WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

UPDATE ABOUT LEXIA

• YOU CAN TRY AND GET YOUR CHILD LOGGED ON FOR THE BASELINE PLACEMENT ACTIVITY. Many have now been able to log into the program. If you have a new or newer chromebook you should not have a problem. You get there through CLEVER portal with your childs email and the password: amazing.

• WHEN YOUR CHILD TAKES THE PLACEMENT ACTIVITY, PLEASE DO NOT HELP THEM GET ANSWERS.

Once they have done the assessment:

• Your child should work on Lexia for 60 minutes PER WEEK. You can track their time on because their is a clock right on the page upon which they work.

It is an online phonics program to help your child learn pre-reading and reading. I have created this as an assignment in our Google Classroom and I have attached instructions on getting there through Clever.

Usually I welcome parents helping their kids on the work that we do. But in this case, please do not help your child get the answers. The program is "adaptive". This means that it will schedule work for your child based on how they do on this assessment. If you help your child, the program will give your child instructional material that is too advanced. Your child will become frustrated and the program will not work.

At school, I just tell my students that on this one, I cannot help them to get the answer, that they should do the very best they can and pick one answer. You can say the same :) I know you will be tempted - we all want to help our kids!- but Lexia will not work for your child unless we are hands off during the placement and the program gets an accurate reading.

Thank you so much for your partnership on this!

MISCELLANEOUS

1. SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

Last week, we began using the "lobby" so that I can work with small groups. We will continue with small group work every day.

**When your child goes to the lobby, DO NOT X OUT OF THE WEBEX. Just minimize the screen and use another tab to get to Google Classroom to choose an activity.

You do not need to do anything to move your child from Webex to lobby and back to Webex - I will do that.

When your child is not working with me, he or she will work on an Activity. There will be 4 Activities everyday. Your child should spend 15 minutes in each activity. Your child will do 2 ACTIVITIES in the morning and 2 ACTIVITIES in the afternoon.

ACTIVITIES FOR TODAY: ALL ARE POSTED IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM

ACTIVITY 1- Letter Ee

ACTIVITY 2 - Boom Activity - Letter Matching

ACTIVITY 3 - Writing Task

ACTIVITY 4 - PLAY-DOH letters

Here are the groups for now:

• GROUP ONE 11:00-11:15

• GROUP TWO 11:15-11:30

• GROUP THREE 11:30-11:45

2. WRITE NAME ON ALL WORK...SCHOOL BEHAVIOR...B2S PRESENTATION LINK

• Please have your child write their name on all their work. It is good practice and when I receive a photo of work, I need to know whose it is. Thanks!

• Please remember that when your child comes to school (on the computer), we should be helping them to sit the way we do in school when we are ready to learn. Please finish snacks and drinks before joining. Thank you!

• Here is the link for my Back to School Night presentation. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1c66H49f34lY-e7GVOAv256wmR63PYs5htGehdSKJlOk/edit?usp=sharing

Please notice the information I have provided in the Back to School slides about the Branchbrook Library being OPEN! Joining the library is a GREAT way to encourage a love of books - and as easy as filling out a little application at the library! I believe they will instantly allow you to borrow books. You or a family member can bring your child and become a member. Then you can borrow and bring home LOTS of books for your child to enjoy :)

3. TECH PROBLEMS

During school while I am on-screen, if you are having a technical problem, you can call Ms. G - 973-996-8627 for help. Unfortunately, many of the issues we are having are not fixable - we just have to wait it out until the connection occurs.

4. SCHOOL ZONE

Let's remember that when we are on the Webex meeting, that is like being at school. Your child should have a "School Zone" where they can sit with a surface in front of them to write. Their school Tool Kit that I gave you yesterday should remain in this spot so materials do not get misplaced.

• Also...

  • Finish snacks before the meeting;

  • As little noise as possible so your child can concentrate; (I know this is not always easy!)

  • Please have Tool Kit and workbooks nearby for assignments.

  • When I give an activity to do, please allow your child to do the work. Even if it looks messy to you, it is beautiful! With practice, the pictures and letters will get better and better.