Ways to Help Your Child Read at Home

Help Your Child With Reading Comprehension

Check out this article from The Home School Magazine entitled "When a Child Doesn't Remember What He Reads!

How Can You Help Your Child at Home?

Computer Science Education Week

Have you heard about this in the news?  Ever wonder how to make computer games, like Angry Birds? Write your first computer program!

Learn how, here!  Ever think of having a job as a video game developer when you grow up?

Did you know Ms. Rappaport took computer science classes in college?

Happy Holidays!

As we get ready for winter recess, I want to wish you a wonderful holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year!

Tomorrow we will be having an award ceremony for working so hard this year.

Class DOJO

Class Dojo

We are going to be implementing a point system, using ClassDOJO, an interactive reward system, where you can see how your child is performing in our learning lab.

Check out your child's online learning buddy, their DOJO, and see how they are earning points.

Students can earn points for:
-on task
-helping others
-participating
-persistence
-team work
-working hard

Students can lose points for:
-bullying
-disrespect
-no homework
-off task
-talking out of turn
-unprepared


Class DOJO, login page.  Check out how many points your child has earned in our learning lab and how they are performing weekly.

Think Central

We love math!

Our new GoMath program is very different from Everyday Math.  In our learning lab we sometimes visit ThinkCentral which goes along with our classroom curriculum, ThinkCentral

Sometimes we use another program, Touch Math.  Find out more about it here!

Donor's Choose Project Funded!

Ms. Rappaport's 4th project has been funded!

In the beginning of the school year, generous donors gave us two iPad mini's.  Now we are getting even more wonderful presents!

What can you expect in our learning lab?

I can't wait for their arrival in January! 

Do you have any ideas of what you would like to be added to our resource room?  Ms. Rappaport is currently brainstorming possible ideas for her next donor's choose project.

Introducing, Story Grammar Marker!  Check out this new tool, coming soon!  Ms. Rappaport has been talking with our school's speech teachers, and she loves this resource, she just had to have it for her learning lab.  A few more special add on's will be coming too to help us with our narrative stories (a big part of common core ELA).  I can't wait for all these things -- I hope we have enough room. 

Talk to write.  Write to learn!

Scholastic Book Clubs

Some students have expressed an interest in ordering Scholastic books that they viewed from our magazine basket.  If you would like to purchase books at a discounted rate, click on the icon below.  Our learning lab earns points to get free things.

Reading Strategies

Here are some of the reading strategies we have been learning in class.  Please make sure to review them at home and continue to be your own teachers to figure out tricky words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Are You Thankful For?

Molly Lou Melon

This week, we will be basing our ELA component of our learning from the story, Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon.  Get ready to be a part of the classroom conversation!

Parent Teacher Conferences

I'm available during Parent Teacher Conferences, in the evening and afternoon.

Please stop by our learning lab if you can!

Keep the Beat, Article

Check out this article from Medical Xpress regarding a correlation between rhythm (keeping a beat) and language skills needed for reading.

Article

Reading Strategies for All Grades

Before Reading:

• Look at the title
• Look at the bold words and/or illustrations
• Think about the topic
• Think about what you want to find out
• Predict what the story will be about

During Reading:

• Form pictures in your mind
• Ask questions
• Make predictions
• Check/modify predictions
• Reread if parts do not make sense
• Use context clues to help with difficult words
• Retell parts of the story

After Reading:

• Summarize/retell important information
• Reread to answer questions
• Think about questions you still might have
• Look for additional information on the topic
• Summarize the story using a topic sentence, details and a concluding sentence

Veteran's Day

Reminder, no school on Monday, November 11, 2013. 

Happy Halloween!

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Timmy is disguising himself as a cat for Halloween.

Goals!

On Monday we are going to start a new goal system!

Ask your child what their goals are. 

Every student has different ones and is working towards them in our learning lab.

Recycling

Recycling Initiative

Apps

Have a smartphone or Ipad?  Here are some apps you may want to consider downloading to help at home.

