Thank You!

Thank you parents for pulling through with the Cool Whip lids.  We have enough and parent gifts are going to happen!

This week is a busy one as we start Sage Interim Testing.  It is also Hour of Code Week.  Many have asked what Hour of Code is, so here’s a quick explanation.  Hour of Code was created to encourage kids and teachers to learn and teach code.  Each year, Code.org hosts a week where they offer fun, inspirational videos about the importance of coding, and a fun code program for the students.  Coding is how video games, android and iOS base apps are created, and will be a very big part of our futures.  This year, Code.org has teamed up with Disney and have a new Star Wars code program available for Hour of Code.   At Quest, we participate in Hour of Code Week, but that’s not our only interaction.  We code all year long in STEM class and in our classroom.  If you have not seen what your student is capable of coding, have them log on at home and show you what they can do.  We will participate in Hour of Code on Thursday.

Our schedule for SAGE testing is as follows:
Tuesday, December 8th 2:00 to 3:00   Math
Thursday, December 10th  2:00 – 3:00   Math
Friday, December 11th 9:40 – 10:40 Writing
Monday, Decmeber 14th 10:30 – 11:30 Writing
Wednesday, December 16th 8:40 – 9:40 ELA
Thursday, December 17th 8:40 – 9:40 ELA
 
After the testing is over, I a snapshot of what the students have grasped  on the concepts we have already taught, and an indication of their background knowledge of upcoming topics.  These tests will NOT be used as term grades.  This testing will also help the children have a good idea of what to expect when we get to the end of year tests.

We will be celebrating 1/2 birthdays for our June birthdays this month, July birthdays in January and August birthdays in February. 

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 3′s, and 4′s.  Math homework should happen 3 nights a week and may be done on the weekend.  Current options for math homework are any of the following:

Prodigy
Salute
PIG 
Chutes and Ladders (Game board was sent home 3 weeks ago)
Cross Out (Game board will be sent home today)

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 11
Utah State: Sort 29
U of U: Sort 39
Weber State: Sort 45

Just a heads up, we will not have Spelling Sorts next week.