Ms. Givens

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SECOND QUARTER
We are timing and testing knowledge of the math facts each week.  Many have 
progressed and I am sending home a math book to be added to homework.  Go at 
your child's own pace and be sure not to go beyond the half hour time frame 
for homework.  As pages are completed please tear them out and send them in 
so they can be collected.
It is now also encouraged to add some writing into the homework.  I suggest 
keeping a simple journal, perhaps where one or two sentences can be written 
each night.  Sentences should be checked for proper sentence structure, 
capitals, periods, and spelling.  It is good to give guidance in these areas 
and to shower lots of praise as we begin to build fluency.

FIRST QUARTER
Homework begins the week following Back to School Night.  I like to go over 
everything with you at Back to School Night prior to sending anything home.  
What follows here is an overview of what I'll present:

The Homework Folder will go home and back to school each day!  There is a 
Homework Chart stapled inside for you to check off the homework that was 
done in reading and math and there is a place for you to sign the chart each 
night.  This is a nice way to impart the importance of homework and an 
opportunity to share your pride with their efforts.  
The spelling homework (ie. Monday words in ABC order) comes back to school 
in the folder each day and we collect it.

The Diocese recommends 20-30 minutes of homework each night for second 
graders.  Because of shorter attention spans (especially coming off 
the heels of summer) this is broken up into 10 minute segments as follows:
10 minutes of reading
10 minutes of math fact practice
10 minutes of spelling
Reading homework is a choice of your own books from home.  This way the 
books will be of high interest and at the level of which your child is 
capable.  Alternate between silent reading and oral reading.  Remember to 
ask comprehension questions afterward as often as possible.  
In the first few months we will send small math fact cards home for speed 
practice.  The first grade math fact standard is for your little one to 
know (without having to use fingers and count out)all their addition and 
subtraction facts through sums and differences of 20! To help your little 
one review or get to know these facts spend 10 minutes each night reviewing 
a few until they are memorized. Five facts at a time is a good start.   
Once your little one masters their facts through 20 start on multiplication 
facts! 
I've encouraged the children to cut apart the math facts sent home, write 
the answers on the back and then try to say the answer "in a flash" (without 
having to count).  Those they know in a "flash" can go into a decorated 
shoebox of "I Know These!"  Then keep working on those they are still a 
little slower on knowing. Working on a few at a time is better than the 
whole bunch!  Keep working on a few each night until they can go into the 
shoebox.  Every once in awhile pull out the ones in the shoebox as a 
refresher!
Students write their words each week in their Assignment Books (purchased in 
the office from Connie).We also send home a list each Monday for added 
reference. This list stays home for your use.  Each night these words should 
be reviewed. 
On Monday the words are to be written in ABC order and turned in the next day.
On Tuesday write each word three times and turn it in the next day.
On Wednesday use some of the spelling words in sentences and turn these in 
the next day.  
To begin the 10 minutes may be only enough to write three sentences but as 
the year progresses your little one should increase to five, eight, and ten 
sentences if possible.  Set goals for this and give rewards as the goals are 
met!
On Thursday just study for the test the next day!

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