Newsletter 11-15-17

ELA
We read Bremen Town Musicians last week and performed it in our classroom on Friday.  We also practiced plural nouns and cause and effect.  This week we're working on possessive nouns and comparing and contrasting.

Math
We have been working on different strategies for subtracting two-digit numbers.  Our main strategies are using a hundred chart, drawing an open number line, and breaking apart numbers.  We will be taking the topic 5 math test on Thursday, and a review page went home today.  Please have your child do it tonight to review for the test.  It helps a lot if you go over it with your child.  Students who bring it back tomorrow with a parent signature will get a something to celebrate ticket. 

Social Studies
We learned about voting and elections in the United States.  We had our own mock election of storybook characters in our classroom.  It was a close race, but the pigeon won!

We learned about Veteran's Day and wrote these acrostic poems.

Reflex Math

Look at us!  I'm so proud of our students for working hard and improving every day.  Our goal is to be at 80% by the end of the week, and we're working together to meet it.  Please make sure your child is getting on Reflex at least five days a week and getting a green light at least 80% of the time. 

Eli got 100% fluency just in time for the party.  Fabulous!

rad KIDS

Last week in radKIDS your child received a family manual!  This manual reviews all the safety strategies we teach in radKIDS.  Please ask your child about it.   We discussed danger and emergencies (pages 1-14 in the Family Safety Manual). We also learned some radKIDS moves to help us defend ourselves if we are attacked (radKIDS stance, blocking and peppering).  Please help your child practice dialing 911 on your phones and create a family password.  

This week in radKIDS we will discuss school and home safety (pages 15-21, 24-25 in the family manual). We will also learn more defensive moves (high hammer fist, low hammer first, and elbow strikes).   If you have any questions please email Melanie Ferguson, radKIDS coordinator, at melanieferg8@gmail.com.     

    

Book Orders
Your child brought home a book order yesterday with a large selection of books, but you can also look online at https://clubs.scholastic.com/newparent to see more.  Just type in our class code GYPDT or type in my name.  I have recommended some of my favorite fiction books and science books that go with our curriculum.  Books make great Christmas books, and some are as low as a dollar.  Please have your order in by Tuesday, November 21.   

Other News
Please make sure your child is returning their completed homework on time each week.  There will be no homework next week or the following week, since it is a review week.  Students should use the extra time to read and do Reflex Math.

We're excited for our field trip on Tuesday, November 28.  Thank you for returning the permission slips.  We had so many parents offer to chaperone, but we have a limit on the number of parents we can take.  We'll have another field trip in May, so you'll have another chance if you don't get to go on this one.   

If you are going on vacation, please fill out the Canyons District vacation release form in the office at least five school days before you leave.  You can also print the one I sent in the email.  The office will give me a copy of the form, which will give me time to get work ready for your child.  Also, approved vacation releases do not count on your child's attendance.  Please note that there is a maximum of ten vacation days a year. 

Please make sure your child is reading every day and working on the 20-book challenge.  The form is in the front of the planner.  I included a copy in the email in case you need another copy.  Students can bring it in every five books for a prize, or they can bring it at the end and get all four prizes. 

We are still trying to get donations at DonorsChoose.org to fund two iPads for our classroom.  Students will be able to use these to create science presentations, which will increase their comprehension and further their technology skills.  We've already had three donations and would love more!  Here's the link: iPads for Mini Learners 

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!  

Newsletter 11-4-17

ELA
We learned about economics when we read Scarcity this week.  We also practiced words with r-controled vowels, plural nouns, and facts and details.

Math
We finished up our two-digit addition unit with our test on Wednesday.  I was pleased to see how many of you did the practice page with your children.  It really helped!  We started two-digit subtraction on Thursday.  We are using the same strategies we used with addition but reversed.  

Halloween
We had a great Halloween party with crafts, games, and stories.  Thank you to our room moms who made it such a fun day!

Reflex Math

We are making so much progress in Reflex Math!  It's exciting to see our percentage steadily increasing.  The goal is still at least five days a week with a green light 80% of the time.  Signing up for a parent account will you let you get this information.  You can also email me, and I'll send it to you.  

Our students who had 100% fluency and our students who were meeting the goal of 5 days a week and 80% green lights for the last month got to go to our party.  They covered the teachers with whipped cream!

Please keep reading for the 20-book challenge.  The PTA has fun prizes for 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%.

Picture retakes will be this Monday.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  Our students are such hard workers.  I appreciate all of your help at support at home.  We have a great class!