January 25, 2008

Dear Parents,

Due to my absence on Thursday, I am going to combine last week’s and this week’s parent letter together.  My family came down with the flu and high fevers.

The week of January 7th first grade students took Unit 4 Written Assessment covering our last math unit.  You’ll find two copies of your child’s test.  The first paper is a copy of your child’s test.  It was graded according to their abilities without support.  The second is your child’s test that was corrected together in class. Students did very well.  The most missed questions were the telling time.  This is a new skill.  We’ve learned telling time for o’clock, quarter-after, half-past and quarter-to.  We’ll continue to practice throughout the year, but this is a difficult concept for most students.  Our new unit is Place Value, Number Stories, and Basic Facts.  Students are beginning to use larger numbers.  They will begin to explore the system we use for writing larger numbers by focusing on the idea of place value.  Students will use base-10 blocks to represent numbers and to find the sums of two numbers.  They will also use place value to determine “greater than” and “less than” relationships.  Later in the unit, students will continue to work on addition facts.  Shortcuts for learning facts will be introduced. 

This same week second grade students completed their theme (magazine) test with Mr. Mauntler.  Enclosed is your child’s test.

First grade students will begin spelling next week.  Your child took a spelling assessment.  Your child’s assessment is enclosed.  Please practice these words, because this test will be given again at the end of the school year.  Your child should know these words by the end of the year.  Our class average was 55 words out of 90, or 61.  Any misspelled words were added to your child’s spelling list.  Words are added to your child’s list from the spelling assessment and his/her daily writing.  Each week I will choose six words for your child. Students will bring home their spelling list on Mondays.  The test will be given on Fridays.  The first list will come home next Monday.  First grade students will begin their spelling by the end of the month.

Warmly,
Shantel

Mrs. N.'s Main Page for 2007-2008

On Monday I am attending math training in the building.  Rebecca Wurstner will be my sub. 

Enclosed is your child’s report card.  I feel I must explain what has changed, because it is different than what I’ve promised you at parent-teacher conferences in November.  Due to the higher number of students combined with the two curriculums, my time is limited to planning, preparing, teaching and grading.  This leaves me with less time to produce a thorough assessment of your child for you.

I am unable to complete a narrative for each child to go along with report cards for this marking period and for the remainder of the year.  Unfortunately something has to give.  I wish it were different, but my hands are tied due to the current teaching situation.  I hope you understand.  Please look over your child’s report card.  If you have any questions, then please feel free to ask. 

The following dates you may want to add to your calendar:

·         Onekama Public Library field trip – January 30

·         Boy Scout (2^nd grade) Mtg. – January 31

·         Girl Scout (2^nd grade) Mtg. – January 31

·         Buddy Reading with Mrs. Lyman’s K/1 – February 1

·         Book Orders Due – February 2

·         Good Behavior Ski Day – February 12

·         Valentine’s Day Party – February 14

·         Boy Scout (2^nd grade) Mtg. – February 14

·         Girl Scout (2^nd grade) Mtg. – February 14

·         Teacher In-Service (No School) – February 15

·         Winter Break (No School) – February 18

http://www.onekama.k12.mi.us