We have been having some major difficulties with our Video Newsletters. YouTube is no longer accessible for us from school, and last week, the video took 86 minutes to upload from a home computer, then the link did not work! Again, it was lost in cyberspace! This week, we will be filming again, and trying a new site to host the video. If you have any suggestions for us, please let me know. Please look for another blog post with that video! Cross your fingers for us!
For our sound study this week, we are still working on reviewing short vowel sounds. We will have a focus this week on the short e sound (/e/). The sound pictures include e, ea, ie, and ai. Please check out our Sound Focus page because I have added a ton more activity ideas for you to try out with your child. If you go down to the example word lists, there is a brainstorm sheet that we compiled and link for an online list with games. Remember to practice at least 10 minutes a day with your child. You can always practice by going on a sound hunt at home. Have your child look at a book and find all the words with this week's sound or, you can take a walk and find objects or words with the sound. Have your child practice reading, saying, and spelling them. You can also combine the sound focus practice with some math practice by using this worksheet I created.
This week, our learning links schedule is changing slightly. We will now only have Dramatic Inquiry every other week, so this week we will not have it. Originally we were combined with Mrs. Zwick's class and 50 kids was too many to be able to do the outstanding activities that Mrs. Gaughenbaugh has to offer. So now we are alternating weeks.
Math this week will focus on comparing numbers. We still will be working with place value, including the placement of digits, word form (number names), the value of digits, expanded form, and base-10 blocks. Please also continue to practice identifying and counting coins up to $1.00 (if your child understands this, continue increasing the amount to $10.00), telling time, and practicing the appropriate set of the Mastering Math Facts program. Remember that the hardbound Math Investigations book at home is for reference purposes only. You can look up strategies for solving problems, find tools for solving problems, and learn to play games. It is not sequential with what we are learning at school.