CLNL+March+2011


 * March 2011 ISSUE **


 * March 20th is the first day of Spring. **

** PRE-K **


 * // READING: //** **Pre-K is on the go with our next theme…Let’s Move! The children will be reading books, poems and rhymes and signing songs about the different ways that people, animals and vehicles move.**
 * // WRITING: //**** We are so proud of the Pre-K children and how they are all writing their names (reminder: only the first letter of the name should be capitalized). The children are matching capital and lower case letters and writing letters. **
 * // Music: //**** Did you know that you can create an instrument from a tin can? That’s just what some Pre-K children are doing! We are also using tambourines, triangles, rhythm sticks, bells and maracas. **
 * // MATH //**** : **** Pre-K children are always counting…we count how many children are in class today, we count how many blocks we used to create a road and we count how many days until St. Patrick’s Day. **
 * // TECHNOLOGY: //**** Pre-K loves Starfall.com. There are a wide variety of educational activities that reinforce early reading and math skills. We hope the children visit this website at home with you. **
 * // Social studies: //**** You should see the Pre-K children’s table manners during our family style breakfast and lunch. The children take turns setting the tables. The children serve themselves and try their best to keep the table and floor clean and tidy. **
 * // PHYSICAL ED. & HEALTH: //**** Exercise and healthy habits are a part of our daily routines in Pre-K. We start our day by washing our hands and stretching and marching. We do our best to stay fit and germ free. **
 * // SCIENCE //**// : //** Spring is just around the corner! Right now March is acting like a lion, but Pre-K will be on the look out for signs of spring. **

** KINDERGARTEN **


 * // READING: //**** Readers Learn How to Read the Hard Words and Tricky Parts of Their Book. Through this unit, we will learn more strategies to help us read difficult words and harder parts in our texts that will help us become stronger readers as we move into higher level texts. **
 * // WRITING: //**** Unit 7 - All About Books – This month we will write about topics we feel we know well and are experts on. Our goal is to write by gathering information, organizing and developing facts. We will learn about and include features of non-fiction textbooks in our books. **
 * // Music: //**** Composer is Prokofiev and the music is Peter and the Wolf. Songs are nursery rhymes – Mary, Humpty Dumpty, Jack & Jill, etc. Bells -- Bluebird and the game is Hokey, Pokey. **
 * // MATH //**** : **** During this unit, we will learn to: measure time, explore 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes, continue to review the value of coins and solve addition and subtractions stories. **
 * // SCIENCE: //**** We will observe, describe and sort objects and materials by their properties. **
 * // Social STUDIES //**** : **** This month, we will discover seasonal weather changes and how they affect people and the environment. We will identify different habitats and their characteristics. **
 * // TECHNOLOGY //**** : We will work more independently as we self-monitor our progress as we advance across reading levels, sight word recognition, and second language learning. We will continue to work on web-based programs such as Raz-Kids and Samson’s Classroom to reinforce our reading skills and will focus on advancing across literary levels. Students in our bilingual transitional and dual language classrooms have also begun to explore the program “Little Pim”, designed to help us develop our literacy skills in Spanish. **
 * // PHYSYCAL ED. & HEALTH //**** : **** We will prepare for the arrival of spring by discussing changes in the weather and how to dress appropriately. We will take part in shared readings to learn about the coming season. We will continue to participate in movement activities that will reinforce coordination, taking turns and working together as a group. **

** FIRST GRADE **


 * // READING: //**** We practice reading more difficult books by being brave and resourceful when we encounter hard words and tricky parts in hard words and tricky parts in our books. We focus on patterns in our books and reading smoothly (fluently). **
 * // WRITING: //**** We learn how to write in the third person by creating our own made-up characters and writing realistic fiction about that character. We learn how to write small moments across three pages for our created character and think of problems that character may encounter. **
 * // Music: //**** The composer is Prokofiev. For our music, we are reviewing Peter and the Wolf, and music to Cinderella Ballet. Xylophones – Mary Had a Little Lamb. Songs – Review the National Anthem, and we are teaching the PS 228 song; for games: 7-up. **
 * // MATH //**// : // **This month, we begin with Unit 6 in Math and end the month in Unit 7. Unit 6 relates with Fact Families and learning the relationships numbers have. Unit 7 relates to shapes, symmetry and learning about shape attributes.**
 * // Science: //**** We will observe and explore solids, liquids and gases to see the changes that occur. **
 * // SOCIAL STUDIES: //**** We learn all about different communities and how they change over time. We learn about how communities have rules and laws. We also learn to tell the difference between different communities such as school, cultural, religious, and geographic. **
 * // TECHNOLOGY: //**** We use Raz-Kids during our AIS and reading workshop time. We practice Samson’s Classroom during AIS and word study and we practice our everyday math games in partnerships during math to enhance their math skills. **
 * // PHYSYCAL ED. & HEALTH: //**** We continue practicing gross motor development by running in place, doing jumping jacks, skipping, and jumping rope. We practice the qualities needed to be a part of a team and taking turns. **


 * SECOND GRADE **

- **Patterns in counting, doubles, and halves.** - **Extending complements of 10** - **Collecting data, frequency tables, and graphing** - **Middle value (median) of a set of data** - **Fractions, multiplication and division** - **People make choices about earning, spending, and saving money** - **The development of goods sold to consumers** - **Services in our communities** - **Countries trade and move goods** - **Women’s History Month** - **Dr. Seuss’ birthday** - **St. Patrick’s Day** - **Beginning of Spring** - **Passover/Easter**
 * // READING: //**** We will continue with our series unit. This month, students will focus on learning and studying in depth the characters in their books. **
 * // WRITING: //**** We will continue working on the unit titled “writing Gripping Stories with Meaning and Significance” and we will revisit small moments stories. This month students will grow skills in terms of adding details, drama, and excitement to their narratives. **
 * // Music: //**** The composer is Prokofiev and for our music we will review Peter and the Wolf, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet Ballet. Recorders - we will review Mary, teach Beethoven’s 9th “Ode to Joy” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Songs: we are reviewing National Anthem, PS228 and teaching “This Old Man”; games – King Chase Queen. **
 * // MATH //**** .: Unit Objectives: **
 * // SCIENCE: //**** We will observe and explore the effects of gravity; an inclined plane/ramp on rolling objects; and magnets. **
 * // SOCIAL STUDIES: //**** Unit Objectives: **
 * We will also discuss the following topics this month: **
 * // TechnolOGY: //**** We will continue practicing our online reading program raz-kids and to enhance their spelling, science, math and social studies skills, students will work on these sites: **[|**www.samsonclassroom.com**]** and __www.uptowneducation.com__. **
 * // PHYSICAL ED. & HEALTH: //**** Students will be exercising their muscles through games and as spring approaches, we will be able to do more playground activities outdoors. **


 * Please note that you may find the Parent Curriculum Newsletter at ps__228q.wikispaces.com__ every month. **