Dear Families,
I want to start off by saying thank you- for your support, kind words, trust, and being
such a wonderful community to work with! I am so thankful to be here at Stonegate
and working with your children. I hope you all have a very happy and safe
Thanksgiving!
Now down to business Take a look at what we are learning next week:
Reading:
We will finish up our author study by reading Peter’s Chair and comparing it to No One
Asked Me If I Wanted a Sister. We will be comparing the experiences of the characters
in the two books. We will also begin reading various gingerbread books to compare
the experiences of these characters as well. Some examples include The Gingerbread
Boy, The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Baby, The Runaway Tortilla, Matzah Man,
etc. We will use these version to also talk about culture. We will also use these story to
discuss the events that led up to a problem and the steps taken to come to a solution
to that problem.
Writing:
For the next three weeks in writing we will be writing opinions and supporting them with
strong reasons for our opinion. Students will be expected to state their opinion on a
given topic, write a closure and engage in a discussion about the topic. This opinion
writing will include debating their point of view using support for their view point. We will
also continue to focus on punctuation, handwriting, and using complete sentences.
Math:
Next week in math we will continue practicing various addition strategies. We will focus
on counting on, using doubles and doubles +1, and solving for the missing number.
When solving for the missing number, we are telling students to “think addition”. Ex:
12 - __ = 5 Think: If I start at 5 and count on, what number would I have to add to 5 to
get to 12?
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. I had to count on 7 numbers, so my missing number is 7. This is the
same strategy we are teaching for a missing addend.
____ + 5 = 12.
Doubles and Doubles + 1:
Having automaticity with doubles helps use know other math facts too!
Knowing that 6 + 6 =12 can help me solve 6 + 7 (doubles +1) because I know that 7 is
one more than 6, so the answer must be one more than 12!
Here is a great song that we are singing in class- the kids love it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik_-OAgzD-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUprfk7UWNA
Science/Social Studies:
In science we will continue to studying how objects move. Some objects move back
and forth, some in circles, and some side to side. We will explore with various objects to
see their movement patterns and how outside forces impact this movement. In social
studies we will continue to talk about culture and the similarities and differences of the
way people celebrate their cultures in their families and they community. Please start
having these conversations with your child so they are able to speak about the culture
of their families!
How can you help at home?







Use the information in this email to ask your child questions about the books that
we read and the topics that we study.
Start asking your children their opinion on things and then having them support
their opinion.
Read with your child nightly!
Ask your child to recall important events in books when you are reading
together.
Practice counting on to add. This is the strategy we are really focusing on!
Practice writing and spelling Word Wall Words and Words Their Way word
patterns with your child.
Do the homework with your child. The homework is aligned with the Common
Core and helps reinforce skills that will be reviewed and built on throughout the
year.
Important Reminders and Information:









No School Nov. 26th & 27th
If you have not done so, please return your child’s signed report card envelope!
The November homework calendar is due on Tuesday, Dec. 1st. Your child will
bring the December packet home this day as well.
December 1st is picture make-up day
December 17th- Flu Mist for students- Parents MUST call to make an appointment!
When your child is absent, please call the office after 8:30 a.m. letting the school
know the reason for the absence. You can also send an email to the office staff
at: [email protected]; [email protected]
Take photos and make memories! The Yearbook needs your help to capture
photos of Stonegate students this year. Follow this link to sign-up to take pictures
at events that interest you:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4babad2fa13-stonegate/
Please remind your child to have a book in his/her backpack to read in the
morning.
Interested in an additional half-day learning experience for your child? George
B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy has started! Here is the link to register:
http://www.saturdayschool.org/programs/enroll.shtm
This quarter we are learning about the skills of Fluency and Intellectual Risk Taking. These
skills are described below:
I think fluently.
 I come up with lots of new ideas.
 I express the ideas or thoughts in my head by writing, drawing, talking, or acting.
 I show the same thing in many different ways.
 I know many ways to answer a question.
 I ask a question in many different ways.
I take intellectual risks.
 I ask questions to help me understand—every day.
 I share what I am thinking in my group.
 I share my ideas and answer questions, even when I am unsure.
 I challenge myself to rise to the next level.
Have a wonderful and safe weekend!