Mrs. Horak's Class Newsletter
Volume 10: February 11, 2016
What A Winter!
This has been a tough winter in terms of the number of school days we have missed. With more bad weather potentially on the way next week, we may have even more disruptions. What can you do, you might be wondering. First, make sure your child reads every single day. Second, make sure they are doing "real reading" in which they are deeply comprehending what they read. How will you know? Ask them! Have them use our new strategy for summarizing that is called the "Fab 5 Summary." It goes like this: Someone (the main character)...wanted...but (the main problem)...so (the solution)....then (the ending). This helps kids include the most important events in a story or chapter and not get lost in all the tiny details. The other thing to do at home is to practice multiplication and division. The more automatic the basic facts become, the better for future, harder math down the road.
Bits and Pieces
- We started our next math unit on fractions this week. Please read the family letter that came home today to see what the students will be expected to do and how you can support them. Many of our story problems involve people sharing foods, like cookies, brownies, and pizzas. Real-life problems or examples from your dinner table are excellent ways to reinforce the concept of equal shares.
- We have finished our science unit on heat energy and transfer! Your kids learned about different heat sources, the three ways heat is transferred, and the difference between conductors and insulators.
- If you have not signed up for a mid-year conference, please do so by clicking on https://docs.google.com/a/bcsemail.org/document/d/1z3y5gB5yS91fLjeWOu8G_oV6hXVu5yxQfGMpfDkxbH_0/edit?usp=sharing. If you can not make it to the time you signed up for, please let me know ahead of time. I am happy to work with you to find an alternate day.
- Last week during Guidance, the boys met with Mr. Eden and the girls met with Mrs. Lindsey. The lesson aimed to brainstorm appropriate topics to talk about at school. It also helped clarify what types of conversation are not appropriate. I hope that all students will feel comfortable coming to me, Mrs. DiYorio, or any trusted adult in the building if there are conversations taking place that make them feel uncomfortable.
Important Dates
February 12: Valentine's Day Party
February 19: Family Movie Night
February 22: Early Release
March 11: School Dance
March 22: Talent Show
March 25: Teacher Work Day: No school
March 28-April 1: Spring Break
April 23: Spring Art Festival
Mrs. Horak
Email: lisa.horak@bcsemail.org
Website: http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/Domain/3182
Location: 50 Pinehurst Circle, Arden, NC, United States
Phone: (828) 654-1800