Tuesday, Feb.23, 2010
*This week we've increased the challenge in our Spelling Program by including 6 Superwords for a total of 18 words/week. Some children were very keen to try these "harder" words. We will all "give it a go" for a few weeks but please let me know if you feel it is too much for your child. May I remind you that the weekly spelling tests are only one way to assess your child's spelling performance. Application of the words in daily writing is a desired goal but also use of the "making word" activities we do in class. This week we are learning 4 words with the "ight" pattern. Your child should be able to put other consonants or blends in front and attempt to read and write words they may never have studied, like "sight" or "flight", because they see the word family pattern. As well, they are learning about adding endings to base words and it's powerful for children to learn that if they know "start", they can spell "starts, started, starting and even, startling". What I am hoping is that when you work together to learn these words, you are noting the patterns, rhymes, ending, blends,etc and are "working with words" together.
* I sent home some web sites on Monday. Please review these to support your child's learning. Sometimes the interactiveness can have more appeal that the pencil/paper method to work on math concepts, sounds, etc.
*You should have all reviewed the project assignment for our novel Strange Lake Adventure. We have worked together in class to make predictions, infer, compare/contract, describe, explore new vocabulary, etc. as we've been reading. With just a few chapters left, your child should be thinking of some possible scenes in the book that he/she may want to recreate in the diorama. We will be done reading by Friday and then project work may begin. I would like the children to keep their book in backpacks to refer to as they work but it also needs to be available daily at school. Due date for the diorama will be Tuesday, March 11.
*Regular attendance and being on time for school is very important. Much of our daily work cannot be done at home so being present to participate in the learning is key for your child`s success.
*Report cards will be sent home on Tuesday. Interviews will be Thurs. March 4 after school and evening, also Friday, March 5. If you have a time preference, please let me know. We hope to follow the same schedule as last time to accomodate those who have more than one teacher to visit. Please let me know if you cannot attend. Thanks!