Homework for Thursday, May 3, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 I have placed a game on our Blog Site that may be used to practice math vocabulary words that may be on the OAKS math assessment. Please take the time to go over the words with your child. Assignments: Don’t forget to turn in the family recipe assignment!! Only about ½ the students have turned theirs in. See our Blog site (Homework for April 12) for further directions. E-mail the recipes to me: ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us Family Writing: If you could change places with another person for a whole day, who would you change places with and why would you choose that person? Write a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion. Use the organizer on the back of this sheet. Reading: “Snakes: Love Them or Leave Them” (3rd grade reading level) and “Zebra News” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: * Front and back worksheet *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly! *Practice the math vocabulary from the Blog site.

Homework for Wednesday, April 26, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 I have placed a game on our Blog Site that may be used to practice math vocabulary words that may be on the OAKS math assessment. Please take the time to go over the words with your child. Assignments: Don’t forget to turn in the family recipe assignment!! Only about ½ the students have turned theirs in. See our Blog site (Homework for April 12) for further directions. E-mail the recipes to me: ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us Family Writing: We all have things we like to do with our friends or family. Think about something you really like to do with your friends or family. Why do you really like to do this thing? Explain what you like to do and why you like to do it. Reading: “Forest Mammals” (3rd grade reading level) and “To the Zoo” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: * Front and back worksheet *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly! *Practice the math vocabulary from the Blog site.

Homework for Wednesday, April 19, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 The deadline for parents to create their personalized yearbooks is April 30th. I have included directions on our Blogsite. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Don’t forget to donate to our gift card basket! I have placed a game on our Blog Site that may be used to practice math vocabulary words that may be on the OAKS math assessment. Please take the time to go over the words with your child. Assignments: Don’t forget to turn in the family recipe assignment!! See our Blog site (Homework for April 12) for further directions. E-mail the recipes to me: ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us Family Writing: Your brother or sister (IF you are an only child, you may write it for your mom or dad) is having a birthday. Your grandparents have asked for ideas for a present. Write a letter to your grandparents suggesting a gift your brother or sister might like. Before you start writing, think about what the gift could be. Think about why your younger brother or sister would like the gift. Think about how your grandparents can locate this gift. Now write a letter to your grandparents suggesting a birthday gift for your younger brother or sister. Reading: “Too Many Ideas!” (3rd grade reading level) and “Making Plans” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: * Skip counting worksheet. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Wednesday, April 12, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Third graders begin second round of reading state assessments (OAKS) next week. Please encourage your child to do his or her best! I have placed a game on our Blog Site that may be used to practice math vocabulary words that may be on the OAKS math assessment. Please take the time to go over the words with your child. At the top right side of our classroom Blog page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Assignments: Family /Math/Activity/Computer: Choose a favorite family recipe. For math, student chooses the measuring tools and measures the ingredients carefully, making the recipe with parent guidance. For math practice, the student figures the amount of ingredients if he/she doubled the recipe (Students have learned how to add fractions with like denominators. E.g. 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3). Next, student writes down the amounts he’d/she’d use to double the recipe. For computer practice, student types the original recipe. Student types his/her name under the recipe’s name (Type in: From the kitchen of (student’s name)). Be sure to include how many servings (Type: Makes ___Servings). Then type the recipe’s ingredients’ amounts and instructions. Next save the recipe on the computer. After that, change the ingredients’ amounts to double the recipe, and save that, too. Then e-mail the two recipes (original and double) to me. Here’s my e-mail: ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us Reading: Language arts homework, “So Many Years” (3rd grade reading level) and “Mountain Magic” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: * No worksheets this week because of the recipe doubling activity. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Tree Ring Yearbook Directions

TreeRing Yearbook Step By Step Instructions for 1. Go to http://www.treering.com 2. Click on the blue Register button 3. Enter your group’s private passcode 4. Click Submit 5. Create Your Account a. Select a Role (student or parent) b. First Name c. Last Name d. Email Address (this will be your username for sign in) e. Create Password f. Confirm Password (make sure there are no typos!) g. Birthday (to verify you are over 13 in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Act) h. Click on I Accept, Create My Account 6. Claim Your Student(s) (You will not see this step if you are a student) a. Enter your student name (as you start to type your child's name, student names will show up) b. If your student is there then click on the blue Claim button c. If your child is not there click on Student Not Listed and then enter your student information d. If you have more than one student at this school/organization click the + Additional Child button 7. Purchase Your Yearbook a. Choose the quantity of books you’d like to purchase and click Next b. If you’d like to upgrade your book to Hard Cover change to Yes if not leave as No and click Next c. Complete the purchase information and click Submit My Order A receipt will be sent to your email. IF YOU WANT JUST THE STANDARD YEARBOOK, YOU CAN STOP HERE TO CREATE YOUR 2 FREE CUSTOM PAGES: 1. Welcome to TreeRing! Click on the button Take a Quick Tour 2. Click on the preview of your book to get started: Name’s 11-12 Yearbook 3. You’re now in Book Edit Mode and can take a quick tour of the features 4. Select the first drop down menu from the Add Images tab below your pages and select “My Computer” to add photos from your computer a. Click the Get Files from My Computer button b. Select the photos from your computer you want to add to your page and click Open (you can select more than one by holding down the CTRL key) c. You can organize your photos by choosing a “ring” or leave the default. Also you can choose whether you want the rest of the school to be able to see your photos or keep them private. Then click the Next button d. After the photos are done loading click the Finish button 5. To add a photo, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on your photo and DRAG AND DROP the photo up onto your page into one of the DROP PHOTO HERE boxes 6. You can also search for photos others in your community have shared by changing the Add Images From box to My School 7. You can add objects and clip art by switching to the Add Objects tab and when you find one you like, just DRAG and DROP 8. You can add more pages from the Add pages tray. Just DRAG and DROP the page template up onto your book to add more pages 9. When you are finished with your pages set the Print Ready Button to Yes 10. You’re done! If you encounter any problems while going through this process please contact TreeRing at support@treering.com or toll free 877-755-8733(TREE).

