Module 7

The Big Outdoors

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, our class will be learning about nature, and we will investigate how things in nature can change. We will read about different environments and observe the beauty of nature. Children will  learn about interesting changes that occur, such as how the Grand Canyon formed and how the water cycle works. They will also write a poem about things they like in nature.

This week we will start week 2.

Big Idea Words:

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

cycle     evaporation     liquid

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• What can you tell me about the life cycle of a butterfly?
• How does the sun’s heat cause evaporation in a puddle of water?
• What kinds of liquids do you like to drink?

Let’s Read Together:

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about the natural world, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Imitate animal sounds and other sounds from nature when you read about them in books.
• Read about recycling and start a recycling project. Collect paper or plastics to recycle at home or to donate at a recycling center.
• Talk about how water is important to our environment. Read articles about water and think of ways to use less water.

Word Play:

Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 2: I Spy ea Words Play I Spy while reading a book. Look for words with the short e sound spelled ea, such as head and bread. Read the words, noting that the two vowels make one sound.
• Week 3: Vowel Team Challenge: ai or ay See who can write the most words with the vowel team ai or ay. Examples include stay, day, player, and sail, snail, rain. Read aloud your word lists.

Module 7

The Big Outdoors

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, our class will be learning about nature, and we will investigate how things in nature can change. We will read about different environments and observe the beauty of nature. Children will  learn about interesting changes that occur, such as how the Grand Canyon formed and how the water cycle works. They will also write a poem about things they like in nature.

Big Idea Words:

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

cycle     evaporation     liquid

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• What can you tell me about the life cycle of a butterfly?
• How does the sun’s heat cause evaporation in a puddle of water?
• What kinds of liquids do you like to drink?

Let’s Read Together:

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about the natural world, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Imitate animal sounds and other sounds from nature when you read about them in books.
• Read about recycling and start a recycling project. Collect paper or plastics to recycle at home or to donate at a recycling center.
• Talk about how water is important to our environment. Read articles about water and think of ways to use less water.

Word Play:

Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: A Cut Is Not Cute! Write and say the word cut. Add -e, changing cut to cute. Stress the long u vowel sound. Repeat with tub/tube and cub/cube.
• Week 2: I Spy ea Words Play I Spy while reading a book. Look for words with the short e sound spelled ea, such as head and bread. Read the words, noting that the two vowels make one sound.
• Week 3: Vowel Team Challenge: ai or ay See who can write the most words with the vowel team ai or ay. Examples include stay, day, player, and sail, snail, rain. Read aloud your word lists.

Module 7

The Big Outdoors

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, our class will be learning about nature, and we will investigate how things in nature can change. We will read about different environments and observe the beauty of nature. Children will  learn about interesting changes that occur, such as how the Grand Canyon formed and how the water cycle works. They will also write a poem about things they like in nature.

Big Idea Words:

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

cycle     evaporation     liquid

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• What can you tell me about the life cycle of a butterfly?
• How does the sun’s heat cause evaporation in a puddle of water?
• What kinds of liquids do you like to drink?

Let’s Read Together:

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about the natural world, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Imitate animal sounds and other sounds from nature when you read about them in books.
• Read about recycling and start a recycling project. Collect paper or plastics to recycle at home or to donate at a recycling center.
• Talk about how water is important to our environment. Read articles about water and think of ways to use less water.

Word Play:

Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: A Cut Is Not Cute! Write and say the word cut. Add -e, changing cut to cute. Stress the long u vowel sound. Repeat with tub/tube and cub/cube.
• Week 2: I Spy ea Words Play I Spy while reading a book. Look for words with the short e sound spelled ea, such as head and bread. Read the words, noting that the two vowels make one sound.
• Week 3: Vowel Team Challenge: ai or ay See who can write the most words with the vowel team ai or ay. Examples include stay, day, player, and sail, snail, rain. Read aloud your word lists.

Module 6 Celebrate America

This week, we will be on week three of our Celebrate American Unit.

HELLO, FAMILY! We will continue to explore how holidays and symbols help us learn about and celebrate our country. We will read books about national symbols and learn how holidays honor our country and its heroes. Children will also write a personal narrative about a favorite holiday memory.

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

participate          duty          appreciate

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• How can we participate in a community event or celebration?
• How does a firefighter’s duty to help others make our community better?
• How could you show that you appreciate your teacher’s happy smile?

Let’s Read Together

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about holidays and national symbols, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Read about symbols and draw pictures of national flags that represent your family heritage.
• Clap your hands when you read about leaders who help our country.
• Read facts about the Statue of Liberty and try to imitate the posture of this national monument.

Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 2: Say Soft, Snaky Sounds Write a list of words with the soft c sound, such as celebrate, cent, race, and dance. When you say each word with the soft c sound, make a long snake sound: sssssss.
• Week 3: Rhyme Time Write and say rhyming words with the long i vowel sound, such as Mike/like, hide/ride, kite/ bite, time/dime. Write words in pencil, erasing only the letters that change.

Module 6 Celebrate America

This week, we will be on week two of our Celebrate American Unit.

