August 31, 2015

Week of August 24-28, 2015

First full week of school

We have completed our first full week of school and I believe we were successful. The children have had the opportunity to attend all of their specials and know the expectations when they are in those classes. 

This week we worked on laying the foundation for the Daily 5-Read to Self and the Math Daily 3-Math by Myself. The guidelines the children have learned are important in order for them to be independent and include: staying in their own bubble space, read or do their math the whole time, work quietly, get started right away, read or work quietly and build stamina. We also discussed why we do Read to Self-to become better readers and Math by Myself-to become better at math. One of the biggest reasons we discussed was that reading and math are FUN. 

Friday folders will be coming home. Inside the Friday folders there is an explanation of what they are, any completed work and an explanation of reading logs. There is also a copy of their backwards timed test we took on addition. In a backwards timed test the children are given 10 minutes and they work until they finish the test. When they have completed the test they write down the time they completed it at so that they can see how they improved their addition fluency over time.  Fluency with addition facts is important as we transition to multiplication so please continue to practice these facts at home.  If you have any questions regarding the Friday folder please feel free to contact me. 

Reminders:

• If you have not returned all of the paperwork from the red folder that was given to you the night of Meet the Teacher please return it promptly. 
• Agendas are to be signed nightly by an adult. The agenda is a good way for you to double check the homework that your child should be completing as well as see how their day went in regards to behavior. 
• Earbuds/headphones were left off the supply list so if you have not already sent a pair in please do so, we will need them in the computer lab. 

August 20-21, 2015

First Days of School

The first two days of school have gone well. We have been working on organizing our supplies and getting books passed out. We have gone on a classroom tour so that everyone knows where certain materials are kept and where they need to return them to when they are finished with those supplies. 

On the first day of school we did a class activity to help us develop our Class Rules Contract. The children worked in 5 small groups to answer 6 questions that were placed around the classroom. As we reviewed the answers to the questions we were able to notice things that were common about the answers which helped us develop our class rules contract. All of the children have read the contract, signed it and have a copy in their folder for you to keep at home. We also reviewed how our clip chart works in our classroom and everyone received their first tickets of the school year. 

Just a few quick reminders as we start our first full week of school next week:

• Please remember to return all paperwork to school including the signature page from the handbook letting me know that you have read the handbook with your child.
• Please remember to look at your child's agenda each night to review their homework and check to see if they have completed their homework thoroughly.
• In the handbook the PARCC was listed as the testing format for this year however that has changed and the test with be the AIR.
• The children are permitted to bring a water bottle for class but please make sure it has a lid that fits tightly and does not leak
• As we are getting back in to the swing of the school year the children have expressed that they would like to bring a snack to have in class. Our lunch is not until 12:55 and some children are getting hungry before that while some children are getting hungry after lunch. We will determine an appropriate time to have a snack, so your child is permitted to bring one in. Please make sure it is a healthy snack, such as fruit or cut up vegetables, something that will fuel their brain but not be too messy and is will be quick to eat.
• Friday folders are not coming home this week because there was only two days of school, but they will come home next Friday. The children received their take home folders today and are bringing those home. Please leave a copy of their specials in one outside pocket and a copy of their spelling words for the week in the other outside pocket. 
• Just as a reminder the spelling words are sent home on the Friday before the test for those students who like to study over the weekend. A spelling packet will go home on Monday.
• One supply was left off of the supply list, if you could please have your child bring in head phones or ear buds in a ziploc bag labeled with their name, we will be using them in the classroom and in the computer lab. 

I am looking forward to our first full week next and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.