February 25, 2014

     Thanks to huge words on this week's spelling list, the children were more than likely asking you what some of those words mean. It is okay to answer as best as you can. I have been doing the same thing. One parent asked where the word list came from. It's a combination of things: language books (such as textbooks from my professors when I attended the elementary program at Western Washington a few years ago), my own children's language books from when they were in the 1st-2nd grade (they have always been a year ahead of their classmates in ELA), the children's Word Builder, and the internet. Previous spelling lists were words that came from either their Word Builder binders (both classes), or their Spellwell (PM class). This time, I'm upping the ante.

 

     In looking at where the children were at in their spelling, and in looking at previous words that they needed the most help in, I decided to comprise a list of words with double consonant letters this week.  There are three different levels: AM I, AM II, and PM. 

     As the word list contains challenging vocabulary we launched preparations for dictionary skills which have just begun today. The children started looking at learning how to look at letters alphabetically, which has been brought home for tonight’s homework (AM and PM classes). For the PM class, they have brought home the second part of the exercise -- putting words in alphabetical order, numerically. The PM class will go over that with my substitute, or will have to wait until Thursday. I told the PM class that they don't have to do it for homework, but if they wanted something challenging they can have a head start on it. I won't be surprised if they do: those kids are very competitive with themselves!  For both classes, they are to figure out what letters are "before" or "after" a given letter. They had fun going it over with the entire class today. The rest of the exercise should be done at home.

     If there are any questions, you may hold them off until Thursday, or email me. Thanks!

 

February 24, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

For AM I and PM classes, they have worked on respective levels on capitalization. With the PM class, I'm still seeing errors, though very minor.

Spelling words for this week. Please be wary of the double consonants.
 
AM I:

1.       fatter

2.       ladder

3.       ribbon

4.       accurate

5.       glasses

6.       swelling

7.       canned

8.       bottle

9.       caffeine

10.   magically

11.   assurance

12.   giraffe

13.   passport

14.   illegal

15.   awfully

16.   abbreviate

17.   according

18.   aggression

19.   aggravate

20.   irritate

 

AM II:

1.       parallel

2.       occurrence

3.       recommend

4.       labeled

5.       successful

6.       misspell

7.       embarrass

8.       magically

9.       apparel

10.   mattresses

11.   appointment

12.   missing

13.   critically

14.   guarantee

15.   communication

16.   summary

17.   community

18.   accuracy

19.   balloon

20.   giggle

 

PM I:

1.       beginning

2.       committed

3.       business

4.       broccoli

5.       cellophane

6.       Cincinnati

7.       decaffeinated

8.       dessert

9.       desert

10.   difference

11.   disappear

12.   exaggerate

13.   excelling

14.   misspelled

15.   generally

16.   harassing

17.   ideally

18.   immediately

19.   intelligent

20.   magically

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 20, 2014

The children's journal writings are incredible! They all thought of the prompts themselves -- they were able to understand the lesson on acceptance and respect.

Feb. 20 Agenda

 

 

 

 

 

AM's writing prompts

 

 

AM's writing prompts

 

 



PM's writing prompts



February 19, 2014

I have grouped the children by AM I, AM II, PM I, and PM II. When there are assignments written on the board, the children know what to do. I also do separate lessons for each group.

 

 

At most times, AM II and PM I are learning the same thing and have similar homework. This is today's agenda. The concentration was on Civics due to African-American History Month which ties perfectly with parents who were concerned about inclusion/exclusion. The children will write about today's discussion and lesson in their journals tomorrow. For AM I, I will have them write simple sentences about their new friends; they have the option of going into detail about today's experience. AM II and both PM-groups (I and II) are expected to use correct grammar in their writings.I will be looking for capitalization (e.g. Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., their friends' names, names of special places, etc.), appropriate punctuations (period, question mark, exclamation point, etc. -- not including commas), and spelling. Their journal writings will not be due until Friday. Their journals will have to stay in the classroom.

 



February 18, 2014

Today's agenda. Take note of tonight's homework. The children have written down their assignments.

 

 

 

Adverb list that the entire class came up with (AM I, AM II, PM I, PM II). Amazing kids!!

I apologize for the view on this one. No matter how hard I try, the picture will not rotate for me and I nearly spent an hour on this, so please bear with me. This one was for AM I (my "beginners" group plus a couple more from my AM II). This is proper nouns homework where they need to proofread and make corrections by crossing out the letter and writing the correct letter above. We did a few in-class exercises on this one.

 AM I (my "beginners" kids) spelling list:
1. unhelpful
2. extract
3. extracted
4. remark
5. remarkable
6. clearance
7. clearances
8. delightful
9. delightfully
10. light
11. lighter
12. lightest
13. enjoyable
14. overjoyed
15. enjoyment
16. joyfully
17. displaying
18. replay
19. misplay
20. misplayed




AM II Spelling List


 



PM spelling list. This list applies to ALL PM children.
#20 is an error. It should be "capitalization"

February 13, 2014

Definition of what an adverb is.

Click on the link ------>>> Examples of Adverbs <<<--------Click on the link



Today the children finished their art ("heart") projects. We're ready for Valentine's Day tomorrow. We did mini-lesson on adverbs and a short discussion on President's Day.

February 12, 2014

Today's agenda. The PM class have started writing about their families in their journals. Adjectives were discussed (see below) for both the AM and PM classes. For AM I, if they're able to find 5 sentences in their library books with at least one noun in each of them, they will circle those nouns tomorrow as part of their assignment.

Samples that the entire class provided (they were good ones!)