Hi Parents,
We've had such an amazing week. I'm so impressed with the children's hard work this week! We've tackled many new concepts, and I feel as if we are really in the groove and learning so much. Let's keep up the great work! There are a few things I wanted to point out to you. First, we have begun learning our multiplication facts. The children will be expected to memorize these facts. Please use the same "math facts" link below to practice. The children will just need to choose "multiplication" instead of addition or subtraction. We'll begin our x1 on Monday. As always, a printed "100%" will exempt your child from the written test. I am confident we won't have anyone taking the x1 test next Friday, so get your awards in! Our new super secret agenda word is "multiplication!". Write in in your child's agenda Thursday or this weekend for your child to earn a trip to the beloved candy basket!
Check out below to see what we've been learning this week...
Phonics/Grammar: We compared the -ar, -er, and -or sounds in words this week. This has been a bit challenging for some, because the sound often doesn't match the spelling. For example, "worst" contains the -or spelling, but the -er sound. In grammar, we reviewed writing the date correctly. We learned that commas separate the two words and the two numbers. Here's an example, which the children WILL see on the CRCT...Monday, January 5, 2010.
Writing: We completed our autobiographies and illustrations which are hanging in the hallway. If you have a minute, please come by and check them out; they are precious! We will begin our new genre next week, persuasive writing. Get ready for some pretty convincing arguments on such things as why the children should have no homework, why your child deserves a new pet, or why his/her bedtime should be made later!!!!
Reading: This week, we worked on identifying Cause and Effect in a story. We learned that to identify the effect, we ask "What event happened?" and to identify the cause, we ask "Why did this event happen?" We read several Jimmy's Boa books, and made charts to list causes/effects throughout the story. We also finished our chapter read aloud, Stuart Little and took the AR test on it. We began our new chapter book, The Lone Wolf. This is a very challenging book about a wolf pup who was abandoned from its clan because it was born with a deformed paw. The pup miraculously survives on its own. This book contains fabulous vocabulary, which we will be discussing along the way. The children are very excited to hear this wonderful story.
Math: We began our multiplication unit this week. We learned that multiplication is a simpler way of writing repeated addition problems. We learned how to draw "arrays" to solve multiplication problems. Next week, we will learn several other strategies for solving multiplication problems such as using a number line, skip counting, and using a multiplication chart.
Class News and Reminders...
Congratulations to Kaitlyn Ketch for being chosen as our Terrific Kid this month! Way to go, Kaitlyn! She was chosen for her commitment to following our "rules to live by" as well as her dedication to always completing work to her best ability.
Report cards for the third nine weeks will come home next Thursday. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Remember to look on the back of the report card for a more specific example of the requirement for earning a "3". Each quarter, the expectations increase in order to receive a "3".
Please update your calendar with the new agenda items located on the right of this blog!
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