Raddatz Review
September 26, 2016
Picture Day
Picture Day was last Friday. A small slip was taped into planners with instructions on how to go online to view the pictures. At last check, the photos have not been uploaded. According to the office, you will also get another page in a week or two with more information. Picture retakes will be Thursday, November 17th.
Upcoming Dates
October 7 - Fun Run in the AM
October 7 - Student 1/2 day, Professional Development in the afternoon
Reading and Writing
I am getting to know your children as readers and writers. It is very important for students to be reading books that are appropriate. If a student can easily read every word, have the child pick a more challenging book. If a student struggles to get through a page or doesn't realize all the errors they are making, select an easier book. A child should have a few unknown words (they might be able to figure these words out but they are not known immediately). Let me know if you are in need of some suggestions.
Writing can be tricky. While many of us model reading at home, less of us model writing frequently. Finding an opportunity to tell family small moment stories or even write them as a family can be helpful.
Social Studies
We open the wall between our classrooms and Mrs. Smith leads our social studies lessons while I assist. (The opposite is true for science.) We worked last week on the compass rose and map skills. This is an interesting area for many students. Feel free to get out those maps of Cedar Point, our town or community, or Michigan to further explore maps.
Math
We continue to review addition and subtraction facts. We are moving into multi-digit addition and subtraction review as well. It is important for students to be able to use many different strategies. They do not need to use the "traditional algorithm" we were taught until fourth grade! Allow the students to use base ten shorthand, place value thinking, or a number line rather than traditional algorithms. As the questions become more complex, they will need a solid understanding rather than a procedure to follow.
Look below for some examples of other ways to solve.
Using base ten to help solve
Using a number line to solve
Using place value to solve
Media Center Check Out
Our classroom will check out new books every Thursday. In order to make sure our books are returned and we are ready to check out new books, please have students return books on WEDNESDAY. Thanks!