Omega Update, January 7, 2008

Flynn Theater Field Trip and Friendship Group
On Monday we are going to the Flynn Theater to see the play "Me, Me, Me." It is about classroom dynamics, rejection, exclusion, and inclusion. In conjunction with the performance, we have begun lessons on friendship. This will be our classroom theme/project during the next six weeks. On Friday, students brainstormed words they associate with friendship, i.e. relation, happiness, communication, belonging, sharing...Some activities we will enjoy are games that emphasize communication (verbal and physical), role playing conflict resolution scenarios, and reading and writing stories and poems about friendship. If there is a particular topic or skill you would like to see included in the friendship curriculum, if you have an idea for a lesson, or if you'd like to teach a lesson, let me know. You can see me in person, drop me a note or email, or reply to this post.

Reading
Students are in the process of completing and presenting their book projects from our first round of literature circles. Some students chose to act out a scene from the book. Others chose to write and perform a news report about their book. Still others are making a comic book or story board about the main events. Look for them in the hall.
This week students will select new books for the next round of literature circles. My goal is to have three choices for all students. I expect the second round will go a bit smoother as students will be more familiar with the process and expectations.

Spelling
Unfortunately, the vacation and end of a spelling sort did not coincide. Students are reviewing the spelling patterns they were working with when we went on break and picking up where they left off. Because our lives are pretty nuts around the holidays, I’m betting that many of you may have misplaced the spelling handout I passed out before the vacation. So I am reissuing the spelling words your child is currently working with so that you can continue to review at home. Most groups will be getting assessed on these words toward the end of the week. If your child has two handouts, it is because his/her assessment is coming up sooner than later and s/he will be moving on to another sort very soon.
I’d love some feedback on whether you find receiving the spelling words helpful. Do you need more ideas on what to do with them? Would you be willing to share what you do at home with other families?

Writing
Our writing project will focus around our theme of friendship. We write stories, poems, and non-fiction. I will be teaching mini-lessons on grammar, mechanics, and literary devices and will also work on these skills individually with children throughout the writing process. Some highlights of grammar and mechanics include contractions, combining sentences, punctuating complex and compound sentences, punctuating dialogue, and capitalizing proper nouns. Literary devices that we will work with include metaphors, similes, imagery, personification, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, repetition, and onomatopoeia.

Word Work
We will be beginning to collect words this week. Each student will have his/her own file box with alphabetized dividers. Students will complete cards for spelling words, vocabulary words (from literature circle or independent reading books), and funny or interesting words. This will reinforce spelling, serve as a resource, act as a personal dictionary, and hopefully motivate students to build stronger vocabularies.

Book Reviews
I am encouraging all students to complete book reviews upon finishing a book. There is a chart up in the room on which students earn a sticker for each review they complete. The reviews are often read by other students as they look for the next book that will interest them. The more reviews we have in our binder, the better a reference tool it is for the class.

Reading Calendar
I sent home new reading calendars for the month on January. Many students have returned their November/December calendar. If your child has misplaced his/her calendar, s/he can write a paragraph telling me what books s/he read and how often s/he reads at home. Then s/he needs to get you to sign the paragraph.
Parents have been reporting that students are enjoying tracking their home reading and that filling out the calendar has been both motivating and empowering. What's your child's experience been like?