Monday, September 22, 2008

September 22-26, 2008

Well, it's Autumn! I trust you all enjoyed the wonderful weather this past weekend.

This week in reading we will cover "N" as in Nest. The students will complete activities that involve birds and nests in the writing center this week. Students will also use the word Nightingale to make new words. These activities will give the students to work with words and discover smaller words within that larger word. Students will also learn more about birds during the writing center. We take these activities very serious as they aid us in our reading and understanding of the week's sound and poem.

Students have adjusted well to reading group and centers. They are all very productive during their center time and at the reading table. We are moving right along as we should be. Some of us need to remember to use our whisper voice during our center time. It has not become unbearable, just a little bothersome at times. A gentle reminder from me is usually all that is needed.

Please make sure that you are reading nightly with your child. EVERYONE should be taking at least 3 tests a week, maybe more. I do not think that this is an unreasonable request. I would for our class to try to make more 100s and few less 80s. While 80 is a good indicator of comprehension, I would like for us to make model classroom. Too many 80s will not help us get there. Please make sure that your child has read the book and if they are prepared, place a sticky note on the book that they are prepared to test on. I also placed ReadWell homework in the Reading folder for tonight. Most of the groups are actually ready to leave that unit and move to the next, use that homework, but do not be surprised if I send the next unit's homework home as well this week. Just do what you can, I will not take a homework grade on ReadWell this week.

We will cover Chapter 6 in Math this week. After completing this chapter we will go back and pick up chapters 3 and 4. From that point forward, we will be going straight through the book. Please practice math facts. Students need to know their math facts from memory. Practice at home using the worksheet I sent, and you could print more from http://www.themathworksheetsite.com/ , just keep in mind that the once you request a worksheet and close it out, that same worksheet will not pull up again. This is a good way to practice a 1 minute drill. You may also want to make some flashcards. Students will need to memorize all facts through sums of 18. Start out simple with all the 0 facts, then move to the 1 facts, and so on.

We have begun math centers. These are not as structured centers as our reading centers, but they do give the opportunity for extra instruction when needed. I will have time to do additional work with some of the students to make sure they are understand the concepts as well as work on math facts at school with the students.

Thanks to all of you that have joined PTA. We are currently at 94%, so all we need is about 4 more memberships to make 100%. We are so close, please help us make 100%!

Our t-shirts came in today. I will get those sent home on or by Thursday. I need to make sure we have all of them and sort them. These will be for Friday Spirit wear as well as on field trips, like to see Charlotte's Web on October 14th. We are going to check with Mrs. Green to see if we can wear our shirts on days that we have a speaker coming into the school, as well. As soon as I know about that, I will let you know.

I hope that you have a wonderful week! As always, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to email me and I will try to get with you as soon as possible.

Happy Fall!
Ms. Messick

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