Reading We have been talking about and practicing REAL READING instead of fake reading. If your child hasn't already talked to you about this, Real Reading involves not only the TEXT but THINKING as well. Thinking about our thinking is called Metacognition. I am trying to help them be aware of their thinking while they read. This is important for comprehension. In Real Reading we make connections, ask questions, predict, make inference, etc at the same time that we read the text.
Writing We are at the end of writing a short opinion essay about "What can I do to make our country better." You and your child can then decide if you want to enter their essay in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Essay Contest. Forms will be sent home for signature if you decide to enter.
Math We are working hard on getting everyone through their multiplication facts by December. Please work with your student on these essential skills. The IXL and Lake Oswego links (in my link page) are great ways to practice those facts with the timer. We have begun using the Bridges Curriculum for math in order to align with the common core standards. This is a hands on, multi-strategy math curriculum. I love it and so far so do the kids! We are working on Multiplication and Division then heading into Prime and Composite numbers.
Spelling Yes, it's true... if your child said they don't have to take the spelling test on Friday because they got 100% on their pretest, it's true. I am seeing kids miss the same words week after week because they are not studying those words. The spelling words are written each week in their agenda or on a piece of paper that should make its way home. This, however, does not exempt them from skills work or spelling homework. This only exempts them from testing again those words they spelled correctly already.
Things to be aware of:
* Box Tops Drive is in full swing for the month of October. Clip and save your box tops then send them to school with your child to help earn money for our school! Our class is currently in 3rd place, let's make it 1st!
* Thank you to all who sent in post it notes! We use these alot in writing and reading for taking notes and making connections.
* Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up next week. The whole week is EARLY RELEASE. I'm so excited to meet with each of you. There are two ways that we can meet for conferencing:
1. You and your student. I'd love for your student to be able to show you some of the things they have been working on for the first few minutes. Then, we would have some time to talk without your child as well if that's what you'd like, or they can stay.
2. Just you. This is will give us time to talk about your student and any concerns you may have.
You choose which format feels most comfortable.
Writing We are at the end of writing a short opinion essay about "What can I do to make our country better." You and your child can then decide if you want to enter their essay in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Essay Contest. Forms will be sent home for signature if you decide to enter.
Math We are working hard on getting everyone through their multiplication facts by December. Please work with your student on these essential skills. The IXL and Lake Oswego links (in my link page) are great ways to practice those facts with the timer. We have begun using the Bridges Curriculum for math in order to align with the common core standards. This is a hands on, multi-strategy math curriculum. I love it and so far so do the kids! We are working on Multiplication and Division then heading into Prime and Composite numbers.
Spelling Yes, it's true... if your child said they don't have to take the spelling test on Friday because they got 100% on their pretest, it's true. I am seeing kids miss the same words week after week because they are not studying those words. The spelling words are written each week in their agenda or on a piece of paper that should make its way home. This, however, does not exempt them from skills work or spelling homework. This only exempts them from testing again those words they spelled correctly already.
Things to be aware of:
* Box Tops Drive is in full swing for the month of October. Clip and save your box tops then send them to school with your child to help earn money for our school! Our class is currently in 3rd place, let's make it 1st!
* Thank you to all who sent in post it notes! We use these alot in writing and reading for taking notes and making connections.
* Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up next week. The whole week is EARLY RELEASE. I'm so excited to meet with each of you. There are two ways that we can meet for conferencing:
1. You and your student. I'd love for your student to be able to show you some of the things they have been working on for the first few minutes. Then, we would have some time to talk without your child as well if that's what you'd like, or they can stay.
2. Just you. This is will give us time to talk about your student and any concerns you may have.
You choose which format feels most comfortable.