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 SpyeaWords 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, andsail, snail, rain. Read aloud your word lists. 

Literacy:   

Focus: Your child will learn the following sounds and spellings: /ī/ spelled igh, _y, and _ie 

HAVE your child write a word that contains each new sound/spelling and draw a picture of it. 

High-Frequency Words: Have your child practice reading the following words: came, don’t, right, sleep 

Grammar: Your child will learn that adverbs tell more information about verbs by telling how (slowly, quietly), when (today, tomorrow), or where (here, outside). 

Writing:  Students will edit and revise our opinion writing using the elements of an opinion that they learned last week.  Students will introduce the topic, state an opinion, and supply a reason for the opinion in their writing. 

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 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  

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 weparticipatein 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 thatrepresentyour 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 1: You Own This With ’s Write some familiar names. Add ’s to each name. Say a sentence for each name: This is Dad’s shoe. This is Arthur’s book. 
• 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 longivowel sound, such as Mike/like, hide/ride, kite/ bite, time/dime. Write words in pencil, erasing only the letters that change. 

Literacy 

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 todemonstratethe 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 youfound.  
• 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. 

Literacy 

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 todemonstratethe 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 youfound.  
• 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. 

Literacy 

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 youbea 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 toget alongwith 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 forchAs 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 withth, 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 onpaper, andput 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. 

Literacy 

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 youbea 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 toget alongwith 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 forchAs 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 withth, 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 onpaper, andput 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. 

Literacy 

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.

Literacy 

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.

Literacy 

HELLO, FAMILY! 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 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.

Literacy 

HELLO, FAMILY! 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 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.

Literacy: 

We are wrapping up our 2nd week of Module 2 and will start Module 3 this week. 

High Frequency Words: walk, talk 

Phonics Pattern: -al and -alk 

My Family, My Community  

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, our class will learn that we are all valuable members of our families and community, and together we make our class a place to learn and grow. We will read books about neighborhoods, and we will learn that different people work together to help make our communities special. Children will also write a descriptive essay about what makes their world special. 

BRING IT HOME! Learning fun for the whole family! 

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

area  

population  

working  

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:  

• What kind of artwork do we see in different areas of our community? 
• Does a big city have a large or a small population of people? 
• Who are the helpers we see working in our neighborhood?

Let’s Read Together 

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

During this module about belonging to a community, try these activities during your reading time together: 

• Clap your hands when you see pictures of helpers, such as doctors, teachers, and police officers. • Raise your arms when you read about tall buildings. Spread your arms when you read about farms and open spaces. 
• Pantomime different types of jobs as you read about them. Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading. 
• Week 2: Hot Pot 

Get a pot or bucket. On small pieces of paper, write words with the short o vowel sound, such as log and top. Drop each word into the pot and say, for example, “Log in the hot pot!”  

• Week 3: I, O, U!

Write and then say words that begin and end with the same letters, but have different short vowels in the middle, such as hit, hot, hut, or big, bog, bug. 

We are on our 2nd week of Module 2.  

High Frequency Words: walk, talk 

Phonics Pattern: -al and -alk 

My Family, My Community  

HELLO, FAMILY! Over the next three weeks, our class will learn that we are all valuable members of our families and community, and together we make our class a place to learn and grow. We will read books about neighborhoods, and we will learn that different people work together to help make our communities special. Children will also write a descriptive essay about what makes their world special. 

BRING IT HOME! Learning fun for the whole family! 

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

area  

population  

working  

Try to incorporate questions like these into everyday conversations:  

• What kind of artwork do we see in different areas of our community? 
• Does a big city have a large or a small population of people? 
• Who are the helpers we see working in our neighborhood?

Let’s Read Together 

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

During this module about belonging to a community, try these activities during your reading time together: 

• Clap your hands when you see pictures of helpers, such as doctors, teachers, and police officers. • Raise your arms when you read about tall buildings. Spread your arms when you read about farms and open spaces. 
• Pantomime different types of jobs as you read about them. Word Play Play with words to help develop skills that are important for reading. 
• Week 2: Hot Pot 

Get a pot or bucket. On small pieces of paper, write words with the short o vowel sound, such as log and top. Drop each word into the pot and say, for example, “Log in the hot pot!”  

• Week 3: I, O, U!

Write and then say words that begin and end with the same letters, but have different short vowels in the middle, such as hit, hot, hut, or big, bog, bug.