Getting in the Groove

 It's exciting for Mrs. Arnold and I to see our class remembering and following directions and routines. Already most of our students can successfully unpack their things in the morning and pack up independently. Every act of independence builds confidence. Confident students are ready to move forward and learn more. That's the groove we want to stay in!

This week in Bible we will study the choices Adam and Eve made in the garden and the consequences of their actions. It's a great way to teach about temptation, responsibility and how we all fall short. This shows we all need a Savior, all need forgiveness. 

In reading and writing we'll work on letters Ll and Oo. Students will practice careful handwriting skills, using three lines to keep letters the correct size and shape. We spend a lot of time watching students write letters in sand, on wipe off boards and on paper so we can correct any errors and start to build good habits. When you see your child writing numbers or letters always remind them to start from the top down. As we learn how to write letters, we are learning their sounds. At story time, we're identifying the parts of a book and learning the difference between a letter, word and sentence. Students are naming the characters in a story.

We'll be finishing our first module in math and taking a test to show what we know. We're working on understanding test format, listening and following directions; all challenging skills at the beginning of the year. Next, we'll practice writing numbers to 5. Students often find writing 2, 3, and 5 take a lot of practice.

In social studies, we'll wrap up our class poster of rules to show respect, make good choices and solve problems. Students will demonstrate good behaviors and we'll take some photos for display.

Students will learn some important new vocabulary in science as we begin to explore the weather. We'll be comparing temperatures and learning about the three forms of water. Students will do an experiment by making a shape using ice on paper, seeing how the water soaks in as it melts. We'll trace the wet spot and then wait. As the water evaporates, then wet spot disappears. 

Our art project this week is based on the book 'The Dot', where a student learns to enjoy creating in their own unique style. Students will use oil pastels and watercolor paints to demonstrate line and color while they make their own dots in their own creative style. We hope everyone's work looks different and we know they'll all be beautiful.

This will be our first week visiting the BLS library. Students will learn where to look for age appropriate books, how to check out and hear a story. 

In technology, we'll be using our headphones to enjoy a letter writing game with music in the classroom.

Mrs. Arnold show us how to keep the beat and praise the Lord in music. Everyone always has fun at music time.

This is our first full week and I can't wait to see all the learning happen!

Mrs. Luoma