Foundational Skills (Phonics, Decoding, and Spelling)
Last week, students learned to read and spell words with -ck and -dge. -CK comes at the end of a 1-syllable word, after a short vowel. The kids learned the rule, “at the end of a short word, after a short vowel.” Examples include thick, stuck, rack, check, etc. The rule for –dge is like –ck, “at the end of a short word, after a short vowel. The d is silent.” Examples include judge, dodge, edge, bridge, etc.
This week, students will learn to spell words with the -tch. -TCH also comes at the end of a 1-syllable word, after a short vowel. The kids will learn the rule, “at the end of a short word, after a short vowel. The t is silent.” Examples include match, pitch, fetch, etc.
Reading
Last week, we focused on the nonfiction passage, “Ants and Aphids Work Together.” We focused on these comprehension skills:
- Author’s Purpose and Text Features.
This week, we will begin a fable, “The Bat, Birds, and Beasts.” In this story, the Birds and the Beasts compete in a yearly basketball game. Bat wants to play also but does not know which team to choose since he has characteristics of both birds and beasts. Bat’s decision has long-term consequences and teaches him that winning isn’t everything. This week, we will be focusing on these comprehension skills:
- Asking and Answering Questions
- Classifying and Clarifying
Please read to your child each night and have them read to you! It is all beneficial.
Writing
Last week in writing, students continued writing their opinion paragraph drafts. Students continued through the writing process by revising and editing them. We will begin this coming week by learning how to make a final copy of the paragraph. During our half-day on Friday, we will have an “Author’s Chair,” and some students will be able to read their paragraphs to the class.
Grammar
This week, your child will learn the difference between common nouns and proper nouns. Common nouns refer to generic, unspecified people, places, and things, and begin with a lowercase letter. For example, boy, girl, store, etc. Proper nouns refer to a specific person, place, or thing, and begin with a capital letter. For example, Jack, Jill, Target, etc.