Monday, February 24

Today was a day that many students started to feel the urgency of getting their education.  We have lost much of our educational time due to snow days and delays.  There are a handful of students that used that time off to their educational advantage, and many others who were very surprised to discover there are only 2 more weeks left in the grading period.  Check with your student tonight about how they feel. Feedback and Data Binders went home tonight to help with this conversation.  Here are 3 key topics you should look for before filling out the reflection page:

• Week 26: This week we used a participation packet to show our growth instead of an ExamView test.  The packet was worth 10 points.  How did your student do with participation last week?
  


• Reading Counts Reports:  The students have known since the beginning of the grading period that they are responsible for reading 5 chapter books at an increasing Lexile this grading period. 5 books = A+; 4=B, 3=C, 2=D, 1=F.  Your child should currently have at least 3 books read, leaving two more books for the last two weeks. Please review the Reading Counts report to see how many books your students has left to read.
  


• Compass Learning:  Students are "Going for Gold" with Compass Learning.  They earn a medal for each 15 activities they successfully complete. Most of the students are doing very well with this challenge.  Review the report to see how your child is doing.  I would also like you to note any activities with less than an 80%.  These are areas of concern for your student.  You can assist them by having them go back to the lesson.  Just log onto Compass Learning at home, and enter the activity code in the activity code box on the main screen of compass learning.  Below is a snap shot of a report showing the activity code highlighted.

Wednesday, February 19

Today we got a new team member. Her name is Miss Black.  She is a great addition to Team33 and even helped us get some of our interview videos done.  You can check them out on the Needham Newsroom page of our website. Miss Black will be joining us on Wednesdays until May.

Homework tonight is reading a "Bit about Buttons" and answering the questions.  It is due Friday.

Tuesday, February 18

I would like to start with a belated thank you to all of our parents who provided such a wonderful friendship party on Friday, and all the students who showered me with kindness in the way of chocolates, gifts, and hugs.  I do believe everyone felt the love in the air!

Today we reviewed our Week 25 assessment and added our data to our Feedback and Data Binders.  Please review this important information with your student and assist using COMPLETE SENTENCES to fill out their reflection page.

 I did not send home a literacy link this week, because the shortened week has changed our schedule.  The focus for the week is to review ISTEP information and expectations, record interviews, and of course increase our reading skills and level.

Thursday, February 13

Lots going on! Here are the updates:

Students should complete their Valentine box and bring it in tomorrow.

The Needham Reading Olympics is tonight with classroom tours from 5:45-6:30 and Olympic readings from 6:35-7:30.  There will also be refreshments in the cafeteria.  Please don't miss this night, your child has some fun activities planned for you.

The ExamView assessment will be tomorrow morning and Friendship party at 1:45.

Wednesday, February 12

Tonight students will review two Porquoi stories we read in class and then compare and contrast them using a chart.  On the back of the chart they should then create a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two stores.

Tomorrow is Needham Reading Olympics 5:45 - 7:30.    I'm excited for parents to learn what happens in our literacy blocks and to hear our Olympic readers perform.  I hope everyone can make it to the Olympics! All students should wear red-white-and blue to school to show their USA pride.

Tuesday, February 11

The I Love to Read Challenge is now Half Over!!!  It will conclude on March 6.  By March 7, I need your student's individual reading log.  With all the extra time students have had due to weather delays and closings, I am hoping they are racking up the points!

This Thursday is also the Needham Reading Olympics night. Come tour the literacy classroom with a scavenger hunt in an open house format from 5:45-6:30, and then listen to some amazing readings of poetry, plays, and favorite writings by Needham students from 6:35 - 7:30.  It will be a night to remember!

Friday is also our friendship party from 1:45 - 2:10.  As always parents are welcome to the party!

Monday, February 10

I love my job!! But of course you already knew that!  I can not stress how much I enjoy being with your children. It really does make my day - EVERYDAY!

Today we began by reviewing last weeks test.  The results were mixed, but the review was fabulous.  Lots of good conversation and I saw lights of lights come on in student eyes.  Please review this test and the data in the feedback and data binder with your student tonight.

Next we introduced the learning objectives.  We are really focusing on the same skills this week, with one addition.  This week we are learning about pourquoi tales.  Ask your student what they are.  They should be able to tell you that they are fictional stories that explain why something happens in nature, such as why the sun is yellow or why the turtle has a shell.

We also discussed the importance of studying the word part list. The knowledge of word parts will make a big difference, not only on the test, but in life.

Don't forget to check out the updates at the bottom of the Week 25 Literacy Link.  There is a lot going on this week!