January events and news
Good evening!!
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 20th 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 3rd. This helps prep the students for second grade when they need to spell 15 with an increase to 20 words a week.
Superkids: We started More Adventure of Superkids this week. It is our final series in Superkids…sniff, sniff. Please practice the word list that came home last week Monday. Not only will they be tested on these words periodically, but they are also encouraged to be used in their writing.
Math: Timed math tests will begin next week, January 13th, with the 4’s. We did a practice test last week (they came home in Friday folders.) Each student will make flashcards and will keep them in their desks. I highly encourage all students to have both addition and subtraction flashcards at home to practice nightly.
You received their first study sheet Friday in preparation for the test next Wednesday.
The test is timed for 2 minutes and they need to answer 25 addition facts. There will be all combinations 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 for 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 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 will 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: 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 23th.
*2nd event: Dr. Seuss in-class project. There are other materials and supplies that are needed as well, they will be posted on Shutterfly soon. We will start this project on February 3rd.
*3rd event: Valentine’s party. We will have our Valentine celebration on Friday, Feb 14th at 2 pm. There is a signup on Shutterfly to be a volunteer for the party. Sign up if you can! I will send home a paper copy of all the student’s names for kids to make out Valentine’s. There will be more details closer to the party.
*4th event: Leprechaun Trap. We will use remaining shoeboxes to make the trap but will need other items to lure those sneaky Leprechauns in. We will start this project on 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 will be on Shutterfly shortly with available times.
Wood Acres Winter Open house is Sunday, January 26th. This is a great opportunity for you to meet and visit our 2nd-grade teachers, Mrs. Littleton and Mrs. Leagan. Not only will they share some of the curriculum for next year, but this also gives you an opportunity to explore their classrooms 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!!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Kim