So long September!

It is hard to believe this is the last week in September! Room 123 has been an extremely busy place this past month.  Thank you so much for your support of all that goes on in our school and in our classroom.  Take a look at what is going on this week.

READING

Our whole group sound will be /d/ as in dinosaur.  We will spend time learning  new facts about some of our favorite dinosaurs.  This is a review week for word wall words.  Your child should be able to read all of the word wall words to date without hesitation.  Remember word wall words should not be sounded out but memorized and read without any hesitation.  We will have unannounced word wall checks three times during the nine weeks.  All groups should have at least 2  homework story pages by now.  Do not remove homework stories, the children will need these for partner reading.  Practice these as often as possible as part of the 20 minutes of reading. Old homework stories should also be read, research shows repeated readings is one of the best ways to improve fluency and increase comprehension.  Homework stories should be read  fluently (at smooth rate) and accurately (no mistakes while reading the passage).

Many of the children have been taking AR tests! Please continue to send in a note letting me know when your child is ready to take a test.

MATH

We will continue in Chapter 5 and test at the end of the week.  Just look for the review sheet, it does not have to be returned.  We will also continue with our number sense activities.  This week I will introduce Math Fact in a Flash to the children. Math Facts in a Flash is a computer program that quizzes the children on their math facts(beginning with addition) and times them at the same time. Please watch for a detailed letter to come home explaining Math Facts in a Flash.  I hope you read your Home Connect letter that gave you your child’s user name and password to use so you may view and receive by email each time your child takes an AR test or Math Facts Test.  If you are unsure how to do this please contact me and I will help you! I really encourage the children to practice their Math Fact at home because it will help them to memorize their facts instead of counting on their fingers.

LANGUAGE

I am introducing our next grammar rule tomorrow, specific places begin with a capital letter.  Once a rule is introduced we will continue to practice it in sentences.

A Few Reminders

• Nancy’s Italian Ice will be served EVERY Monday beginning tomorrow. YAY!! That will be so much easier to remember!!  Please send in $1 labeled Ice if you want your child wants one.  Flavor choices are Cool Blue and Birthday Cake.

• If your child is absent, please send me an email letting me know.  We are required to document that we’ve made contact with you if your child is out.  An email will really be helpful so that I don’t have to make a phone call during our busy day.  THANKS!

• Our Just Give campaign has been extended to November 1.  Also if you haven’t joined the PTA please do so.  The children will be looking for the 100% to go up by our class name in the lunchroom when everyone has joined.  Membership is $10.

• Our Fall Festival is scheduled for October.  This is a really fun event.  Wristbands can be preordered until October 13th, t-shirts can be ordered until October 1.  These t-shirts can be worn as Spirit wear on Friday.

Have a wonderful week and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you for sharing your greatest blessings with me!

Hugs!