February 28, 2013

Due Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Parents,

          Don’t forget tomorrow is book character dress up day!  We’re dressing up to celebrate Read Across America Day (Also, Dr. Seuss’s birthday).  Their book needs to be in their hands for the parade through our school.

           

 Continue reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  In reading we are reading non-fiction, informational texts, learning about main idea and supporting details. 

          Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

      

Family Writing: 

1. Use your graphic organizer to write your topic (Character Dress Up Day) in the oval.
2. In the top rectangle write a topic sentence about your character. (Example:  Charlotte, in the book, Charlotte’s Web is a unique spider.)
3. Write 6 things and any details about those things you know about your character in the rectangles around the oval.
4. Write a conclusion (example:  That’s why I think Charlotte was the best character for me to dress up as on “Read Across America Day”.) in the bottom rectangle.
5. Put your graphic organizer to use by building sentences from your graphic organizer and write them on notebook paper.  Indent to begin your paragraph.  Write one sentence after the other.  Don’t forget your topic sentence and conclusion!

Sincerely,

Ginny Ryan

http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/  School website

http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/    Our classroom Blog site                                             

February 21, 2013

Due Tuesday, February 26, 2013

            Students need to decide which book character they will dress up as on Friday, March 1, Read Across America Day (in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday).  Students need to tell me the character they’ll dress up as by February 22.  The book needs to be in t heir hands for the parade through our school on March 1.

           

 Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  In reading we are reading non-fiction, informational texts, learning about main idea and supporting details.  The writing assignment this week has an example of that genre of reading.  The time spent reading counts as RAH minutes.

            Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  We’re working on developing a non-fiction (expository informational) paragraph. 

1. Go to our classroom blog.
2. Click on the link “National Geographic for Kids” (If you don’t have access to a computer, read a book or see a PBS program about an animal.)
3. Left click on “Animals and Pets” tab.
4. Choose an animal to read about.
5. Use your graphic organizer to write your topic (example:  gorilla) in the oval.
6. In the top rectangle write a topic sentence about your animal. (Example:  Gorillas are amazing animals.)
7. Write 6 things and any details about those things you learned in the rectangles around the oval.
8. Write a conclusion (example:  That’s why I think gorillas are amazing animals.) in the bottom rectangle.
9. Put your graphic organizer to use by building sentences from your graphic organizer and write them on notebook paper.  Indent to begin your paragraph.  Write one sentence after the other.  Don’t forget your topic sentence and conclusion!

Scholastic Book orders are due by Monday, February 25.  Please order online.

         

Valentine's Day Party 2013--Click on picture to see slides.

February 14, 2013

Due Tuesday, February 21, 2013

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  Possibly set a goal for earning money by reading or doing homework to donate to the Heifer Project to support our school in the effort to help others.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

          Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards (These were sent home on Monday.) for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Write about the Heifer Project.  Explain the importance of the project and how it will help people. Tell about what you are doing to help support our school effort in helping others in the world. Include a beginning, middle, and ending. 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.

Websites:  http://www.heifer.org/  (Explore this site.  The other links I added are from this website.

http://www.youtube.com/HeiferInternational

http://www.heiferinvite.org/heifercards/interactiveposter/index.html

Scholastic Book orders are due by February 25.  You can order online.

February 7, 2013

Due Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  Possibly set a goal for earning money by reading or doing homework to donate to the Heifer Project to support our school in the effort to help others.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards (These were sent home on Monday.) for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

            In writing we are working on functional writing, a form of expository writing.  Students are learning how to right clear directions. 

      

       Family Project/Writing/Speech:  Please continue making the valentines holder, directions for making it, and speech on how it was made.  The directions were sent home last week.  You can find them on our Blog or your e-mail, if you can’t find last week’s letter.

           

In science we are studying the movement of the sun, earth, and moon.  Please have your child check each evening to see what the moon looks like.  Have him/her record it on the “Moon Phases Calendar”.  Write the month (February-March) and year at the top.  Begin on Thursday (on the first line).  Write the date, (7) in the top left corner of the rectangle.  Record the date in each top left corner of each rectangle.  Have your child put the “Moon Phase Calendar”  inside his/her RAH folder, so I can make sure he/she is filling it in!  Soon we will be learning why the moon appears differently in the sky during a 28 day cycle. If the moon is hidden by clouds, use this website to see what the moon looks like:  http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases/phasenow.php

            If you’re interested in ordering Scholastic books, please place your order online (You will get a free book in your next order!) by February 25.

            Names of students in our class are attached to this letter.  Have your child use the list to include everyone when addressing valentines.

January 31, 2013

Due Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  Possibly set a goal for earning money by reading or doing homework to donate to the Heifer Project to support our school in the effort to help others.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

          Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards (These were sent home on Monday.) for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

       Family Writing/Construction of Valentines Box/Speech:  See another Blog entry for "Valentines Holder" for the long-term (2-week) project.

