The Week of September 19th

Well, it is already Wednesday and I am just getting this updated.


Math

• On Friday we will have a math facts tests.  Students who have not passed off all four operations, need to pick one to focus on and take that test on Friday.
• On Tuesday of next week we will take our Topic 2 test.  This covers addition and subtraction of whole numbers and decimals.

Reading

• We are finishing up with Fountas and Pinnell testing as well as SRI.  These will give us a picture of both fluency and comprehension.
• Our current writing project is an autobiography.

Explorer Unit

• We are finishing up our boxes and our trading cards.  
• We will celebrate on October 10th with Explorer Day.  We will be making different kinds of maps, working with GPS, making boats, and having fun.

BizTown

• We are in the final process of job selection.  From there students will be working with their coworkers to establish a business plan and make final preparations for running their business.
• I am sending home notes regarding volunteering.  Please send these back as soon as possible so that we can organize our staff.
• Students will need to bring a lunch that day.  They should dress in nice but also comfortable clothes.  We will be partnering with another school to run the city.

Monday, September 26th

• No School - Teacher Professional Development

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Listen to your child read each night.  Ask questions about what they are reading.
• Practice math facts.
• Come help with reading or math in the mornings.
• Volunteer for BizTown
• Share a special talent with the class.
• Start practicing states and capitals.
• Continue work on presidential information.
• Discuss current events.

Enjoy these beautiful fall days.  Life is Good.  :)

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What is Happening This Week - September 12

Welcome everyone!
I am very excited for this new method of communication.  I hope that it will be a quick and effective way for you to keep updated on the latest events in our class.  Feedback will definitely be important so that I can make this blog of value to you.

Math
What We Are Doing
This week we will be working with addition and subtraction of whole numbers and decimals.
What You Can Be Doing
1. Please continue to practice math facts.  We would like to have each student pass their tests with 95% accuracy by Christmas Break.
2. Check over nightly homework assignments.
Reading 
What We Are Doing
1. We are building fluency to ensure that all students can read aloud at 120 wpm with 95% accuracy.
2. We are developing strategies for retaining information from our science and social studies textbooks.
3. We are learning about the qualities of good fiction through our reading group stories.
What You Can Be Doing
1. Check to be sure your child is reading a minimum of 20 minutes each day and writing one sentence about each day's reading.  This is turned in each Friday along with their Road to Success folder.
2. Talk with your child about what he or she is reading.
Explorer Project
What We Are Doing
1. We are starting to get the parts for our boxes put together.
2. We are creating our Explorer Trading cards in computer lab
What You Can Be Doing
1. If possible, help your child find more information about his or her explorer.  This can be done on-line or at the public library.
Special Projects/Events
IOWA Test of Basic Skill
We will be doing our annual testing this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Students benefit from sleep and a good breakfast.  Other than that, they just need to do their very best.
Constitution Day
On Friday, we will be honoring Constitution Day, along with the other schools in the district.  This gives us a great opportunity to learn about our freedoms and how they came to be.
Science Fair
We will be sending formal information home soon.  Right now you can be thinking of projects that might be interesting.  Students are typically more motivated when the project involves a personal interest ie. sports, the environment, pets, etc.  The library and internet have many great ideas.
Presidents Wax Museum
Students should be gathering information about their president and getting to know him.  Please remember that girls may choose to be the president's wife.
State Fair
Students should be gathering information about their state.  The goal is to make their state as interesting as possible.

Have a great week and keep checking the blog for updates.
Mrs. French