Mrs. Faller's Newsletter
October 14, 2016
We've Been Busy Learning!
Reading Groups
Here's what we have been doing in reading groups:
- Achieve 3000: Students started using Achieve 3000, an online reading intervention that focuses on developing students reading comprehension. Students started out by taking a pretest to determine their approximate reading level. Currently, each lesson includes previewing vocabulary words, reading a non-fiction passage, answering comprehension questions, and graphing scores. The goal is for each student to earn 75% or higher on the comprehension questions. Students can complete lessons at home and log this time on their reading log. An Achieve 3000 Home Edition Letter was sent home today, which includes your child's login information. Please sign up for this at home and return the letter by Tuesday, October 18th.
- Comprehension Skill Focus: We recently started our study of plot. Plot is the typical order of events in a fictional story. I introduced plot by using a "plot mountain," that includes in the elements of plot: exposition, rising acting and conflict, climax, falling action, as well as, resolution. We read aloud Bad Boys and then mapped the elements of plot on a plot mountain. Currently, we are using our guided reading texts to continue our study of plot.
- Library: We go to the elementary library every other Monday. Please remember to have students take their library books to school on library days, so they can return their books and check out new ones. We will be going to the library this Monday.
- Achieve 3000: Students started using Achieve 3000, an online reading intervention that focuses on developing students reading comprehension. Students started out by taking a pretest to determine their approximate reading level. Currently, each lesson includes previewing vocabulary words, reading a non-fiction passage, answering comprehension questions, and graphing scores. The goal is for each student to earn 75% or higher on the comprehension questions. Students can complete lessons at home and log this time on their reading log. An Achieve 3000 Home Edition Letter was sent home today, which includes your child's login information. Please sign up for this at home and return the letter by Tuesday, October 18th.
- Comprehension Skill Focus: We recently started our study of plot. Plot is the typical order of events in a fictional story. I introduced plot by using a "plot mountain," that includes in the elements of plot: exposition, rising acting and conflict, climax, falling action, as well as, resolution. We read aloud Bad Boys and then mapped the elements of plot on a plot mountain. Currently, we are using our guided reading texts to continue our study of plot.
- Library: We go to the elementary library every other Monday. Please remember to have students take their library books to school on library days, so they can return their books and check out new ones. We will be going to the library this Monday.
Writing Group
Here's what we have been doing in writing:
Quick writes: We completed a heart map that includes people, places, and things that we love. This heart map will used as a source of inspiration for writing.
Paragraph writing: Students completed their first graded writing piece, which was taken through the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing). A rubric and your child's final copy will be sent home next week.
Nouns: We also started our study of nouns, including common and proper nouns. The goal is that students will be able to identify proper nouns in their writing that need to be capitalized.
Quick writes: We completed a heart map that includes people, places, and things that we love. This heart map will used as a source of inspiration for writing.
Paragraph writing: Students completed their first graded writing piece, which was taken through the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing). A rubric and your child's final copy will be sent home next week.
Nouns: We also started our study of nouns, including common and proper nouns. The goal is that students will be able to identify proper nouns in their writing that need to be capitalized.
Socktober
Happy Socktober! During the month of October, New Albany Elementary is partnering with Kid President to prove that even the smallest acts of love can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors. Throughout October, we will be collecting donations of new socks in all sizes, colors, and varieties. All socks will be donated to local shelters at the end of the month. Let's show our students the time to be awesome is now!
General Updates
Important things to know:
- reading log is due Friday, October 28, 2016
- spelling log is due Friday, October 28, 2016
- spelling/vocabulary quiz on Friday, October 28, 2016
- check out my portal for helpful, educational websites
- items to donate to our classroom: prizes, tissues, Clorox wipes, dry erase markers, Extra Sugar-Free Gum, Wet Ones Hand Wipes
- spelling log is due Friday, October 28, 2016
- spelling/vocabulary quiz on Friday, October 28, 2016
- check out my portal for helpful, educational websites
- items to donate to our classroom: prizes, tissues, Clorox wipes, dry erase markers, Extra Sugar-Free Gum, Wet Ones Hand Wipes
Mrs. Faller
Email: faller.1@napls.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/napls.us/jboeckman/
Location: 177 N High St, New Albany, OH, United States
Phone: 614-413-8700