Newsletter November 12 - November 16

The cold is definitely in the air.  Please make sure that you send your child with a warm coat on these cold days.  Since it's been so cold and the forecast tells us that it will continue to be cold we have cancelled our walking field trip to SUU tomorrow.  It would have been outside all morning and it's just too cold to be out that long.  I didn't really mention anything to my students about this field trip so I don't think I'll have any disappointed kids.  We will try to reschedule this trip in the spring during a warmer month. 

I won't write a newsletter post next week since it's such a short week--Here are this week's (and next week's happenings):

• We will not have Sight Word Soldiers this Wednesday, but Adam's mom will come next Monday, November 19 instead to pass of Sight word lists.  You can send those lists back anytime before that date.
• Our next spelling test is this Wednesday, November 14.  A list was sent home last week and the list is always posted on the sidebar of this blog (remember to view web version if you are on your phone).
• Some students are taking advantage of the Lexia reading computer program that we do here in school.  I can really tell that this is helping those kids.  I sent home notes with the new login information a couple of weeks ago.  If you need that information again please let me know.  Please don't do this in place of reading your take-home books nightly, but if you child want to get on the computer and do this at home they are more than welcome to exceed their weekly required minutes.
• This week in math we will take our Chapter 3 Test on addition concepts.  We will take that this Thursday.  We need to practice more on adding three numbers together before we are ready for that test.  This Wednesday will be our math intervention groups where we will review the addition concepts that we have learned.  Your child will be placed in a group according to their understanding of the concepts.  Some may be in an "enrichment group" others may be in a group were reviewing the addition concepts would be beneficial.
• In reading we have learned about the two different sounds that 'oo' makes.  Tomorrow we will learn about the /ou/ sound and how to spell it.  In our Fables reader words with these spellings dot the pages.  Today we just read about The Two Mules--ask your child what lesson the "black mule" learned in today's fable or have them retell the story to you.  
• Please continue to read with your child at home every night.  I really have most of you doing this regularly and it's helping.  We will have our next reading test (DIBELS state required) on December 11.  I will send home a note later this week and let you know where your child is now and where they "should be" by that test.  I will also give some hints to help at home, but my main hint as always will be to read those take-home books more than once. 
• We have done some Thanksgiving type writing.  We wrote some facts about turkeys and tomorrow we will write some facts about pilgrims.  Each of those writing activities were combined with  art.  
• For Thanksgiving, next Tuesday we will have a little "party" in the afternoon.  We will make turkey cookies out of oreos and other items.  If you could help by sending something for those cookies I would appreciate it.  It would be things like, double stuff oreos or candy corn.  If you can help please send me an e-mail or a "remind" message and I will give you an assignment.  We will still dismiss at 3:30 that day and during the morning we will have regular reading groups. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Holiday!  One of the things I am truly grateful for all year round is my job at East Elementary and the chance I have to teach your wonderful kids.

Happy Reading!
Mrs. Armstrong