February 2010
Last month, I sent a letter home to all students requesting that they set academic goals for the remainder of the school year. I am following-up that letter with grade level strategies to help our students succeed with their goals.
2nd Grade:
ü Parents should read with their child each night for at least 15 minutes. Have your child read back to you. Parents can help students with pronunciation and pacing.
ü Review basic addition and subtraction math facts – flash cards or fact sheets can be made at home for review.
3rd Grade:
ü Practice math facts daily. Make flash cards, write out the facts or visit websites found on your teacher’s web page.
ü Read every night for 15 minutes. Parents should hear correct pacing, inflection and vocabulary.
ü Students need to begin studying at home for Science and Social Studies quizzes and tests. Have your child make flashcards for studying. Teach your child how to study. Parents can help to foster good study habits.
4th Grade:
ü Students should know all of their multiplication and division facts. If they don’t, please make sure they practice them daily.
ü Good study habits are a must. Students should begin studying for tests or quizzes a little each night. Students should review notes, study guides, make flash cards with illustrations and information.
5th Grade:
ü While many 5th graders may resist your assistance for studying and completing homework, they still need your guidance. Check the agenda book nightly with your child to make sure assignments are written down and being completed.
ü Help your child devise a schedule for studying. Students will need your supervision to study independently. Check that they have their notes, study guides, etc. to help prepare for tests. They could use mnemonic devices to remember key events or facts. When students do not perform well, they often tell their teachers that they did not have time to study. We realize that students are involved in many afterschool activities. You can help them to budget their time better to prepare for school assessments.
ü The goal for successful studying is that students should have an understanding to the point where they can explain, discuss and write about the ideas learned. Quiz your child prior to a quiz or test. Make it quality one-on-on time rather than a stress-induced, last-minute rush.
ü If your child has taken a test or quiz and you have not seen the result, ask your child about it. You may also follow up with the teacher via e-mail. This way your child will know that the home and school are communicating with one another.
The teachers ask that you make sure that the students have enough school supplies: paper, pencils, pens, etc. We are at the half way point of the school year so restock your school supplies if needed.
v The weather has been quite cold lately. Some students are coming to school in hooded sweatshirts when it is below freezing. We need to remind you that although we may not go out for recess, there may still be a possibility that an alarm may sound and we have to evacuate the building. Students should be prepared for this.
v Homeroom teachers will communicate with the class parents regarding their Valentine's Day Party on February 11th. The party will be scheduled for approximately 60 minutes based on the individual teacher’s schedule.