Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
May 17-20, 2010
Classroom News
I would like to thank all the parents that have signed up to help out with our Texas Field Day on Tuesday, May 25th. However, we still need some help. I would like to have two parents at our “Lasso the Calf” station at a time. We do not have any volunteers for the station from 10:30-11:30 and need another volunteer for 11:30-12:30. We also need another parent to bring juice boxes. Our class is responsible for providing drinks for all of the elementary school classes. Lastly, our class still needs a hibachi grill to make our lunch on.
I still need help planning the end of the year party. Please let me know if you think you can help.
Our Studies
Our class has been studying homophones. They are learning that homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. For the past two weeks, we have focused on the homophones meet/meat and eight/ate. The students illustrated the different meanings of these two homophones.
We began reading the tall tale about Davy Crocket. This tale is full of exaggerations! Everyone seems to be enjoying the delightful tale.
Last week, the class finished the state book they had begun several weeks ago. They have now colored the outline of each 50 state and then found and colored it on a United States map. During learning stations, the students also did a US puzzle that said the name of each state and its capital as they removed or replaced the state. They loved taking turns to do the ‘talking puzzle.’
The students know most of the Deep in the Heart of Texas. They are working on getting the clapping section on beat. We are also trying to learn Texas, Our Texas.
As the school year comes to an end, I am busy assessing the students. During learning stations last week, I reviewed and assessed their reading skills. The students have begun having independent work to do in the afternoon in which I pull them for assessments also. This will continue this week until all the students have been assessed.
Everyone has been working so hard in math. Most students have completed or will complete their math workbooks. They will be spending the remainder of the year reviewing what they have learned and memorizing math facts.