September 16th-September 20th

We have an exciting week ahead in Room 117!

This week, we will begin to introduce the Zones Of Regulation!  This is a program designed to help students to independently recognize and regulate their emotions.  The four zones where our emotions fall are the Blue Zone (where students may feel tired, bored, sad, sick, hurt, etc.); the Green Zone (where students are ready to learn, happy, relaxed, focused, etc.); the Yellow Zone (where students may feel nervous, overwhelmed, annoyed, silly, confused, etc.); and the Red Zone (where students may feel angry, mad, terrified, elated, out of control, etc.).  The goal for all students is to regulate their emotions into the Green Zone where they are the most ready to learn.  We will be teaching students strategies and tools for regulating their emotions where they are in each zone and practice using these "tools" in daily situations.  In each weekly blog, I will include our "Tool of the Week" and any other important information about this program.

*Reading:  In reading this week, we will begin discussing the purposes of writing and learn about the genres towards the end of the week.  We will talk about each of these genres and view/read examples of each: historical fiction, fable, legend, fiction, biography, fantasy, science fiction, myth, and nonfiction.
*RtI Reading:  In continuation with our non-fiction unit, we will read Games Around the World this week and compare/contrast the various traditions around with world.
*Math: This week, we are focusing on the $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills.  We will practice determining how much money to pay for example purchases and continue to add and subtract money.
*Language Arts: Students will receive both a new Read Naturally story and new spelling words this week.
*Social Studies (7-8th grades only):  We are starting our Ancient Civilizations unit on Monday.  This unit will take us into the month on October.  We will begin discussing Mesopotamia and complete several hands-on activities to display what it was like to get water, food, and shelter in ancient times.

*Reminders*
-Thursday, September 19th: Walking trip to CVS pharmacy (Students can bring money with them if they would like to purchase a snack at the store.)

Have a wonderful weekend!