Math Vocabulary

Math Vocabulary from Ginny Ryan on Vimeo.

Learning these vocabulary words will help your child do better on the state math assessment! Use the vocabulary words in a game. With the right answer, your child can roll the dice and advance on any gameboard.

Homework for Wednesday, April 5, 2012

Due Date:  Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Assignments:

Family Writing:  The graphic organizer on the back of this sheet may be helpful in  organizing your story.  Write a fiction story.  Decide on a setting (time, place), 2-3 characters (personalities, and what they want), a plot (a BIG problem and a solution).  Also include the climax of the story (the high point of the story, where the problem is FINALLY solved!)  Tell what happens after the problem is solved (resolution).  Do not write about cartoon or video characters!

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:

Language arts homework, “And the Next Unit Is…” (3^rd grade reading level) and “Mixed-Up Day” (2^nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment.  It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.  I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day.  Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day.  If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.  That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:

* Worksheet on adding and subtracting and one on writing numbers that come before, after, and between.

*Use Sumdog website.  If you need your username and password, please ask me for it.

* Go to:  www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!  Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive!  It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Science Expo

Science Expo

April 18, 2012

Willamette University: Sparks Center

5:30-7:30

You are invited to attend to the fourth annual Salem-Keizer School District’s Science Expo. This year’s Expo showcases the many ways that students interact with science in our K-12 schools and universities as well as how science is used out in our community.  HOPE Team students from A-3 & B-4 will be presenting their work – for the Fender’s Blue Butterfly, Naturescaping and Kids Care About Conservation.

Features this year are:

Salem-Keizer Schools (K-12)

-          Table displays and posters of the great science work being done in the classrooms around the district.

-          Salem-Keizer teachers will show the research they have been involved in

University

                - Professors from Willamette will be on hand with posters to explain their work.

                - University representatives will be available to talk about their science programs          and show what can take place in a science classroom.

Community

-          A variety of agencies, nonprofit organizations, and business that use science for their work.  They will be on hand to share their work in a variety of ways and answer questions.

Reverse Science:

- In turning the traditional “Science Fair” on its head, elementary and middle school students are going to be evaluating professionals and their research, scoring them, and determining a winner, who will receive the first annual “Latter Day Darwin” trophy.

Science Talks:

Ambitious students from around the Salem-Keizer School district will share, via PowerPoint presentations, the research they conducted. This will take place in the Sparks Meeting Room inside of the main front doors (look for signs).

Please take time to visit all the displays, see a science talk and ask lots of questions of those displaying their work. It is important that you also fill out evaluation forms at the end of your time here so that we can continue to grow this event and make it even better next year.

Brief Schedule

5:30-7:15—Organizations, Businesses, Professors, Undergraduates, and Students will, in all manner of forms, share the science that is being done in and around Salem

7:15-7:30—Closing Ceremonies and Presentation of Latter Day Darwin Award.

Programs within Program:

5:45-6:15—Research talks with Salem-Keizer Students (in Sparks Meeting Room)*

6:15-6:45—Reverse Science Scoring for Elementary and Middle School Students

6:45-7:15—Research talks with Salem-Keizer Students (in Sparks Meeting Room)

Homework for Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Due Date:  Wednesday, April 2, 2012

Assignments:

Family Writing:  Fill out the organizer form for the paragraph.  Tell about one thing you did over your vacation that was something you’ll remember. Do not write about watching a tv show/movie or playing a video game.  Try to zero in on ONE thing.  If you took a trip somewhere, focus on ONE thing you did during your trip.  Give lots of juicy details!  Explain what you did and why you’ll remember it.

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:

Language arts homework, “Volcanoes” (3^rd grade reading level) and “Post by Post” (2^nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment.  It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.  I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day.  Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day.  If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.  That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:

* Worksheet on adding and measuring to the nearest inch for 2^nd graders and adding and marking fractions on a number line for 3^rd graders.