   

            Valentine's party will need to be planned soon!  Is there a parent who would like to volunteer to organize it?  Are their any parents willing to help with the party?  Send me an e-mail, and I'll share your contact information with the parent(s) who wish to organize.  The party will be from 2-3 on Thursday, February 14.

Sincerely,

Ginny Ryan

Valentines Holder

Due:  Thursday, February 14

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!  (Forest Ridge has a contest for the most creative use of recycled items in making a valentines holder.) Do not bring the valentines holder to school until February 14!!!
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 2^nd and 3^rd  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.

 ™       Practice, practice, practice!

™    

January 24, 2013

Due Tuesday, January 29

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Math: Continue playing the array games a couple of times a week. 

          Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards (These were sent home on Monday.) for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use SumDog.  If you need the password for SumDog or Xtra Math, please let me know. 

       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.

Sincerely,

Ginny Ryan

January 17, 2013

 Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Math: Continue playing the array games a couple of times a week. 

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice or the array games.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

          Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  Have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards (These were sent home on Monday.) for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Five students still need to finish up their fiction story that was assigned before winter vacation.

          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.

Falcon Fast Facts Start Today!

Here at Forest Ridge we are continuing to foster a culture of excellence.  In order to thoroughly prepare our students, not only for the next grade but for life, we are implementing a daily practice program for math facts.  Fast Falcon Facts will be individualized to meet each student’s level of mastery. 

In order to master these basic facts we will form a partnership that combines work in the classroom with practice at home.  In class we will focus our learning on the math fact strategies.  At home, students will practice daily applying these strategies to a group of facts. 

How Fast Falcon Facts works:

1. The Fast Falcon Facts monthly practice log will come home in your child’s RAH Folder

2. Your child will bring home Fast Falcon Facts envelopes with the fact cards they have mastered to keep for review and the fact cards they need to practice for mastery.   Put these envelopes in a safe place where they will not get lost.  Your child will use them all year. 

3. Your child will also bring home a Fast Falcon Facts Challenge Ticket/Strategy Card and a sheet of related math fact cards he/she needs to practice for mastery.  Cut apart cards and place in white practice envelope.

4. Each day, help your child practice their math facts and focus on the current strategy.  This can be for just a few minutes going over each fact twice or play one of the suggested games or activities on their Fast Falcon Facts envelope.   

5. Initial the Fast Falcon Facts practice log each time you help your child practice..  

6. When you think your child has mastered his/her current strategy, initial the Challenge Ticket and send it back in the RAH folder.

7. If your child meets the challenge, he/she will bring home the next Challenge Ticket/Strategy Card and related fact cards.  Move the mastered cards to the review envelope and cut the new cards out and place in the white envelope.  If they need more practice we will send back the Challenge Ticket indicating he/she needs more practice. 

Two or three minutes of practice each day will not only help your child master their basic math facts, but it will also develop consistent study skills.  Make Learning Fast Falcon Facts fun for your child.

Packets were sent home today.  If your child was absent, please have him/her pick the packet up tomorrow!

January 10, 2013

January 10, 2013

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Math: Continue playing the array games a couple of times a week.  Second graders actually only need to know their multiplication (arrays) through 5X5, but I've included all the arrays because many of the second graders are ready for them!  For third graders (and second graders who are ready), looking on the backside of the array, tell the other factor. That’s division!

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice or the array games.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Falcon Fast Facts are now on the RAH folders.  The school still is not ready to send home the flashcard packets.  They will be coming soon!  In the meantime, either have your child work on Xtra Math or flashcards for a few minutes.  Mark your initials by Falcon Fast Facts on the RAH folder each day.

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing: 

    Don't forget to have your child do or finish the fiction story that was assigned before vacation.  I must have them all turned in by Monday, January 17, so I can scan the pictures, and have them ready for students for a technology lesson.

This week's writing:

Everyone has a wish.  What is yours?  Write about your wish and tell why it’s important to you.  Use the graphic organizer to think through what you want to say before writing your paragraph.  Be sure you have a beginning, middle, and ending.

http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/  School website

December 13, 2012

Dear Parents: 

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Math: Continue playing the array games a couple of times a week.  Second graders actually only need to know their multiplication (arrays) through 5X5, but I've included all the arrays because many of the second graders are ready for them!  For third graders (and second graders who are ready), looking on the backside of the array, tell the other factor. That’s division!

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice or the array games.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!)  Falcon Fast Facts will officially begin in January and it will be added to the RAH minute folder.

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  We’ve been working on fiction stories and developing the main character through physical descriptions, dialogue, actions, and other character’s reactions.  Your child should know about setting (time and place) and plot (problem/conflict and solution) as well. 

