. Students should have brought home a letter today in their red folder. They need to write about a family tradition that we will share on Friday. They are encouraged to bring in a photo or object that shows this tradition.
Please help your child remember to read at home for a minimum of 20 minutes per day for 3 days each week. Each student has a reading log to keep track of his/her reading that is due on Friday.
Language Arts
Wordly Wise: I will give the kids work time tomorrow to work on Wordly Wise 2C & D. Those pages will be due on Thursday and we will take a test on Friday.
Words Their Way: We officially began our spelling curriculum, Words Their Way, today. All students were assessed at the beginning of the school year to find their developmental spelling level. They will be placed in differentiated spelling groups according to that assessment. For the next two weeks only, all students will be using the same list. There are quite a few weekly classroom routines that we will do for WTW and I have found that it is much easier to teach those routines when everyone has the same list. Once we get back from camp, we will begin splitting into groups for spelling.
Math
This week in math, we will be spending two days working on a problem solving lesson. During this lesson, they will be applying skills they have learned so far this year as well as learning to explain their mathematical thinking.
Indiana History
We will spend the remainder of this week and next week learning and reviewing map skills. On Tuesday of next week, students will have a quiz over the application of the map skills we have learned so far, including:
- Using a compass rose
- Using scale
- Using a key
- Using latitude & longitude
Friday Mail
- Jog-A-Thon Information
- Drama Club Form (due this Friday - no exceptions)
- Wordly Wise Unit 1 Test
- 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 Math Box Reports
- Graded Home Links
- Birthday Book Information (for September birthdays)
Parent Teacher Conferences
Camp Tecumseh
Also, just a friendly reminder that all children will be riding school buses to camp. Parent chaperones have the option of driving or riding the bus. If your child is riding the bus home, pick up will be at Eagle Church at 2:00 pm. If your child is riding home with you or with another parent, please make sure I get an e-mail or note so I can make sure everyone gets home safely!