*Use Sumdog website.  If you need your username and password, please ask me for it.

* Go to:  www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!  Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive!  It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Thursday, March 15, 2012

Due Date:  Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Assignments:

Family Writing:  Fill out the organizer form for the paragraph.  We all have things we like to do with our friends or family. Think about something you really like to do with your friends or family. Why do you really like to do this thing? Explain what you like to do and why you like to do it.

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:

Language arts homework, “The End of a Volcano Tale” (3^rd grade reading level) and “Mammoth Cave, Kentucky” (2^nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment.  It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.  I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day.  Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day.  If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.  That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:

* Worksheet on telling time to the nearest 5 minutes for 2^nd graders and to the nearest minute and elapsed time for 3^rd graders.

*Use Sumdog website.  If you need your username and password, please ask me for it.

* Go to:  www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!  Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive!  It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Thursday, March 8, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Assignments:
Family Writing: Fill out the organizer form for the paragraph. Everyone has a favorite place to go to relax. Describe this place. First, brainstorm a list of what you like about this place. Then, go through your list and choose three really strong reasons why this place is the best place for you to relax. Next, think what your topic is, and write a topic sentence. Write a detail sentence about one of your brainstormed reasons. Write another sentence about that same reason, backing up your answer with a specific example. Do the same with the next two reasons. Finally, write a concluding sentence. You should have a total of 8 strong sentences. Proofread your paper carefully.

 Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

 Reading: Language arts homework, “A Student’s Journal” (3rd grade reading level) and “Kyle Gets Mail” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

 Math:
* Worksheet on telling time to the nearest 5 minutes for 2nd graders and to the nearest minute and elapsed time for 3rd graders. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for March 1, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 Check out our Blog site! At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Assignments: Family Writing: Fill out the organizer form for the paragraph. Everyone has jobs or chores. Tell the importance of one of these jobs or chores. First, brainstorm the importance of one of these chores. Then, go through your list and choose three really strong reasons why this chore is important. Next, think what your topic is, and write a topic sentence. Write a detail sentence about one of your brainstormed reasons. Write another sentence about that same reason, backing up your answer with a specific example. Do the same with the next two reasons. Finally, write a concluding sentence. You should have a total of 8 strong sentences. Proofread your paper carefully. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns. Reading: Language arts homework, “A Teacher’s Journal” (3rd grade reading level) and “Mouse in the House” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: * Worksheet on perimeter and 2-D shapes. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Heifer International Project Reminder

Don't forget to have your child turn in his/her Heifer Project donations! Check out the website: https://secure1.heifer.org/fund-a-project.html A big thank you to Jose's family for supporting his reading efforts! Jose was able to purchase a flock of chickens. Read about the good that will be done with his donation: A flock of chicks can help families from Cameroon to the Caribbean add nourishing, life-sustaining eggs to their inadequate diets. The protein in just one egg is a nutritious gift for a hungry child. Protein-packed eggs from even a single chicken can make a life-saving difference. Heifer helps many hungry families with a starter flock of 10 to 50 chicks. A good hen can lay up to 200 eggs a year - plenty to eat, share or sell. With Heifer recipients' commitment to pass on the offspring and training, the exponential impact of adding chickens to communities in poverty is truly a model that helps end hunger and poverty. Because chickens require little space and can thrive on readily available food scraps, families can make money from the birds without spending much. And chickens help control insects and fertilize gardens. In Tanzania, Omari and Kulwa were struggling to raise a family on just 50 cents a day. With the training and chicks they received from Heifer, egg sales have boosted their daily income to $2, so they can now buy food and still pay school fees. Now, through passing on the gift, all of the children in their village are going to school.

Valentines Holders 2012

Homework for Thursday, February 16, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Check out our Blog site! At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Assignments: Family Writing: We’re continuing our study of functional writing. Please have your child write directions on how to take care of something. Using transition words like first, then, last, and finally are good to use. Numbered directions could also be used. The topic could be about how to take care of my dog, how to trim a cat’s nails, how to care for a gerbil, etc.. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns. Reading: Language arts homework, “History of Soccer (3rd grade reading level) and “Cat or No Cat” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: *3rd Grade~Pg. 132 and 135 *2nd Grade~Pg. 102 and 104 *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Craft, Functional Writing, and Speech

