1. What do I need to focus on in Spelling?
2. What do I need to focus on in Math?
3. What do I need to focus on in Phonics?
4. What do I need to focus on in Reading?
5. Does the teacher read the questions aloud?
6. I don't understand AR tests?
7. What does my child have to do to get to the AR Party?

What do I need to focus on in Spelling?

Make sure your child studies for each weekly spelling test.  Please remember 
to study the sentences on the back.  Spelling words are on this website, in 
your child's Owl Folder and written in their Planners.

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What do I need to focus on in Math?

Flash cards, flash cards, flash cards.  Make sure your child can say each 
set by MEMORY and not have to rely on their fingers.  Counting money is a 
very hard skill for first graders.  I would take out your pocket change each 
night and have your child practice counting to get a head start.  
Other math skills will be covered in class and may be reinforced at home.

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What do I need to focus on in Phonics?

Reinforce each skill learned by going over your child's Phonics worksheets.  
It doesn't very long to take each graded worksheet and have your child read 
the words to you that we have coded.  Sometimes I have them read the back 
side on their own and sometimes we do it together.

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What do I need to focus on in Reading?

It is extremely important to review each blue book story.  Your child 
should be reading these independently with little or no help from you 
sounding out words.  With each story, there are app. 4 or 5 new sight words 
your child is learning.  These words will be highlighted in their books.

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Does the teacher read the questions aloud?

At the beginning of the year, I do read the questions and most of the answer 
choices aloud for all students.  By November, I have students practice 
reading both the questions and answer choices on their own.  Don't worry if 
your child has a little trouble with this at the beginning.  Reading the 
questions and answer choices on their own and trying to figure out what they 
are asking is a hard skill that takes practice.

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I don't understand AR tests?

Accelerated Reader tests are taken on the computers at school.  Students 
read books and then take a short quiz over what they have read.  I do allow 
them to take their books with them to the computers the first 4 six weeks to 
look back in the books.  AR Tests can only be taken at school because it is 
a program that is only wired through school servers.

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What does my child have to do to get to the AR Party?

 Each student is required to take AR tests over each blue 
book story and pass them.  I will give help when needed.  For students who 
strive to go to the AR Party, they are required to read a book and take the 
AR Test independently, with little or no help from the teacher.

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