Dear Families,September 26 – 30, 2016
Thursday was the official first day of autumn – goodness the time is flying! The students learned the word “equinox” and how it relates to “equal” and “equivalent.” Words are very interesting.
In math last week we took a pre-test for Unit 2.The students know about how the groups are based on what math content needs to be taught, and that they might get to know each of the four math teachers (Ms. Johnson, Ms. Lee & Mr. Budin are the others) throughout the year. It will be different, and enjoyable to have one hour a day with other personalities. The start of Unit 2 focuses on addition strategies that are important to know as we get to larger numbers. For example, the +9 shortcut is so students can think of a number, add 10 because it’s simpler, and then subtract 1 in order to get the accurate answer. At home, providing opportunities to practice doubles facts, doubles +1 and +2, and turn-around facts in addition to the +9 shortcut would be great mental math practice. Mental math is fun to do in the car, at a sports event, at the dinner table, or even on a bike ride!
A website you might want to bookmark and keep on your list for reference is: When you visit, you’ll find tips for parents, printable pdf versions of HomeLinks listed by unit and some general information about Everyday Math. It’s a good resource!
In reading, we have been paying close attention to our strategies for figuring out unfamiliar words. Many children still need to remember to start at the beginning letter and read all the way through the word. In Writer’s Workshop we will be working on collecting ideas of what we are good at, rereading and revising towards a final copy. After our introduction to basic parts of speech, we’ll be working with punctuation, sentence structure, and how using them properly can improve our written communication.
Mrs. Rabu will be attending classes at the University for the next couple of weeks. We will miss her, but she’ll be back in October. This alternating fortnight schedule will continue for her first semester, in order for her practical and theoretical learning to weave seamlessly together. In winter and spring 2017 she’ll be at SAP each and every day.
General Information:
- School doors open 8:15
- Specialists: S, M, PE, M, PE
- 9/29 School Library
- 10/10 iPad Handout at school
- 10/11 EDL begins T, Th
- 10/19 Unity Day
- 10/2021 No School MEA
- 10/27 Ordway Theater StepAfrika! 12:30
- 10/28 No School Conference Prep
- The weekly newsletter and spelling words are to be found on the web:
Spelling Words: arm, part, party, alarm, start, cart, dart, farm, charm, harm, wishes, shoes
Vocabulary Words: rural, urban, suburban, community, summer
Best, Ms. Lee and Mrs. Rabu