Dear Parents,
On Monday we begin our new thematic unit, Wellness. We will investigate and promote the state of wellness through proper nutrition, regular exercise, ample rest and relaxation, hygiene, and personal safety. By balancing these components, we will strive to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Listed below is our integrated language arts (ILA) content:
As we read our big books, we will focus on the following ILA outcomes: Use the title, cover illustration, and prior knowledge to make and support a prediction (a smart guess) about our big books Know that books are often read for information or to find out more about a topic Define the problem as the trouble in a story or poem Draw and write a story with a character, a setting, and two events Leave spaces between words Use a Writers’ Checklist before, during, and after writing to guide writing Meet 4 new letters and apply their sounds in context; write the letters in proper Zaner-Bloser style letter formation (Gg, Jj, Qq and Vv) Identify, read, and write sight words in context (what, said, do, help, like, and was)
Our Songs for this unit include: Theme Song: Healthy Body Movement Song: Washcloth Square Old Favorite: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Our math outcomes will expand to include: Count objects using skip counting by 2s and 5s Assemble a classroom deck of playing cards numbered 1-10 Play a game, read numbers, compare numbers (larger or smaller) Extend counting on and interrupted counts; use and count tally marks ? Count backward on the calculator; use the subtraction and repeat keys Weave using an under-over back-and-forth pattern Make and extend patterns; identify patterning rules; make patterned necklaces Sing a patterned song; tile designs with pattern blocks Find all possible combinations of three people Identify an object using its attributes Use a simple map Read hourly clock times; develop a sense of an hour’s duration Use a rocker balance; experiment with different weights Handle money; estimate and count; recognize coins; use equivalent terms Exchange pennies, nickels, and dimes; use equivalent terms Play store; identify and count coins; make exchanges Celebrate Lincoln’s birthday; link with social studies Provide experiences with the quarter; introduce equivalent fraction terms: one-fourth, quarter of a dollar Draw a timeline of daily events Make a bar graph and a pictograph; discuss outcomes
Our thematic unit block (social studies) outcomes are: A sense of well-being is attained when bodies are healthy. Exercise, nutritious food, rest, and good hygiene keep people healthy. A sense of well-being is attained when people feel safe and secure. People can make choices which help them avoid danger, prevent accidents, respond wisely in emergency situations, and promote their personal safety. A sense of well-being is attained when people are happy and feel successful in accomplishing what they set out to do. A sense of well-being is attained when people care about themselves and others.
We encourage interested authors to take advantage of the Jarrettsville Elementary School Publishing Company. Please continue to practice the following concepts with your child:
You can contribute to your child’s early school success by checking homework, reading theme-related books together, listening attentively as your child talks about school activities, and involving him or her in experiences that reinforce our Wellness lessons. Please send photos of your child participating in theme-related activities for inclusion in the Wellness Photo Album. In anticipation of Dr. Seuss’s March 2nd birthday, please include Dr. Seuss books in your daily reading at home.
Does your career or hobby relate to our current theme? Consider sharing what you know with us by visiting our classroom as a guest speaker or planning a theme-related lesson or hands-on project. We’d love to have you join us.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,