Due: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 1. Create a special and original decorated valentines holder. It may be made of anything you have around your house. The more reused items you put into your holder, the better! 2. Write a “How I Made My Valentines Holder” paper. Include a materials list, and step by step procedure, so someone else could make it. 3. Plan a speech about “How I Made My Valentines Holder”. Include: 1. What did you make and where did you get your idea? 2. What materials did you use? (Be sure to make a point of talking about the reused materials!) 3. Give step by step directions of how you put it together. 4. Tell what you’re going to do with it after Valentine’s Day. Each term 2nd and 3rd graders will be assessed on their speaking ability. The areas assessed include: Content/Ideas  Ideas are clear.  It is evident the speaker knows what he/she is talking about. Organization:  It is evident the speech was prepared ahead of time.  The speech includes a beginning, middle, and ending.  There are interesting and clear transitions. Language  Words to make the speech interesting are used.  Words are appropriately used.  Diction is clear. Delivery  Show confidence.  Smile appropriately.  Stand straight.  Use appropriate hand gestures and at other times keep hands comfortably at sides.  Make eye contact with students and teacher.  Project voice. Effort  There is clear evidence that the child has rehearsed the speech several times in front of an audience. Hints  Practice, practice, practice!  Practice in front of a mirror using a loud, pleasant voice. Figure out some hand gestures that go nicely with the speech. Practice a couple of times without your script in front of the mirror. Practice in front of an adult.  Time yourself at an appropriate pace (2-3 minutes) and make yourself slow down, so you don’t say it too fast.  Memorize your script. Extra Credit! To gain a 5 in Content/Ideas add extra interesting details. To gain a 5 in organization make your transitions clever. To gain a 5 in language look for some new vocabulary words that can be appropriately placed to spice up your speech. To gain a 5 in delivery practice, practice, practice! Let someone hear you speak and give you pointers on how to make your self sound and look better. Then practice what he/she told!

Homework for Thursday, February 9, 2012

Due Date: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012----CHECK OUT THE DUE DATE!!!!!!! Check out our Blog site! At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Assignments: Family Craft, Writing, Speech See extra sheet. Reading: *No extra assignment because of the craft, writing, and speech. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: *No extra assignment because of the craft, writing, and speech. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly! Valentines: *Students are to make a valentines holder out of reused materials at home. It needs to stay at home until Tuesday, February 14. Valentines for every child (attached is a student list) may be brought to school on Monday, February 14. There is always a contest at Forest Ridge for the most original holder made with reused materials.

Homework for Thursday, January 26, 2012

Due Date:  Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Check out our Blog site!  At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage.

http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/

Assignments:

Family Writing:  Think of a gift or a kindness you’d like to give someone.  It could be an object or a value like love, forgiveness, or peace.  Tell why you selected this gift, who you wish to give the gift to, and why.  Also include what you’d like this person to do with the gift. Tell how the gift will change this person’s life. Use many details.  Include a beginning, middle, and ending.

 Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:

Language arts homework, “Power Snack” (3^rd grade reading level) and “Cats Every Day” (2^nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment.  It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary.  I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day.  Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day.  If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.  That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:

*Word problem and addition worksheets (back-to-back)

*Continue game I sent home with the yellow place value cards.

*Use Sumdog website.  If you need your username and password, please ask me for it.

* Go to:  www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!  Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive!  It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Forces and Motion

I've just added a link, Forces and Motion Activities.  It's a great interactive site to compliment our Forces and Motion unit.  Please have your child spend some time on it!

Homework for Thursday, January 19, 2012

 Due Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
 At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage.
Assignments: Family Writing: Write a “How to _______” functional writing paper. Tell what you’re explaining how to make or do. Write detailed directions in a list or in a paragraph form. It could be how to take a dog for a walk, how to set the table, how to change a light bulb etc. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

 Reading: Language arts homework, “Mom to the Rescue” (3rd grade reading level) and “Cats Long Ago” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

 Math:
*Word problem and addition/subtraction worksheets (back-to-back)
*Continue game I sent home last week with the place value cards.
*Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Thursday, January 12, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Check out our Blog site! At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage. http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/ Assignments: Family Writing: Write a New Year’s Resolution. Choose one thing you’d like to improve to make you a better student. Explain what that is and how you plan to improve it. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns. Reading: Language arts homework, “Soccer Blues” (3rd grade reading level) and “The Case of a Cat” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most. Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile! Math: *Word problem worksheet *Continue game I sent home last week with the place value cards. *Use Sumdog website. If you need your username and password, please ask me for it. * Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Thursday, January 5, 2012

Due Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Check out our Blog site! At the top right side of our classroom page, you can subscribe to our Blog, and new postings will show up on your Google homepage.
http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/

Assignments:
Family Writing: Write a letter to someone. It could be a thank you note for a gift, or just a friendly letter. There are 5 parts to a friendly letter (Heading—date, Greeting—Dear ________, Body—what you want to say-indenting paragraphs, Closing—Sincerely, Yours truly, Your friend, Love, and the Signature—your name. Be sure you use “Friendly Letter” format! I will return it with no marks on it, so it can be mailed or given to the person. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Soccer Blues” (3rd grade reading level) and “The Case of a Cat” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
*Cut the 3 yellow cardstock numbers into strips. Place the numbers with the blank lines face up in a pile. Take turns with your child drawing from the pile. If the answer (numbers in a series) is written correctly on a piece of paper, score one. Count your score at the end of the game. You can also play this with a game board. Roll the dice if the answer is correct, and “race” around the game board.
*I have sent home usernames and passwords to Sumdog.com. Students have really enjoyed playing it at school. It’s grade level programmed for your child, with the Oregon standards that your child needs to master by the end of the year.
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!

