September 17-21

Our students are well into their reading groups now!  Students work in small groups of 3-5 students on reading strategies, comprehension skills, and fluency.  Typically we start with asking about what the students already know about the topic, taking a picture walk and telling what's happening in the story, working through tricky words and then reading the book.  After the group has read the book, the students put it in their book boxes to read during the rest of the day. 

Some reading strategies that you can use with your child at home:

• look at the picture
• look at the first letter of the word
• sound out the word or "touch the sounds"
• re-read to the point you got stuck and ask what would make sense
• look for big chunks you know

In math we are working on story problems and addition.  The next couple of homework assignments will be to play double compare.  Each player picks two primary number cards, adds them together and whoever has the bigger sum gets to keep the cards.  At home, you can have your child do simple things such as writing their numbers and drawing a picture to match.  They can also play games such as compare and double compare any time.

Be on the lookout for:

• Orange conference sheets- please fill these out and return them as soon as possible so we can get conferences set up!
• October book orders- book orders will be due on October 5th so we can get any Halloween books in before the holiday.
• Picture day information- school pictures are fast approaching and the order form will be coming home soon!
• Book It! information- Pizza Hut puts on the Book It! program to get kids reading and offers a free personal pan pizza for reaching our monthly class goal!
• Pictures on our website- I am just waiting for the list of students who may not be photographed before I put up any pictures.