December News

Topics of the Month

In math, we will continue our unit, Comparing Numbers. This unit concentrates on decomposing the numbers 11-20. We will focus on terms
such as compare, contrast, greater than, equal to, and less than. We will also be focusing on teens on the ten frame. Students will be en-
couraged to remember their counting on strategy in order to recognize a full ten frame and then count on to their teen number. We are
surrounded by things to count in the world. During the break, have your child be looking for things to sort and count! How many people are
coming to your holiday celebration? How many food items will you have?

In our first reading unit of study we taught your child that they are readers , able to read anything ,anywhere in the world . By conveying this
message we are showing your child that they are not only readers ,but that they are super readers who can activate lots of super pow-
ers (strategies )to read . Students will use super powers to look and point, then read everything by using pictures for clues , tapping each
word , check that their reading makes sense and pointing to the words that they know in a snap. They will also take on bigger challenges in
their reading by using the pictures clues to find meaning in what they are reading . Lastly, they will work on making their voice smoother
( fluency when reading) and be able to communicate their understanding of the text.

In Social Studies the students will be focusing on family traditions and celebrating different cultures and celebrations around the world. This
unit is rich in family and culture. Talk with your child about your traditions and their history. We will also be starting our next IB Unit on where we
are in place and time. We will explore the world around us to make connections and learn more about ourselves and our lives.

In writing, we will continue to work on informative/explanatory writing and have the students observe just like scientists do by asking ques-
tions related to topic of discussion .They will also continue to work on adding details, labeling, and being more specific in their writing.
We will be learning that writers reread their writing to make sure that it is easy to read. We will learn about going back and editing our work to
make it the best possible piece it can be for the reader.

Upcoming Important Dates Standards for the Month

12/18 Class Party
12/20 Gingerbread House Decorations
12/21-Last day of Semester
December 21st-January 8thWinter Break
December Challenge:
We have been working on how-to pieces.
Do you want to learn how to make snow at
home? This is a fun activity to do over the
break. Then write your very own how-to
piece.
http://modernmommyhood.com/2013/12/
snow-dough.html
Math
MGSEK.CC.1. Count to 100 by ones and by tens.
MGSEK.CC.2. Count forward beginning from a given number within the known sequence (instead of having
to begin at 1).
MGSEK.CC.3. Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0
representing a count of no objects).
Count to tell the number of objects.
MGSEK.CC.4 Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
a. When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and
only one number name and each number name with one and only one object. (one-to-one correspond-
ence)
b. Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted (cardinality). The number
of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.
c. Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.
MGSEK.CC.5 Count to answer how many? questions.
a. Count to answer how many? questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a variety of ways (a line,
a rectangular array, or a circle), or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration.
b. Given a number from 1-20, count out that many objects.
c. Identify and be able to count pennies within 20. (Use pennies as manipulatives in multiple mathematical
contexts.)
Reading
ELAGSEKRF3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
ELAGSEKRI6: Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each I n presenting the ideas or
information in a text.
ELAGSEKRL10: Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
ELAGSEKRL1: With prompting and support, ask and answer questions
about key details in a text.
Social Studies and Science
Our next IB Unit is Where We Are in Place and Time
SKE1. Students will describe time patterns (such as day to night and night to day) and objects (such as sun,
moon, stars) in the day and night sky.
a. Describe changes that occur in the sky during the day, as day turns into night, during the night, and as
night turns into day.

b. Classify objects according to those seen in the day sky and those seen in the night sky.

c. Recognize that the Sun supplies heat and light to Earth.

SSKG1 The student will describe American culture by explaining diverse community and family celebrations
and customs.