Class News

I hope everyone is able to get outside and enjoy today's beautiful weather!

Next week, our class is responsible for the morning announcements. The kids are thrilled! Please check your child's folder to see if they have lines to read. They do not need to memorize the lines, but you should have them practice reading over several times so they feel comfortable reading it aloud to the entire school. No pressure. :) If they don't have lines to read, they will be saying the Pledge of Allegiance for the announcements. Announcements begin at 8:00am, so please make sure your child is at school on time each day so they don't miss their time to shine.

In your child's folder yesterday, you should have received his/her most recent CAAS test score data. This information is for you to keep. I do not need it signed or returned. The kids will take this assessment later in the spring for their final first grade score. They are learning and growing so much!! On Monday, I will send home their STAR Reading test results which documents their reading level and growth. Their new reading level might be helpful if you plan on placing a book order with Scholastic this week. Check your email for more information about book orders from Scholastic.

After our much needed break, we are back on track next week with a full week of learning. Here's what to expect:

Reading:  Cause and effect, possessive pronouns
SMART: Words with beginning and ending blends
Writing: Opinion/Persuasive writing
Math: Addition and subtraction with 2-digit numbers (test on Friday - please use TenMarks to review skills)
Social Studies: George Washington Carver
Science: Finishing up our light and shadow unit

Finally, I'd like to say thank you for the sweet valentines from last week. They sure made me smile. :) I have the best class at Mary Lin!!! Thanks so much for everything!!!

Have a great weekend! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sweet Math!

We had a great time with conversation hearts for Math today! I hope everyone has a wonderful Winter Break (and Valentine's Day... and Presidents' Day)!

Homework Help - blends

Blends are two or more consonants with no vowel between them. Blends and digraphs are often confused. Blends (bl, fr, sk) come together but each consonant retains its sound. Digraphs (wh, sh, ch) are two letters that come together to make one sound.
These blends should be pronounced /b//l/ as in "blue" not /bluh/.

Here's the story that goes with our phonics program: “We are very thirsty after our long journey through the Vowel Valley. We decide to put strawberries and bananas into a blender to make a smoothie. We can still taste the 2 separate ingredients in the smoothie.”

TenMarks

I'm so excited to introduce a new tool that our class will be using for Math. TenMarks provides personalized online math practice and enrichment programs for first through twelfth graders using a structured approach of practice, on-demand hints, video lessons and real-time results.

TenMarks’ approach is based on three core principles:

• Personalized learning
• On-Demand instruction and assistance
• Practice helps

In your child's folder this afternoon, please look for a parent letter with login information. Because we are limited to 4 classroom computers, students won't have much time to complete the assignments in class. I encourage you all to log your children in at home to give them additional practice with the math skills we're learning in class. This is not mandatory, but certainly beneficial.

I have assigned standards on TenMarks that will be tested on our next unit assessment. This will be good practice for the kids! I will close those assignments on February 29th and then assign the next set of standards for March.

Thanks so much for your support!