We are only 3 weeks away from the end of Quarter 1! I can't believe how time has flown. Your students are finding their groove and doing a great job rising to the occasion day to day.

In Reading, we will be finishing our first official novel study of the year, 'Shiloh'. In Math, we will be continuing our second unit of the year, and will be learning about more advanced multiplication. Students are also working on Timed tests for fact fluency, see more notes on that below. For Social Studies this week, we will be continuing our second unit which is about California's early history and Native American culture. In Science, students will be exploring the Animal Kingdom and the amazing animal adaptations God has created. In Bible, we will be starting Unit 4, the book of Judges.

We are excited for our upcoming field trip to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa on Thursday, October 16th! Thank you to everyone who has offered to drive and chaperone! Stay tuned for an email with more updates soon.

*Wear tennis shoes on Tuesday and Thursday for PE 

*Bring binders to and from school each day

*Early Out on Wednesday, 1:30 Release

*October 8, Chapel

*October 15, End of Quarter 1

*October 16, Field Trip to Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa

This week, please have students show you their binder and planner each day! This will help them get into the habit of checking it themselves daily throughout the year. 

Next week is a test week for spelling and vocabulary! In addition to their packet, there is also a Quizlet link that they can use at home to study, linked here. 

This year, we are really focusing on making sure that students know their math facts well, so we will be taking a timed test each day in class. Each day will focus on a different operation. Each quarter, the kids have a goal of how many facts they should be able to complete in 1 minute. For quarter 1, that goal is 35 problems in a minute. This goal will change each quarter. If your child reaches the goal, the next week they will move on to the next fact. Students who do not reach the goal will have to retake this timed test on Friday or the next week until they pass this fact. Students who feel they could improve their score may also retest these days to improve their grade. After a student retests, their grade will be updated in FACTS.

If you notice a low grade in one of their time tests, please practice with your child at home! If requested, I can send home extra tests and you can time them. We also made flash cards in class. Multiplication.com is also a great resource that has timed tests in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that are easy to practice with. Please let me know if you have any questions about this grading system.