PHONICS/READING
    In phonics we are working on consonant blends, hard and soft c  and long vowels with silent e.  We will work on these sounds in our guided reading groups when we read our phonics readers, "A Trip to Central Park" and "Zeke and Pete Rule!".
    In reading we are working on a nonfiction story, "Exploring Parks with Ranger Dockett". The children will also be reading in their leveled readers.  We will be working on the strategy evaluate, fact and opinion, and a comprehension review.  High frequency words are busy, important, later, touch, and young.  Vocabulary words are exploring, habitat,  protect,  ranger,  tours , and  urban.
    Please have your child read at least 75 minutes a week. Children are to return their reading logs and folders for checking the first day of each week.
    Please continue to work on the Dolch words.  The Dolch words are high frequency words that children need to learn to help them read fluently.

SPELLING
Lesson  9  "Exploring Parks with Ranger Dockett"
best   black   brave   clock   club   glad   lost   nest   next   step   stone   stop   swim   trip   truck
*space   *storm   
We will have a practice spelling word test on Tuesday, a word test on Wednesday, and a sentence test on Friday.  Children who receive a 100% on the Tuesday practice test (including the challenge words) will not have to take the Wednesday word test.
    Friday's test will be four or five sentences created by the children.  You should receive a copy of these sentences on Wednesday.  Please practice for these tests. 
    Children may also practice their spelling words at SpellingCity at this url:
 http://www.spellingcity.com/index.php?option=com_spellcity&Itemid=122&task=viewList&listId=36260
MATH
    In math we will count by 5s, 10s, and 25s; use dollars-and-cents notation; calculate coin combinations; exchange coins and dollar bills; distinguish between analog and digital clocks; tell and write times; write and tell time to the nearest hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour; model, describe, and compare shapes on a geoboard; compare and order numbers; use parts-and-total diagrams to find totals; make a tally chart and bar graph to represent data; and discuss data in a tally chart and bar graph. The children will have math homework every night except Friday. Please remember that your child needs to return their math homework every day.  The children will have a facts test on Tuesday and Thursday, a money test (quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies) on Monday and a clock test (half past, o'clock, quarter to, quarter past, and five minute intervals) on Wednesday.
PRINTING/ENGLISH
    In printing we are working on proper formation, spacing, and neatness. In English we are working on identifying antonyms, identifying and writing commands, writing a paragraph, and using main idea and supporting details in written work. Children are required to use proper punctuation in all of their work.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
    In science we are doing an unit review and completing an unit test. Science vocabulary is: fossil, paleontologist, skeleton, extinct, and endangered. In social studies we are discussing the importance of cooperative work.
CLASSROOM PROJECTS
    We received more postcards this week. You may view some of our postcards on this web page,
http://www.genevaschools.org/austinbg/class/gray/class/postcards/index.htm
    We have finished our G tongue twisters. They have been sent to 25 schools across the country.  We will post the tongue twisters we receive from other classes in the hall.  Eventually we will place them into a notebook.
    We will soon begin a special State Gingerbread Exchange.  We will exchange State Gingerbread People with 24 other states.  They will be sent out the end of November.
COMPUTER PROJECTS
    We will continue to practice reading and math skills  at ThinkLink. Children may also do these probes from their home computers. Children are not required to do these probes at home, but they are excellent practice for second grade skills. The reading home probe codes are EC0218 and the math home probe code are EF3811. To do these probes go to
http://www.thinklinkassessments.com/ Then click on "Student Login".  Next click in the "Practice Probes" graphic.  Type in the code for the practice probe. Then have your child type in his/her student number.
    Your child may also wish to visit our collection of numerous kid-friendly educational web sites that we sometimes use during computer time. The url is http://www.portaportal.com   You may login under guest as class7 to view the various websites.  This page will grow as we add more
    We will also work on Magic School Bus in the Earth.
SPECIAL DATES AND EVENTS
Monday       - Applebee Pond
Tuesday       - Art
Wednesday- Austinburg Library
Thursday      - Gym
Friday           -  Music
Oct. 28          - Arts Center Program
Oct. 30          - Book Fair Parent Lunch
Oct. 29-31    - Book Fair
Oct. 31          - Fall Parade/Party 2:00-2:45
FROM THE TEACHER'S DESK
    The children will plan the menu for the Fall Party. Notes will be sent home to parents who had offered to help with the items for the party this week.  The items may be brought in any day next week, including after school.
    Please remember the weekly homework/hometask assignment is due on Friday.  These assignments are very important for practicing essential skills and teaching your child responsibility.
    The children are doing a little better on working quietly during work-times. Excessive, unnecessary talking during work-times often results in assignments not being completed and other students being bothered.
    Several children are borrowing pencils, erasers, and crayons from me and other students. Please ask your child if they need pencils, erasers, and crayons. We use pencils, erasers, and crayons every day.

  If you have any ideas, concerns, questions, etc. please write me a note, call (school -466-4831 ext. 169), or e-mail (school - roberta.gray@neomin.org ). 
            Roberta Gray