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)