January 8th weekly news
Brrrrrrr…..it’s CHILLY out!!
This email is filled with lots and lots of important and useful information. January is the start of quarter 3 and is the busiest quarter of the school year.
Spelling tests: Beginning the week of January 22nd and lasting until the end of the year, we will only have 1 spelling test a week, and it will be on Fridays. There will no longer be an opportunity to re-test. The spelling list will also increase from 10 to 15 words a week, starting February 5th. This helps prep the students for second grade when they need to spell 15 with an increase to 20 words a week.
Math: Timed math tests will begin next week, January 16th, with the 4’s. We did a practice test each day last week and will continue with a few practice tests this week . Each student will make flash cards and will keep them in their desks. I highly encourage all students to have both addition and subtraction flash cards at home to practice nightly.
You will receive their first study sheet next Friday in preparation for the test the following Wednesday.
The test is timed for 2 minutes and they need to answer 25 addition facts. There will be all combination of 4’s up to 12. Ex. 4+12, 12+4, 11+4, 4+11 and so on down to 4+0.
Everyone takes the test on Wednesday.
Those who receive 100% do not need to re-take the test for the rest of the week.
Those that did not get 100% re-take on Thursday, and if need be on Friday, too. Be prepared for tears the first few weeks. This is a new concept and many expect perfection. It is hard to do 25 facts in 2 minutes (especially with 6, 7, 8, and 9 math facts.)
Friday’s grade is the final grade I take.
Footprints: We will continue with 1 Footprint sent home and 1 done in class a week. We have 9 to complete for the quarter. We will begin to write on smaller lined paper, which preps them for 2nd grade.
We will complete our first Footprint together next week. We will talk about using the word ‘and’ in our sentences to join two ideas together. Our sentences should be a bit longer and filled with more details from the story.
Most students should be completing these with little assistance.
We are still having a difficult time understanding how to correctly use quotations and dialog in our sentences, so I am asking that there are NO QUOTES in their HOME Footprints.
I promise these have a purpose!! If done correctly, they will learn to become independent writers who will be able to summarize any story given to them, which is a key tool needed in 2nd grade.
I updated the calendar and created a few sign up lists to the Shutterfly account. We have many in-class projects and events these next few months, and I need your help. Please take a look at the lists and see if there is anything you are able to contribute to the class. Thank you very much!
1st event is 100th day. Each student makes a necklace (with 100 beads each) and a trail mix with (100 food items). This will take place on Thursday January 25th.
2nd event is Dr. Seuss in class project. Please send in shoe boxes for diorama. There are other materials and supplies that are needed as well. We will start this project January 29th.
3rd event is Leprechaun Trap. We will use remaining shoe boxes as the trap, but will need other items to lure those sneaky Leprechauns in. We will start this project March 2nd.
Each subject has a common theme in quarter 3, and that is ‘to prep them for 2nd grade.’ Conferences are just around the corner, and I am looking forward to sitting down with each of you to share (and show) the growth your child has made this year. The sign up sheets are on Shutterfly for available times.
Wood Acres Winter Open house is Sunday, January 28th. This is a great opportunity for you to meet and visit our 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Littleton. Not only will she share some of the curriculum for next year, this also gives you an opportunity to explore her classroom and ask any questions you may have.
I appreciate all your support in what I do each day. Your children are all amazing! It will be a long 3rd quarter….but together, we will get through it!!
Kim