The Sneak Peek
Sept. 4th, 2018
Homework
I have placed a printed book in your child's folder that is based on their last year's reading level. Some of the books also include discussion questions and a written response. I encourage you to use these discussion questions with your child. They are very similar to what they will be asked during Mclass reading assessments. It is not necessary for your child to complete the written response but it is an adding support.
In addition I have provided an optional math worksheet and an optional STEM project. The STEM project is for the month of September and is not to be turned in until the 28th. Families have really loved these projects in the past so I encourage you to try it out! These STEM projects help support your child's development of 21st Century Learning Skills.
Check out this link to learn more about 21st Century Skills:
Items requested for the classroom
I want our classroom to be a place that is comfy and cozy, despite our hard tile floors. We currently have a few bean bags but are in search for more. If you have any bean bags chairs, child size chairs, or yoga mats at home you would like to donate we would appreciate it very much!
Balls, hola hoops, chalk, jump ropes for our recess time.
small boxes (cereal box size or smaller), toilet paper and paper towel rolls for Friday.
Testing
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a K–12 test assesses students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas: Verbal, Nonverbal and Quantitative. The CogAT is often used in admissions decisions for Gifted and Accelerated school programs.
We will be conducting the CogAT Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.
MClass assessments will begin next week. The testing window is open until Oct. 10th. I will contact you when your child has completed all parts of the assessment.
TRC - Reading and comprehension of leveled text.
NWF - Children read 'nonsense' words with consonant-vowel-consonant patterns. (Ex. Tav)
DORF - A timed reading passage that evaluates accuracy and fluency
Volunteers
Class Curriculum
Writer's Workshop - Last week we collected writing samples from different genres. This week we continue to launch writer's workshop. We will discuss characteristics of good writers and the art of telling stories!
Math Workshop - We continue to build our math mindset this week. We have begun our unit on addition and subtraction with in 20. Children have been learning how to work cooperatively in small groups and this week will be assigned a math partner. Each day math partners will work on a hands on, engaging math task together.
*Reading and Writing Partners will also begin this week. Partner's differ by subject.
Social Studies - We have a few more me bags to finish up! We will begin learning about our community. Friday children will engage in a PBL (project based learning activity) where they will work in small groups to construct an urban, suburban, or rural community using recyclables. Please send in small boxes (cereal box size would be great or smaller), toilet paper and paper towel rolls.
Class Calendar
Tuesday, Sept. 4th - Encore - Art
Wednesday, Sept. 5th - Encore - STEM/ Makerspace
Thursday, Sept. 6th - Encore -Spanish
Friday, Sept. 7th - Encore -Music
Wednesday, Sept.12th - Early Release
Wednesday, Sept. 19th - Teacher Workday - No School