Hello All,
Welcome back from break!  I've heard about many fun activities from the kids.

This week we will be working on Telling Time in math.  The math program we are using is from Engage New York and was developed in that state to align with the Common Core.  It's my understanding that the district will be providing us with this same math program next year, so it's worthwhile for the kids to become accustomed to the format. We will be returning to nightly math homework, which appears to be clearly aligned with the lessons.  Kids should be able to work very independently on this.  Our Homework Packet is for 2 weeks, rather than one.  Because of this, I've told the kids I expect all spaces in the 2 Reading Logs to be filled.  They have less homework than usual because it's spread over 2 weeks, so they can read an extra time!

In addition some of the kids will be bringing home drafts of their "Little Red" stories to type.  We've been working in the Computer Lab, but will not have any more time in there for a few weeks due to testing.  Stories will need to be typed in the next week to be ready for the Student Authors Fair.

We are beginning our Astronomy unit in earnest now.  Expect lots of questions and conversation about the solar system.  I also encourage outside reading (of informational texts) about space.

Finally, I've sent home a permission slip about our last field trip, to the Agricultural History Museum at the fairgrounds.  This is a terrific field trip, with some cool hands-on activities.

Have a great week!
Carroll Mayer