News from Mrs. Drudy's Class
"We exist so children can excel."
September 1, 2017
Next Week's Reading Focus
Big Idea: Inventions
Essential Question: How can problem solving lead to new ideas?
Next week our class will be focusing on how problem solving can lead to new ideas and new products. We will be talking about people who came up with new inventions when investigating and trying to solve a problem.
Spelling List
Next week's spelling words have a focus on the long a sound using the ai, ay, and ei vowel patterns. Are you looking for a way to help your child practice this tricky list at home? Write the words in the list, but leave out the vowels. Have your child write the missing letters.
Also, don't forget about Spelling City. Simply click on the Spelling City link www.spellingcity.com/tdrudy and locate the appropriate list. Next week's list is titled Unit 1 Week 4. Your child will probably want to spend some time with this list over the extended weekend, as our spelling bubble quiz (where they must be able to recognize the correct spelling of each work) will be given on Tuesday, the first day they come back.
Phonics Words
1. plain
2. braid
3. fail
4. grain
5. snail
6. paint
7. sway
8. tray
9. gray
10. stay
11. state
12. fake
13. same
14. weigh
15. they
Core Words
16. great
17. tell
18. men
19. say
20. small
Challenge Words
21. sleigh
22. eight
23. radio
24. obey
25. explain
NWEA MAPS Testing
This week, your child has been taking tests called Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®). We give students MAP tests to determine your child’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of reading, language arts, and math. Your child is taking these tests on a computer.
MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. Furthermore, with MAP tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth. Over the next few days, your child will spend a total of about three hours completing these tests. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the students' perseverance, patience, and flexibility throughout the testing process.
We are truly excited to begin a new era that focuses on every child’s individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.
Budding Geologists
We are certainly enjoying our study of rocks and minerals. Be sure to ask your child about the interesting properties of pumice. Just the same, ask him or her which rock we find in Burt's Bees lotions, or which mineral is in Gold Bond powder. Make sure you check out some of the pics below of the students "doing" science. Trust us, there is no textbook passage that could possibly replace our actual hands-on experimentation.
Next Week's Share Topic:
School: Our Home Away From Home: Tell us about your school(s) before third grade. Did you go to Liberty Elementary? Who were your teachers? What are some of the cool things you’ve learned? (Remember... Monday share folks will share on Friday, the share make-up day, due to the Labor Day holiday)
Coming Up
Labor Day (No School) Monday, Sept. 4
Title I Parent Meeting Sept. 13 @ 6:00 p.m.
Corner Market Sept. 12 @3:30-6:00 p.m.
PTO Meeting Thursday, Sept, 14 @ 6:30 p.m.
School Picture Day Sept. 21
Our Weekly Related Arts Schedule
Monday Art
Tuesday P.E.
Wednesday P.E.
Thursday Computer
Friday Music and Library
**Remember...your child must wear gym shoes on the days we have P.E.