It's a hot one

I know the students have been very disappointed that the past few days have been so hot that they have had indoor recess.  Having taught for part of my career when air conditioned buildings were not the "norm," I have to say that I am eternally grateful for the air conditioning that we enjoy.  I hope they can get outside next week, though, as all kids need to run around and be active!

Math: We complete timed tests for multiplication and addition this morning.  The students were given 5 minutes to complete 100 equations.  What a great job they did with addition!  We will be working on subtraction with regrouping on Tuesday, as the class as a whole (except for a few) seems to be struggling with this skill, according to the assessments we have done.  Any practice you can do at home with this would be fantastic.  Here's a website that can be of help: http://www.mathplayground.com/howto_regroupI.html  Video and games provided!

Science: We went over the Vocabulary Preview for Chapter 1.  I was completely impressed with student abilities to predict word meanings based on context clues!  We also practiced making word webs for vocabulary and we reviewed what a Venn diagram can be used to do.

Literacy Block: We practiced Work on Writing for when we begin rotations.  The students have done a great job building their stamina.  They are up to reading for 20 straight minutes--on task, with urgency, reading the whole time.  I am tremendously proud of them.  We started writing for 3 minutes, and they were truly disappointed when the timer sounded.  We were able to practice for an additional 5 minutes, which pleased them very much.  Students should complete Friday's Handwriting assignment for week 1 for Tuesday.

Mark chart summaries were sent home for parent signatures.  Students should have them in school on Tuesday.

Thanks to those of you who ordered from our Scholastic book order this time around.  We also have Book Fair coming up!

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!