Make Your Mark

Wordsmiths practicing a
buddy sort during
Word Study time

This week we started to learn the routines of our Word Study block. Students learned about the different types of sorts and practiced the routines and expectations in partnerships. We use the Words Their Way word study program which focuses on different word patterns. Every Monday the small groups analyze the pattern, make observations and sort them by their sound/symbol relationship. Then the students practice reading, writing, and sorting the words in different ways throughout the week. They keep a resource notebook and create reflective statements about what they notice in the pattern and how it can help them as a reader or a speller. For example, this week we looked at the difference between short o words like sock and long o words like home. Students noticed that almost all of the words with a long O ended with an e. This can help us as spellers and as readers when we come across words with long and short sounds.

We also reviewed the addition table and learned different ways to encourage fact fluency. Students learned how to play a game called Make The Sum, where they are aiming for a target number and combine different numbers in as many possible equations as possible. Next week we will review our strategies for single digit subtraction facts. We also introduced students to Moby Max, an online math practice site that targets instruction based on students' individual goals and development of mathematical skills. This will eventually be something that your mathematician may want to work on at home for additional practice.

Building our Fact Fluency
through Work Place
games

Students wrote acrostic name poems this week and we read several different books picture books and students identified the SMART message in each one and wrote about how the character showed that characteristic. They also brainstormed how they could show that SMART trait at WCS.

It was nice to meet many new families and visit with returning Mosaic members at Curriculum Night. Please know that we are always here to answer any questions that may come up for you and your family.

Students of the Week reporting
live at Mornings With Mosaic
Team Meeting

Just a reminder that school pictures are on Wednesday, September 28th. Order forms went home last week in your students' yellow folder.

Ask About....

• Friday Workshops: What are they? How do you get to go? 
• Morning Meeting: What activities do you do? 
• What is Reading Stamina? How do you read long and strong? 

  

  Students mark their mark for Dot Day 2016
  during our Friday Workshop Time