Dear Parents,                                                     April 11, 2011

We are starting theme 9 in our reading series – Special Friends.  Our reading strategy this week is “monitor/clarify”.  The comprehension skill that will help us with this strategy is noting details.  Using the text, pictures, and paying attention to the “extras” in a story will help us better understand what we read.  Our phonics focus this week, is sounds for y.  Y is usually a consonant, however, it sometimes acts as a vowel.  When y comes at the end of a short word, the y sounds like a long /i/ (try), while y at the end of a long word sounds like a long /e/ (funny).  Our grammar focus this week, is the proper usage of the words, is and are.  Our spelling words this week, are from unit 29 and all have a y that sounds like a long /i/.  The words are posted to spellingcity.com.  Don’t forget to play the games and take practice tests!

We are starting a new chapter in math and our focus will be on money.  We will still work on word problems on Mondays and will continue with math facts practice in the lab.  We will practice counting coins, play games, and work on a new game I found on another math website.  After the children are comfortable with the site, I’ll pass it along.

The children enjoy our study of Jesus’ passion as we continue with Benjamin’s Box.  Please make a point of asking your child what they found in their “treasure box” and what it represents.

We continue with our study of matter in science and our study of America in social studies

The speech contest is this week!  I will allow the children to volunteer to recite their poem today as a practice day.  Depending on how the volunteering goes, I might be assigning days.  The finals are next Monday and I will let those that are continuing know by Friday.  Remember, one small prop or costume item is allowed.

Friday is the Jog-a-thon! It is also a minimum day.

Have a wonderful week.  If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Mrs. Manning