September is a month for reconnecting with old friends and establishing new relationships. Classroom community was fostered through games and activities designed to get students moving and forging connections between students. We are off to a great start!The focus of September’s and October’s essential character traits is empathy and conscience. We have explored these traits through stories, discussions, role-playing, and drawing cartoons.

Previous Highlights:

Touchstone SchoolMrs. HarrisMrs. Frost

October 2014

1-21-2NNEWSEWS !!

Upcoming Events: OCTOBER:

Oct 1-25 Oregon Food Bank Food DriveMonday, Oct. 6 – Early Dismissal @NOON Sign up in the office if you need extended careFriday, Oct. 10 Statewide Teacher In- serviceNo classes: Sign up available in the office for extended careWednesday, Oct. 15 – 1st/2nd Critical Thinking Night 6:30-7:30Tuesday, Oct. 21—Skate Night at Oaks Park 6:30-8:00Wednesday, Oct. 29 -1st/2nd Oregon Children’s Theater field trip Thursday, Oct. 30  All School Sing 8:50 Principal’s Coffee followsFriday, Oct 31—Free Dress and Halloween Parade 2:30

First-Second Newsletter Page 2

News from Mrs. Harris:

Students in Level 1 Math have started the year learning vocabulary for, and exploring and creating different types of, patterns. Many children think that math means adding and subtracting only. We are doing basic computation and 4-step problem solving. They are learning the strategies for approaching a word problem and how to determine what operation to use to solve it.In Language Arts students have begun rotations which include reading in small groups with an adult and doing activities that support concepts introduced. Nightly reading books are being sent home. Sight word lists accompany the books so that students can practice frequently used words that don’t always have a phonetic base. Reading with your child nightly increases his/her progress and makes him/her feel more successful as a reader.

News from Mrs. Frost:

Math in Level Two begins with a review of place value and addition and subtraction strategies. Developing mastery of addition and subtraction facts to twenty is one of the standards for this level of math. Throughout the year, students will practice these basic facts in class. Practicing at home, through games and even flash cards helps students progress in the same way that reading at home will.In Language Arts, students have been placed in small reading groups. In these small groups, they will be working on oral fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension skills and strategies. Whole group instruction focuses on spelling concepts, phonics, grammar, as well as the writing traits. These skills are reinforced through activities at various levels. We are off to a great start!

Integrated Studies:

What better way to enjoy the end of summer and the glorious start of fall in Oregon than to study plants! Our classrooms are filled with experiments to help students see that plants need air, food, water and sunlight to thrive. Students have investigated the different parts of a plant. Additional experiments have focused on growing plants in different types of environments – air, sand, soil, and clay. We have worked in the garden with our 3/4 buddies and celebrated the fall harvest. Students have planted seeds under grow lights and watched them sprout. These “sprouts” have now been moved to the green house for further cultivation.Later in October, students will combine what we’ve been learning about plants and movement, when we have a visiting artist residency.