CurriculumCorner

This month our students are exploring:

Young 5s: We will be working on story sequencing this month. This will help the students become more familiar with story structure and language. We will be reading familiar stories and retelling the story to each other and practicing with story sequencing picture cards. We will also be working as a class to ‘share the pen’ during writer’s workshop. I will write most of the text but choose several places to invite students to ‘share the pen.’ Writing will be authentic….making a grocery list, writing items we need for hot chocolate, etc.

Kindergarten: In kindergarten writing, we are learning to write across the pages. We are working on writing a story with a beginning, middle and end. Students are focusing on writing the sounds they hear. In reading, we are finishing Letter Boot Camp. Students are focusing on letter identification, writing the letters with proper formation and the letter sounds. Phonics we are focusing on the sounds k. h. r, and l. In math, students are learning addition and subtraction. Students are learning to write their numbers with correct formation and sizing. Social Studies is focused on the Geography of the Neighborhood (what is in our neighborhood) and National & State Symbols: Where am I in the World and How do American's celebrate. Lastly, our Leader in Me focus this month is HABIT 4: Think Win-Win. We are learning about win-win attitudes. We have a win-win attitude when we look for the “win” for both people, and we have a positive mindset instead of comparing or competing.

1st Grade: WE ARE READING!!! The progress in this area has been great. Everyone is reading at some level! Students have been busy learning many strategies to help them figure out unknown words when they are reading. When you read with your child at night please talk about the book. Reading is more than just saying the words. We continue to practice our sight words each day. We can read and write many of them. Various phonic concepts have been taught. Long and short vowels, digraphs, magic e, syllables, and compound words are just a few that we have learned. These concepts will help students figure out unknown words when they are stuck. Informational and how-to books have been our main focus this trimester in writing. We have learned to include a lot of information in our books that will teach the reader about a specific topic. In addition to writing the book, we are learning to include a catchy lead, diagrams, labels, and bold words. Punctuation and capital letters continue to be an area of focus in our writing. Addition and subtraction continue to be our areas of focus in math. A couple of strategies we have used to figure out math problems is to use a number line and to make a ten. Vocabulary words such as sum, difference, and math equations are heard frequently when doing math. We will begin place value this trimester.

2nd Grade: Reading – We are working on skills to tackle longer words as our books get longer and the words get harder. Writing – We are working on our Opinion writing on what we think is awesome in the world. Math – We are continuing to learn strategies for double digit subtraction. Next, we will be learning to tell Time and how to use Money. Thank you for your support, Leslie Bodi & Lauren Alexander.

3rd Grade: In Math, our third graders are exploring how to solve the area of shapes, connecting their understanding to both multiplication and addition. This hands-on approach helps students build a deeper understanding of these essential math concepts. In Writing, students are diving into argumentative writing, developing strong claims and supporting them with well-thought-out reasons. They are learning to back up their ideas with evidence, making their writing more persuasive and powerful. In Science, students are beginning to study animal adaptations and how an animal’s habitat or environment influences these changes. They’ll explore how different creatures adapt to survive and thrive in various environments. In Reading, we’ve kicked off book clubs! Students will work together in small groups to track how characters develop across a series. This is a great way for them to deepen their understanding of character growth and story structure. In Social Studies, students are learning about Michigan’s path to statehood. They will explore the interactions between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples during this time and the steps involved in becoming a state. We’re excited to see our students grow in these important areas, and we appreciate your support in their learning journey!

4th Grade: In 4th grade, we're diving into some exciting learning! In math, students are working on division strategies, focusing on dividing multi-digit dividends by one-digit divisors. In social studies, we're exploring the Southeast region of the United States, learning about its geography, culture, and history. In science, we're investigating natural hazards and discovering how they impact our world. Finally, in writing, students are crafting thoughtful literary essays, analyzing texts and sharing their ideas. It's a busy and engaging time for our 4th graders!

5th Grade: Our 5th graders are continuing to dive into our research-based argument and advocacy writing and reading. They are taking a position and researching important issues in our community. For math, we are working on dividing decimals and will end the month beginning our unit on adding and subtracting fractions. Our social studies unit is delving into the past and learning how slavery impacted Africans. In science, we are learning about gravity and its impact on Earth. We will end the month with a unit on Earth’s systems and how they interact together. Every 5th grader will need a shoebox to use for this unit to create a diorama- please send them in as soon as you are able to!

6th Grade: In Math, the sixth grade students are learning how to represent and solve equations and inequalities. They are also working on finding the independent and dependent variable in word problems. For ELA, the students have been researching and writing about teen activists and other social issue topics. They have been following trails of research throughout different texts and have been taking notes on important information they have learned throughout the different texts.

Art: The sixth graders are about half way through their ceiling tile project. This project is a color mixing project at its core, and watching the student's problem solve through the discovery of color is one of my greatest joys in life. The finished work will be highlighted on Facebook when they are completed.

Technology/ D.I.C.E: Classes in the DICE lab will focus on coding during January. Students will learn to create simple algorithms (step-by-step instructions) for everyday tasks and solve real-world problems with/without technology. Kindergarten & 1st grade will use apps on their iPad and grades 2nd-6th will use blockly (drag-and-drop blocks) code to continue to practice & strengthen these skills. Vocabulary: programmer/programming, code, commands, algorithm

Gym: In 3rd - 6th PE we continue to work on our basketball skills. Specifically, shooting form, passing, and dribbling! We also have continued to learn how stretching can be beneficial to us and the importance of it. Y5- 2nd PE we continue to work on playing games with different locomotor skills playing the same game different ways!

Music: We are off to great start this second half of the year in music. In Young Fives we are exploring our voices, learning to keep the steady beat and finding different ways we can do that, through movement and instruments. In Kindergarten we are learning the difference between beat and rhythm and learning how we use our voice in four different ways. First graders are reviewing the four different voice we use, learning about ostinato and learning how our voice produces sound. Second graders are beginning to prepare for their concert which will be held March 17th at 2:00 PM in the gym. Third graders are learning about meter, ostinato and the four different singing voices (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Fourth graders are learning to read the line and space notes of the treble clef to prepare them for playing the recorder. Fifth graders have been reviewing more complicated rhythms including syncopation and dotted note rhythms. Sixth graders are reviewing treble and bass clef notes and rhythms. They are also listening to and comparing different arrangements of a song and then will create their own arrangement to share in class.

AttendanceMatters!

Hey Bobcats! It's so important that you come to school everyday and on time. If your student will be absent please call the attendance line at 734-265-4799. Love, Mrs. Shankleton

LeaderinMeSpotlight

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Our focus habit for the month of January is Habit 4: Think Win-Win. This habit encourages an ‘everyone can win’ attitude. Building successful relationships with others by finding a solution that works for all. Ms. Owen, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Lambert's class will present this habit at our monthly Community of Leaders assembly on January 31st!

HealthandWellness

With all the sickness going around let’s do what we can to stay healthy! Covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. As a reminder if your child does get sick, they must stay home for 24 hours if they have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea.

Love, Mrs. Paige