Parents,
--
The beginning of the year is always a bit hectic, but things have been going well, and the students have been great. Thanks for all of your help with getting connected to Dojo, and completing all of the paperwork. We use Dojo as a way to send quick messages, as well as pictures of the happenings in our room. If you have a smart phone, I would highly recommend downloading the app and connecting.
Once again, this will be a long email (sorry). They will be much shorter as the year goes on.
Reading - This week we are starting our first "typical" week guided by our reading series. We will start slowly, but here is what you can expect:
- Monday - students are introduced to spelling, vocabulary words, genre, etc.
- Wednesday - students will take a practice test on their spelling words
- Thursday - students will read the story and complete a selection test (which includes the vocabulary words)
- Friday - students will take their actual spelling test, which consists of several of the words used in two dictated sentences
The other big part of reading is nightly independent reading of at least 20 minutes. Students should be documenting their reading on the reading log at the bottom of their homework sheet and then bringing to you to initial. Thanks to those that have already been helping at home with this!
Spelling - After some more time with the students, they will be placed in one of three different spelling lists. For this first week, everyone is on the blue list. A packet of ALL of the lists for the year was sent home today. You may want to keep this in a safe place as a back up.
T.A.P. - Some volunteers at Zion United Methodist Church are once again partnering with us to provide after school tutoring for students who could benefit. This happens each Wednesday from 3:30-4:45. Please contact us if you feel that your child could benefit, and would like some additional information.
Book Orders - Book orders were made available to students last Friday. I plan to use any bonus points earned from orders to buy additional sets of books for our "Book Buddy" library. Scholastic's website offers a wide selection of books that can be ordered, and they are searchable in many ways, including by AR level. To order online use our class code: GJLYC Orders are due by this Friday.
Google Classroom - This is like a class website where many links and assignments are posted. To access from home, your child will need to go to Google and login using their AW username and password (students have a sticker in their take-home folder to help with login information). Once logged in, students should know how to get there. I have a quick question waiting there tonight for students to answer. Successful students will get a bonus dojo point!
HOMEWORK:
MONDAY - 100 or Bust game with a parent
TUESDAY - Tailpipe worksheet
WEDNESDAY - Learning Farm (an assignment will be there when they log in).
THURSDAY - Complete the back page of the Scholastic News and enter answers in Google Classroom.
REMINDERS:
- Wednesday, 8/30 - AWAKE T-shirt (or wear black or white T-Shirt)
- Thursday, 8/31 - Jo Jo's Dine Out Night
- Friday 9/1 - Book Orders due
- Monday 9/4 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
Mary Dressel
Whitehouse 4th Grade
Office Phone 419-877-0543
