HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I hope that everyone has gotten off to a good start in 2009.  

Third graders are continuing to work on learning their times tables.  Please make flashcards at home as well, because knowing these is key to all math in the future years.  Encourage your child to work out all math on paper.  Draw it out, if necessary.  Most mistakes that I see are from students who think they can work the problem out in their heads.

Some of my fourth graders are working on their phonics skills by using the Wilson Language Program with me the first 30 minutes of our class.  We are working on learning all short vowels, blends, digraphs, rules that apply to syllables, etc.  Fourth graders continue to review all skills in my classroom during learning centers.  We are working on spelling. vocabulary, both reading and math related, language skills, writing, and some computer skills, such as "Dance Mat typing."  While practicing typing, the students will practice language arts skill such as capitalization, punctuation and spelling.  We rotate the learning centers, and each is approximately 15 minutes. 

Fifth graders continue working on reading, writing and math skills.  We continue to work on reading, writing, and math concerns that they have from their classroom as well. 

Thanks!

Debbie Callahan  

Remember the Runner's strategy when answering comprehension questions:

R ead the title and make a prediction. 

U nderline key words in the questions.

N umber the paragraphs.

N ow read the entire selection.

E nclose key words in circles.

R eread the  questions and  selection.

S elect the best answer.

I will continue working with my fifth graders on comprehension skills in the regular class and we will focus on the RUNNER'S strategy.