Mrs. O'Halloran's room!

MG Monthly Newsletter

Webpage Updated 05/14/12

 Spelling: This week the spelling list will focus on words that have blends involving "old".  Also we will be throwing two of last weeks vocabulary words onto the spelling list.  The words are "angry" and "sorry".  They seem to go together or at least follow one another.  Please practice these with your child at home.  Writing the words in fun ways is a great way to practice.  Your child can rainbow write their words, use their finger to write them in a tray of salt or make them from Play-doh.  The spelling test will be next week Friday, May 11th.  The students will have the words dictated to them and will be asked to write them from memory correctly. 

Spelling words for the week of May 14th, 2012

       Vocabulary Words for the Week of May 14th, 2012 

Vocabulary - The new vocabulary words for the story Poppleton Everyday.  The test will be on Thursday, May 17th.  Please have your child cut apart the words to practice reading them as flashcards.  You can have your child draw boxes around letters that make a sound together to help them read the word.  Have them look for combinations they recognize such as 'ea', 'oo,'and 'ie'.  This is called 'chunking'. 

 HOMEWORK 

Math -   It is important to practice math flashcards as they are sent home.  We are beginning to learn more complex math facts and the children are needing more practice to master them.  Please take a few minutes each night to practice them or just have your child write them for extra practice.       

Reading:

Comprehension-The reading test for the story Poppleton Everyday will be Friday, May 18th.  The test will be read by the students independently.  Support will be given on an as needed basis to assist students with completing the test.  Please practice vocabulary words and the fluency pages in each weekly packet to help increase your child's word recognition and fluency.

Phonics – This week we will work on verbs.  We will also be identifying whether words are past tense or present tense.  We will be continuing to practice separating long vowel words and short vowel words.  It is important to discuss with your child as they read the differences between long and short vowel words. We will be doing all kinds of hands on activities in the classroom to help everyone gain more knowledge of long a words. 

Oral Reading – Each student’s oral reading skills will be assessed through an oral read grade.  Students will be practicing certain spelling patterns, phonics skills and vocabulary words on a weekly basis.  To ensure that each student is growing in their ability to apply these skills accurately and efficiently, they will be given an oral reading assessment.  This will be graded and will be the fourth and final portion of your child’s reading grade.

 

Science and Social Studies- We currently have caterpillars visiting our room.  We are experiencing the fascinating transition of metamorphisis.  Are happy little critters will soon be turning into beautiful Painted Ladies and set free.  The kids are loving this!  See if you can look up some interesting facts at home so your child can participate in the discussions.  Students love to wow others with their extended knowledge.

Handwriting –   It is important to encourage students to form letters so that it becomes rote to them.  Please continue to work with your children on proper handwriting.  Using a freshly sharpened pencil and sitting up straight will help encourage good hand writing.  We continue to work on this in class on a daily basis.

Other assignments may come home throughout the year.  Every once in awhile I will send home extra fluency/reading practice that students will need to read to a parent and have it initialed.  Their incentive is an extra sticker on their sticker chart.  Be looking for these periodically.  Please check your child’s folder for notes and homework.