Chapter One Math Notes

Now that we are getting into the swing of things, I'd like to share the new routine we'll be doing each day.  Our math workshop will consist of 15 mintues of fact practice, a 15 minute lesson of new material, 15 minutes of independent work time, then 45 minutes of station completion.  Last week in class we reviewed what each of the SMART stations were in depth and this week they are trying it on their own.  The SMART menu should be located in their HOME binder under the "Math" tab.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

During the 15 minute lesson we write in our math notebooks together.  I keep one and complete it the same time the students do.  This way if someone is absent, they can borrow mine to catch up AND I can take a picture of the notes and insert here on the blog for parents to see that night to help with homework.  Hopefully the notes will be easy to follow and give a better understanding of the step by step process.  I apologize for being behind on this, but would like to insert our last 3 lessons now. 

Hopefully these notes will help with the homework as I mentioned above.  It should also give you a better understanding of what we're learning about at school.  I typically don't require students to bring home their math notebook (with our notes) but it is something that may be helpful to your students if you find they are struggling.  Just please remember to bring the notebook back to school!

Another helpful hint I wanted to draw your attention to was the planner page on the home page of the blog.  Each day we write in the planner as a class.  We write everything we did that day so you know what's happening.  We bubble/circle anything that is homework.  I will bubble anything in my planner that MIGHT be homework (example: if it's not done in class, it is homework) but your student will only bubble their homework for that night.  I will insert a picture of the planner of the day on that planner page (found on right hand side of main page).  Here's what yesterday's planner looked like. 



Spelling has been another complicated issue!  We work on spelling words for two weeks at a time.  Your students will be divided up into multiple spelling groups based on their individual needs.  For this first routine we are all starting with the same rules "oi" and "oy."  We have a routine in class that we will practice every day - the schedule of IN CLASS work is on the back of this week's spelling homework.  Again, this is IN CLASS work, not additional homework.  They do have homework, however.  The homework went home yesterday for the first time.  They must pick one activity from box A, one from box B and one from box C.  These three activities are to be completed using their spelling words from the week and turned in on the 2nd Friday of each spelling cycle.  The students will be tested every other Friday on 12 words randomly from their list.  They will be required to sort the words into the correct column on the test.  (Example, joy should be spelled correctly under the "oy" category/rule.)  

Lastly, reading logs.  I have put a reading log (pink) in each student's binder.  This is to be completed 5 out of the 7 nights a week.  Whichever days is up to them.  Each entry should be a different date though, even if they are still reading the same book.  I'll be looking for the number of entries, and dates read, not the number of books completed.  I will NOT be requiring AR tests this year.  As a personal preference, I don't think they are important for the growth of the students.  I do know that some students still enjoy taking them so the option is open if they would like to. 

I hope this information has been helpful.  Again, if you ever have any questions please do not hesitate to email (kmetevia@madison.k12.mi.us) or call the classroom.  I've taken the students to the computer lab today and showed them how to explore around on this blog a little more - please take time to have them show you how to leave a comment tonight and please leave one!  (Even if it's a simple hello - we love to hear from you!)

Have a great Tuesday!