We Heart SK!

Hello Valentines!  Read on to learn more about our LOVEly week in SK!

****Update: If you're having trouble with the new album, here's another link to this week's shots/videos: https://picasaweb.google.com/102148356740153666289/WeHeartSK?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLPjP7gq6O1zwE *****



Language:
Practice and Review: It's that time of year.. we've been challenging ourselves to check in on our skills, and sharpen some right up!
- Rhyming one word to another word
- Generating two words that rhyme
- Distinguishing between two words that rhyme.. and two that don't!
- Segmenting and blending our words (it helps us to stretch sounds when we read, and when we write!)
- Reading word wall words (we have 23 on our list, and we know LOADS of them in a snap!)
- Reading word family words (we use our chunking skills to read SO MANY words!  H-am, ham!  P-ig, pig!  C-an, can!  N-ap, nap!)



Math:
- Practice and Review: We've been checking in our how we're doing, counting by 1's to 75, by 5's to 50, by 10's to 50, and even backwards from 15!  We write our numbers (up to 30!) and LOVE sorting numbres into their Number Grid categories (teens, 30's, 50's, etc.)
- Math Skills: We have been tracking our Project Groundhog stats (and charting, comparing and graphing!)
- New Study: We have begun our ... drumroll please... Economics Unit!
- Needs and Wants: We brainstormed a list of things we NEED and things we WANT!  Can you ask your SKer which goes where?  Food, candy, water, air, balloons, sleep, Valentines. 
- Goods and Services: We LOVED sorting things we buy into goods and services.  Check with your SK friend to see if they can sort these: gym shoes, snow pants, babysitters, tote bags, landscapers, mittens, petsitters.
- A Classroom Business: Can you believe it?  We've brainstormed ideas for businesses we'd like to start in our classroom between now and spring break... some of the top contenders?  A farmer's market, an airport, a pet store, a toy store, a book shop, an art museum, and even a brunch restaurant!  We took a vote and can't wait to find out on Tuesday which business we'll be starting, and where we'll go on our field trip to learn how to run it!



Social Studies:
- A. Lincoln: Our friends were so excited to learn LOADS about our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln (in anticipation of Monday, President's Day!)  Ask your SKer... what nickname did he NOT like?  How did he get to school?  How did he do his homework?  What did he look like?  Where did he live as a kid?  As a grown up?  How about his hair?  When he was president, what did he do?  They are experts!

Valentine's Day:
We were love machines, making cards, gifts, wrapping paper, gift tags, and sending each other friendship notes in our SK Post Office!  Our room is filled to the tip top with l-o-v-e love these days.  Please see the We Heart SK album for fun photos and videos!

Reminders/Announcements:
- Family Skate: Our final skate date is next week Friday.  Please join us for fun and treats! 
- Snow Clothes: They've been wet and a little muddy lately... thank you for giving your SKer the message about when you'd like them sent home (nightly, weekend, etc.)  Thank you!
- Box Tops: Thank you for your GENEROUS contributions!  That takes a LOT of time and dedication - you're all stars!  The contest is over for now.  Can't wait to hear the totals!
- New Notebooks - Please ask your SKer if he or she needs a new Rest Time notebook - many are filled up with beautiful creations again!