            Create your own fiction story.  Often times the best fiction story is based on something that really happened to you, but you’ve elaborated to make the story even better.   Use your graphic organizer to plan your story.  Include a beginning, middle, and ending.   Skip lines as you write to make revising and editing easier.

Next revise (add missing parts, complete sentences, and details) and edit (spelling, capitals, periods, matching verb tense, paragraphs) your paper.  Try to use a different word to begin each sentence.

Divide your story into about five parts.  Draw five different scenes of the story and neatly write the part of the story under your picture it goes with.  Papers clip your finished book together. 

At school, we’ll make a movie out of your story!  Be sure it’s back by Wednesday, January 9!

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.

http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/  School website

http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/    Our classroom Blog site

December 6

Dear Parents: 

    Is there a parent who would like to organize the winter party on Tuesday, December 18 at 3 p.m.?  Please let me know if you are interested.  Also let me know if you'd like to contribute, and I'll give the first parent who contacts me to organize the party your contact information!   

           

    Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in the RAH folder.  The first part this term in reading, we’re working on character qualities, point of view, cause and effect relationships, recounting stories, theme, moral and lesson, sequence of events, and compare and contrast.

            Math: Continue playing the array games a couple of times a week.  Second graders actually only need to know their multiplication (arrays) through 5X5, but I've included all the arrays because many of the second graders are ready for them!  For third graders (and second graders who are ready), looking on the backside of the array, tell the other factor. That’s division!

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!)  Falcon Fast Facts will officially begin in January and it will be added to the RAH minute folder.

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  We've been working on fiction stories and developing the main character through physical descriptions, dialogue, and actions.  Your child should know about setting (time and place) and plot (problem/conflict and solution) as well.  Choose a character that is having the best time of his/her life.  What happens to him/her to make it the best? It is ok to choose a different topic for the fiction story, if this one doesn’t encourage the flow of writing!  Include a beginning, middle, and ending.   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.

Please use the graphic organizer to think through the paragraph before beginning your draft on notebook paper.  Skip lines on the notebook paper, so there is room to revise and edit the story.  If the first draft is neat, a final copy is not necessary.

            Family writing is due Tuesday, December 11, 2012. 

            

            All book orders are due by December 7.  They should be back before winter vacation! 

http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/  School website

http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/    Our classroom Blog site

                                                                                                    

November 29, 2012

Dear Parents: 

         

            Continue the great work in reading with your child for 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on characteristics of characters in the story, setting (time and place), problem/solution.

            Math: All array cards should have been completed by now.  Second graders actually only need to know their multiplication (arrays) through 5X5, but I've included all the arrays because many of the second graders are ready for them!  I’m still waiting on three students to turn theirs in.  Continue playing the array games Multiplication Pairs and Count and Compare. Play this week several times.   Please keep the arrays and the games to play periodically.  It’s a great way to practice multiplication facts and division facts.  There should be a factor on the back of the array, near the product (answer when you multiply).  See if your child can determine the other factor.  That’s division!

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!)  Falcon Fast Facts will officially begin in January and it will be added to the RAH minute folder.. 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Write about how you celebrated Thanksgiving or about one thing you did during your time away from school.     

Please use the graphic organizer to think through the paragraph before beginning your draft on notebook paper.  Skip lines on the notebook paper, so there is room to revise and edit the story.  If the first draft is neat, a final copy is not necessary.

            Family writing is due Tuesday, December 4, 2012. 

            In social studies we continue to learn about geography.  Your child should know his/her address, including city, state, county, country, continent, and hemispheres.  We’ve been learning the continents and the oceans.  Ask your child about this!!

           

            New book orders are attached.  I’ll send the order in on December 7.  They should be back before winter vacation. 

http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/  School website

http://forestridgec4.blogspot.com/    Our classroom Blog site

November 15 Homework

Continue the great work in reading with your child from 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on predicting, determining the most important events or details, sequencing, and retelling stories.

            Math:  Now’s the time to play the array games at home.  I’m hoping your child has already shown you how to play Multiplication Pairs.  If not, the directions are attached.  Also the game Count and Compare and  is attached.   Play this week several times.   Please keep the arrays and the games to play periodically.  It’s a great way to practice multiplication facts and division facts.  There should be a factor on the back of the array, near the product (answer when you multiply).  See if your child can determine the other factor.  That’s division!

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Write a paragraph about an interesting person you know. You may make up parts of the paragraph to make your person more interesting!  Describe him/her in detail including the person’s action, thoughts, and what he/she says.  You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending.         

Please use the graphic organizer to think through the paragraph before beginning your draft on notebook paper.  Skip lines on the notebook paper, so there is room to revise and edit the story.  If the first draft is neat, a final copy is not necessary.

