WEEK of February 8-12

Just a Few Reminders

• Our class Valentine Party is scheduled for Friday, February, 12 from 11:30-12:30.  The kids will also exchange cards with their classmates on that day.  We would like each child to decorate a shoebox at home and bring it to school on Thursday, February 13.  THANKS!
• Newsday Tuesday folders are sent home each Tuesday.  Please remember to return folders before the following Tuesday.  I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on receiving any important information. 

• Each student has a Take Home Folder that goes back and forth between home and school each day.  You can find homework assignments (if it's a worksheet), the reading log, a daily behavior sheet, notes, etc. in the folder; therefore, I encourage you to check it each day.  The behavior sheet is our way of communicating about any problems that may occur, so it's important that the folder is returned to school EACH DAY.  If your child does not receive a sticker on any given day, I would like you to initial that day so I know that you are aware of any infractions.   Please have your child double check his or her backpack to be sure that the folder gets to school EACH DAY.  Thanks!

• Please remember our kiddos are required to read AT LEAST 20 MINUTES, AT LEAST 5 NIGHTS a week (don't forget to DOCUMENT THIS TIME & sign).  I will check their reading logs EVERY MONDAY.  If your child's reading log is incomplete, this can disqualify him or her from participating in the READ-IN.

• Thanks for all you do at home to help your child be successful.  I encourage parents to sit one-on-one with their child and assist with homework when needed.  If your child works on homework independently, please check over the work.  It would be a great opportunity to have your child explain to you how he or she found any answers. 

• We will begin our "Student of the Week" presentations on September 14.  This will continue until the month of May.  Each student has his or her special week in which he or she presents a newspaper page with lots of great facts.  Precious items can also be shared during the week.  Remember to check the schedule for your child's special week.   

OUR WEEK AT A GLANCE

SPELLING

We are working on unit 23 words this week.  The kids will be given a pretest on Monday.  If they get 100% on the pretest, they will be exempt from the spelling test on Thursday.

HOMEWORK:  unit 23 packet--due 2/11

TEST:  unit 23--2/11

LANGUAGE/READING

This week, we are working on similes.  We will not have a new reading story.  The kids are working on summarization using our story from last week.  The cursive letters we're practicing are lowercase w, u, p, and r.

SCIENCE

We are beginning our lesson on sound this week.  We will also discuss parts of the ear. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

Westward Expansion is our next topic.  We will begin discussing reasons why the pioneers moved west and some of the problems they encountered during their journey.

MATH

We are ready to begin our study of multiplication.  If you do not already have a set of multiplication flash cards to use with your child, iplease purchase some or make them.  We will spend 2-3 days on each group of times tables, and your child will have written tests (TIMED TESTS) on each group.  They will also have cumulative tests (MIXED TESTS) at least once a week.  Our schedule for the week will be as follows:

M (Feb. 8)-TIMED TEST 7'S/MIXED 0-7'S, 10-11'S

T (Feb. 9)-introduce 8's

W (Feb. 10)-work with 8's

R (Feb. 11)-TIMED TEST 8'S/MIXED 0-8'S, 10-11'S

F (Feb. 12)-introduce 9's

The students will have math homework Monday-Thursday of this week.  The homework covers TAKS skills.

On each TIMED TEST the students will have 4 minutes to complete 50 problems.  The TIMED TEST consists of problems on that particular group ONLY.  For example, a TIMED TEST on 5's will be 50 problems that are only facts of 5.

On each MIXED TEST the students will have 4 1/2 minutes to complete 50 problems.  The MIXED TEST consists of a mixture of all the facts we have worked on.  For example, a MIXED TEST on 0-3's will be 50 problems that consist of a mixture of 0's, 1's, 2's, and 3's facts.

Multiplication tables must be memorized and practiced.  We know this will mean your time and dedication to this task as well as your child's dedication, but if your child successfully memorizes the multiplication tables in third grade, then the facts can be easily reviewed and recalled in coming school years.

Our major focus during the next few weeks will be studying the multiplication facts each day at school and at home.  Hopefully together we can make this a successful experience for your child.  Thank you for your cooperation and help!  We appreciate your assistance in helping your child learn!