News for the Week of October 28-November 1

Post date: Oct 25, 2019 8:54:27 PM

This week in Reading, our main selection is The Bremen Town Musicians. Story Vocabulary words to know are:

mill, monsters, robbers, excitement, musician

Our Phonics and Spelling focus is on plurals. Spelling words for this week's test are:

lunch

stories

switch

babies

lunches

tune

switches

note

story

tunes

baby

notes

people

scared

In Math we are finishing our work in Topic 4: Adding Fluently Within 100. The kids are using many different strategies to add 2-digit numbers, including place value blocks, partial sums addition, and the standard algorithm with regrouping. They will be ready for an assessment (probably) on Wednesday. Mathletics is an exciting addition. Many have completed the first set of assignments and received certificates for their effort. Once they have completed the assigned work in the "Learn" space on the platform, they are free to participate in LiveMathletics, where they can complete with students all over the world, and earn additional points and certificates. I'm excited to see the enthusiasm on the kids faces when they talk about Mathletics and I feel like the LifeMathletics competition will really boost their fact fluency if they persevere.

This past week in Science we learned about combining materials to create better products. In a STEM activity, we planned and designed bridges. Students were able to choose from a variety of materials to build their bridge on Friday, which we then tested. Be sure to ask them about it! We will likely finish our work on the subject of Matter during the first week of November.

On Thursday, we celebrate Halloween with our annual St. Linus Halloween Parade at 8:30 a.m. Bring your camera! If your child is wearing a very heavy or elaborate costume that may make them uncomfortable later in the day, please be sure they are wearing something underneath, so that they can take it off. Masks can only be worn during the parade. No weapons allowed.

We will have a Halloween celebration in the afternoon. Mrs. Pecoraro has graciously volunteered her help, but we could use another parent or two, or perhaps the contribution of a treat to eat - donuts, cupcakes, juice boxes, anyone? If you'd like to help, please send me an email or handwritten note. Thanks!