Week of Nov. 5

Election Day has finally (almost) arrived! I don't know about you all, but I am ready to put this mess behind us and move forward.

On Friday, due to the awards ceremony and students leaving early, we did not take the vocabulary test that was scheduled. Students will take the test on Monday, so make sure they review the words today and are ready to rock tomorrow.

4B was unable to finish Harriet the Spy on Friday, 4a and 4c completed the book last week. I will not be giving a unit test, but they will have a comprehension and details quiz on chapters 10-16. Please make sure your student has read, or been in class to listen to, the final chapters by Tuesday.

After we finish up all these little details, we will begin our new unit on animals. Students will be reading, in Literature Circles, one of the following books: Stuart Little, Ralph S. Mouse, Tale of Despereaux, or Because of Winn Dixie. They will be expected to take notes, have literature based conversations, learn and explore new vocabulary and ask questions about the book they are assigned. I have selected the reading groups. I will rotate through the class and promote discussion. I will select a different group daily read with, after we have established the routine. This will require a discipline that some children struggle with. Please remind your student that staying focused and on-task benefits them in many ways.

 After about 30 minutes of reading and discussion, students will work in centers for 20-30 more minutes. Each center will focus on a different Language Arts skill. There is a contract that students will be expected to fill in and complete for a grade, in a timely manner. Please make sure your child has a Language Arts folder in which to keep the contract. As usual, class will begin with a writing or comprehension prompt. We will not have vocab this week or next, in an effort to establish this new routine. I expect this unit to last about 3 weeks, maybe a month. In case you would like to have the book at home that your child is assigned, I will have them write down in their agenda which book they are reading in class.

I am scheduling parent meetings all this week and next, and beyond. If you would like a meeting, please know I have not forgotten you. The best time for me to meet is during planning, 12:20-1:30. I have meetings set up for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Tuesday is not good, because I have a study hall instead of planning. If you would like to meet Friday, please e-mail me. I can also meet after school , but that is not ideal because I frequently have other responsibilities to attend to then. I am finding these meetings are taking most of planning, so I can only schedule one a day with the time I have.

Just a note: I would really like to thank all the wonderful parents and students who make my day so much fun and full of learning. Students surprised me with delightful birthday cards on Friday and they just made my day. I feel very blessed to have so many beautiful and positive people in my life. I really appreciate all of you who are kind and supportive towards me. Thanks again :)