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, children will explore how holidays and symbols help us learn about and celebrate our country. We will read books about national symbols and learn how holidays honor our country and its heroes. Children will also write a personal narrative about a favorite holiday memory.

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

participate          duty          appreciate

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• How can we participate in a community event or celebration?
• How does a firefighter’s duty to help others make our community better?
• How could you show that you appreciate your teacher’s happy smile?

Let’s Read Together

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about holidays and national symbols, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Read about symbols and draw pictures of national flags that represent your family heritage.
• Clap your hands when you read about leaders who help our country.
• Read facts about the Statue of Liberty and try to imitate the posture of this national monument.

Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 2: Say Soft, Snaky Sounds Write a list of words with the soft c sound, such as celebrate, cent, race, and dance. When you say each word with the soft c sound, make a long snake sound: sssssss.
• Week 3: Rhyme Time Write and say rhyming words with the long i vowel sound, such as Mike/like, hide/ride, kite/ bite, time/dime. Write words in pencil, erasing only the letters that change.

We will start week 2 of  Module 5, Now You See It, Now You Don’t.  

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

solar

period

 orbit

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Does solar energy come from the sun?
• In which period of the day do you sleep—in the morning or at night?
• Show me what it looks like when you orbit around a table or chair.

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about light and dark, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Read about Earth and the moon and orbit around a pretend sun.
• Wiggle your fingers to signal shimmering light each time you read the word sun.
• When reading at night, use a flashlight to demonstrate the power of light in a dark space.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Flip Flop, Clip Clop Word Search As you read, search for words with l blends, such as flag and club. Stand in front of a mirror and say the words you found.
• Week 2: Light Up Compound Words Work together to write a list of compound words with light, such as sunlight, moonlight, lightbulb, and lighthouse. Draw a line to separate the two parts of each word.
• Week 3: Add -ed Write these words in a list: want, need, start, add, orbit. Say each word, and then add –ed. Emphasize the sound –ed makes at the end of each word.

We will start week 2 of  Module 5, Now You See It, Now You Don’t.  

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

solar

period

 orbit

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Does solar energy come from the sun?
• In which period of the day do you sleep—in the morning or at night?
• Show me what it looks like when you orbit around a table or chair.

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about light and dark, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Read about Earth and the moon and orbit around a pretend sun.
• Wiggle your fingers to signal shimmering light each time you read the word sun.
• When reading at night, use a flashlight to demonstrate the power of light in a dark space.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Flip Flop, Clip Clop Word Search As you read, search for words with l blends, such as flag and club. Stand in front of a mirror and say the words you found.
• Week 2: Light Up Compound Words Work together to write a list of compound words with light, such as sunlight, moonlight, lightbulb, and lighthouse. Draw a line to separate the two parts of each word.
• Week 3: Add -ed Write these words in a list: want, need, start, add, orbit. Say each word, and then add –ed. Emphasize the sound –ed makes at the end of each word.

We will begin Module 5, Now You See It, Now You Don’t.  

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child:

solar

period

 orbit

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Does solar energy come from the sun?
• In which period of the day do you sleep—in the morning or at night?
• Show me what it looks like when you orbit around a table or chair.

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about light and dark, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Read about Earth and the moon and orbit around a pretend sun.
• Wiggle your fingers to signal shimmering light each time you read the word sun.
• When reading at night, use a flashlight to demonstrate the power of light in a dark space.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Flip Flop, Clip Clop Word Search As you read, search for words with l blends, such as flag and club. Stand in front of a mirror and say the words you found.
• Week 2: Light Up Compound Words Work together to write a list of compound words with light, such as sunlight, moonlight, lightbulb, and lighthouse. Draw a line to separate the two parts of each word.
• Week 3: Add -ed Write these words in a list: want, need, start, add, orbit. Say each word, and then add –ed. Emphasize the sound –ed makes at the end of each word.

We will continue Module 4, Better Together.  

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: honest, sport, courtesy

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Are you being honest when you tell the truth?
• How can you be a good sport when you play a game?
• How do you show courtesy when you are waiting in line at school?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about being a good citizen, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Take turns picking out a book and talking about courteous behaviors such as being quiet and not interrupting.
• Make a heart shape with your two hands when you read about a character who is trying hard to get along with others.
• Salute good citizens and heroes that you read about in books and magazines.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Search for ch As you read, search for words with ch. Discuss how the ch sound can be at the beginning of a word, such as chin, or at the end, such as much.
• Week 2: Think About This! Work together to make a list of words that begin with th, such as think, thin, and thank. Then stand in front of a mirror and take turns saying the words.
• Week 3: Stomp the Spot Draw a spot on paper, and put it on the floor. Take turns stomping the spot each time you say a word that begins with the st or sp sounds, such as step, stink, study, or spill, spin, space.

We will continue Module 4, Better Together.  

