Dear Parents,               January 7, 2013

We are starting theme 5 (Home Sweet Home) in our reading series.  Our reading strategy is questioning and the comprehension skill that will help us with that strategy is compare and contrast.  We will practice this skill using a Venn diagram.  Our phonics focus is on the consonant digraphs, th, wh, sh, ch, and tch.  We will also review triple clusters and the short sound of /u/. Our spelling words are from unit 17 and concentrate on the digraphs sh and ch. This is the last week with six basic words and one challenge word; next week the words jump to ten basic words and two challenge words.  Our grammar focus is on exclamatory sentences – sentences that express strong emotion and end with an exclamation point.

Our new chapter in math is focusing on numbers, beginning with teen numbers, and patterns to 100. In religion we will be learning from our Family Life Series with a focus on families. In science we will be learning how animals find shelters. In social studies we will be addressing a new chapter with the focus on the land around us.

Reminders for the week:

–    Please remind your student to bring their library book to school on Tuesday so that they may check out a new one.

–    This week is All About… Dominic! Congratulations!

–    Friday is a full day with families in the afternoon!

Have a wonderful week!

Miss. Manning