DAILY HOMEWORK
     Be sure to check your child's homework pad and homework folder each night to see if there are any important notes, mail, etc. Homework will be given every night, except for Fridays.

MATH (EnVision)
     Students will have a math worksheet related to the current unit to complete each night.  Students should also know their basic addition and subtraction facts, as well as multiplication and division as the year goes on.  Please be sure to practice these facts at home using flashcards.  You can print out extra fact drills by visiting www.themathworksheetsite.com.  Use them to practice timing your child.

 

READING (Good Habits Great Readers)
     Along with the daily homework, your child should be reading 15 minutes EVERY NIGHT and it should be documented on their reading log with your signature. Please return the reading log every Friday. They will then get a new reading log to complete for the following week.  Take a look at our reading program...
                                                                                                      

• Shared Reading
       During Shared Reading the teacher models (using think alouds) the habits, skills, and strategies proficient readers use to understand and enjoy reading. Each instructional unit covers one of the identified habits of proficient readers, so students learn to:
       *See themselves as readers
       *Make sense of text
       *Use what they know
       *Understand how stories work
       *Read to learn
       *Monitor and organize ideas and information
       *Think critically about books

 

• Guided Reading
       Guided Reading lessons are designed to be used with small groups to address specific reading skills and strategies.  Guided reading allows us to instruct small groups of students with similar learning needs, using a text that is carefully matched to their current instructional needs. We provide direct instruction in reading skills and strategies and gather informal assessment information by listening to students read and discuss text.  
      We share questions and activities to help students activate and use prior knowledge, build background knowledge, make connections and predictions, set a purpose for reading, preview vocabulary, and explore a featured reading skill.  As students read independently, we use prompts that provide support. After reading, students revisit the featured reading skill and discuss the text.  Each lesson will usually include some type of activity to extend and/or reinforce one of the reading skills.

 

WRITING (Being A Writer)
    We use real literature to model writing and help highlight techniques used by published authors.  We work with the whole class to model these practices, skills, and strategies proficient writers use to express themselves and communicate in a variety of genres.  Students then work independently or in small groups to reinforce and extend what they've learned. 
     Each unit of the writing program focuses on a single genre of writing, for example, narrative writing.  Throughout the program, students use the writing process to generate ideas or topics to write about, plan their writing, write drafts, revise, edit, and publish their work.  They have frequent opportunities to work together to practice what they've learned and to share their writing.  
 

 

 

WORD STUDY (Spelling Connections)
     Word study combines phonics and spelling.  In word study, students will explore the patterns and sounds of words (features).  Students will work with hands-on activities that are tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses.  
     Please practice your words regularly. Students will be responsible for spelling them properly on all written assignments. Word study quizzes will be given each week as a form of assessment.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
     Please be sure to check your child's "Friday folder." Folders must be signed by a parent and returned every Monday.