Week of September 26th

Hi Families! Here is the agenda for this week:

Reading - Guided reading groups - I think the children are enjoying their novels.  They are doing a great job rotating in literacy centers and staying focused and on task! So proud of them!  This week in their centers they will do a reading comprehension page that is focused on our science topic: minerals, they will play a 5 W's reading game, and they will work on the computer researching the Oklahoma symbols.  Each week they will add to their 50 state folders with the information they discovered about different states!

Spelling - Sounds of "i" - List 5 on spellingcity.com  The enriched words for this week are the "k" words on spellingcity.com

English  - We will finish our animal reports this week! Finally! :) We will also continue to do a Daily Language Review that involves various concepts such as: punctuation, capitalization, spellings of words, parts of speech, etc..  We will work on making nouns plural as well.

Math  - Decimal place value, place value test, adding and subtracting big numbers    We will continue taking speed tests on multiplication facts almost daily.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spend time studying those multiplication facts DAILY!  It is so very important that the kids know them with speed and accuracy.  I can't stress this enough. It is essential for future math success.  They have got to know them to do large number multiplication, long division, fractions, etc.  Quiz them on the way to practices, play games with them, let them play on multiplication.com, have them write them with special smelly markers or in shaving cream, reward them.......anything you can do to help them get those facts stuck in their heads.  Please also remember to keep it positive and encouraging.  Kids can get stressed out by learning the facts....you don't want to cause anxiety by being too hard on them or negative.  We play a card game almost everyday before we take the test.  I have a silly duster made up with a face that is Brain Builder Bob and he christens the kids' heads right before the test! We also take calming deep breaths before starting.  I know so many of you are doing such a great job at working with your kids and it will pay off! I promise!  My mom and I thought I would never learn my facts, but she worked everyday with me and they FINALLY started sticking!! :) Hang in there!

Social Studies - Oklahoma Native American groups, Trail of Tears, Civil War, Cattle Drives, and the Oil industry in Oklahoma

Science - Geology - minerals, the 3 types of rocks - This week, we will "earth eat", "rock eat", and make homemade geodes! Fun!

Quote: Be a Fruit Loop in a world full of Cheerios  Anonymous

***IMPORTANT REMINDERS***

The mouse house is due this Thursday.  Don't forget to include a letter of persuasion to Ralph convincing him to live in the house you built for him.  Some of the children have already turned their mouse houses and letters in and WOW! I am so impressed with the creativity!! I can't wait to display them!

We go to Turkey Creek School next Wednesday.  Don't forget to turn in your $3 admission money this week.  If the children want a picture, remember to send $7 more dollars. 

I wanted to let you know that if your child has a "D" or an "F" on a paper, they may correct it at home and I will average the 2 grades for a better grade.  (Only D's or F's)

If you have any rocks to temporarily donate to our class rock museum, please do so.  We will make sure it gets back to you.  Thanks!

Apple Day is this Friday.  It will be a great day!  Please remember to send 2 apples by Thursday.  I will be peeling, coring, and slicing apples Thursday evening for our Friday's homemade applesauce.  Yum!

Look for a note home this week about Student-Led Conferences coming up! The children's book orders should come in this week too!