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: honest, sport, courtesy

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Are you being honest when you tell the truth?
• How can you be a good sport when you play a game?
• How do you show courtesy when you are waiting in line at school?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about being a good citizen, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Take turns picking out a book and talking about courteous behaviors such as being quiet and not interrupting.
• Make a heart shape with your two hands when you read about a character who is trying hard to get along with others.
• Salute good citizens and heroes that you read about in books and magazines.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Search for ch As you read, search for words with ch. Discuss how the ch sound can be at the beginning of a word, such as chin, or at the end, such as much.
• Week 2: Think About This! Work together to make a list of words that begin with th, such as think, thin, and thank. Then stand in front of a mirror and take turns saying the words.
• Week 3: Stomp the Spot Draw a spot on paper, and put it on the floor. Take turns stomping the spot each time you say a word that begins with the st or sp sounds, such as step, stink, study, or spill, spin, space.

We have started Module 4, Better Together.

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: honest, sport, courtesy

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Are you being honest when you tell the truth?
• How can you be a good sport when you play a game?
• How do you show courtesy when you are waiting in line at school?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about being a good citizen, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Take turns picking out a book and talking about courteous behaviors such as being quiet and not interrupting.
• Make a heart shape with your two hands when you read about a character who is trying hard to get along with others.
• Salute good citizens and heroes that you read about in books and magazines.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Search for ch As you read, search for words with ch. Discuss how the ch sound can be at the beginning of a word, such as chin, or at the end, such as much.
• Week 2: Think About This! Work together to make a list of words that begin with th, such as think, thin, and thank. Then stand in front of a mirror and take turns saying the words.
• Week 3: Stomp the Spot Draw a spot on paper, and put it on the floor. Take turns stomping the spot each time you say a word that begins with the st or sp sounds, such as step, stink, study, or spill, spin, space.

We are wrapping up Module 3 of our HMH Literacy Unit and will start Module 4, Better Together.

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: honest, sport, courtesy

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Are you being honest when you tell the truth?
• How can you be a good sport when you play a game?
• How do you show courtesy when you are waiting in line at school?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about being a good citizen, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Take turns picking out a book and talking about courteous behaviors such as being quiet and not interrupting.
• Make a heart shape with your two hands when you read about a character who is trying hard to get along with others.
• Salute good citizens and heroes that you read about in books and magazines.

Word Play: Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Search for ch As you read, search for words with ch. Discuss how the ch sound can be at the beginning of a word, such as chin, or at the end, such as much.
• Week 2: Think About This! Work together to make a list of words that begin with th, such as think, thin, and thank. Then stand in front of a mirror and take turns saying the words.
• Week 3: Stomp the Spot Draw a spot on paper, and put it on the floor. Take turns stomping the spot each time you say a word that begins with the st or sp sounds, such as step, stink, study, or spill, spin, space.

Welcome back!

Over the next couple of weeks, our class will continue to learn that animal bodies and animal homes come in many different shapes and sizes. We will read books about animal characteristics, and we will learn how animals use their bodies to survive. Children will explore animals further by writing a research essay about their favorite animals.

Big Idea Words

Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: camouflage, mammal, characteristics

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Which animals use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings?
• What are some words that describe your favorite mammal?
• What kind of special characteristics does a giraffe have? What about a kitten?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day.

During this module about amazing animals, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Imitate animal noises when you read about an animal in a book.
• While reading, point to different animals and decide if they are mammals.
• Build a pretend animal home, like a nest or den, that is described in a book.

Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Consonant, Vowel, Consonant Words Work together to write and say these words: pet, web, pen, wet, leg, hen. Remind your child that CVC words have a short vowel sound in the middle.
• Week 2: Egg Toss Look for words that have double consonants, such as egg, ball, and toss. As you read, have your child point to words with double consonants.
• Week 3: Ships Sail Learn this rhyme: Ships have sails. Fish have scales. Compare the sh and s sounds. Draw a ship and a fish and label both. Circle the sh in both words.

This week, we will continue with week two of our three week unit.

Over the next three weeks, our class will learn that animal bodies and animal homes come in many different shapes and sizes. We will read books about animal characteristics and learn how animals use their bodies to survive. Children will explore animals further by writing a research essay about their favorite animals.

Big Idea Words Reinforce these important topic words when you read or talk with your child: camouflage mammal characteristics Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:

• Which animals use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings?
• What are some words that describe your favorite mammal?
• What kind of special characteristics does a giraffe have? What about a kitten?

Let’s Read Together Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. During this module about amazing animals, try these activities during your reading time together:

• Imitate animal noises when you read about an animal in a book.
• While reading, point to different animals and decide if they are mammals.
• Build a pretend animal home, like a nest or den, that is described in a book.

Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading.

• Week 1: Consonant, Vowel, Consonant Words Work together to write and say these words: pet, web, pen, wet, leg, hen. Remind your child that CVC words have a short vowel sound in the middle.
• Week 2: Egg Toss Look for words that have double consonants, such as egg, ball, and toss. As you read, have your child point to words with double consonants.
• Week 3: Ships Sail Learn this rhyme: Ships have sails. Fish have scales. Compare the sh and s sounds. Draw a ship and a fish and label both. Circle the sh in both words.