<em><span style="color: #993300">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  We only have a few weeks of 2009 and there is still so much to do!  I was not in school last Tuesday due to a sore throat that caused me to barely be able to speak!  I came to school on Wednesday and the students were so respectful and understanding!  I absolutely love my class! </span></em>

<em><span style="color: #ff6600">THERE IS NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY!</span></em>

<em>Parent Portal:  By the end of this week, all grades will be up-to-date.  There should be at least 3 grades per subject.  If you have any questions, please email me.  If your child is missing a grade, it could be 1) I did not receive your child’s assignment 2) I have no inputted the grade yet.  Please email me to double check. </em>

<em>INSTRUCTION</em>

<em>Literacy: </em>

<em>This week students will learn about QAR (Question-Answer Relationship).  This is a strategy that will help students figure out how to answer specific questions based on a given text.  There are four types of questions:  Right There, Think and Search, Author and Me, and On My Own.   Each day this week, students will be introduced to one of these types and shown examples of how to answer these questions.  Students will use a highlighter and look for answers in the passage. </em>

<em>Students will continue to work on the strategy of finding the main idea in their guided reading groups using Post-It Notes to show their understanding.  Last week, we worked as a whole group on this concept so each student was able to understand my expectations. </em>

<em>Students are also working on their own spelling words based on high frequency word assessments and word study lessons. </em>

<em>In Writer’s Workshop, students are continuing to work on expository writing by using the Writing Process.  Each student is working at her/his own pace. I expect that all published copies are completed by the end of this week. </em>

<em>Math:</em>

<em>In Math this week, we will begin our multiplication/division unit by working on arrays.  Students are already familiar with skip counting and repeated addition.  I will send home a sheet of multiplication facts that I would like you to go over with your child.  I would like the class to become stronger in their computation.  By practicing their facts, students will become fluent and can spend more time on how to solve a word problem rather than working on 3 x 5.  I will test each child on their multiplication facts in January.</em>

<em>I hope you have a wonderful week!  If I still have not seen you for your child’s report card, please call to set up an appointment. </em>