New Year Update

     Happy New Year!  The children seem to have all made New Years Resolutions to work hard. They have accomplished so much already in 2017!

     In reading they are working together in a variety of book clubs.  They are reading Mrs. Lane is a Pain by Dan Gutman, Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman, Dragon Masters by Tracey West, Island by Gordon Korman, Andy Shane by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, Goldie by Ellen Miles, Kung Pow Chicken by Cyndi Marko and Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant.  All students are working on sharing their thoughts about the text, and supporting their opinions with specific details from the text.  It has been quite enjoyable to listen in on group discussions as they talk about what they are reading.  Be sure to ask your child about what they are currently reading.

     In math we have moved into using place value to add and subtract multi-digit numbers.  The students are doing well at showing their work, and are meeting success with this topic.  In the coming weeks we will be checking all addition answers by subtracting, and all subtraction work by adding.

     The students have been doing a variety of writing since returning. They began with New Year's Resolutions.  Then they replied to their pen pals from Kennedy School.  This week we have been trying different types of poetry, specifically haiku poems and heart maps.  We will begin a longer project next week, writing persuasive essays.

      Families often ask how they can help their child be more successful.  I would encourage you to read with your child whenever you have the opportunity.  Making it a nightly habit is something both of you will remember forever.  Look over their weekly reading logs and notice if they are putting their best effort into this endeavor.  Are they reading independently for at least 15-20 minutes every day?  Are their responses thoughtful and meaningful?  Start a journal or blog with your child.  Record family events, and share those journals or blogs with other family members.  Sneak in any reading or writing activities any where that you can.  Any time you get excited about literacy, your child will automatically get excited, too.  It is that contagious!  Next time you are waiting for one child to finish an after school activity, bring a book to share with the child who is waiting with you, and read it together.  The time will fly by, and you will be developing more memories for you both.  Lastly, practice those math facts any opportunity you get.  If you are waiting in line, throw some facts out to your child.  If you  are going on a long drive, throw out some math facts.  If you have two minutes before the bus comes in the morning, throw out those math facts.  You will avoid the "I'm bored" comments, and your child will have fun learning something new because they got to do it with you! Having a strong foundation of math facts will make all future math that much easier for your child.