11-19-05

Dear Parents,

December is approaching! Can you believe it? And what a busy and exciting time it will be.

We are still studying “Things that Come in Groups”. We are about to start using arrays to help in our investigation of multiplication. Arrays give a nice organized visual of what multiplication is. I will be sending home one set of array cards with directions for how to play 2 different array games. Make sure that your child is playing these array games as much as possible until you see that they have become ‘easy’ for your child. We will also begin working with fluency for some of the tables in multiplication. For the next nine or ten school weeks your will have written on Monday in his/her agenda which multiplication table (s) will be tested for fluency on Friday. Your child can practice these in whatever way is most effective. I love this site to practice because you have to get 20 problems correct in 1 minute and this is what is considered fluent. Just make sure your child shows you that he/she got 100 percent correct before leaving the program. If you child gets nervous about beating a clock, you can try comparing it to a video game, this worked for my son. You can also use flash cards and look at patterns in each table.

http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/mathsmulti.html

In reading the kids want to do a group book study of Squanto since we are studying Native Americans, so we will begin that in the next few days. While reading, we will practice writing in 1^st person and assuming the character of Squanto while writing his journal. Print the bookmark below for reading strategy reminders for your child.

We are continuing our study of Native Americans. The children will take quizzes on each region of Native Americans that we study. If your child is listening in class, the quizzes are easy A’s. However, if you have any concerns, you may ask your child to periodically bring home their Social Studies folder to go over the content. The children have been interested in seeing how different resources and where the Native Americans lived affected how they lived.

On December the 17^th we will have a Poetry Program and parents are invited. If you cannot attend please make sure someone comes to watch your child. It can be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a neighbor. Let me know if you cannot find anyone to attend and I should be able to help. The children will be acting out winter poetry and will need to dress up/bring props to “show” their poem. They will be choosing their poems this week.

As always, thanks for all of your support!

Have a great week!

Tanya Constantine

Site of the Week: http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/mathsmulti.html Get faster at a multiplication table!

Reading Strategy Checklist Before Reading I… Ø Think about the cover, title, and what I know about the topic. Ø Skim, looking at and thinking about pictures, photos, graphs and charts. Ø Read headings and captions Ø Read the back cover and/or print on the inside of the jacket. Ø Use the 5 finger method. Ø Ask questions. Ø Make predictions During Reading I… Ø Make mental pictures. Ø Identify confusing parts and reread them. Ø Use pictures, charts, and graphs to understand confusing parts. Ø Identify unfamiliar words and use context clues to figure out what they mean. Ø Stop and retell to see what I remember, reread if I need to. Ø Predict, then adjust or confirm. Ø Raise questions then read on to discover answers. Ø Jot down tough words and page it’s on, then find help. After Reading I… Ø Think about the characters, settings, events or new information. Ø Discuss or write my reactions. Ø Reread parts I enjoyed. Ø Skim to find details Ø Reread to find support for questions. Ø Draw a Venn to compare characters, events, books. Ø Write a review for your class. Ø Write a letter to the author. Ø Write a reader’s theatre (play) script. Ø Do a book report for your class. Ø Make a story map. Ø Write discussion questions. Ø Make a cause/effect chart.

Important Dates:

December 17^th 9:30-10:15 - Holiday Poetry Performance - This is just a short time for us all to be together and enjoy the season. Siblings are welcome. If it is impossible for you to come, feel free to send a relative or friend, I would like every child to have someone special at the performance.

December 18^th – Holiday Party – 12:30-2:30 Parents are also welcome to come to the class party, please let one of our room moms know if you can help with set up, the centers and/or clean up for our party. You can send a note through me if you wish.

Check our class calendar for other dates: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=2bcvmamhc3752ej4tsltk671sk%40group.calendar.google.com&title=Mrs.%20Constantine

Have a great week,

Tanya Constantine