Hi,
We have been working hard and need to continue the great work. Last week we took a reading benchmark. This week we will be taking a STAAR-ready math test. This test was created by RRISD math curriculum specialists using the samples released by TEA. It will be a more challenging test than we anticipate STAAR to be and will be using it to see what strategies the children are using to get to their answer even if the answer isn't quite correct. The children have been taught all the strategies that they need to take the test but we are assessing how well they apply the strategies in multi-step problem solving situations. I think that if our class really focuses and takes their time, they will do well. They need to read the questions and answer choices carefully and be sure that their answer choice really answers the question. The incorrect choices or distractors are going to typically be answers that are very close or that would be the correct answer if a needed step was left out. The STAAR-ready math test will not count as a grade but will be used to inform me of the strategies your child is using and which areas are strengths and need so enrichment as well as areas of weakness that could use some reteaching. Thank you for encouraging your child to do his/her best, show work, and keep trying even if it is tricky. Our lunch time will be different so that we can practice the schedule as it will be on the actual testing days. We will be eating at 10:35 and then having snack in the afternoon. The STAAR test is timed so we will be timing this test as well. They will have 4 hours to complete the test with a 30 minute break for lunch. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I will try to find answers for you if I don't know them already.
Writing Camp-Next week will be our writing camp! This is a fun week filled with lots of writing as well as a some reading, math, and science. We have writing camp as a time to review our strategies and work toward more independence in their writing. We also will be singing some writing camp songs. We will be transforming our classroom into a campground and dressing in camp clothing. The children are encouraged to bring in a sleeping bag or blanket for the week and a pillow. We will be moving the desks, putting sleeping bags on the floor, setting up a small tent and creating a pretend campfire. We are in need of the following items for our Bartholomew Bat Campground!
We Need:
about 5 or 6 small logs for firewood
red lights or something creative that could be the fire for our campground
white holiday lights to string around room
artifical trees or other decorations to make it look like we are in the woods
If you can let us use any of these items, let me know and please bring them to school on Friday. I will be decorating the classroom after tutoring at about 4:15. If anyone wants to come and help decorate, that would be great. I'd like to only have parents help, not students, so that the kids can be surprised on Monday.
Another great part about writing camp is CAMP MAIL! SHHHHH! This should be a surprise! Did you ever go to overnight camp and get mail from your parents? Even though writing camp is just during the day, I would like to encourage you to write some letters for your camper. You can email me letters and I will print them out for your child or you can put them in my box. Feel free to write about anything... but since it is writing camp, you could write one of your own personal narratives about a camping story from your life. You could write an essay about why camping is a great activity. You could write as if they are sleeping at an overnight camp and you miss them. Be creative! You can also encourage family members to write letters, stories, or essays as well. Thank you in advance and let me know if you have any questions or concerns about camp mail or writing camp in general.
Reading-We are continuing to work on reading expository text and looking at text structures. We will be using books and articles from World War II as a theme as we explore and practice reading strategies.
Writing-Most of us have two personal narratives as rough drafts. Each child is choosing one of them to continue to revise then edit, then make a final copy. We should be done with our final copies by Friday.
Math-Geometric shapes and solids has been our focus. We are begining working with measurement. We will be learning about several types and units of measurement and will be applying them to problem solving situations.
Science-We are finishing up our Weather unit. Our test will be on Wednesday, instead of Tuesday.
Social Studies-We will be going back and reviewing the Texas Revolution and begin talking about the Republic of Texas.
Health- Maturation video is on Friday. Please send in your permission slip, if you haven't already.
Dates to remember:
Tuesday, February 28-Service Club afterschool from 2:45-4:00. We will be glazing some more bowls for the Empty Bowl project.
Wednesday, February 29-STAAR-ready math test, lunch time changed
Friday, March 2-Maturation Videos during specials
Saturday, March 3-UT Explore at Univ. of Texas Campus, Service Club to RR Serving Center from 10-11am
Monday, March 5-Friday,March 9-Writing Camp!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 9-Hoe Down for K-2
Monday, March 12-Friday March 16-Spring Break
Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28-STAAR Writing Test for 4th graders
Tuesday, April 24-STAAR Math test for 4th graders
Wednesday, April 25-STAAR Reading test for 4th graders
Have a great week! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Pam Bartholomew
No comments:
Post a Comment