Another great week down! Here are some updates for what we have going on. 

Reading
   This week we really worked on routines.  We specifically worked on expectations and reading stamina during reading time.  I spent time reading individually with each child getting to know their reading levels and each of them as a reader.  I LOVED listening to your children read.  I was beyond impressed and can't wait to get book groups up and going.  We are continuing to read aloud, Zach's Lie.  Be sure to ask your child about it.  They LOVE it so far!
Math
   Math has been so fun!  We started math groups this week and the students always groan when I tell them math is over.  They love working together and in small groups.  This year, I am teaching math in small groups.  This is going to be perfect so I can challenge each student at their appropriate learning level.  Students have been learning/reviewing place value, standard, word and expanded forms, comparing large numbers, rounding and more.  Be sure to ask you child what their favorite part of math is. We will be testing over this tomorrow.
Writing
   The weekend journals were a HUGE success.  Your child's face lit up reading the notes you all wrote them.  Thanks for taking the time and helping me teach the importance of letter writing.  The students have also begun brainstorming ideas for their own Personal Narrative writing piece. We used people, places and our feelings to inspire us. We will begin drafting on one of these brainstorms next week. 

Social Studies
   Before we begin diving into Social Studies, we have taken time this week to look at geography, maps and vocabulary surrounding this.  Students should be able to tell you what planet we live on, hemisphere, continent, country, county and city we live in.  Students are studying the 50 states, seven continents, four major oceans and cities in Missouri.  Be watching next week for this to come home to study for a quiz! 

Word Study
   Students took the word study inventory last week.  This looks a lot like a spelling test, but helps me as a teacher understand what patterns within words students need to work on.  We will be starting some word study work very soon! 

Friday Folders
  This Friday, please be watching for Friday folders to come home.  Each week, there will be several sheets of in class work that students have completed.  Please know there might be a grade or comments on several, but MOST of the pages are ones your child has done within groups as practice and were more of a teaching point. Every other week, your child will be making comments and setting goals for themselves. 

Reading Log

   Starting tomorrow, students will be bringing home a reading log.  Students are to read 25 minutes Monday-Thursday and have it signed nightly.  This is the only "homework" I will expect of them.  There might be a random page that comes home they'd like to finish or a quiz they want to study for, but that will not happen often.