Newsletter 12-18-17

ELA
We read Dear Juno and learned about different ways to communicate.  I had a friend teach our class sign language, and the kids learned to sign the alphabet and some of their favorite words.

We continued to work on verbs, including subject/verb agreement.  Our comprehension skill was drawing conclusions.  We also learned how to write opinion essays.  We wrote letters to Santa stating our opinion that we have been good this year.

Math
We took our Topic 6 test on subtraction with regrouping.  Thank you to those of you who did the practice test with your children.  It made a big difference!

Reflex Math


We are working our way back up and are excited whenever we go up another percentage point!  Please have your child continue to do Reflex Math at least three times a week over the break.  Try to make sure they are getting the green light each time and not skipping problems they don't know.  Even if students have made it to 100% fluency, they can still drop down if they don't get on regularly or if they forget some of the facts.  

Shaylyn earned 100% fluency.  Excellent! 

Oliver earned 100% fluency.  Fantastic! 

Trey is our latest student to earn 100%.  Outstanding!

Valery earned our citizenship award for caring!

It's been wonderful to hear the students give their tradition reports.  We have seen different ways that families celebrate important events, and we have learned about other cultures. 

Donor's Choose
We only have a short time left to get donations to fund two iPads for our classroom.  Our request expires January 18, so there is not much time!  Students will be able to use the iPads to create science presentations, which will increase their comprehension and further their technology skills.  We've already had three donations, including a parent in our class, and we would love more!  Here's the link: 
iPads for Mini Learners 

We had fun singing for the other grade levels at our assembly.  Our kids looked adorable in their hippo hats, and we even got a visit from Santa!

Thank you for the Christmas gifts and nice cards.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Please have your child do the three R’s over the break: reading, Reflex, and Raz-Kids.

School resumes January 2.  Have a wonderful holiday break!

  

Newsletter 12-9-17

ELA
We read Pearl and Wagner this week, and we talked about how working with others can help with a creative idea.  We practiced long e words, and we started learning about verbs. We spent a lot of time on author's purpose, which is still a tricky concept.  When your child is reading at home, please ask them why the author wrote the book: to persuade, inform, or entertain.  

Math
We are finishing topic 6, subtraction with regrouping.  With a lot of practice, we have become experts in regrouping.  Common mistakes include subtracting the top number from the bottom number in the ones column.  (More on the floor, go next door, get ten more!)  Another one is that students sometimes regroup when they don't have to.  (More on top, no need to stop!)  Our biggest challenge is story problems, especially ones that have two steps.  We will continue to work on them and have the test on Tuesday.

Social Studies
We finished landforms and map skills this week.  Next week we will be using our presentations to learn about how families pass on traditions and customs, including ones from other cultures.    

Reflex Math


With a new student joining our class, we dropped down to 81%, but we've already moved back up to 82%.  We have four more students who are so close to getting 100%!  Please make sure your child is getting on Reflex at least five days a week with 80% green lights.

Driggs earned 100% fluency.  Way to go!

radKIDS
We finished radKIDS this week and had our graduation on Friday.  It was great to see so many parents there supporting us.  Here are a few pictures, in case you weren't able to make it.

Message from instructors:  Thank you parents for your amazing attendance at radKIDS graduation!   We have loved teaching your children, and we hope you will remind them often how special they are and that "No one has the right to hurt them!"   

We couldn't continue teaching this incredible program without you!!   We are accepting radKIDS donations all year. You can give in the main office or donate online at  https://foundation.canyonsdistrict.org/index.php/donate.  Thanks SO much for your  ongoing support!   

If you would like more information about radKIDS please check out our website or watch these success stories about radKIDS in the news:

 www.radkids.org

 http://www.good4utah.com/new/local-new/8-year-old-south-jordan-boys-fights-off-would-be-abductor/495783133

 http://www.kens5.com/news/education/close-call-highlights-the-benefit-of-schools-curriculum/393165446

We got to listen to our Sunrise Singers on Friday, including Madelyn and Elise.  

