Dear Families,
I can't believe it is almost November! Where has the time gone?? I am looking forward to seeing everyone this week at conferences. Such a fun time to celebrate all the great things the kids have been up to!
· Conferences: Just a reminder that conferences are student led! Your child MUST be here for their conference. Students will be going over their work from 1st quarter and their goals for 2nd quarter.
· Homework: I am trying to gauge where we are as a classroom with homework. Thank you to those who have already taken the survey. If you haven't here is the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRVDD7X
· Math: Our math test went AMAZING! The class average was a 90%! They are doing so well with multiplication. This week we will start division.
· Reading: Test on Unit 7 is Wednesday! There is no real way to study so we will be discussing test strategies this week.
· Battle of the Books: I am so impressed with the discussions and journal writing that goes along with BOB. The students and I talked last week that I would start giving an actual writing grade (not just completion for amount) on grammar and spelling last week. You will see that in the gradebook. We are struggling with periods, capitals and run-on sentences. I know they can do this because when we slowdown in class they do great. We need these skills to become a habit so we can communicate effectively.
· All School Read Along : This is starting this week at SPE! Get excited!
o The purpose it to encourage families to enjoy literature together. Research states, " The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." And "It is a practice that should continue throughout the grades ." Jim Trelease
o We are asking for families to spend time together reading. This is a time for your family to gather on the couch and share reading. Jim Trelease says that by reading aloud we do 5 things for our kids:
§ Build vocabulary
§ Condition the child's brain to associate reading with pleasure
§ Create background knowledge
§ Provide a reading role model
§ Plant the desire to read
o Your child will bring home a baggie that has a book in it. This is the book to share with your family. Included with the baggie book will be a sheet with directions about an activity for your family to share. After you have finished reading, discussing the story and doing the activity return it all in the baggie back to school. We are asking you to complete this activity in one or two days and return it to school. This way we can share with everyone.
- Twitter: If you have a Twitter account please follow us at @MrsDugganSPE. I post almost daily the fun things we are up to in the classroom!
- Grade Updates: I know a lot of you have been on Parent Vue checking grades. That is great way to keep up with what we have been working on. Please know that grades are updated each week by Tuesday at 10am. If you check on Monday they won't be updated and there might be missing assignments that aren't really missing. Same thing for a Friday. If you ever have questions about grades please let me know.
- Specials Schedule: (Monday is a Day 5)
o Day 1: PE/Music
o Day 2: Computer
o Day 3: Art
o Day 4: Spanish/Music
o Day 5: PE/Spanish
Important Dates: (New dates bolded)
October 25th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 26th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 27th: No School/Conferences
October 28th: No School
November 8th: Presidential Election
November 9th: Picture Retakes
November 14th: Mrs. D starts basketball at BVHS
November 18th: Battle of the Books: Round 1
November 21st: Battle of the Books: Round 2-3
November 22nd: Battle of the Books Championship
November 23rd: No School: Happy Thanksgiving
November 24th: No School: Happy Thanksgiving
November 25th: No School: Happy Thanksgiving
Math: Topic 4- Division: mental math, estimation
Reading: Review: Test WEDNESDAY
Writing: Revising Memoir
Word Work: Roots/Stems for amount
Social Studies: Presidential Elections
Science: Changes in an Ecosystem
Intervention: Present math projects/problem solving
