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.