Monday, October 18, 2010

Our trip to the zoo couldn't have been timed more perfectly! This week in reading our story is The Penguin Chick. We'll work on identifying main idea and details as well as summarizing. Our centers will involved activities to practice and reinforce these skills. The kids will also be doing some research on his/her favorite animal. Hopefully they got some good ideas during our trip to the zoo!

The students will be taking our DIBELS fluency assessment on Monday & Tuesday during our small group reading time. Please remind your son/daughter to concentrate and do his/her best on this test.

We took our Unit 2 math assessment on Friday. I am in the process of gathering information to share with your regarding this assessment. Please be looking for it soon, and I will also share it with you during conferences...they are coming up soon!

We are continuing to learn about the human body and maps during science and social studies. Ask your child what the largest pieces of land on earth are called. They should also be able to explain why we use a compass rose. This week, they will work on drawing a map of their bedroom. They'll be asked to give the map a title, a map key, a compass, as well as label important landmarks.

Monday's Homework

• Study spelling words
• Math Journal page 56
• Cursive sheet
• Read

I would like you to continue to record when your child reads at home, however, you'll notice I'm no longer "requiring" a specific number of minutes each night. A parent who is also in education shared an article with me that I found interesting. It stated that many times when we "require" children to read a certain number of minutes, it has a negative effect on them. Kids will start to look at reading as a chore, which obviously, I don't want. SO, I'd like you to continue to encourage your child to pick up books and read at home. As a parent, take the time to write down the minutes and titles in your child's planner just as you have been. You'll find a spot to record titles of books they are reading at the beginning of the planner...page 8, I think, but I don't have the planner home with me, so this may not be correct. Just remember, reading just like any other activity requires practice in order for kids to get better at it, so as always, let's work as partners to help the students become better readers. Read to your child, with your child, and listen to your child read. Hopefully we'll continue to see your child improve his/her reading skills.

Have a good Monday!

Mrs. Vroegh