PHONICS/READING
    In phonics we are working on consonant clusters (blends), y as a vowel, and consonant digraphs.  We will work on these sounds in our guided reading groups when we read our phonics readers, "In the Woods" and "A Snake Sheds Its Skin".
    In reading we are working on "Around the Pond: Who's Been Here?" in our anthologies. The children will also be reading in their leveled readers.  We will be working on the strategy monitor/clarify, categorize and classify, and a comprehension review.  High frequency words are across, brother, great and stand. Vocabulary words are bank, crater, edge, moss, path, and shallow.
    Please have your child read at least 15 minutes every day or a total of 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 10  "Around the Pond"
across   add   all   bell   egg   grass   hill   kiss   mess   off   shell   small   tell   well   will
*afternoon   *skill
    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=36266
MATH
    In math we will solve Frames-and-Arrows problems having two rules; use dollars-and-cents notation; calculate values of coin and bill combinations; identify and use rules for a function involving addition and subtraction of coins, make change by counting up from the cost of an item to the amount tendered; count by 1s, 5s, 10s, and 25s; write money amounts using cents notation; make change by counting up; show coin combinations for an amount; solve multistep problems for amounts under $1.00; practice making change using nickels, dimes, and quarters; write amounts in dollar-and-cents notation; use strategies to make change; calculate coin amounts; and demonstrate progress on mathematical content through the end of Unit 3. We will have a money quiz on Monday, a subtraction facts test on Tuesday and Thursday, and a clock test on Wednesday.
    Your child will have math homelink homework every day except Thursday and Friday this week.
PRINTING/ENGLISH
    In printing we are working on proper formation, spacing, and neatness. In English we are working on exclamations, correct punctuation, descriptive writing, and log entries. Children are required to use proper punctuation in all of their work.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
    In science we are completing an unit test. Science vocabulary is: fossil, paleontologist, skeleton, extinct, and endangered. We will also begin a new unit, The Sun and Its Family. We will discuss how the Sun  shines on the Earth, that the Sun is a star that gives Earth heat and light, and how the Earth rotates on its axis and  how this rotation causes day and night. Science vocabulary for this unit  is: rotate, axis, Sun, orbit, and equator.
    In social studies we are discussing various graphs and cooperative work. We will also discuss Veterans' Day.
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 also received two tongue twisters.  We have posted our tongue twister and hope to post the other tongue twisters on this site,
http://www.genevaschools.org/austinbg/class/gray/class/tonguetwister/index.htm    
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 websites.  We will begin the Magic School Bus Program in Space next week.
SPECIAL DATES AND EVENTS
Monday       - Applebee Pond
Tuesday       - Arts Center Program
Tuesday       - Gym (due to Book Fair on Thursday)
Wednesday- Austinburg Library
Wed. - Fri.    - Book Fair
Thursday      - Book Fair Parent Lunch
Friday           -  Music
Friday           - Fall Parade/Party    2:00-2:45                         
FROM THE TEACHER'S DESK
    The Fall Party is Friday. Children need to be able to put on their costumes over their
regular clothes.  Children will not be allowed to go to the restroom to put on their costumes or make-up.  The students will parade in costume (no masks) starting at approximately 2:00 p.m. The party is scheduled from 2:15 - 2:45 p.m., and will start at the conclusion of the parade. The Fall Party will end at 2:45 to allow parents to leave and provide room for our buses to enter for dismissal at 3:10. Children may leave with their parents at 2:45 if they bring a written note.
    The children have planned the menu for the Fall Party.  We will have pop and bottled water, pizza, apples, brownies, and a treat bag.  Notes were sent home to parents who had offered to help with the items for the party.  The items may be brought in any day this 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.
    We are doing a little better controlling our talking during work-times.  Talking during work-times is "B" behavior and not allowed in our classroom. We are working on a plan that will help correct this behavior. Excessive, unnecessary talking often results in work not being completed and other students being bothered.
    It is very important that your child learn to stay on task and  complete his/her work every day.  If your child is bringing home several papers a day to finish besides his/her Saxon Math homework/hometask papers, then he/she is not staying on task in school. If your child stays on task, he/she will have  plenty of time to finish. We will work on work skills all year.    
    Please remember to look at the papers your child brings home in his/her task/work-folder.  Praise your child for good marks and help him/her improve any weak areas. Please keep the graded papers, sign the weekly report sheet in the clear pocket, and return the folder and sheet in the clear pocket to school as soon as possible. Papers marked with an I  or Inc. should be corrected and returned.
    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 ).