Miss Alaina’s Newsletter May 26, 2015 Dear Black River Families, Project Term has arrived! Your child enjoyed a new schedule today that will be used for the remainder of the school year. Be sure to ask your son or daughter about their first day of Project Term! 7:45-10:45 Normal work time 10:50-11:05 Recess 11:10-12:10 Session 1 12:10-12:15 Return to homeroom to prepare for lunch 12:15-1:15 Lunch and Recess 1:20-2:20 Session 2 2:20-2:25 Return to homeroom to prepare for dismissal This will be my final newsletter of the 2014-2015 school year! I can’t believe summer vacation will be beginning so soon. There are two words I’d like to leave you with this year: thank you. Thank you for sharing your child with me. I so enjoyed each day we were able to spend together in our classroom community. There was a lot of fun and laughter, a lot of good books read and great memories made. At times, our work was difficult, but by encouraging and supporting one another, we grew as students and as friends. I am immensely proud of each child and all that your son or daughter accomplished this year. I hope each student enjoys some well-deserved time off! Thank you for all you’ve done for our classroom. From volunteering your time, to fulfilling our many needs for tissues, books, math games, extra snacks, special treats, etc. (this list could go on and on!) You were both gracious and constant in your help and it was greatly appreciated by both the students and myself. Lastly, thank you for all you’ve done for me. Your kind words, quick notes, stories from home and “just because” cards and gifts made my time in the classroom this year even more wonderful! THANK YOU!!! Goodbye, Third Graders! This year, we’ll be saying goodbye to Jacob, Evan, Bella, Jacinda, Aliana and Catelyn. We will miss their presence in the classroom next fall, but wish them the best of luck as they begin their adventures as upper elementary students. You’ve worked hard to get here, third graders, and I know you’re going to be GREAT next year! Please come back and visit so I can hear about all of your fourth grade fun and accomplishments! A Note From Miss Fran (Literacy Specialist) About Summer Reading Loss Dr. Allington’s talk focused on the study he conducted with his colleague Anne McGill-Franzen. They examined the effect of summer reading, or the lack of it, on children’s reading achievement. The study concluded “children who don’t read during summer vacation experience a summer reading loss.” The loss averages one to several months on standardized reading tests. But, states Allington, “such small losses accumulate to substantial losses over time.” In contrast, children who read several, 4 to 5, books during the summer months, at their Lexile level, experience no such loss but typically find their scores on standardized tests improved. Like any skill, when you don’t read your proficiencies deteriorate without practice. “Like an athlete who takes several months off from training. It will take weeks, if not months, of training to return to peak performance. The same is true with readers and their reading.” Summer Math In your child’s yellow folder, you will soon find a Summer Math Packet. Students are encouraged to complete this work over the summer to keep skills fresh. Parents, I will be relying on you to check your child’s work as they go to be sure that it is correct. All students (even those starting fourth grade next year!) can turn in the completed math packet in September and receive a goody bag to enjoy. This is a great opportunity for summer math practice! Repord Cards Your child’s final grades will be made viewable in Infinite Campus on Monday, June 8th (hard copies will be sent to families who made this request). In this document, you will find an overview of your child’s progress in all subject areas, as well as some suggestions to focus on throughout the summer. Taking time to highlight or jot down suggested focus areas as you read the report card can be very helpful. Continued skill practice throughout June, July and August TRULY does make a big difference. Here are some great resources that can be used to support your child’s summer learning. Scholastic.com/bookwizard set to “guided reading” will give you lists of books that are just right for your child (see your child’s end of the year reading size in his or her report card). A great resource to use before heading to the library! Math Facts in a Flash will be available over the summer and is a great way to keep those facts fresh for the fall. A few other helpful math sites that give free printables or online games in the areas of place value, basic operations, fractions, money, time, word problems and number sense are: www.math-drills.com www.themathworksheetsite.com (this site has both paid and free portions) mrnussbaum.com has tons of free and fun online math games www.coolmath4kids.com has both printables and online math games Helping Hands My Helping Hands Project Term class is collecting personal care items to create Health Kits for the Community Action House. We are looking for donations of shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, soap, bodywash and washcloths. Collection bins are in the lower and upper elementary buildings as well as outside of the main office. Please help us help others! Project Term Open House Your child has been working hard and completing many wonderful activities and projects during Project Term. On Thursday, June 4th, your family is invited to attend the Project Term Open House. Your son or daughter will be ready to show off all that they’ll be working on. I hope to see you there! Classroom Library Please take some time this week to check under beds, on dressers and anywhere else library books may be hiding. We have a few books that are unaccounted for. Thank you! Homework First Graders: Read for at least 15 minutes 5 times each week Second Graders: Read for at least 20 minutes 5 times each week Third Graders: Read for at least 25 minutes 5 times each week All: Record reading in planner (Please don’t overlook this important step! Capital letters, correct spellings, spacing between words and endmarks should be included.) All: Practice math facts Happy Birthday! These students will be celebrating summer birthdays. As a reminder, parents, we’d love to have a brief birthday letter from you to your child to read aloud as part of the festivities! June 5 Xiomara July 12 Aliana 12 Derek 15 Ishi 21 Philip Reminders 1. Our online classroom book order code is GYGZ2. 2. Lower Elementary Project Term Open House on Thursday, June 4th at Beechwood Church. 3. Please send in a bag for your child to use next week. We will be emptying out our cubbies on Thursday, June 4th and each student will be bringing home a lot of items! 4. 10:45 dismissal on Friday, June 5—last day of school. Cool Websites and Resources www.scholastic.com/bookwizard (set to “guided reading”) http://www.public.asu.edu/~diann/Bibliographies/leveledbooks.htm (a great resource that gives you a text description and book lists for each guided reading level) www.themathworksheetsite.com (some great free math printables for extra practice at home) www.math-drills.com) (some great free math printables for extra practice at home) http://mrnussbaum.com/ (fun website to support a variety of curricular areas with many online games) http://www.mydoctorgames.com/salmon-dissection/game/ (virtual fish dissection) NEW: 10 Monkeys app (recommended by a classroom parent) can be used to isolate individual facts in multiplication practice. Great prep for our weekly timed tests! Wish List Stamp game ($35 from Alison’s Montessori) National Geographic Atlas I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work with your child. If ever you have questions or concerns at any time during the school year, please let me know. I’m always happy to talk with you; parent-teacher communication is key in supporting your child! Sincerely, Alaina Kramer 355-0055 Ext. 144 [email protected]