Week of September 7-11

I hope everyone enjoyed their three day weekend! I know I sure did.

This week we are taking our Math MAPS test. Once we have finished MAPs testing we will have a clearer picture as to where you student is, what kind of progress, or lack of, they made over the summer, and what we need to do to best support your child.

Tuesday we will be watching the Presidential speech in class. There will be no follow-up assignments or activities, however, we will take time to discuss the message.

In math ...
This week we will continue working on multiplication. We have started off slowly reviewing facts and fact families as well as multiplying numbers that end in zero. If you know this is something your child struggles with please start working on multiplication and division facts at home. Flash cards or fine, but computer games are often more motivational. I will try and get several linked to my blog soon.
I am very proud of all my students who tried the extra credit project. Thanks for your support at home!

In writing ...
I am in the middle of grading all those fantastic (and some fantastically long!) realistic fiction stories. Before starting another writing project we are working on some of the mechanics of writing, like quotes. Last week students also received a list of 300 ways to say "said." We have been trying out new words in class talking about what they mean and the kind of mental pictures they invoke. A great way to support these lessons who be to point out correct punctuation of quotes in books at home, as well as share with your child great words you find in what you are reading that the author used instead of "said."

Don't forget ...
* To turn in the blanket Lawrence area field trip permission form.
* Pictures are next Monday, September 14.