50 popular Ipads for struggling readers and writers

24 educational Ipad apps for reading and writing

For educators and parents:  Ipads in Education

Columbus Day!

Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492...

Check out the Video of the Week on BrainPop

Reminder: There is no school on Monday. 

Past, Present, Future

I goed to the park?  Not quite... It should be "I went to the park."  As teachers we see this too often in children's writing.

Let's learn to write the right way!

Check out Brainpop Jr. tenses sentence writing.

Sight Words and Writing

Kindergarten: Write 1-5 sentences using these words:
Sight Words Pre-Primer

First grade: Write 1-5 sentences using these words:
Sight Words Primer

Second grade: Write 1-5 sentences using these words:
First Grade

Third grade: Write 1-5 sentences using these words:
Second Grade

Know how to read and write all those words?  Write 1-5 sentences using these words:
Third Grade

More Math!

Place Value

Punctuation

Today we discussed and practiced appropriate times to use periods, question marks, and exclamation points.

Get Ready to Spell and Write Correctly!

This week we will begin using the Orton Gillingham program for spelling sight words.  We will start off easy at Stage 1 and end the year at Stage 5 going from simple to more challenging words.  It's one thing to read the words, but spelling is another battle.  After we practice 10 words, they will come home for you to practice some more! 

Going from kinesthetic, visual, and auditory... and moving to memory.  Here's how we will be learning in class:

Raz Kids

Find your reading level and begin reading on Raz-Kids.com

We anticipate our reading levels to move a lot this school year, and because your classroom teacher will likely be adding you to their account, in our learning lab I would like for you to select your reading level and choose books that are just right for you.  You may also choose to read books one level above your reading level so that you can become familiar it.  Example, if you are reading Level C, choose Level D.

Raz-Kids.com

Let's Practice Adding and Subtracting!

Ms. Rappaport's favorite math games:

Jet Ski Addition

Island Chase Subtraction

Tug Team Addition

Minus Mission

Kitten Match

Alien Addition

Math Lines 10 to 20 

Ducky Race Subtraction

Sailboat Subtraction

Let's have fun adding and subtracting numbers!

Let's Practice Counting Money!

Check out the websites below to practice counting money:

Making Change

Piggy bank

Discovering coin values

Counting money

Which coin?

Not ready to count coins just yet?  Practice counting by 5s at the LearningPlanet.com

I Am Running in a Circle

I am running in a circle
and my feet are getting sore,
and my head is
spinning
spinning
as it's never spun before,
I am
dizzy
dizzy
dizzy.
Oh!  I cannot bear much more,
I am trapped in a
revolving
...volving
...volving
..volving door!

Let's Write the Right Way!

Alligators Are Unfriendly

Alligators are unfriendly,
they are easily upset,
I suspect that I would never
care to have one for a pet.
Oh, I know they do not bellow,
and I think they do not shed,
but I’d probably be nervous
if I had one in my bed.

Alligators are not clever,
they are something of a bore,
they can’t heel or catch a Frisbee,
they don’t greet you at the door,
for their courtesy is lacking,
and their tempers are not sweet,
they won’t even fetch your slippers
…though they just might eat your feet.

Some words we were not sure of their meaning:
unfriendly: not kind or nice
suspect: not able to be trusted
bellow: to make a deep loud sound
shed: lose their hair
nervous: feeling worried or afraid
bore: being boring
Frisbee: plastic disc that can be thrown, in a game of catch
courtesy: polite behavior, showing respect
lacking: to not have
tempers: the way you act or behave
fetch: to go after and bring back

Fluent Readers

Every week we will be studying a poem to better develop our fluency and comprehension of text.

Please visit poet, Jack Prelutsky's website here. Do you notice any craft used in his poems?  Do you like his poems?  Which one is your favorite?

Reminders

Check out Bookflix: username = ps89, password = bookflix. A series of websites are posted on the right hand side of this website if you scroll down.

Please bring in notebook this week!

What's Going On In This Picture?

What's going on in this photo?

What makes you say that?

What is this Common Core?

Let's Get Ready To Learn!

Welcome!

Welcome back to school!

International Dot Day!

