This week we will be finishing our personal narratives in Writer's Workshop. After the children finish their final corrections, they will choose how they wish to format their stories and then publish them. While the students have been waiting for their papers to be typed, they have started new stories. This time they are writing pure fiction, which makes for very entertaining reading.
Next quarter in Reading, we will focus on reading comprehension skills once again. It is nice that we are able to have three reading teachers, Mrs. Stock, Mrs. A (a teacher/tutor from Columbus City Schools) and myself three days a week (M, Tu, W). This way we are able to divide the class up and have more focused time on small group work. The children will receive a packet of homework from their reading group. It will go home on Wednesday and will need to be returned the following Wednesday. It will contain three days' worth of review assignments.
There will be no spelling list this week due to the short week and the fact that we are still doing our review work in vocabulary. Next quarter, the spelling lists will be changed to words that are phonetically similar in order to reinforce phonics skills. Homework related to these words will continue to be sent home on Tuesdays. Vocabulary words will still be taken from the green level vocabulary books we currently use.
After completing our first chapter in Social Studies, we will be finishing up a book on Rosa Parks before starting our new science chapter. The social studies tests will be sent home after everyone has completed the test. The special project we started will be put on hold until we return to chapter two after our science chapter is completed.
In Math, we will be working from the format set out in the the Buckle Down Math series. We will still continue to use some pages from the Home Links workbook, but they may be taken out of order. Additional math homework from other resources may be sent home as well. The children are working hard to earn an ice cream sundae by learning all of their math facts to 9. In order to pass from one level to the next and earn a part of their sundae, they must be able to say each fact within two seconds of seeing it. Right now they have been tested on X2. Those still needing to earn their sundae "bowl" will be retested as they are ready. Last week we focused on learning the multiples of 3 and this week will memorize the X3 facts. Your child will be making flashcards as part of tomorrow night's homework and are expected to have them memorized by Friday. Please help your child review daily as once they fall behind, it will be difficult for them to catch up.
You should have seen a green slip come home offering an opportunity to sign your child up for "Highlights for Children" magazine. It is important that you return the signed slip to school regardless of whether or not you decide to purchase this for your child. By returning the signed slip, you will help our class earn a nice free gift that will be very useful in the classroom. Thanks for your help with this.
A belated "thank you" to all who donated money during Hanukah in my name. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Also, thanks to those who were able to type up his/her child's narrative. I know it meant a lot to the children and it was a huge help to me as well.
Have a great week!
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