Newsletter

March 24, 2008

Reminder:

Book Share projects are due on Friday.

In addition to the project, all students are expected to give a short oral presentation about their book. Practicing in front of an audience at home helps students do better when they present to the class. Have the presentation memorized rather than reading from the folder project.

· Bring the book to show while telling the title and author

· Give a short summary of what the book is about (without giving away everything…)

· Tell about their favorite part · Tell why others would want to read this book

Special Recognition for Our Class:

Did you hear that our class had a special visit from the Cat in the Hat? We decorated our door to participate in the district-wide Read Across American door decorating contest sponsored by the Edmonds Education Association. Our door won an Honorable Mention award for our “We can save the Earth” door. For this recognition, we also received a $25 gift to purchase books for our classroom. The students got the idea from reading The Lorax by Dr. Suess and an article about global warming in the National Geographic Kids magazine. You can view a color copy of this picture in the Gallery.

Math Notes: Basic Fact Fluency

As the year progresses, I am seeing that several students are still counting on their fingers to solve basic addition and subtraction problems. We are working on different and more efficient calculation strategies in class but I am seeing that more practice is needed at home so that these facts can be memorized. Knowing these facts becomes really important as we start to work with larger numbers and strategies to solve problems with larger numbers. If you do not have flash cards, or have misplaced the set each family was given at the fall conference, I have some extra sets. Have your child ask for one. Part of homework is to spend 5 minutes each night practicing with flash cards. Another option for the flash card practice for those who have computers and the internet is a math website we have occasionally used in class, http://www.aplusmath.com/. This free site has on-line flashcards and games. Other math sites are also linked on this classroom site.

Enjoy your Spring Break, March 31- April 4 but please keep your children reading and practicing their math facts.

Questions? I’m happy to talk with you! I can be reached in the classroom either before or after school at 425-431-3173. If calling is difficult, I can also be reached by e-mail. (petersone@edmonds.wednet.edu)

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