Word Study

On Friday, the children had their very first word study test. I have to say, WOW!!! The kids did a great job recognizing the patterns in their words and spelling/sorting them correctly. Remember, your children will receive a new list of word study words tomorrow. One list is for them to cut out and sort for Monday night's homework, while the other list will be placed in the clear plastic sleeve in their binders to use for studying. Feel free to take the list out of their binders if it helps you remember to study the words with your children. But please remember that we work with the same patterns for two weeks, so don't throw away the list coming home tomorrow until our next test on Friday, Sept. 30.

We spend lots of time in class practicing our word study patterns as well. We do a variety of sorts, both individually and with partners, as well as play an assortment of fun games that help us commit those patterns to memory. Some of the class favorites have included "Follow the Path," (pictured above) where the students work with a partner or small group and try to be the first one to get their game piece to the end of the board. They roll the dice, but can only move their game piece if they are able to spell the word correctly. The students also really enjoyed "Trash or Treasure," where they had to decide if the words on their list had their word study pattern for the week. If the word did have their pattern, it was "treasure," but if it did not it was "trash." We'll be incorporating the Smartboard this week into our word study activities, which is something the kids always enjoy. I'll be introducing "Fridge Magnets," where the children can move the letter magnets to make their words. It's just like using magnetic letters on the fridge at home, except these are on a computer screen!

Remember to get those pledge envelopes in for Jog For Jefferson! Even if your child is not collecting donations, he/she still needs to return a signed envelope so we know they are allowed to participate.

Kate and I had a fun time yesterday at the Columbus Children's Theatre seeing Pinkalicious, based on the popular books for little girls. Pinkalicious may be a little too young for second graders, but the Columbus Children's Theatre has some other great shows coming up this season. Sleepy Hollow is being performed Oct. 20-30 and Junie B Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells is coming Nov. 25-Dec. 21. I know a lot of the kids in class enjoy reading the Junie B. Jones series, so that might be something your kids would enjoy. The prices are pretty reasonable, too!