What's The News?

 

Happy New Year!!  I am excited to say that the children have come back to school rested and ready to learn.  This is such an exciting time of year.  The boys and girls are maturing academically and are ready to take off!  So, her we go!

 

We are moving right along in our Open Court Reading program.  We continue to introduce the long vowel sounds and spellings.  This is sometimes difficult for the children because most of the long vowel sounds have at least five spellings.  There will be lots of review during the coming months to help cement these rules for the children.  Our spelling lists will continue to reflect the sounds and spellings we are learning each day.  As your child writes at home, hold him/her accountable for the spellings we have covered.  The more he/she has to correct their mistakes, the more he/she will remember the rules.

 

In math we have begun chapter 7 which deals with geometry.  At this level, children approach geometry as a study of shapes and their many attributes.  This will be a fun chapter with many hands-on activities.  We have begun solving the addition facts to eighteen on our timed drills.  Most of the children are having trouble with these higher number facts.  Right now many of the boys and girls have to use their fingers or their number line to figure out these problems.  Obviously, on the drills, they do not have time to do this.  Keep practicing at home!  We will be doing just addition for a while and then we will focus on subtraction.

 

Beginning this week, we will become geologists as we begin our study of rocks and minerals.  The class will enjoy a field trip to the rock quarry in Peachtree City in February and is looking forward to studying our own rocks here at school.

 

In social studies we will begin studying map skills and communities.  This is the beginning of our Box City Unit.

 

Dates to Remember:

 

January 9 – Superbowl of Reading begins

January 16 – Noon Dismissal

January 19 – MLK Holiday

January 20 – Conferences begin

January 30 – LS Assembly at 8:40

                      Superbowl of Reading ends.