Homework for Thursday, December 15, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2011

Family Writing:
Write about one really fun or interesting thing that you did during your vacation. Really work on zeroing in on ONE thing. Paint the picture, so we can visualize the setting (time and place), characters (dialogue, description, feelings, actions), and what happened. Include a beginning, middle, and ending.

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “New York City’s Gem” (3rd grade reading level) and “Animal Shelter News” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
*Last week I sent home a username and password to Sumdog.com. Students have really enjoyed playing it at school. It’s grade level programmed for your child, with the Oregon standards that your child needs to master by the end of the year.
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Second and third graders do the same worksheet, “More Story Problems”.

Enjoy your vacation!

Homework for Thursday, December 8, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Family Writing: We’re continuing to work on developing character through physical descriptions, dialogue, and actions.

Write a paragraph describing a character in a story that might be fun to write later at school or home. Try using inference, giving clues about what the character is like, without actually saying the characteristic. See if the reader can figure it out!

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Once a Pie Man, Always a Pie Man” (3rd grade reading level) and “What Is an Art Museum” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Second and third graders do the same worksheet, “Understanding Place Value (to hundreds)” and the backside, “Check What You Know”.

Xtra Math Tips

XtraMath takes only a few minutes each day, but it requires your undivided attention during that time. Stay focused on the problems and do your best every time.
Do not feel hurried by the clock. Accuracy is more important than speed, but once you have the answer you should type it in promptly.
Do not worry about the occasional typo or mistake. You will have many more chances to answer that same problem in the future.
Do not guess. Try to remember the answer first, and if you cannot remember it then calculate it.
Whenever "Mr. C" shows you the correct answer take a second to repeat the problem and answer to yourself. This will help you remember it in the future.
Never, ever enter wrong answers on purpose. If you do your score will drop significantly and it will take you several sessions to prove what you already know and get back where you should be.
It can take two months or more of regular practice to master an operation so be patient and be persistent.

Homework for Thursday, December 1, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Family Writing: We’ve been working on fiction stories. We’ve been working on developing character through physical descriptions, dialogue, and actions. Your child should know about setting (time and place) and plot as well. This might be a fun title to work into one. It is ok to choose a different topic for the fiction story, if this one doesn’t encourage the flow of writing! Choose a character that is having the best time of his/her life. What happens to him/her to make it the best? Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “The Pie Man” (3rd grade reading level) and “Afternoon Art” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Doubles and Halves Problems worksheet

Homework for Thursday, November 17, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Please don’t forget to send back your conference confirmation.
Family Writing: Write about one really fun or interesting thing that you did during your vacation. Really work on zeroing in on ONE thing. Paint the picture, so we can visualize the setting, characters, and what happened. You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Peppers” (3rd grade reading level) and “Paul Bunyan: A New Story” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only eleven students have participated in this. The feedback I’ve had from parents has been very positive! It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* 2 math worksheets (Strategies for Addition and Money Problems to Do at Home)

Homework for Thursday, November 10, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Please don’t forget to send back your conference confirmation.
Family Writing: Write something in which you are thankful for about your family or the world around you. You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Dreaming of the Harvest” (3rd grade reading level) and “San Antonio Today” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day! Only a few students have participated in this. It’s such a great way to practice the math facts quickly!
* Math worksheet

Homework for Thursday, November 3, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2011


Family Writing: Tell about a fun event or holiday that you have participated in. What made it fun? Describe one thing about that event or holiday.

Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading:
Language arts homework, “Planting Dreams” (3rd grade reading level) and “The Texas Story” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Go to: www.xtramath.org. Follow the directions on your XtraMath letter (in your packet last week). Practice 10-15 minutes each day!

• Continue playing two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions were sent home last week in the homework packet.
• No worksheet for this week. Do XtraMath and play games instead.

Character Dress Up Day 2011

Keizer Rapids Field Trip 2011

Homework for Thursday, October 20, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Family Speech:
Practice the character speech for Monday, October 31. Say it (Don’t read it!) in front of as many people as you. Mirrors also work, and so do dogs, cats, stuffed animals, tape recorders and many other things! Here is a repeat of the directions for the speech and note cards:
Include (one card for each topic): Who My Character Is (include book and author) in a stunning introduction, A Short Retell of the Book (Think of 8 key points—Main characters, setting, problem, event #1, event #2 (next), event #3 (then), event #4 (finally), Ending ), Other Things (I Want to Share About My Character), What I Like Best About My Character (I’ve provided 4 note cards for the task). You may pretend you’re this character during your speech. Be prepared to share your character and listen to others on Monday, October 31. Your note cards are due. I’ll return them to you for you to practice at home. This will count as the first speech for the year.
*Students will be scored on:
1. Having a beginning (Grab our interest!!), middle, and an ending …the more interesting the better!
2. Using correct grammar.
3. Use descriptive language.
4. Giving the audience eye contact and appropriate body gestures.
5. Speaking loud enough for the audience to hear.
6. Use your voice as a tool in storytelling.
5. Keeping the body from fidgeting.

