Daily Literacy Block

Last summer we (Amy and Wanda) were deeply engrossed in discovering what research says most benefits students as they become readers, writers and lifelong learners. As a result, the structure of our literacy block may look and sound a little different this year, and we are EXCITED!

It won’t be long until you hear your child talking about “The Daily Five.” The purpose of this blog is to fill you in on what The Daily Five is all about, so you don’t have to nod your head while wondering what in the world your child is referring to.

The Daily Five is a way of structuring the reading block so every student is independently engaged in meaningful literacy tasks. These research based tasks are ones that will have the biggest impact on student reading and writing achievement, as well as help foster children who love to read and write. Students receive explicit whole group instruction and then are given independent practice time to read and write independently while teachers provide focused, intense instruction to individuals and small groups of students.

When it is up and running smoothly, students will be engaged in the Daily Five, which are comprised of:

• Read to Self

• Work on Writing

• Read with a Partner

• Listen to Reading

• Word Work

There are very specific behavior expectations that go with each Daily 5 component. We have been spending our first weeks working intensely on building our reading and writing stamina, learning the behaviors of the Daily 5 and fostering our classroom community.

Last week, students worked their "Read to Self" stamina up to 30 minutes, and "Read with a Partner" successfully for 25 minutes!  This is great news!  This week we will introduce "Work on Writing", and then "Listen to Reading" and "Word Work."  The students are very excited and proud of their new skills. 

We have also been spending time learning about your child’s strengths and greatest needs as a reader in order to best plan for each student’s instruction. 

Students will be spending most of their time actually reading "Just Right Books", which research supports as the number one way to improve reading. We anticipate the motivation and enjoyment of reading will skyrocket when this gift of choosing their own books is accompanied by extended practice and specific reading instruction for each individual child.

As you can see, we are excited about giving your child the opportunity to be involved in a structure that will have a positive effect on their education.

Please think of our classroom as you visit garage sales or clean your own child’s bookcase. It is our goal to make our classroom library as appealing as your favorite bookstore for browsing.

*Homework will begin this week.  Look for it in the Go-Home Folder on Wednesday (9-30).

Let's Go to the Movies!

Friday, October 16
~Where the Wild Things Are~

Our class is invited to see Where the Wild Things Are (rated PG) at the Galaxy Uptown Gig Harbor on Friday, October 16th. Since we will be reading the book aloud to the class, it will be a very fun experience to see the movie together. The time for the showing is not yet posted on Fandango or the theater website.  When we learn the time, we will update this information.  Keep the date open for a fun time!

Upcoming Events:

October 9th, Friday                              No School (teacher work day)

October 23rd, Friday 6:00 - 8:00         PTA Fall Festival

October 30th, Friday 2:20 - 3:20         Class Halloween Party

The Golden Rule

Today we read The Golden Rule, by Ilene Cooper.  This is a very important book to the Manatee students, as the golden rule is one of our classroom rules.  "Treat others as you would want to be treated." We talk about it every day, and learn to think about others in our deeds and actions.  In addition to listening to the book, students also decided on their class rules today.  They verbalized five rules they all agreed would be the basis of expectations for the remainder of the school year: 

Class Rules

Follow the Golden Rule

Keep your hands and body to yourself.

Raise your hand to talk. Be a good listener.

Solve problems by talking to each other.

Always do your best.

Weekly Specialist Schedule/Daily Schedule

The Manatee's weekly specialist/daily schedule is beginning to take shape!   

Our specialists are from 12:40 - 1:20

Red Group (1st Grade)                  Blue Group (2nd Grade)
Monday - Art                                   Monday - Music
Tuesday - Science                           Tuesday - Art
Wednesday - P.E.                            Wednesday - Science
Thursday - Music                            Thursday - P.E.
Friday - P.E.                                      Friday - Music

Our library day is Monday.
2nd Grade (Blue Group) 1:30 - 2:00
1st Grade (Red Group) 2:25 - 2:55

Daily Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 Question of the Day/Writing Prompt
9:30 - 10:00 Read Aloud/Literacy Focus Lesson
10:00 - 11:20 Literacy Block
11:20 - 11:40 Lunch
11:40 - 12:10 Recess
12:10 - 12:40 Handwriting or Calendar
12:40 - 1:20 Specialist
1:20 - 1:55 Writer's Workshop
1:55 - 2:05 Snack
2:05 - 2:25 Recess
2:25 - 3:10 Math

This schedule will be very flexible for the next few weeks until our literacy block procedures are established.

The volunteer schedule and weekly homework will begin during the last week of September. Thanks for your patience.

Hope to see you this Thursday for Open House from 6:30 to 7:30

First Week of School

Book Garden Friends
Reading on the Grass!

Welcome Manatee Families!

The first week of school has been busy, busy, busy! Students have been meeting new friends, singing new songs, and learning every minute.

Our daily schedule, and specialist schedules continue to be in developmental stages. We have been learning about the word "flexible!"

.

Let's Go to the Movies!

Friday, September 18th at 6:30

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Our class is invited to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (rated PG) at the Regal South Sound Cinema 10 in Port Orchard on Friday, September 18th at 6:30. Since we will be reading the book aloud to the class and discussing weather, it will be a very fun experience to see the movie together. You can buy tickets ahead of time at Fandango online.

.

Check out the Book Orders that go home on Wednesday. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett is in the See Saw Catalog (#15). Children will love revisiting the book over and over again after they see the movie.

Take a look at our Shelfari books (side bar widget) to see what books we have read to the class. We add more every day.

.

Open House is on Thursday, September 17th from 6:30 to 7:30. We look forward to seeing you!

.

Thank you to those of you have returned the Student Information form. If you have not returned your form, a replacement will be coming home in the Wednesday Go-Home folder this week. It is helpful for us to have this vital data for communication and other important matters.

.

We are creating a class directory to be distributed soon. If you do not want your phone number or email in the directory, please let us know.

...

Photos will be posted on our website and blog thoughout the year (without names). If you do not want photos of your child posted, please let us know as soon as possible.

Remember . . . the first PTA Meeting is this Thursday, September 10, at 7:00 in the library.  There will be opportunities to sign up for committees.  Please come and join us in support of our great school!

.

Thank you for your patience during the first few weeks of school. We will soon have our schedules complete and available for you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email us.