Current Unit/Classroom Learning

Comparisons (May 1st-May 30th)

Our current unit is called Comparisons.  Students will recognize ways in which people are alike and different. Students will participate in activities and traditions associated with different cultural heritages.

By the end of the unit, we hope that students will be able to answer the following question(s):

• How are people alike?
• How are people different?

Focus Skills – During this unit, we are working on the following skills:

• Literacy – This unit will review many of the skills already learned this year, including parts of a book, where to start reading, and reading from left to right.  We will also review punctuation marks (period, exclamation mark, question mark) and finding the beginning and end of sentences. We will participate in author studies.
• Writing – Our Writers Workshop lessons are focusing on books. We are working on staying on one topic as well as creating pictures to match our “words”. We will continue to review what we have learned throughout the year and practice the skills that good writer’s use.
• Math – Our main focus during this unit is on simple math stories.  Students will learn to use strategies such as drawing a picture or working with manipulatives to help them solve simple math stories. We will continue to review the skills we have learned throughout the year such as patterns, counting, etc.
• Content – During this unit, students will learn that there are different cultures and traditions in the world. We will learn about the similarities and differences of people in the world. We will discuss language, appearance, clothing, music, activities, food, animals, etc.)

Here are some suggestions to work on these and other basic skills at home:

• Continue to work on letter recognition and writing first names!
• Provide your child with opportunities to practice writing at home.  Practice makes perfect!  As they work, please encourage them to write letters/words and add details to their pictures.  Talking to them about their pictures will help them do their best!
• While reading each night, encourage your child to tell you what letters and/or words they recognize in the book.  If it is a familiar story, you can also have them read along with you.  After all books, ask them a few questions to improve their listening skills.
• Have your child practice counting whenever possible, such as when driving in the car.  They can also do things such as counting toys while they put them away.  Whenever counting things, please encourage children to touch each object.
• Talk to your child about your home.  Discuss what rooms are in your home, what kind of home it is (apartment, townhouse, etc).  Ask them to draw a picture of your home, and encourage them to add realistic details (correct color, number of windows, etc).
• As you drive around your neighborhood, discuss what you see.  Talk about the businesses found in your neighborhood.  If possible, introduce your child to your neighbors.
• Model correct vocabulary describing where things are (over, under, etc).  The more the children hear the words, the faster they will use them!

You can find more suggestions of activities to do at home with your child on the Home-School Connection page!