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Ms. Chalstrom's Language Arts Class

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Literacy 10/28/2019-11/1/2019

Hello Parents!
This week we are starting our non fiction reading and writing.  We will also meet the new super kid Lily.  We will identify the /l/ sound in the beginning and ends of words.  We will also continue to blend sounds together to create words!
 
Word Work: We will continue to grow our sight word bank this week adding the new words: was, look, and in. 
Reading: This week we will begin identifying if a book is fiction or non-fiction. Students will use informational text to learn about the world around them and then transfer that knowledge into their writing. Non-Fiction books really ignite a love of reading and a passion for seeking out new information. I am really excited to begin this unit! Students will continue to practice buddy reading and supporting the success of each other. 
Writing: Students will complete a non-fiction writing sample (pre-assessment) and then begin their study of Non-fiction text features. Students will learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction writing. 
Supporting Your Student at Home:
You should have received an email with your student's login information for the Super Kids Website. Students can access engaging literacy games and leveled reading materials at home.
Please keep reading with your child for at least 20 minutes a day!

Literacy Update 10/21/19-10/25/19

Hello Families!
 
I am so proud of the students in our literacy class.  They are showing so much independence and perseverance!
 
This week we will add the sight words "can", "and", and "for" to our sight word bank.  We will meet our new Superkid Sal, and work on beginning sounds, blending letters together and phonetic spelling. We will also continue labeling, writing and adding details to our personal narratives!
 
We will start our "meet with the teacher" small groups on Tuesday.  
 
How to support your child at home:
Please login to the Superkids Portal, there are now 6 units available.  Continue reading with your child for at least 20 minutes a night!  
 
If you need help logging into the portal let me know.
 
Laura Chalstrom

Literacy Update 10/14/2019

Hello Parents!
This week we will continue on our Superkids journey, meeting the new Superkid Doc! We are going to practice all letter sounds, and master routines. 
Word Work: We will continue to grow our sight word bank this week learning the words; it, is and can. We will practice reading and spelling CVC words, switching out the vowel to make new words. 
Reading: We will grow our reading stamina using our tools and strategies. Students will continue to be "Super Readers" by learning "Pointer Power." (Students will point to each word as they read)
Writing: Students will start writing a new personal narrative.  Students will come up with a detailed picture, labels, and attempt to write a sentence (using the writing rubric).
Supporting Your Student at Home:
You should have received an email with your student's login information for the Super Kids Website. Students can access engaging literacy games and leveled reading materials at home. Take the time with your student to check it out! 

9/23/19-9/25/19

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  This week in Literacy our students will write about what they love to do in fall.  Students will illustrate a picture, and try to label it.  Students will be able to glue words under the picture to make a sentence. 
 
Students will also be continuing to practice reading a book, strategies on how to figure out tricky words, and building stamina.  
 
I am very excited to show you the growth your child has made during Parent-Teacher conferences at the end of the week!
 
Please keep practicing letter sounds and rhyming with your child at home!
 
Laura Chalstrom

Theater Auditions information

Westgate, in conjunction with Missoula Children’s Theater, presents, Pinocchio!

Westgate is pleased to announce our new partnership with Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT) for the 2019-2020 school year! Missoula Children’s Theater is the nation’s largest traveling children’s theater and has been touring the US for 50 years. Over the period of one week, MCT holds auditions and rehearsals and finishes the week with two performances. They provide the directors, sets, lights, costumes and props, makeup and everything else it takes for a production, except the cast. Westgate will be holding open auditions for students K-12 to cast the 50-60 roles for the production. Students must be able to attend the entire audition to be eligible to be cast.  

Auditions:

Who: Any student K-12 may participate in auditions

When: Auditions will be held Monday, October 14th from 4:00-6:00PM in the gym

If students are cast, the rehearsal schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 14, 2019 6:15pm-8:15pm

Tuesday, October 15, 2019 3:45pm-8:00pm (15 minute break from 5:45-6:00)

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 3:45pm-8:00pm (15 minute break from 5:45-6:00)

Thursday, October 17, 2019 3:45pm-8:00pm (15 minute break from 5:45-6:00)

Friday, October 18, 2019 3:45pm-8:00pm (15 minute break from 6:45-7:00)

Please note-not all students are required at every rehearsal. Individual schedules will be given out after auditions. Students who are cast should pack a snack for before rehearsal and for during the break.

Cost: If cast, the cost for participation is $60 payable to Westgate by 3:30pm on October 15th

Performances:

Performances of Pinocchio will be held at Westgate on Saturday, October 19th at 3:00 and 5:30pm. Tickets will be $5.

Parent Support:

Homestays: We are in need of a homestay for our two wonderful directors. Each must have their own private bedroom to sleep. Our directors do not need to stay in the same house, but only have one vehicle. If you are interested, please contact Chelsea Crow at [email protected] for additional information.

Accompanist: We will need a piano accompanist for the performance. The accompanist must be able to read music and must be available for rehearsal from Wednesday on. A meeting with the directors will be held before or after the audition on Monday to pick up the score. If you are interested, please contact Chelsea Crow at [email protected] for additional information.

 

StudentRubricNarrativeK

This rubric will help you to better understand the steps we will be taking to grow our writing as well as the grading expectations for our personal narrative unit. Your student and I will also be referencing this rubric to reflect on your student's writing and set individual writing goals.

Literacy 9/16/1-9/20/19

Hello Parents!
This week we will continue mastering the routines and expectations of reader's and writer's workshop. We will also begin week two of our journey learning about the Super Kids Adventures while working specifically on the letters g,o,a,c, and d. 
Word Work: We will continue to grow our sight-word bank by adding the words, see, is, a, I, the and at. Students will also focus on phonemic spelling on whiteboards. 
Reading: We will grow our reading stamina using new tools and strategies. Students will learn their first "super power," picture power.  Students will look over pictures in the books and predict what will happen next. 
Writing: Students will continue to work on illustrating and labeling their pictures.  They will start to write a sentence about their picture and start thinking about ideas for their personal narratives. 
Supporting Your Student at Home:
You should have received an email with your student's login information for the Super Kids Website. Students can access engaging literacy games and leveled reading materials at home. Take the time with your student to check it out.

Literacy 9/9/19-9/13/19

This week in Literacy we will meet the Superkid "Alf" and his dog "Golly."
We are focused on fluent use and understanding of the letters C,O,G, and A. 
 
We will continue working on spelling CVC words and labeling our pictures. 
Students will also continue practicing partner reading and reading by themselves. 
 
Please continue to read to your child at least 20 minutes a day.  You can also ask your child to point out certain letters and letter sounds and the sight words (the, is, I, and a).

Kindergarten Literacy 9/3/19 - 9/6/2019

Hello literacy class families! 
 
This message is to notify you that your child is in my literacy class! We will begin switching to our literacy classes tomorrow for the entire literacy block. If you want to learn more about what I teach and how my class runs, you can view my curriculum night presentation .
 
This week we are working on identifying beginning sounds of words, and the letter c and o (short)  sounds.   We will also illustrate and label pictures.  
 
I am very excited to have your child in my class!