Newsletter 3.....follow up.....math

Hi.

I've had several questions about math so I thought it would good to just clarify for everyone.

Our goal with the homework is to try and be consistent with what we (think) we know about learning at this point. I say "think" because people are always learning more and more about how learning works. For example, a few years ago I would have said DO NOT use flash cards. I thought they sent the wrong message: that math is about speed and memorizing rather than about thoughtful problem-solving. My current thinking is still to teach thoughtful problem solving, but that students need those basic tools, like facts memorized, so they can devote time and brain power to the more complex problems. I've also recently read research saying that self-testing is one of the best ways to enable long term learning, and that flash cards can often be a wonderful tool for self-testing.

So.....

For the fact practice on the homework sheet in the red take-home folder, I will be sending home the practice pages from the book. I have already sent home one page of 5's. More will be coming. Students should continue to practice a mixture of old and new facts. If you or your child would like to use something additional or different than those pages, that's fine with me--even flash cards.☺

I think the key to the practice will be a little each day. By the end of the year, we would like the students to know them all. We take a test at the end of each month to track progress, with the goal being 50 correct in 3 minutes.

The exit slips are a quick way to practice/review the main math skill taught that day. If your child can't do the work, please help if you can. If you teach it differently than I do, great. Now the child has two ways to look at a problem. If neither of you know what to do, that's fine too. That happens in real life all the time. What I want at that point is for the child to come to school, ask me about it, learn it, and then go back home and teach the parent.

The back of the exit slip will have a skill taught/learned previously at some point...and which the child still needs to know. Math is builds upon itself, so they need to remember and use it all.

I hope that helps clarify some of the math questions. Thanks to all the quick replies for letting me know what you're thinking. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

--

Jeff

3rd, BDE

Newsletter 3, 15-16

Dear Families,

 

I like the four-day weeks to start. It lets us build stamina slowly. We are spending time getting used to each other and getting used to our 3^rd grade routines. This letter has some of the same information as the last, just in case you missed it.

Snack

We eat lunch at 1:00; that's four hours after school starts. It's a long time to go without food, so please consider sending snack—either daily just for your child, or once in awhile to share with others who would rather do it that way. I'll get a rough count on who prefers what once we start.

The best things to send are healthy, and easy to distribute evenly. No peanuts please.

Music and P.E.

We have Physical Education with Mrs. Smith and Music Education with Miss Olds on Mondays and Fridays.

Homework

We want homework to be accessible to all kids at their learning level. And, we want it to focus on what we consider the most important skills to learn in elementary school: enjoying reading and becoming a fluent reader with strong comprehension!

So, our policy is as follows:

1.   Four days/week (Monday-Thursday) the students will bring home a math exit slip. It is a two-sided half sheet that allows them to practice the skill we targeted in class that day, and to review a skill that was already taught.  Students should return it to school the next day.

2.   Each day they will practice their multiplication and division math facts for 5 minutes. This can be done independently and sometimes they can have a partner test them.

3.   Each day they will read to themselves. Each day they will have an adult read to them! This includes the weekends!

4.   They will be given a reading and math log each month to keep track of their math fact practice and reading. Both student and adult initial the boxes to show what they did each day. They keep the log in the back of their red folder.

5.   We will use the monthly logs and the exit slip returns for the homework grade on the report card as follows: 6-7 times per week=Meets Expectations; 5 times per week=Approaches Expectations; less than 5 times per week=below expectations.

Please email or call if you have any questions!

--

Jeff

3rd, BDE

Newsletter 2 2015

 Newsletter 2                       2015-2016                             9/8/2015

Dear Families,

We had a great first day! We spent some time reading, writing, and getting to know each other. Thank you for trusting me with your children. I’m looking forward to our year together. I prefer to use email for newsletters and things as much as possible. I made a list of the email addresses on record here and sent this note. At this point I have 24 students on the list. If there is a different email address you want me to use, please email me from it with a note. If you would like the paper version, just let me know. Here are some things to keep in mind at this point:

Snack

We eat lunch at 1:00; that’s four hours after school starts. It’s a long time to go without food, so please consider sending snack—either daily just for your child, or once in awhile to share with others who would rather do it that way. I’ll get a rough count on who prefers what once we start.

The best things to send are healthy, and easy to distribute evenly. No peanuts please.

Music and P.E.

We have Physical Education with Mrs. Smith and Music Education with Miss Olds on Mondays and Fridays.

Jackdaw

What is a jackdaw? A jackdaw is a bird that collects things. It’s also a collection of things about a topic. In this case, the topic will be each student. So our jackdaws will be collections that tell about each of us.

I have given each student a gallon size Ziploc bag and I’m asking them to make a jackdaw about themselves. Part of the fun is finding and building the collection to share with others. Students should use the index card to list the items in the bag. We’ll share our jackdaws in class.

Here are the guidelines:

                It must all fit inside the bag.

                Bring in 4-6 items that represent:

·         some of your "gifts"-- things you are good at (maybe a book or a paint brush or a game piece)

·         some of your interests - things you are fascinated with and like to spend your time reading about or doing (maybe a catcher's mitt or word puzzle)

·         relationships you have with other people (maybe a photo of friends or a souvenir from a trip)

·         ways you already help others (maybe a leash if you walk the dog or spoon if you set the table)

·         other things you can think of that will tell us about you

They should practice telling about them at home so they’re ready when it’s their turn.

I’d like the bags done and back by Friday, September 4, but they can come back sooner and we’ll start sharing when they do. This is a fun way to get to know each other. I can’t wait.

Here’s to a great year!

Sincerely,

Jeff Kurtz