Word Painting and More

This week and last, we have been working on six new text-talk words. We read the story, The Principal's New Clothes and learned drafty, delicate, imposter, rave, trickster and genuine. Try to use these words and see if your child can catch you using them.

Our class has also been busy learning about word painting. We have been using musical concepts to develop oral and reading fluency. We are creating original poems and chants to develop this fluency. Last week, we were learning about groundhogs. The children brainstormed many words that had to do with groundhogs. They came up with a wonderful poem: Groundhog's Day.

The students did a little performance just for you!

Groundhog's Day

Groundhog, groundhog, furry and brown
Sleeping, sleeping, in the ground
Shadow, shadow, will he see?
Oh No! Six More Weeks!

This week, the students came up with another poem for Valentine's Day.

Hearts

Loving hearts, caring hearts,
Sugar hearts, candy hearts,
Chocolate hearts, sweet hearts.
It Valentine's Day!

The kiddos will be making their own poems using the conversation heart candies this week. Some of the students have already come up with the ending to their poem. Now, we just have to get the beginning!

On Monday, Kenzie was named our new student of the Month for January by Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse. Our class is so proud of you Kenzie!

Sean shared a book that he wrote about Animals at the Zoo on Friday.

100's Day and Groundhog's Day

Today was 100's Day and Groundhog's Day! We had a very busy day making 100 cheerio necklaces, sorting 100 buttons in different ways, grouping our collections by 2's, 5,s, 10's, 25's, 50's, and 100's, and making a fun book about Mr. Wolf's Chicken Stew.

Thank you for sending in 100 items with your child for today's activities.

We have started a new program in our classroom called Text Talk. Every two weeks, we will read a new story and learn six new vocabulary words. All the children are encouraged to use these words in their everyday conversations. We tally each time a student uses one of the new words. Don't be alarmed when your children are telling you that they are craving their favorite meal and that it is the most scrumptious meal they have ever eaten. They may even tell you that they are being devious by making a scheme to stay up late.

I will try to post the new words every other week--check back and see what they are and see if you can have your child catch you using them!

On January 23, we had some more authors--boy are the kids keeping me busy publishing!

Jared tells us about animals at the zoo.



Diago also tells us about animals.



Quincy sees many animals, too!



We also had a Mystery Reader. Sean's mother, Melissa, surprised us with a great book with lots a rhyme. The kids enjoyed the visit--she even brought them a special treat--Raisins!