            Family writing is due the Tuesday after you get back from Thanksgiving vacation, November 27. 2012. 

            In social studies we continue to learn about geography.  Your child should know his/her address, including city, state, county, country, continent, and hemispheres.  We’ve been learning the continents and the oceans.  Ask your child about this!!

           

            I will send Scholastic Book orders in on Friday, November 16 this month.  That should give us one more time to order before winter vacation.  I’ll have to send that order in quickly for us to get them back before vacation.

November 8, 2012

          Continue the great work in reading with your child from 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on predicting, determining the most important events or details, sequencing, and retelling stories.

            Math:  Finish the arrays at home.  Cut them out and place them in a container (zip lock bag works great).  Directions are attached.  Have child practice telling you the product of the arrays.  Bring the arrays back in a plastic bag by next Tuesday.  Be sure your child’s name is on the bag.  I’ll send them back home next week with some games.

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Write something in which you are thankful for about your family or the world around you.   Give examples and explain further.  You can add your own voice to it, by including your feelings into the paragraph. Include a beginning, middle, and ending.           

          Please use the graphic organizer to think through the paragraph before beginning your draft on notebook paper.  Skip lines on the notebook paper, so there is room to revise and edit the story.  If the first draft is neat, a final copy is not necessary.

            Family writing is always due the Tuesday after it is assigned, the event or holiday story is due Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

            In social studies we’re learning about geography.  Be sure your child knows his/her street number and address. …phone numbers, too!  Show your child a map while you are traveling, and help him/her find locations and roads you’re traveling.

November 1, 2012

          Continue the great work in reading with your child from 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on predicting, determining the most important events or details, sequencing, and retelling stories.

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

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

          Please use the graphic organizer to think through the story before beginning your draft on notebook paper.  Skip lines on the notebook paper, so there is room to revise and edit the story.  If the first draft is neat, a final copy is not necessary.

            Family writing is always due the Tuesday after it is assigned, the event or holiday story is due Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

            Students’ science inquiry papers are attached.  We did this sheet together in class.   We wrote a measurable question (Will an ice cube melt faster on a metal or Styrofoam surface?), a hypothesis (I think the ice will melt faster on a metal surface because the metal absorbs the temperature around it.—This channeled quite a discussion!), a procedure, data collection, and an analysis.  Please go over the process with your child.  Later in the year, they’ll be doing a science inquiry mostly by themselves.

October 25, 2012

Continue the great work in reading with your child from 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on predicting, determining the most important events or details, sequencing, and retelling stories.

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Read a short story or choose a chapter book you’ve read or heard.  Fill in the summary outline.  Write in complete sentences.  I may ask you to retell your story orally, too, without your summary outline.  Can you do it?! 

          If your child is writing on his/her own, look over the summary 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.

            Family writing is always due the Tuesday after it is assigned, Tuesday, October 30.

            In science, we’re winding up our matter unit.  Students are practicing the inquiry method by writing a measurable question (Will an ice cube melt faster on a metal or Styrofoam surface?), a hypothesis (I think the ice will melt faster on a metal surface because the metal absorbs the temperature around it.—This channeled  quite a discussion!), a procedure, data collection, and an analysis.

                                                                                                  

            Students have been learning about elections and the presidency.  Any discussion of candidates in your home would be helpful.  We’re not getting into that at school!

October 18, 2012

            Continue the great work in reading with your child from 30 minutes each day and recording it in their RAH folders.  In reading we’re working on predicting, determining the most important events or details, sequencing, and retelling stories.

            If you don’t have computer access for you child, please work on flashcard practice.  Second graders need to know their addition facts through 10 + 10 (or 20’s) and subtraction facts through 20’s.  Third graders need to know addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts through 10’s (11’s and 12’s would be nice, too!) 

            Please continue to have your child use Xtra Math and SumDog.  If you need the passwords, please let me know. 

       Family Writing:  Read a short story or choose a chapter book you’ve read or heard.  Fill in the summary outline.  Write in complete sentences.  I may ask you to retell your story orally, too, without your summary outline.  Can you do it?! 

          If your child is writing on his/her own, look over the summary 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.

            Family writing is always due the Tuesday after it is assigned, Tuesday, October 30.

            In science, we’re winding up our matter unit.  Students are practicing the inquiry method by writing a measurable question (Will an ice cube melt faster on a metal or Styrofoam surface?), a hypothesis (I think the ice will melt faster on a metal surface because the metal absorbs the temperature around it.—This channeled  quite a discussion!), a procedure, data collection, and an analysis.

                                                                                                  

            Students have been learning about elections and the presidency.  Any discussion of candidates in your home would be helpful.  We’re not getting into that at school!