Sunday, September 15 is International Dot Day!

We will be celebrating by honoring each and every student in our learning lab.  Hip, hip, HOORAY!

The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.

Lets make a difference!

What Has Timmy Been Doing?

Timmy had a great summer, and we hope you did too!  Timmy was busy taking naps because he does not like the sun and heat.  Timmy got a new elephant toy that squeaks.  It made him so happy!  Timmy ate a lot of hamburgers during outdoor barbeques. He likes to eat, a lot. 

Sneak Peek of The Learning Lab, servicing grades K-3

For Professionals

This year, in addition to providing resources for parents and students, I would also like to offer additional tools and resources for teachers.  A colleague of mine had posted this video and I would like to share it with you -- what a powerful speaker!

Motivational phrases:
#kids learn from people they like
#every child deserves a champion: an adult that will never give up on them
#we're educators, we're born to make a difference

Donors Choose

In the past, we have been supported with 2 projects from Donor's Choose.  Now we hope to get a technology center with 2 ipad mini's!

Ms. Rappaport has just written a proposal, and hope that it is met before it's December deadline.  Hoping for 2 ipad mini's this school year!

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation please visit: Donor's Choose iPads for the Core

October 3rd, Jumpstart's Read for the Record

I’m with Otis! Join the Otis Book Parade for Read for the Record on We Give Books

Take part in Read for the Record on We Give Books! We Give Books readers from across the country and around the world are coming together to show their support for early childhood literacy. Join me and Otis, the star of this year’s Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign, to set new reading records and stand up for children everywhere.

Presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record highlights the need for high quality early education in America by mobilizing children and adults to set a record for the largest shared reading event to support Jumpstart’s mission to work toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. When you Read for the Record on We Give Books, either online or on the We Give Books app, you will also help set a new digital reading record.

The fun lasts more than just one day! On We Give Books, you can read, give, and share with Otis all season long in the Otis Book Parade, a digital book club for kids. Each week leading up to Read for the Record on October 3, they will feature a special book from their library, online and on their new app, along with reading resources that highlight values exemplified by Otis. We Give Books also has fun Otis activities and ways for you to share your reading celebrations. Join the Parade at wegivebooks.org/readfortherecord, and tell everyone, “I’m with Otis!”

Getting Ready for September!

Summer

Have a wonderful summer vacation!

Feel free to e-mail Mrs. Rappaport (also known as Ms Platt) at: platt816@gmail.com

I would love to hear from you!  Enjoy your summer and don't forget to READ READ READ!

International Day

International Day is on Friday.  Please bring in things that represent your culture to be discussed with the class.  Also, please bring in a food item to be shared with the class.  There are 32 students.  We will also have a small celebration in  our classroom honoring your child's hard work, as we welcome them to second grade! 6 and a half more days left as a first grader.

Father's Day

Robert Munsch

Last week we wrote a letter to Robert Munsch, an author of many stories we have been reading in class.  He wrote us back already!  He answered our questions and even gave us a heads up on his books that are coming next.  Wowee! 

Hi Kids:

Thanks for writing and telling me how much you like my books. My two newest books are called “Finding Christmas”, which is about my daughter Julie who always went looking for her Christmas presents; and

“Seeing Red”. It is about a kid who wants to be just like his best friend who has red hair. His friend promises to teach him the secret trick for turning black hair to red!

I get my ideas for books from my own kids and sometimes from other children. Often when I am telling stories I will say I am going to make up a new story. I get a kids name to use in the story and I still don't know what I am going to say. I just say whatever comes into my head and see if it's good. Usually it isn't. But sometimes it is very good. Lots of my books have started this way.

My next book is about a kid named Victoria whose Grandmother takes her to a very fancy restaurant for her birthday. I think the title will be “Swamp Water”.

Thanks for reading my books.

Bob Munsch

Describing Photographs

Ms. Murphy and Ms. Alford at Ms. Platt's Wedding

Ms. Platt's parents with Jeremy

Oheka Castle Gardens

Walking down the aisle

Wedding cake

Long Island sound