New Year

Well, here we are, beginning our new year, 2008.  I want to make sure you understand that report cards will go home next week during our conferences. We'll talk then about what is expected from your child to be considered "ON GRADE LEVEL." 

I'm finding the children who are reading and taking more and more AR tests weekly are the ones whose reading is improving the most. For that reason, I'm expecting the children to read 2-3 AR books and take AR tests before they can play on Fridays.  We have many wonderful books in our Media Center that can be read quickly and tested. If your child continues to take tests and make 100%, this level might be too easy for him/her. However, when he/she makes 60%-80% on tests, the level they are reading might be too hard. We want this AR testing experiences to be positive experiences, and when they read at home where they can concentrate better, they do better on their tests. Please help ensure your child is reading and testing 2-3 times weekly. Again, we'll discuss this at the conference next week.

Counting money and making change is difficult for some of the students. Working at home on this skill with change from your pocket will help your child do better in Math.  We're studying plane and solid shapes these next two weeks and then go into measuring inches, yards, centimeter, meters, and temperature with word problems that apply to the skills. Watch for the papers your child brings home and review missed items.

We have a lot of skills to learn and practice these next 9 weeks. Any help at home will greatly improve their knowledge of reading and math. Thanks for your support. Remember, it takes all three of us...you, your child, and me working together to make sure their ability and their love of learning continues to improve.