We had a visit from the Living Planet Aquarium on Monday.  They taught us about tropical rainforests around the world and reinforced our map skills.  We got to see and touch live animals and learn about how they adapt to their environments.

Upcoming Events

Remember that holiday tradition reports are due on Wednesday.  We'll do a few each day until winter break.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Reminders

Several students are forgetting their snacks every day.  Please remind your student to bring a healthy snack each day.  Some students bring a snack (cereal, crackers, goldfish, etc.) in a large bag at the beginning of the week and eat a little each day.  Other students keep their snacks for the week (granola bars, snack packs, etc.) in their backpacks and eat one each day.  Some students keep an emergency snack in their backpack, in case they forget to pack one.

Thank you for your support.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

Newsletter 12-1-17

Thanksgiving
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  We had fun in class learning about the first Thanksgiving, writing about about what we are grateful for, graphing our favorite foods, and making a turkey craft.

Report Cards

Report cards were sent home today.  Here are some things to keep in mind as you look over the report.

Please remember this is a progress report.  We will be revisiting and reteaching all of these skills throughout  the school year.

What each score means:

3 : On Track at this Time - Student is on track to master this standard by the end of the school year.  This means they have met the first set of requirements for the standard.  Additional requirements will be added as we progress through the year.  

2 : Progressing - Student is making progress toward meeting the standard at this time; sometimes demonstrating skills needed to meet standards, at other times showing a lack of understanding or ability to apply the concept or skills.  This means the student has been inconsistent with showing mastery of the skill.  I will continue to monitor and reteach    
the skills until I feel they are consistently showing mastery.    

1 : Insufficient Progress - Student is showing risk of not mastering the standard by the end of the year and is receiving intervention support. The student is receiving tier 2 support or additional reteaching in a small group setting to help the student progress towards mastery.

Remember that the learning skill "Completes tasks on time" includes classwork and homework.

Language Arts
We reviewed unit two this week and practiced with stories, games, and online quizzes on Quizizz.  We took a cumulative test on all the comprehension, phonics, and grammar skills we have learned.    

Math
We are still working on two-digit subtraction, using the standard algorithm.  Regrouping can be tricky, but the more we practice, the better we get.  I have noticed a big difference in students who know their math facts.  Once they have mastered the regrouping, the rest is quick and easy.         

Reflex Math



We are working together and getting closer to our 100% fluency goal.  We are hoping to be at 85% by Monday.  We have several students who have made their individual goals:

Congratulations, Thomas!

Way to go, Lucy!

Fantastic, Connell!

Terrific, Izzy!

Social Studies
We worked more on landforms this week.  We did a great Nearpod lesson.  Ask your child about it!

Assembly
We had a fun assembly with awards and a magician.  

Madelyn earned the citizenship award.  Congratulations!

Lucy magically made a live rabbit appear!

Tommy got to be part of an entertaining skit.


Field Trip
We had a great time at the Natural History Museum!  There was so much to explore.  Thank you to our parent volunteers who helped out that day.

radKIDS
This week in radKIDS we discussed out and about safety, dog defense, fire safety and Internet safety (pages 21-23, 26-33 in the family manual).  We also learned the last of our defensive moves (toe strike, heel strike, and shin kicks).    Please plan/review with your child your family escape route and meeting place in a fire or other emergency.  Please also ask your child to explain what the Sight-Sound-Distance Rule is.  If you have any questions please email Melanie Ferguson, radKIDS coordinator, at melanieferg8@gmail.com.  radKIDS graduation will be Friday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m.  Hope you can be there!

Business
We have a traditions report coming up.  Students will report on a holiday tradition from another country or on a family tradition.  It will be three to four minutes long and will be a good opportunity to practice speaking skills.  Visual aids are encouraged.  I will send home more information on Monday, but you can start thinking about it now.  They will be presenting December 13-19.

Please remember to send a healthy snack for your child each day.  A water bottle is also a good idea.  Students can get longer and more frequent drinks when their water bottle is right in our classroom.   

Our food drive starts next week.  Please encourage your child to help with this important service project.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  Have a great weekend!