Yes, we are in the home stretch, but we still have 3 1/2 weeks of school. I think quite a few of us have summer fever. It is a time to press, to keep running the race set before us. We continue to diligently pursue our work in learning each and every day. It is important that we all stick with our routines, go to bed and get a good night's rest, be prepared for your day with tools and materials, encourage and reward positive behaviors with precise praise and have students work to earn privileges, keep having conversations around the dinner table, and we will walk hand in hand over the finish line so very soon. You all are doing a great job! Our scholars have come so far these 9 months. I will miss them and will savor these last days together.
There are certain items of note that are important to keep on top of.
Uniforms - From personal experience as a parent, there is nothing more exasperating as needing to buy new uniform items during the last weeks of school. Especially because we know our children are going to grow out of them by August. Our scholars are growing very fast! As a result some shorts and skirts and getting a bit too short. Please make sure that the shorts and skirts are just slightly above the knee.Blue Folders - Blue folders are sent home each Friday. The blue folders contain classwork that your scholar completed during previous days. Several of the students' folders are getting very heavy and are not being cleared out from week to week. When your scholar arrives home from school on Fridays, please ask them to give you their blue folders. The classwork in the blue folders is an excellent way to see how your scholar in doing on different skills and concepts taught in class. If you notice an area of struggle, take time to discuss and help your scholar with the skill or concept. The classwork is also a great starting point when getting your scholar to talk about what they learned in school.
Water Bottles - Our classroom is a long way away from the drinking fountain and the days are getting hotter. Our young scholars get thirsty quickly and often. Please make sure you child brings a water bottle to school every day.
MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!
We are starting our money unit this week. Scholars love learning how to count money, though they quickly discover it isn't always as easy as it seems. Students will often find the money unit as difficult as the "Numbers to 120" unit. Every year I have parents ask, "How can I help my child count money?" The answer is practice! Practice! Practice! Search the house, find all of that spare change, and start counting!
GENERAL ACADEMICS:
Spalding - Students will learn 10 new words on Tuesday, 10 new words on Wednesday, review the 20 words on Thursday, and complete the 20-word test on Friday.
Math - Money
*This week's focus is on identifying the coins and their value. Student will be counting piles of the same types of coins (all pennies, all nickels, all dimes, or all quarters). They will also be finding equivalent values (10 pennies = 1 dime, 2 nickels = 1 dime, etc.)
*A "Friendly Notes" information packet about money was sent home in the red folders today. Please keep it and use it as reference to help your child as they complete their homework.
Science - Geology (minerals and the 3 types of rocks)
Literature/Grammar/Writing - My Father's Dragon
UPCOMING DATES:
Thursday, May 6 - School Nurse Appreciation Day
Friday, May 7 - Headmaster Philabaum's Birthday
May 10-14 - Teacher Appreciation Week
Please see the Athenian Echo that comes out each Friday for more information about upcoming events.
Have a good week!
