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Our class now has a better, more indepth class website that will provide you with information about homework, upcoming events, downloadable materials, and much much more!
1) Go to www.scholastic.com/classhomepage
2) A new page will appear with a Login box.
Enter our Class User Name: Hanfland
Followed by our Class Password: Reading2008
Click on "parent" and "Submit"
Our spelling contract format has changed. We are using a different one that more closely follows the format of our school's spelling program. It provides more practice with not only the spelling of the words but the usage as well. The time line for this assignment remains the same, however. It will be passed out for the pretest on Monday and collected Friday.
Now that we are in the second quarter, some of our curricular expectations have changed. We will be moving from narrative writing to informational writing. The kids are very excited about writing now and all have a new sense of confidence in their writing. I'm hesitant to have them write five paragraph informational essays the old-fashioned way because they tend to limit creativity and increase writer's anxiety. Instead, we're going to approach informational writing through a photojournalism project. Students will take pictures of their subject and incorporate them in their writing. I have discussed this project with them, and they are very excited! Don't worry if you don't have a digital camera. Digital cameras will be available for us through the media center.
We are still working on nonfiction reading skills. Our students have acquired most of the skills they need to comprehend nonfiction text, so we will be diving more in depth into such texts to practice these skills for automaticity.
Due to testing this week, I am not assigning a spelling contract this week. The kids are under enough stress with testing and classwork that I thought I'd show them a "little" relief this week.
HOWEVER, next week they will be back to a normal spelling list and contract.
Your child will be taking the CoGat and Iowa Test of Basic Skills this week beginning Wednesday, 9/17. PLEASE make sure your child goes to bed on time, if not early, before these tests and eats breakfast before coming to school. These tests are good indicators of your child's progress and how they might perform on the CRCT's. So PLEASE make sure your child is well rested, well fed, and on time to school as testing will start promptly in the morning.
Thank you so much for your assistance!
Grades have been updated as of thirty minutes ago. Any assignment that has ever been turned in to me this year has been graded and entered into Teacherease. I will be sending home a large packet of work this week with a progress report attached to it as we have now reached the halfway mark of the first quarter. If your child is receiving a 'C' or lower in any of my classes, there will also be an Academic Alert attached that will provide my observations and suggestions. Please fill out your own as well and return.
Thank you, parents, so much for your understanding and flexibility during this past week's recent events. Mrs. Poplin decided quite abruptly to resign her position which has left us short of a teacher in the meantime. We do have a substitute (the same one that has covered all of our absences this year) filling in for the next full week. A new full-time teacher will be starting with us the week of the 22nd. She is currently a part-time teacher in the 5th grade and is familiar with the schedule, curriculum, team teaching, and the building which will help make for a smooth transition. If your child was receiving special modifications and assistance, they will still be receiving the same as I am also a special education teacher knowledgeable in this area.
Thank you again for your understanding, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns and/or questions.
Please click on the following link to see a copy of this week's D.O.L. and Daily Analogies practice we work on every week.
Please click on the links below to see a copy of this week's spelling words as well as a copy of the spelling contract.
Our field trip is coming up on Tuesday, September 9th. Students will pick up a sack lunch from the cafeteria in the morning and place it in a cooler that will come with us. We will have some instructional time in the morning before we leave.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have your child dress appropriately for a day spent walking outdoors!!! Make sure to check the weather, so they are not too hot/cold. Tennis shoes/sneakers would be the best choice for footwear. Comfort is key!
