November News

Thank you for reading all of the posts from last week.  I felt as though I asked for a lot and all of you responded. Keeping this in mind, I’m going to give an update of everything we’re involved in right now and what help we need.

School Supply Collection: We have books, notebooks, and school supplies coming in and we really appreciate it.  We have talked as a class and do feel we are so lucky compared to others who are in need.  We love that we can help them.

Cool Whip Lids:  We need 28 Cool Whip Lids.  These will be used for a December surprise.  

Bookfair Starts Monday!  All books purchased will help purchase new books for our library.  Please remind your child that they are NOT to ask other children to buy them items from book fair, and remind your student that if someone asks them to purchase something for them, it’s OK to say, “Please ask your parents”.  It’s hard for kids to tell their friends no and we need to teach them it’s OK to do. 

We are still collecting Boxtops, Soup Labels (they need to have the bar code attached), and Tyson Chicken labels.  We would LOVE to win another dress down day!

Classroom Note:  We are working hard on writing and answering questions in complete sentences.  Please encourage this at home as well.  Studies have shown that children who can restate the question in their answer prove to increase their vocabulary skills, improve their writing skills and improve their overall scores.  

Google Classroom:  We have opened our Google Classroom accounts for the first time, and will now start to use this format in class.  Please have your child log on and show you what it’s capable of doing.  I can make assignments, they complete the assignment and hand it in, I correct it and hand it back all through the computer.  We will start using it to edit sentences.  Later on we will use it to collaborate when writing compositions, and we’ll create book report slide shows with a group.  I’m really excited for this new technology and our ability to use it in our classroom.

Reporting Homework:  You may log your homework nightly, or weekly.  Choose what works best for you.  The form has changed so this is possible.  

Homework:

This week we have one extra homework assignment.  Your child has written an article about the “History of Candy Corn”.  It would be helpful if you would read over it with them and help them edit, and/or add to it.  I DO NOT want you to rewrite it for them.  They are in the process of learning how to add to and fix drafts.  Ask them questions about what they have done.  Ask them questions you have about the candy corn, how it’s made, why it’s shaped the way it is, or things you think of when they read it to you.  They can access their piece by going to Utahcompose.com  I will send home their username and password on Monday. 

Math: We have started Multiplication!  This week we will be working on 2’s, 5’s, and 9’s.  On Monday I will be sending home a multiplication game for 5’s.  It may count for math homework any night of the week.  Prodigy still counts and so does Pig.  Math homework should happen 3 nights a week and may be done on the weekend.  We will be adding more multiplication games as we learn more of the facts.  Each night of homework is worth 10 points.

Reading: 20 minutes at least 5 times a week.  It is imperative that your child is participating in reading practice at home.  Studies have shown that the more words a child read, the better their achievement is in all other areas.   Not only are they given homework points for reading, but they are also given presentation points for being able to stand up and talk about what they read the night before. Reading is worth 100 points each week. I will be choosing our book talks from the Padlet Entries here, please have your child comment when they are ready to share the next day.  They only need to do a book talk once a month, but many of them like to do more:

Book Check In


Spelling Sorts: Sorts are assigned on Monday, so this sort should be the regular sort, allowing you to see what the focus for the week is and should be written after sorting.  Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday, you get to choose the sorts.  I have told the students that if they choose the speed sort, to save it for a “busy” night as it does not need to be written.   If you have questions, please don’t be afraid to e-mail me.  Sorts are worth 10 points per sort every week.

When we test on Friday, I choose words with the pattern we have learned throughout the week.  I do not always choose words that were in the sort as we are looking for the use of pattern and their ability to use it in any word with that pattern.

BYU: Sort 9
Utah State: Sort 26
U of U: Sort 37
Weber State: Sort 43

Thanks for all you do for your student and our class!  Have a great week.