Blog Survey

In an effort to make our classroom blog more informational and enjoyable for you, I have developed a brief (two-question) survey for you to complete.  Please take a minute to answer honestly and let me know how I can tweak this blog in order for it to be both exciting and informative for you.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NC66NVR

This week has flown by and I still can't believe we're already halfway through November.  I want to thank all of you for coming in and spending time discussing your child during parent/teacher conferences.  I am so confident that we are a great team and, together, can do wonderful things for these children.  Thank you for giving me an opportunity to teach your children and learn from them. 

Quick Curriculum Update:

Reading:  Our comprehension strategy this week has been to identify story structure within different texts (characters, setting, problem, plot events, and solution).  We have also been using details to visualize what is occuring during these stories. 

Vocabulary:  This week has been so much fun!  We have been learning about idioms and trying to figure out the true meaning of these expressions.  Our class has had a strange obsession with the idiom "killing two birds with one stone" since the beginning of the year so we have enjoyed learning about its origin!

Writing:  We have been working on writing descriptive paragraphs and/or poems about our favorite Thanksgiving food (or family food for those who do not celebrate Thanksgiving).  Our paragraphs need to include a topic sentence, descriptive, sensory language, and two examples of onomotopoeia.  We have been trying to keep our rumbling tummies under control during our writing times!

Social Studies:  This week has been focusing on the cardinal and intermediate directions on a map.  We listened to a song called, "North, South, East, and West" and many of us choreographed lyrical movements as we sang (others just laughed)!

Math:  Students should have brought home a Unit 4 review sheet this evening.  They will be taking their test on Monday.  All students should be practicing their multiplication triangle flashcards at least two to three times a week. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break and enjoy your family time! 
Mrs. Johnsen
johnsen.jill@iccsd.k12.ia.us