Writing and working on speeches together encourages your child to see you having fun, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with retelling (8 key points as listed above for the speech for better understanding of the book.) and tuning into interesting words that students might want to use in their writing.
Language arts homework, “Thunder and Lightning” (3rd grade reading level) and “Boxes, Books and More” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

• Students should have turned in their completed array cards that were handed out two Fridays ago. They are to be returned to school in a baggie with their names on them. If your child has returned them, they will be checked off in my grade book and sent back home.
• Continue playing two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions were sent home last week in the homework packet.

Homework for Thursday, October 13, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Family Writing and Speech:
Write notes on cards to tell about what book character you are planning on dressing up as on Monday, October 31. Include (one card for each topic): Who My Character Is (include book and author) in a stunning introduction, A Short Retell of the Book (Think of 8 key points—Main characters, setting, problem, event #1, event #2 (next), event #3 (then), event #4 (finally), Ending ), Other Things (I Want to Share About My Character), What I Like Best About My Character (I’ve provided 4 note cards for the task). You may pretend you’re this character during your speech. Be prepared to share your character and listen to others on Monday, October 31. Your note cards are due. I’ll return them to you for you to practice at home. This will count as the first speech for the year.
*Students will be scored on:
1. Having a beginning (Grab our interest!!), middle, and an ending …the more interesting the better!
2. Using correct grammar.
3. Use descriptive language.
4. Giving the audience eye contact and appropriate body gestures.
5. Speaking loud enough for the audience to hear.
6. Use your voice as a tool in storytelling.
5. Keeping the body from fidgeting.

Writing and working on speeches together encourages your child to see you having fun, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with retelling ( 8 key points as listed above for the speech for better understanding of the book.)

Language arts homework, “Night Lights” (3rd grade reading level) and “Moving-In Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

• Students should have turned in their completed array cards that were handed out last Friday. They are to be returned to school in a baggie with their names on them. If your child has returned them, they will be checked off in my grade book and sent back home.
• Play two games, Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare with the array cards. The directions are in the homework packet.

Jog-A-Thon 2011

Jog-A-Thon October 7, 2011

Homework for October 6

Due Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Be encouraging your child to think about “Character Dress-Up Day” on October 31. Your child needs to choose a favorite book character, and dress up like him/her. Next week’s writing assignment will be about this book character.

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)

Think about an exciting experience or event that you would like to share. Consider creating a mood of suspense, humor, or fantasy. Tell what happened and how you felt.
Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
If your child is writing it on his/her own, look over the story with your child when he/she is finished. See if you and your child can add some details to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve reviewed many strategies. We’ve also been working on recognizing suffixes and retelling stories.)

Language arts homework, “One Tent, What Next?” (3rd grade reading level). and “Moving Out Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Your child should now be reading 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please sign the card and write in 0 minutes. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math:
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

* On Friday I will send “Arrays” packet home. Directions will be with the packet. When they are returned by Wednesday, I will send them back home with games to play with them.
*A math game called “Cover 50” has directions with it. It reinforces multiples. This has been a challenge for many students! Play it a few times each week during the month of October. Keep the game and play once in awhile throughout the year.

In science we are continuing our work sample for our matter unit. Students are testing a substance to see if it is a solid, a liquid, or a gas.

Jog-a-thon Coming Up!!

Don't forget the jog-a-thon is coming up on Friday, October 7. Don't forget to help your child get his/her pledges. Our running time is 10:20. Come support your favorite runner! A good breakfast, a good night sleep and a smile on the face in the morning will really help make a successful day.

Actors' Visit to B1 on Tuesday, September 27

Homework for September 29

Due Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Think of an early memory you have that you could write about. Tell a complete story with beginning, middle and ending—See if some personality can come out in the story!
Show your story to your parent. See if you can add some details with your parent to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with using prior knowledge, visualizing, and retelling for better understanding of the book.)

Language arts homework, “How to Pitch a Tent” (3rd grade reading level) and “Bridges to Remember” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, 10’s, and 5’s right now. Students are creating their own riddles: Example: There are 4 bears. Each bear has 2 eyes. How many eyes in all? Students need to show how they solve the word problem.
* There is a parent sheet and a riddle sheet for students to use to help write 2-5 riddle problems that are due next Wednesday.
* Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are beginning a work sample for our matter unit. Students will be figuring out how to test a substance to see if it is a solid, a liquid, or a gas.

