1. knock

2. sign

3. knee

4. wrong

5. write

6. climb

7. wrap

8. wren

9. gnat

10. lamb

11. comb

12. knob

Vocabulary is more than important, it's key!

Our Literacy coach held the best staff meeting last week.  Her main focus was about Vocabulary.  She had an excerpt from Hatchet.  30% of the important vocabulary was in french.  She asked us to read it and then tell what the story was about.  I couldn't.  This is how some of our kids feel when they read non-fiction.  If they don't understand the vocabulary, how are they going to get the content!! My eyes were opened.  So here is what we have in our room to help us grow our vocabulary and get us excited about understanding new words and also using new words in our writing.  It's our Big Juicy Words chart.  It includes the word on an index card along with a quick definition (generated by the kids) and how it is used in a sentence.
So here is where you as a parent comes in.  As your child reads a page, ask them if there were any words that were tricky.  Ask them if there were any words they didn't know the meaning for.  When they write, encourage them to use bigger adjectives and words they have heard in familiar stories.
It sounds simple, but we have to expand their vocabulary in order to increase their learning.  Whew! That's a good place for an AMEN! I'm so fired up about it right now! Thanks Erma!  You're the best.  I'm so thankful that Caryville has you.

Sorry for the picture. I could not, for the life of me, get it turned right side up!!

(It killed me and I had to give it another go! Fixed it!)

1. unsafe 

2. preheat

3. rerun

4. disappear

5. unlock

6. retie

7. rewind

8. unpack

9. unplug

10. regroup

11. preschool

12. disagree

BONUS:  

13. prehistoric

14. unfortunate

15. reunion 

spelling words for the week of February 13th

Sorry!! Somehow the spelling words didn't load this week.  Just now noticed.  Here they are.  Happy studying :)

1. cheerful

2. visitor

3. slowly

4. weekly

5. teacher

6. helper

7. hardly

8. graceful

9. yearly

10. quickly

11. fighter

12. sailor

Bonus:  

13. gardener

14. competitor

15. extremely

Geometry

We are beginning a new unit on Geometry so we will be moving away from two-digit addition and subtraction in our Math lessons.  I will continue to do a quick review of addition and subtraction during our Journal time so don't think we are totally leaving it.  There are still students who need extra practice with their addition facts.  These need to be memorized so that students can recite them quickly.  Please continue to use flashcards at home if your child is struggling with them. 

During our Geometry lessons, we will be studying the shapes in space and spatial relationships.  This is important because it offers children opportunities to relate mathematics to the real world.  Research suggests that spatial ability is related to problem-solving ability.  Developing your child's geometric concepts and spacial sense will hopefully allow them to benefit from the use of models and diagrams in other strands of Mathematics.

I'm excited about this unit and I think the kids are going to enjoyit as well!

Author's Books

A quick reminder - author's book money is due no later than this Friday if you wish to purchase one.  The amount is 15.95.  It is a hard back book (annual style) that houses a collection of stories from each child in the classroom.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at frittsb1@k12tn.net. 

Spelling words for the week of February 6th

Wow!! It's already February?  Time flies when you're having fun.  Please don't forget the spelling homework each week - sentences, 5 times each, and ABC order.

1. too
2. new
3. fruit
4. blue
5. true
6. cool
7. suit
8. spoon
9. clue
10. juice
11. drew
12. flew


BONUS:


13. cruise
14. nephew
15.  shampoo