I know this is a busy time of year! We are busy with many projects at school as well.
This week I had two days of important district level meetings, so the kids had a sub for both of those days. She knows them well, is a former HW parent and tried to make things run as smoothly as possible. Due to my absence on Friday, I will send home the RED folder on Monday and ask for it to be returned Tuesday.
This week in the RED folder, you will notice a new yellow sheet entitled "SQUIRT & Work Plan Sheet". "SQUIRT & Work" (Super Quiet Un Interrupted Reading Time) will now be a part of our daily class work. It is an independent work and reading time during Reading instruction. During this time, students will be able to work on their reading assignments, as well as independent skill building in math, science, social studies and writing. This will also allow for kids to work towards Book Bingo in class as well as home.
Speaking of Book Bingo - please encourage children to fill out the Book Bingo Form sheets as soon as they are done with the book. This will help them to be more successful. They can work on these forms at home or at school, but all are due Jan. 29.
We have begun the work on our Picture Book Project. This is an integrated project that brings together Art, Writing, Technology and other creative platforms. We are using an App on the iPad called "Book Creator". Ms. Mac & Mr. Burleson have helped to launch this exciting project. We look forward to sharing our finished products with you soon.
In Math we have continued with the unit called Division Stories and Multiple Towers. It uses the strategy of open arrays to help kids learn the reciprocity connection of division and multiplication to solve problems. Using realistic situations to guide the practice has been very helpful in structuring their problem solving skills. Also using a strategy of the "open array" to see how larger arrays can be divided. Long division will not actually be taught until next year, but we are helping to lay the ground work for the deeper understanding.
Another exciting math program was introduced this week. Perhaps you have heard about the district's initiative to pilot the program called. ST Math. It is a thoughtfully developed computerized math program. This week the kids were set up with their password. We will be using time in class, as well as through the district website at home to work on it. I encourage you to check it out with your child. Go to the district webpage and click on "Hubbard Woods School", then hover over "Students" and choose ST Math from the drop down menu.
We have finished up our study of the North East Region. We learned about the history of factories, the high population and need for sky scrapers, as well as the history of some of the most important National Monuments in the region. Beginning next week we will "travel" into the South East Region to continue our study.
Enjoy the photos of some fun activities including our Thanksgiving Assembly and Art Smart. Have a lovely weekend. Hope you all take advantage of this incredible weather!
Best,
Joanna Amaral
Math game - "Small Array/Big Array"
Art Smart - Andy Warhol
Thanksgiving Assembly
Working at the "Hershey Factory"
ST Math
