Recently, our staff met and analyzed some data regarding timed computation skills on standardized tests. We noticed that students are having difficulty completing the problems in a given amount of time. In order to increase speed and accuracy of basic math skills, the faculty and administration have decided to implement a new program throughout the school. Each morning following announcements, students will have timed drills on basic math facts. This can be done in a variety of ways. As a grade level, we have chosen to use timed paper tests on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each child will be given two minutes to complete forty math problems. The goal is to complete all 40 problems within the allotted time with 95% accuracy (this means he/she can miss no more than 2 problems). Our class began yesterday with basic addition facts with numbers 1,2, and 3 as the addends. ( 1 +2 , 3 +2, 1 +1 etc.) This is known as level A. The addition facts build in difficulty from there and the levels go through Z. A child remains at his/her level until facts are mastered. Once addition facts are learned, we will change skills and move onto subtraction. We have glued a rocket ship inside the front cover of each child's math journal. When the student has met the goal for the level, he/she colors in the level line. As review and reinforcement, we will send home a half sheet of paper on Tuesdays and Thursdays for timed practice. Please allow only two minutes for the drill. This can even be done at the After School Program where assistants will time the students as needed. Please note: Take home sheets do not replace what will be done in the classroom for our rocket ships. Students must meet the goal in school in order to progress to the next level. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will review computation in other ways. We may do flashcards, math journal problem solving, write on white boards or various quick math games. You may ask to see your child's journal at any time to see the progession he/she is making with her facts. I welcome any other comments or questions to be addressed via e-mail on this matter.
Jamie Lupiani
Thursday Memo Blog
Additional Information
Schoolwide Incentive
Recently, our staff met and analyzed some data regarding timed computation skills on standardized tests. We noticed that students are having difficulty completing the problems in a given amount of time. In order to increase speed and accuracy of basic math skills, the faculty and administration have decided to implement a new program throughout the school. Each morning following announcements, students will have timed drills on basic math facts. This can be done in a variety of ways. As a grade level, we have chosen to use timed paper tests on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each child will be given two minutes to complete forty math problems. The goal is to complete all 40 problems within the allotted time with 95% accuracy (this means he/she can miss no more than 2 problems). Our class began yesterday with basic addition facts with numbers 1,2, and 3 as the addends. ( 1 +2 , 3 +2, 1 +1 etc.) This is known as level A. The addition facts build in difficulty from there and the levels go through Z. A child remains at his/her level until facts are mastered. Once addition facts are learned, we will change skills and move onto subtraction. We have glued a rocket ship inside the front cover of each child's math journal. When the student has met the goal for the level, he/she colors in the level line. As review and reinforcement, we will send home a half sheet of paper on Tuesdays and Thursdays for timed practice. Please allow only two minutes for the drill. This can even be done at the After School Program where assistants will time the students as needed. Please note: Take home sheets do not replace what will be done in the classroom for our rocket ships. Students must meet the goal in school in order to progress to the next level. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we will review computation in other ways. We may do flashcards, math journal problem solving, write on white boards or various quick math games. You may ask to see your child's journal at any time to see the progession he/she is making with her facts. I welcome any other comments or questions to be addressed via e-mail on this matter.
Would you like to help?
Each year, our own Mrs. Gentry, coordinates a stocking stuffing activity for the Salvation Army. Students may work together to fill an empty stocking for children less fortunate than themselves or families can request their own to fill at home. I would like to know if you would be interested in filling a few stockings together as a class, or would you like to fill one as a family. I thought if we had enough interest we could do some boy stockings and then some girl stockings. Please contact me via e-mail and let me know your feelings on this. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable given the recent economic circumstances. Holidays are a time to reflect on our blessings and I am so truly blessed to have all of you in my life. Thanks for all you do!
Candy for Wednesday
This Wednesday, I would like to do a graphing activity with candy the students collected this week while trick or treating. I have asked each child to select 20 pieces of candy to bring in. We will sort, label and graph these wonderful treats. Afterwards, children will be bringing the candy back home. Please have them make a list of their selections and the number of each kind that they brought before coming to school. Place the list in their folders so I can return each goodie to its proper owner once we are done with them.
On that note...please do not substitue candy for snack this week. It is very important that children remember to bring a healthy snack to school to help stimulate and nourish the brain. I don't think that chocolate or popcorn balls fit that bill...if so I would be Albert Einstein!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Wow! Do we have some exciting news to share with you....Two of our students have been recognized for their efforts in contests held within the school this past month. First, congratulations to Tara for her written composition in the Reflections project for "Beauty Is". Tara's work was selected to be judged at the county level. Her essay entitled "Daddy's Home" was absolutely wonderful! We will have to keep our fingers crossed to see if it goes to the next level. I will keep you updated on the progress of the piece. Next, today we learned that our very own Madalyn was chosen as the overall school winner in the Pledge to be Drug Free poster contest. Madalyn received a $5.00 gift certificate for her work at the grade level and her poster will be reprinted on a billboard on the corner of Post Oak Tritt and Sandy Plains (someone said by Kaminskis????). I certainly will be bringing my camera to take a picture of that! I am so proud of both of these young ladies...hard work and dedication certainly do pay off! WAY TO GO!!!
Fire Safety Field Trip
A red slip is in your child's take home folder today. We are going on a class trip to the new Fire Safety Village on Thursday, November 12. The cost of this trip is covered by Cobb County. We will leave at 9:00 and return by 2:00. Students will eat sack lunches at the facility. Lunches can either be brought from home or can be purchased through the school cafeteria. You will notice that we put an order form on the front of the permission slip. Please complete both sides and return to school by this Thursday, November 5. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Book Orders!
I will be sending home the next group of flyers for Scholastic book orders. I will once again print out a sheet with all the information for ordering on-line. This will be the last group of flyers I send out before the end of the calendar year. Therefore, if you want to do some holiday shopping now is the time. If you need me to keep your order a secret just let me know and I will be happy to accomodate your request.
Math concepts
This term we will be learning some very challenging concepts in math. First we will be talking about making change from a dollar. There is an excellent web site entitled Cash Out on the second grade list that you can access at home. You can choose for the computer to tell you how much change you should give but you can also opt for having to determine this amount by yourself. Please practice this concept at home. It is an important lifeskill that needs plenty of review and reinforcement.
Students would also benefit from practicing time at home. Students are required to know how to tell time to the nearest five minutes. This becomes exceedingly difficult when the hour hand passes the 6 and moves in between the two numbers. (ie.. 3:40). We would appreciate any time you have to review this concept at home. I have practice clocks if you need me to send one home for you just drop me a line. Thanks.
Faculty Costume Kickball Game
Our faculty costume kickball game will take place this Thursday after school on the field. Admission fees will benefit Relay for Life. We hope to see you there!
All Pro Dad
This Wednesday is Dad's Day in the school cafeteria. From 7 - 7:50 am, dads and their kids are invited for a quick, before school breakfast. While eating together, the group will participate in a 45 minute program of fatherhood and family topics. Dad will take away great tips and resources to help you be the best dad you can be and at the same time strengthen your current relationship with your children. Chick-fil-a biscuits will be sold for $3.00 each. You can e-mail johngameday@bellsouth.net for further details.
Mad Matter Day!
Mad Matter Day will take place this Friday afternoon. Students will rotate to three different classes where they will participate in a variety of activities based on our science standards for matter. Unfortunately, I will not be here on that day. One parent has already offered to come and assist in my room. If you love experiments and volunteering...I would love to add you on our list. Just drop me an e-mail and I will send you the experiment for you to practice at home before coming in on Friday. The time we would need you is 12:15-2:15. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance.
