Students are working towards becoming black belt masters at their multiplication table! As a way to allow your child/children to become more efficient and confident with their multiplication table, we will be using a program called Kicking It Math. Students will be challenged to complete a multiplication Math sheet twice weekly, along with daily practice throughout the week. If they are able to complete the sheet with no mistakes in the allotted time, they move on to the next level. As students pass levels they receive belts, similar to karate. The goal is to have a class full of black belts in multiplication!

If you would like to practice at home try downloading the booklet with the flashcards and test sheets below: 

• Addition

• Subtraction 

• Multiplication

• Division 

Words Their Way is a word study program that further individualizes the way students learn to spell words. It is a hands-on approach to practice spelling patterns in words. It allows students to manipulate words and/or pictures into different categories. This sorting process helps students analyze and examine, compare and contrast, and differentiate the patterns in words. This hands-on approach not only motivates students to practice spelling words but it also helps students internalize the spelling patterns in words for the future. At the beginning of the school year, the students were administered a spelling inventory that helped determine which spelling stage the students were performing. From there, they are placed into small groups of students to work on their spelling! 

- Description from Lauren Maiorino " Words Their Way Parent Resources"

Our current read aloud book is a sequel to the first book of the year: 

"Twelve-year-old Sophie Brown is finally settling into her new home and her new role as keeper of some highly unusual poultry--chickens with secret superpowers!

But the arrival of two new magical chickens for her flock and some unusual eggs to be incubated and hatched (what will their superpowers be?), plus an impending inspection from the Unusual Poultry Committee (who even knew this existed?) has Sophie feeling pretty stressed out. Her older cousin, Lupe, is coming to stay with her family, which is great--but will Lupe like chickens too? And on top of it all, Sophie's first day at her new school is rapidly approaching!

In this wildly funny and quirky novel told in letters and lists and quizzes, Sophie learns that even an exceptional poultry farmer can use some help.."

-https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/554949/are-you-ready-to-hatch-an-unusual-chicken-by-kelly-jones-illustrated-by-katie-kath/9781524765941

Part of being a strong learner is setting goals and tracking our progress! To improve student's ability to do both of these things we are using IXL diagnostics to track our growth. Each week students answer 10-15 questions in the diagnostic arena which helps update their literacy and numeracy score. Students are challenged to set goals on a tracking/goal sheet and compete with themselves and their classmates to show growth! This is also available to parents to watch their progress.