The students did an exemplary job this week with the three NWEA MAP tests. Even though the test system adjusts and differentiates the questions based on the number of correct responses, these exams take a lot of focus and energy. Thank you for helping your child get enough rest, eat healthfully, and come to school with a positive attitude.
This week had a lot of surprises, many stemming from the news of our first confirmed case of Covid in the fourth grade. Please know that while your child is at school, I am doing my very best to keep surfaces clean, give ample opportunity for hand washing and sanitizing, monitor students staying at safe distances form one another, and check that students have both their mouths and noses covered by a mask. It's great to know that we are in this together and, for the time being, students are able to reap the rewards of coming to school to learn. Thank you for trusting me with your child! And thank you for doing your part to support the new protocols and send your child(ren) to school with a mask (or two!) and a willing attitude.
As always, below is a recap of this week's highlights. At the bottom of the email there is more information about donating food shelf items to the Waite House and more information about our upcoming Virtual Open House.
Learning this week:
Math - we're moving ahead in multiplication and an introduction to division. Students practiced x5 and x2 facts this week. We practiced our facts with handmade flashcards and more rounds of 'Around the World'. Now that we're taking multiplication timed tests, we're also discovering some ways to make these tests easier, such as answering the facts we know first, and then tackling the facts that are harder. Ask your child how they did on their x2 timed test?
Spelling - your child(ren) aced their second spelling test this year. The spelling pattern was long vowel sounds. Ask your child to show you the graded spelling test and the corresponding Weekly Review sheet on the back.Please remind your child to turn the Weekly Review in on Monday.
Grammar - Our focus this week was on the four types of sentences: Statement, Command, Question, and Exclamatory. Can your child give an example of each one?
Reading/ELA (English Language Arts) - We tackled a tough skill this week - inferring. Through two class stories, we looked for details in the story which lead us to a conclusion. Unlike observations, inferences are made based on an experience, NOT when we see something happening. Helping readers understand when information is implied will help them draw conclusions and infer. These important skills will help them with a variety of assignments in all subjects. Ask your child about our class story 'The Trial of Cardigan Jones'.
Creative Hour - This Friday, we capped off the week with another Creative Hour. Students were given a STEM challenge. Using only the objects in their desks and tape provided by the teacher, each student had to create a building from our community. But it was a secret which building each student was creating. Ask your child what we did after all buildings were created.
Important Information:
Star Student: Eloise Burns is next week's star student.
Waite House Food Drive: This is Carondelet’s first food drive in several months, and their shelves are certainly in need of being restocked! Attached is a list of items frequently requested. Food can be placed in a bag marked “Waite House” and returned to your child’s homeroom by Tuesday, September 29.
Parent Information Night: Upper Campus Parent Night (Grades 3-8) will. be on Wednesday, September 30 @ 6:30. The full schedule with times for each session for both campuses can be found on our website.
New recess time: Room 105 students will now go to recess from 11:15-11:35. Our lunch time stays the same at 12:05-12:25.
Next week's spelling words can be found here. Remember that in October we start leveled spelling lists.