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!


  

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!  

      

Newsletter 10-27-17

We read about Abraham Lincoln this week.  We also practiced contractions, proper nouns, and author's purpose.  

We had our pumpkins tell about themselves using many proper nouns.

We are finishing topic 4 in math, two-digit addition, and will have a test on Wednesday.  One and two-step story problems are the toughest part of this unit.  Your child is bringing home a practice page today to help them study for the test on Wednesday.  It is not required homework, but it would be very helpful for them to practice the problems on this page.  If they return it on Tuesday or Wednesday with your signature to show that you've reviewed it together, they will get a something to celebrate ticket.     

In social studies, we have been learning about how to use a map key and compass rose.

I'm excited to see the progress that we have made in Reflex Math!  I can see that our students have been spending more time on it lately.  Our goal is to be 100% fluent by Tuesday.  You can check your child's progress by setting up a parent account.  (The instructions are on an earlier blog.)  You can also email me, and I can give you their average usage, green-light frequency, and fluency percentage.  In class, I have had students check in with me to get their percentages and write them in their planners.

Our second-grade goal is to be on Reflex Math at least five days a week, getting a green light at least 80% of the time.  If your child has not made this goal in the last two weeks, I will send you a separate email.  Please take time in the next few days to log in to Reflex with your child.  You can view their progress and help them practice facts they are having difficulty learning.  If they keep skipping these problems or getting them wrong, they will have a hard time making progress.      

I am able to see the benefits of Reflex Math in our class every day.  Multiple studies have shown that students who can automatically recall math facts are more capable problem solvers, learn new math skills more quickly, and are more likely to succeed in their future mathematics courses. The NCTM, National Math Advisory Panel, and other major educational organizations highlight math fact fluency as a central pillar of every student’s mathematics education.

We're excited for the Halloween parade and party on Tuesday!  Thank you to all of our room moms who are helping.  Remember that there are no masks or weapons allowed.

We've had a terrific Red Ribbon week.  Here is a picture of us on sports day.

Thomas earned our citizenship for responsibility.  Fantastic!

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

Newsletter 10-16-17

Reflex Math

Keiper was our second student to earn 100% fluency in math.  Fantastic!  




Our class has been improving in their Reflex Math fluency.  Thank you for helping them remember to practice every day at least until they get to the green light.  The extra time they spend this month will pay off the rest of the year. 









Homework
There is no homework packet because of the short week.  Please have your child use the extra time to work on Reflex Math and to read for the 20-Book Challenge.  

Please remember to send a snack with your child each day.  A water bottle is also helpful, because students can have longer and more frequent drinks.

We won't have school Thursday or Friday.  Enjoy the fall break!

Newsletter 10-11-17

We started a new language arts unit this week. The big idea is working together, so all of our stories will have this theme. We are practicing nouns, cause and effect, and r-controlled vowels. This week we learned about two dogs, Tara and Tiree, who worked together to save their owner, who was in a dangerous situation. Ask your child about it.

We are completing our unit on two-digit addition in math, and we will take the test on Friday. The main strategies we used to solve problems were using a hundreds chart, making an open number line, and breaking apart numbers. We are working on solving one and two-step problems. I'm adding a link with activities to help you work with your child. It has videos of the lesson, a reteaching page you can print, a challenge activity, digital math tool activities and more. I hope you'll take a look:

https://centers.pearsonrealize.com/community/studentcenters/93b21bd7271e4ee1b4fc96191588fb96/?themeName=forest


Reflex Math



Our class has hit the 50% mark on Reflex Math, and I can see that most of our students are getting on regularly.  Our goal of 100% fluency is only three weeks away.  Please encourage your child to do Reflex Math every day.  

We are working on maps and geography in social studies.

There will be no homework next week due to fall break.  Please use the extra time to have your child do Reflex Math, read for the 20-Book Challenge, and do Raz-Kids.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!


  

Newsletter 10-4-17

It was wonderful meeting with all of you last week.  Your children have made so much progress this year, and it was nice to be able to share that with you.  We have a great class!

Since there is no homework packet this week, please have your child use the extra time to do Reflex Math, read, and go on Raz-Kids.  If you haven’t started the 20-Book Challenge, this would be a good week to begin.  It is in the front of your child’s planner.

Jaya is our first student to be 100% fluent in Reflex Math.  Congratulations!

Our class has made some progress in Reflex Math.  We are now at 42% fluency.  Our students who had 30 or more new facts in the last two weeks are Armoni, Eli, Santi, Thomas, Driggs, Tommy, Izzy, Keiper, and Connell.  Terrific!  

Here is a reminder of how to have your child do Raz-Kids.

Kids A-Z Login Instructions 

Step 1: Go to https://www.kidsa-z.com/main/Login 


Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username, kadams125 

Step 3: Your child finds his or her username on the class chart 

Step 4: Your child enters his or her password.

1.  Many of you expressed interest in knowing how to monitor your child’s progress in Reflex math.  Here are the instructions for how to create a parent account.  If you are missing some of the login information check with your child first and then email me if that doesn’t work.

Creating a parent account

Parents can easily monitor their child’s math fluency progress on Reflex with a Reflex Parent Reporting Account.

To set up an account, you will need your child’s Reflex sign in information (their teacher’s Reflex Username, the name of the Reflex Class, 

and your child’s Reflex Password). Your child should have this information if they’re logging on to Reflex regularly.

1. Go to https://www.reflexmath.com 
2. Near the bottom of the screen, click Sign up for a free Reflex Parent Account today!
3. Enter a valid email address as your Username and click Sign Me Up.
4. Click the Activation Link in the email you receive, and create a Password when prompted. 
5. Click Register when done.

Once registered, launch Reflex at https://www.reflexmath.com Log into your new account. Enter your Username (your email address) and Password

and click Submit.

If you do not receive the activation email, please check your junk or spam folder.

 Adding students to a parent account:

If you have other children that are using Reflex, you can add them to your Parent Reporting account to follow their progress.

1. On a PC or Mac, go to https://www.reflexmath.com and log in to Reflex. Enter the Username and Password you created. 
2. Choose Add Student in the lower left corner. After you’ve read the information on the screen, click Continue.
3. Enter your child’s Teacher Username and click Submit.  My teacher Username is 2kadamscsd
4. Select your child’s class from the list.
5. Select your child’s name from the list.
6. Enter your child’s password for Student Password and click Submit.  This is their student ID 

Now when you select your child’s name on the screen, you can look at the reports on your child’s progress in Reflex.

Thank you to all of our classroom volunteers.  I appreciate your help, and our kids love having you at school.  Here is a reminder of our volunteer schedule.  Please let me know if you are not able to make it at your scheduled time.  

Every Monday 9:30-10:30 
Michelle Fawson

 Tuesday 9:30-10:30

         1^st week: Estephany Wolfe

         2^nd week: Megan Hansen

         3^rd week: Alma Mesic

         4^th week: Ali Gleason

Every Wednesday 9:30-10:30

         Monet Palmer

Every Thursday 9:30-10:30

         Michaela Tosh

Every Friday 9:30-10:30

         Staci Caldwell

         Benee Larsen

Work from home

         Deidre Pickering

         Alma Mesic

         Staci Caldwell

Reflections entries are due this Friday.  Children should bring their artwork and paperwork to school that morning. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Enjoy the rest of your week!