Dear Parents,

We are officially finished with STAAR testing for this year! Students worked hard to show what they’ve learned in math and reading! We have now begun our rainforest research project, and students will have the opportunity to research a rainforest animal, create a booklet and visual aid, and present their learning to our class. Detailed instructions can be found on my website and attached to this week’s newsletter/homework email. Please let me know if you have any questions!

I need someone to be in charge of the class party. I would love to do ice cream sundaes/banana splits to celebrate our multiplication challenge. If you would be willing to help me out, please e-mail me. ()

Between now and the end of the year, students need to have memorized all of their multiplication facts through at least 10x10. They will need to know up to 12x12 in fourth grade. Multiplication fact practice is something we give students opportunities to practice at school, but the most effective learning will happen outside of school because of the time and repetition that it takes to progress in this area. Some ideas for helping your child master these facts include flash cards, apps, online games, a “multiplication machine” from Lakeshore Learning, and repeatedly writing down their multiplication tables. Students should focus on learning their multiplication tables sequentially, from the 0’s table (0x1 - 0x10) up to the 10’s table (10x1 - 10x10). They may then practice them randomly. Please let me know if you have any questions about this!

A note on snacks: We have a peanut allergy in our room. Please, for the safety of the students in our room, do not send snacks that are eaten in the room that have nuts or nut allergens. Thank you for helping me keep all of our students safe.

Important dates and this week’s learning targets and homework are below. Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Tammie Seay

972.347.7144

This week’s learning targets:

Math: We will be practicing and assessing our multiplication facts up to 10x10. We will also be learning how to solve problems using 2 by 1 multiplication.

Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies: These content areas will be integrated as we work on our rainforest research project!

Think Through Math: At least two Think Through Math lessons are due each week by Thursday night. These can be completed at school, home, or a combination of the two. The computer lab is open from 7:20-7:45 each morning for students to utilize if they need to. Students who do not complete at least two lessons per week will be in the computer lab during clubs on Fridays to work toward completing that requirement.

Reading Counts: At least 15 Reading Counts points are expected to be earned during each grading period. Students need to be checking out Reading Counts books each week in the library and reading them both at home and at school. They will then have the opportunity to take short, 10 question tests on their books and earn points. Tests may only be taken at school. Students who do not earn at least 15 points per grading period will be in the computer lab during clubs on the last Friday of the grading period to work toward completing that requirement.

Important Dates:

5/15 - 5/19: Book Fair (buy one, get one free!)

5/15 - 5/19: Career Week

Monday- Hats off to a good education – Wear a hat.

Tuesday- Your future is Bright! Wear bright colors.

Wednesday- College suits me to a “T”!- Wear a college shirt.

Thursday-Your Future Starts Here- Wear your Cross Oaks spirit shirt.

Friday- When I grow up- Dress up as what you want to be when you grow up

or wear a hat that shows your future career.

5/17: Young Authors’ Night(this has been canceled)

5/19: Donuts with Dad 7:20 AM in the cafeteria

5/26: Field Day

5/29: Memorial Day (no school)

5/31: End-of-Year Class Parties (3rd grade: 1:45-2:30)

6/1: Last Day of School! (early release at 12:00)

Homework for the week of May 15, 2017:

1
Read 20 minutes. / 2
Complete one Think Through Math Lesson. / 3
4
Complete one Think Through Math Lesson / 5
Read 20 minutes / 6
Read 20 minutes.
7
Write a paragraph to explain what you think you will enjoy the most about field day, and why. / 8
Read 20 minutes. / 9
Read 20 minutes

Evidence grid to be recorded in students’ homework journals:

Students will draw the following grid in their homework journal for each week. They will number all boxes and write in only the boxes they complete for that week. For writing prompts and word problems, students will need to draw a downward facing arrow in the box, and then complete their work below the grid or on the next page of their journal. Work completed outside of the grid will need to be numbered.

1
Title of book
Number of minutes read
Parent signature / 2
Title of Think Through Math lesson that was completed / 3
Math problem
4
Title of Think Through Math lesson that was completed / 5
Title of book
Number of minutes read
Parent signature / 6
Title of book
Number of minutes read
Parent signature
7
Paragraph / 8
Title of book
Number of minutes read
Parent signature / 9
Title of book
Number of minutes read
Parent signature