2018 is definitely off to a great start!

January was
definitely a busy month full of great learning
opportunities. I feel very fortunate to get the
opportunity to learn with all the amazing students in
our SERR classroom. Please read to see what we
have been learning about!

P/J SERR J/I SERR

Math: We continued some learning about 3-
dimensional shapes when we returned from the
holidays. We have also been focused on
building our skip counting skills. We spent time
using money to help build the idea of 'unitizing'.
When we skip count by 10's we are counting
units of 10 (dimes) but we also need to recognize
that each unit has ten ones (pennies). We have
spent a lot of time exploring subtraction.
Students used base ten materials to answer
subtraction questions and have helped build an
understanding of how to regroup in order to
solve problems such as, 45-29. We have begun
a new unit on patterning that will continue into
February.
Literacy: We have published "How to Build a
Snowman" procedural texts. Students designed
their own snowman and then wrote about the
materials and steps needed to build the
snowman they had designed. Now we have
begun a media project where students will
create a slide show presentation explaining how
to do something. I am looking forward to
watching these presentations! Students have
been working hard on building their decoding
skills (how to figure out unfamiliar words). We will
be working on building comprehension this term
as we read by answering questions and making
connections to the texts we are reading.
Math: When we returned from the holidays,
students began by exploring place value. We
represented numbers using standard form
(4567), word form (four thousand five hundred
sixty-seven) and expanded form
(4000+500+60+7) with numbers up to 6-digits.
Students also compared and ordered numbers
using <, > and = symbols. Students are working
on subtracting 2 or more digit numbers with
regrouping. We have begun some new learning
about polygons (2-dimensional shapes) and
their geometric properties including number of
sides, congruent sides, parallel sides, angles and
lines of symmetry.
Literacy: Students have been learning about
elements of a story. We have been watching
Pixar Short films to help us build an
understanding of conflict, rising action, climax,
falling action and resolution. I am excited to
see how they will apply this learning during our
upcoming literature circles and novel studies.
Students have been very interested in getting a
class pet. They are going to be gathering
research on a pet they would like to have in our
classroom (that falls under the school board
guidelines) and writing a description as well as
a persuasive letter to convince their classmates
that this pet is the best choice. I can't wait to
see what we will end up with!

At home: In addition to listening to your child
read his take-home reading book, spend time
reading aloud to your child and talking about
what is happening in the story. Practice skip
counting by 2's, 5's and 10's. Use dice or
dominoes to practice subtraction facts to 20.
At home: Practice subtraction by rolling 2-6
dice and creating 2 different numbers then
asking your child to subtract them. Can they
arrange the numbers to find the biggest
possible answer? The smallest? Ask your child
about the novel they are reading/listening to.