Testing and a Thank You

Family and Friends.
A huge thanks to all of you that were able to stop by last night for Open House. The kids loved showing you where they "live" each day and I enjoyed talking to you...if even for a minute.

I have added a new feature to the blog which includes an email subscription. You simply type your email in the rectangle at the top of the page and hit submit. Each time I post in blogger you will receive an email with the information.

Thanks.
Maria

Spelling Words and News for the Week of 9/26-30

Blue List:


beast


float


dreamy


soaked


brain


loafer


follower


clean


paint


elbow


mower


cloak





Gold List:


bleacher


seacoast


league


tomorrow


stagecoach


moonbeam


waist


sneak


entertainment


tease


season


growth


gold listers:
zack, sydney, cross, hailey, will, dakota, holley, tim, rayne, dontae, and jesse

everyone else is a blue lister.


Reminder: Tonight is open house. The Mann ice cream social is from 5-5:30 and classrooms will be open from 5:30-6:30.


Tonight is also Texas Roadhouse night for Mann. 10% of all sales come back to our school. Just mention to your server that you are a Mann family.

Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.

go to http://www.chexmixstackup.com/ and play a little game to win Box Tops for our classroom. You can play each day through Nov. 30th to earn Box Tops.

Online Math Resources

Tomorrow your child will receive a password for Everyday Mathematics. This password will enable them to play Everyday Math (EM) games from home, all family letters and homelinks, and to access an online Student Reference Book (their hardback math book). This password will be taped in to the front of their planner.

Go to the following site: emgames.com
Click: at home student login
In the teacher box put: Mrs. Thomas
Enter the child's first and last name and password and then click Start.

Spelling Words for the Week of 9.12-9.16

Blue List:
1. coutry
2. repay
3. cavity
4. survey
5. supply
6. stray
7. trying
8. shy
9. defy
10. library
11. lonely
12. rely

Gold List:
1. midday
2. bylaw
3. hallway
4. cypress
5. defray
6. spicy
7. screenplay
8. lullaby
9. whereby
10. imply
11. happily
12. notify

Gold Listers: shane, cross, hailey, asantae, madison, will, dakota, heidi, rayne, and ethan
Blue Listers: everyone else :)

Tomorrow is Domino's Night

Families,
Tomorrow, and the second Wednesday of every month, will be Domino's Pizza Night at Mann. A portion of sales for the evening are donated directly back to our school. In addition, the class with the most participation wins a free pizza party each month. If you are looking to avoid making dinner tomorrow, here is the information to order. Your child did receive a coupon today with the following information on it, although that might not be accessible when you are trying to order.

Coupon Code S17

Medium 1 topping: 5.99
Large 1 topping: 6.99
X.Large 1 topping 8.99

Medium any topping: 8.99
Large any topping: 9.99
X.Large any toppping: 11.99

In addition, there are specials on some of the side items.
Call Domino's at 889.3131 and let dinner be taken care of tomorrow evening!

Thanks for supporting our school.

Learning Fast Facts

I would like to get you involved in something we are doing in our math class this year. Every year, I have many parents tell me, “My child is struggling in math. What can I do to help them get better?”

I want to answer that question with some very boring but important advice. Basic multiplication facts are a major component of the foundation of math in 4th grade and beyond. It is vital for students to have their basic multiplication facts (at the very least through 10, preferably through 12) memorized in order to keep from falling behind and getting overwhelmed this year. If we are doing a difficult, multi-step, multi-operation problem later in the year, and we still don’t know what 4x6 is, we’re going to be in for a very stressful and frustrating experience.

We are setting a class goal to have all of our students get 100% on a 5-minute multiplication test. This is a written test composed of 100 basic, single-digit multiplication facts (3x7, 9x8, etc.). Students have 5 minutes to complete the test. Obviously this will require the student to be able to recite their facts quickly as well as accurately. We will take this test once a week, as well as, daily multiplication tests.

As you might imagine, we are a long way from our goal. This is partially due to the fact that it is still early in the year, students could be rusty from summer vacation, etc. I fully expect that it will dramatically increase as the year progresses. Next week, students will receive goal sheets to take home and go over with you. These goal sheets will show their scores and provide opportunity to make goals for the next 5-minute test. In addition to making a percentage goal, I would also like students to make specific goals for how they can improve. Students will receive extra credit if the goal sheet is turned in and signed by a parent.

I want to share some resources for you to help your child practice their multiplication facts at home. I will do as much as I can to help them in school, but independent practice outside of the classroom will really sharpen their skills. Please feel free to explore the following resources with your child if you have the time:

www.everydaymathonline.com – students have personal passwords for this website, which includes games such as Multiplication Baseball, Factor Captor, Multiplication Top-It, and Name That Number. These games can range from very basic multiplication facts to more challenging ones, depending on the version you choose.

http://www.mathplayground.com/spaceracer_multiplication.html - Space Racer X – You are Space Racer X, an intergalactic explorer and daring captain of a new line of mathematical spacecraft. You are the first person to attempt to reach a distant planet under constant asteroid attack. How far can you guide your spacecraft?

http://www.mathplayground.com/balloon_invaders.html - Number Invaders - The Number Invaders are descending upon the innocent inhabitants of a distant planet. Help Trevor keep the Number Invaders a safe distance away. You'll need instant recall of math facts and a steady hand to win this game!

News for the week of Sept. 6-9

Spelling test will be on Friday.
Blue Listers: Shane, Sydney, Logan, Hailey, Dakota, Holley, Leeann, Sheldon, Heidi, Andy, Timmy, Shaylee, Dontae, Ethan, and Collin
Gold Listers: Caleb, Cross, Asantae, Madison, Will, Rayne, Jesse, and Grace

Blue List:
1. access
2. export
3. explore
4. drizzle
5. aspect
6. clever
7. bother
8. comet
9. usher
10. critic
11. golf
12. missing

Gold List:
1. visible
2. inspect
3. shiver
4. swung
5. ultra
6. exit
7. picnic
8. wring
9. snuggle
10. ember
11. activity
12. eggplant

We will also be having a science test on Friday and a math test on Thursday. A study guide for science will be coming home tomorrow.

This Week's List

our test will be Friday, Sept.2
1.grip
2. knit
3. kept
4. odd
5. struck
6. ditch
7. brush
8. west
9. dock
10. dull
11. drag
12. practice