Homework for September 22

Due Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on creating story idea lists, telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Create a list of story ideas that can be written at school. Fill in ideas on the attached list and return it to school. Choose one of your ideas to write about for 20 minutes. Tell a complete story with beginning, middle and ending—See if some personality can come out in the story!
Show your story to your parent. See if you can add some details with your parent to make the story more clear and vivid. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.
Return your list of ideas and your story to school on Wednesday.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. This week we’ve worked with Monitor and Fix Up, Tune into Interesting Words, and Voracious Reading)

Language arts homework, “One Tent, Lots of Stuff” (3rd grade reading level) and “Bridges” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We have begun a new unit, “Things That Come in Groups”. We’re working on counting by 2’s, 3’s, and 5’s right now, but later we’ll be counting by 4’s, and 9’s. Students are creating their own riddles: Example: There are 4 bears. Each bear has 2 eyes. How many eyes in all? Students need to show how they solve the word problem.
Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. There is a link on our Blog, “Online Flashcards” that is fun for students to use to build up their computational fluency. Help with this would be appreciated. Soon I will be checking to see which facts your child still needs to work on.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are continuing our study of matter. (See last weeks parent note.)
Thank you for your support!

Homework for September 15

Due Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Family Writing: (In school we are working on telling stories and writing personal narratives.)
Our goal this year at Forest Ridge is to improve students’ writing. I’d like to encourage you and your child to write together. Write about something you did together. Tell a short story using setting (time and place), characters (example: you and your child—See if some personality can come out in the story!), and plot (simple problem and solution) Next, use details to make the story more clear and vivid. Finally, end with a satisfying conclusion. Writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Reading: (In school we are working on establishing strategies that readers use. Ask your child about text to text, text to self, slow down for meaning, read the first letter of an unknown word, read the rest of the sentence, and then back up to reread the sentence, back up to reread parts you don’t understand, cross check, and check for understanding.) Students need to be reading books at their INDEPENDENT reading level (only missing 1-3 words/page) while reading on their own. The bookmark has their independent level on it.
Language arts homework, “Two Boys, Big Plans” (3rd grade reading level) and “Dad’s First Day” (2nd grade reading level) are similar in format and skills to the Oregon third grade reading assessment. It will benefit your child greatly to complete it each week. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even on some of the reading, if necessary. I tried to give your child the story at the reading level that will benefit him/her the most.

Keep building up the reading time for this month from 20 to 30 minutes each day. Don’t forget to help your child remember to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in. That’s ok once in awhile!

Math: We’ve been reviewing place value for 2 and 3 digit numbers, showing the standard form (234) the expanded form (200 + 30 + 4) and the models ( . . . .)
Your child needs to continue working on memorizing the addition and subtraction facts. Help with this would be appreciated. Soon I will be checking to see which facts your child still needs to work on.

* Math worksheets for second and third graders are in the packet.

In science we are studying matter. What is matter? (It is everything around you. It takes up space and has mass.) What are some properties of matter? (size, shape, temperature, how it feels, color, etc.) What are 3 forms of matter? (solid, liquid, gas) How can you tell which form matter is in? solid-has definite (stays the same) shape and volume; liquid-has no definite shape, but has a definite volume; gas-has no definite shape and no definite volume).

Parents May Check Out Library Books

You are welcome to come into the library on Tuesday and Thursdays from 11:00am-12:00, and also Thursday from 3:00pm-3:30pm to check out books for your family, up to 5 books per week. If you have not filled out a Patron Account Information form, you will need to do that before you can check out. These small little forms are at Mrs. Morrow's desk in the library.

Read at Home

Each child has been given a Read at Home (RAH) folder to take home. Inside should be a book that he/she has choosen at his/her level. Please help him/her develop good reading habits by helping him/her find a time to read at home each day for 20-30 minutes. Your child needs to bring his/her RAH folder home each day and back to school the next day. Please take the time to ask your child about the book. I put a white handout inside the folder that you may take out to keep at home. It has suggestions for questions and discussion points. The reading log and the number of minutes your child reads needs to be filled out each day and signed. Thank you for your help.

A Few Things

School is off to a good start. Thank you for all the tennis balls and reams of paper you've sent! We have plenty now, so if you haven't sent any, yet, please don't :)!
If you wish to make a donation in another way, we could always use broad-tipped BLACK dry erase markers. We do a lot of practice work on dry erase boards, and we go through the markers pretty quickly. THANK YOU!!!

Homework September 8, 2011

Dear Parents,
Regular homework will begin next week Thursday. Please do the following things between now and next Wednesday:

1. For math, please practice addition and subtraction flashcards about 10 minutes each day. If you don’t have flashcards, you can download them from the link on my blog site (http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com) or send me an e-mail (ryan_ginny@salkeiz.k12.or.us), and I’ll be sure your child receives a set.
2. Explore the different websites for math on our blog site (http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com).
3. Practice counting by 2, 3, 5, 10. Then try counting by 2’s beginning with the number 3 or 9. Then try counting by 3’s beginning with 1, 4, or 7. Try counting by 10’s beginning with 11 or 17, etc.
4. Don’t forget to have your child read 20-30 minutes a day. Your child is to return the clear plastic book folder with the filled out reading log (kept inside the folder) each day.

