Saturday, September 24, 2011

September 23rd Newsletter

Mrs. Freeland’s Weekly Note
September 19-23
Spelling:

So far your child has brought home three spelling tests.  I wanted to take a moment to explain how they are graded.  The children are asked to spell each word.  Each time a spelling word is written, it is worth one point.  Bonus words count as one point each and are considered “extra” points.  So, there is a possibility that your child can score above a 100% if they spell their bonus words correctly.  Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Class T-Shirts:

Orders are due on Monday,    September 26.  Please send your child’s order form and payment in an envelope with the words “Class T-Shirt” on the front if you haven’t already. We are excited to design and wear our shirts!

Friday Folders:

Most of the children have been bringing their Friday Folders back on Monday morning. Please be sure that your child’s folder has been signed by someone at home and is returned. Students who consistently return their Friday Folders will receive a reward at the end of the 1st Marking Period.

Reading:

This week our mini-lessons before IDR (Independent Daily Reading) focused on strategies for being a careful reader, which means reading just-right books with accuracy, fluency, and comprehension.  We learned that readers monitor for meaning by:

·         Stopping and thinking “Who? & What?”

·         Rereading what they don’t understand

·         Retelling

·         Using pictures to check for meaning of difficult words

When reading at home with your child, please try a few of these strategies and encourage your student to be a careful reader. 

Science:

The seeds we planted last week have begun to sprout and grow!  We observed a few of the seedlings grow leaves and drop their seed coats.  The children will complete an assessment on plants in the middle of next week. They will be bringing their seedlings home at that point.

Johnny Appleseed Day:

We celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day today, September 23rd.  Thank you to all of the parents who donated supplies and/or their time!  The children enjoyed this extra special event.  

Math:

We are working hard on reviewing math skills, as well as learning new skills in the first unit of our Everyday Math curriculum. Starting next week, you will find daily skills reviews in your child’s Reading Folder. These skill reviews are called Home Links. Please take time to review and discuss the Home Links that come home. Creating a connection between school and home provides an amazing opportunity for students. Something as simple as a 5 minute discussion about our math concepts and skills will greatly benefit your child. We understand that evenings are busy, so please don’t stress if you find it difficult to fit this in, but be sure to send the Home Link back to school with your child’s Reading Folder regardless. 

Christmas Program Lines:

Your child is bringing home lines for the Christmas Program that our music teacher, Mrs. Wiggins, is working on with the students. This is something that your child can use to practice the songs and any lines that they may have been given. It does not have to be memorized right away. Mrs. Wiggins asked that I let parents know that she is getting it out with plenty of time left before the big event.

Reading Folders:

Some students are worried about bringing their reading folders back the next day with a book they haven’t finished. If your child brings home a book that they aren’t able to finish in one night, please reassure them that they can bring it home again the next night. We have discussed this in class and I wanted to let parents know that it is ok for your child to continue to read where they left off the next night.

The following is from Mrs. Kelley:

Hello, from your child’s physical education teacher.  Your child has P.E. twice a week, on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings.  PLEASE help them to remember their tennis shoes.  Many kids just keep their tennis shoes in their locker so that they are prepared.  IF your child has asthma, or any other medical issue I should know about, please send me a note about it, (especially if they have an inhaler that they need to take before they exercise.)  I can be reached at 825-2021, e-mail at: ckelly@mcbain.org, OR I also have information on the school website.  Thank you!

Mrs. Kelley

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