Dear Parents,

Last week in math we created and solved addition number stories and reviewed “easy” addition facts.  On Friday, we worked together to complete an Open Response question, in which the students had to solve a math problem and explain <span style="text-decoration: underline">how</span> they solved it, and the students took a Timed Test.  This week we will practice doubles facts, learn a +9 trick when using the number grid, and discuss “turn around facts.”  Don’t forget to read the note at the top of each Home Link and go over the assignment after your child has completed it.

In Language Arts, the students started visiting centers.  We talked about what centers look like, sound like and feel like. This week students will start working independently at the different centers while I work with individual or groups of students. In phonics, we will work with words that have short vowel sounds; as in lamb, hen, pig, fox and tug.

In Writing Workshop, we discussed long-term writing projects and created a place in our folder for stories the students are done with (for now) and stories that they would like to continue working on.  This week we will discuss using story booklets, and discuss the many real world purposes for writing.  We will also start talking about “fancying up” (editing) one piece of writing for our first Author’s Celebration, which will be next week!

We will continue to work in our “Air and Weather” unit in science.  Last week the students pushed on air.  This week the students will again “push on air”, this time with partners.  I will also create an “Air and Water Fountain” for the students to observe!

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes and Reminders: </span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>Thank you to Hunter’s mom who joined us on our field trip last week. We saw a great performance of <span style="text-decoration: underline">The Hundred Dresses</span>!</li>
	<li>Mr. Walter would like parents to visit his blog, which can also be found on the Ray  School website.  He will be posting important notes and homework there.</li>
	<li>Candy Sale order forms are due this Thursday, October 8<sup>th</sup>.</li>
	<li>Don’t forget there is no school next Monday, October 12<sup>th</sup>!</li>
	<li>Please send the $85 activity fee to school.  <strong>All fees are due this Friday, October 9<sup>th</sup>.</strong> Please let me know if you would like to arrange a payment plan.</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Questions to ask at home:</span></strong>
<ul>
	<li>Practice making + and - fact families (6+4=10,  4+6=10,  10-6=4  and  10-4=6)</li>
	<li>What is the +9 short cut that we use with our number grid?</li>
	<li>What is the “Pop Off” trick that you learned in science?  Why does that happen?</li>
	<li>Practice making predictions while you read at home. Stop before you finish a book and discuss “What will probably happen next?”  Was your prediction right?</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Homework</span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">: </span></strong>

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"> </span></strong>
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<tbody>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Monday</strong></p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Tuesday</strong></p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>
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<p align="center"><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
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<td width="68">
<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Math</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 2.3</p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 2.4</p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 2.5</p>
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<td width="109">
<p align="center">Home Link 2.6</p>
</td>
<td width="109">
<p align="center"></p>
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<td width="68">
<p align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Reading</span></strong><strong> </strong></p>
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<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15   minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15   minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15   minutes</p>
</td>
<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15 minutes</p>
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<td width="109" valign="top">
<p align="center">Read at least 15   minutes</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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