Welcome Back to School!

Field Day 2011

Have a happy summer!

Summer Activities for Kids

Here's a great site for students to learn during the summer. It has quite a variety of activities. One activity a day, so check it out!

Multiplication-Learning those Facts (A Guide for Parents)

I added a new link (suggested by Alyssa's mom) on how to memorize your multiplication facts. It's a very good resource to help you work with your child on the facts.

Homework for Thursday, June 2, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Dear Parents:
Date to Remember:
Friday, June 10 Willamette Heritage Museum (Jason Lee House, Parsonage, and Boon House tours, one-room school house experience, Kalapuya Indian presentation/activities)—More information is on the Blog site.

Writing:
Write a paragraph/essay explaining to me why I should choose you to take care of our worm bin over the summer. Having a supportive parent, as one of your reasons is a positive! I have directions for the care of the animals. Please have your parent sign your paper if he/she can pick up the worm bin and bring it back in the fall. I will let you know if I choose you!

If you’re not interested in taking care of worms, or can’t, there is an alternative writing assignment. Write a paragraph/paper, convincing me to read one of the books that I read to you this year, to my class next year.
Each paragraph needs a topic sentence, 3-6 detail sentences, and a conclusion or a transition to the next paragraph. Always include an introduction and a conclusion in your papers. If you need an outline form, it’s on our Blog site.

Working and writing together encourages your child to see you having fun with writing, and allows you an opportunity to spend time with your child while he/she learns.

Literacy:
Language arts homework, “Caring for a Pet Hamster”. PLEASE feel free to help your child with it, even with some of the reading, if necessary.

Reading
Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress. Print a copy of your child’s post-assessment quiz for him/her to turn in or write down the score and time your child got, if you don’t have a printer.

Willamette Heritage Center Field Trip

Mrs. Barnwell’s, Mrs. Crystal’s, and Mrs. Ryan’s classrooms will be taking a field trip on Friday, June 10. We will be visiting Willamette Heritage Center in Salem. The bus will leave at 9:15. We plan on returning by 2:00.

This field trip is sponsored by the Forest Ridge Parent Club from the money earned at the jog-a-thon. To help pay for the additional cost of this trip students need to bring $5.00. Students will also need to bring sack lunches or purchase a school sack lunch. Students should dress appropriately for the weather.

We will need a total of 8 (1 for Mrs. Crystal, 4 for Mrs. Barnwell, 3 for Mrs. Ryan) chaperones. Chaperones will sit with their group of children on the bus, and then lead their group once we arrive. School district policy requires all chaperones to have a criminal history background check completed and approved (takes 3-4 weeks) before attending. If you are interested and have completed the form please indicate below. If you have not completed a form and would like to go on a future trip please ask at the office for a form and turn it in soon so you will be able to attend our next trip.

We are looking forward to this exciting adventure!

Ginny Ryan
Miss LaMarche (student teacher)
Heather Barnwell
Diane Chrystal

________________________________________
Cut here. Return bottom part by Wednesday, June 1.

My child_______________________ has permission to attend the field trip to Willamette Heritage Center on Friday, June 10.

I authorize School District 24J and its employees to secure the services of a physician or hospital, and to incur expenses for necessary services in the event of accident or illness, and I will provide payment for these. Every reasonable effort will be made to reach the parent(s) as soon as possible.

Parent’s signature: ______________________________.

I’d like to attend as a chaperone: _________________________________.
Contact Number: ______________________

 I’ve enclosed/attached $5.00.
 My child will bring a sack lunch recyclable/disposable rather than containers
 My child will buy a lunch from the school lunch program (by checking this box a lunch will be ordered and your child’s account will be charged. We are unable to cancel the order less than 5 days before).

Homework for Thursday, May 25, 2011

Due Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Dear Parents:
If you have questions or concerns about the Salem History Project, please phone 503-399-5548 to speak with Miss LaMarche. She’s at Forest Ridge all day Mondays and Thursdays, and in the morning on Fridays.

Date to Remember:
Friday, June 10 Willamette Heritage Museum (Jason Lee House, Parsonage, and Boon House tours, one-room school house experience, Kalapuya Indian presentation/activities)
Permission slip is attached.
Assignments—Regular literacy and writing assignments are canceled for this week.
Instead, spend time finishing up the “Salem History Projects”. They are due Wednesday, June 1. Be prepared to share them and talk about your favorite one.
Reading--Don’t forget to help your child to remember to read 30 minutes each evening and to bring the RAH (Read at Home) folder back to school each day. If you don’t have time to read one evening, please still sign the card with 0 minutes written in.

Math:
Practice multiplication math facts online. Use the link “Multiplication Quizzes”. Check your child’s progress. Print a copy of your child’s post-assessment quiz for him/her to turn in.

Down by the Riverside 2011