Hi everyone!
I hope you all are getting excited for the upcoming holidays!!!
I wanted to let everyone know about a few different things that you will be finding in your child’s OWL folders over the next two days.
First, you will find 2 (quite large) packets of multiple choice questions for reading and math. These are OPTIONAL worksheets for extra practice over the two weeks we have off. Trust me, I know this is a well needed and deserved break for your child, so please do not get bogged down in trying to get them finished. I know some of you are traveling or hosting the holidays and this is a crazy time of year. These packets are just a way to keep the kids involved with their school work and to help keep them in tip-top shape. When you go through the packets, you will see a couple of things that we may not have covered in school yet- that’s okay! Don’t panic – just tell your child to do their best. You’ll be surprised how much they can do 🙂 If you child completes both packets and turns them into me when we come back from break, they will get a special treat! YAY!!
Next, you will find a reading calendar from Mr. Short. He is hosting a HAIGH READING CHALLENGE. If your child reads for at least 15 minutes a day, they can fill out their calendar and turn it back into school to Mr. Short when we return (this reading time also counts for the January reading log from me, just record it on both sheets). All children that complete their reading log will be entered into a drawing for some pretty AMAZING prizes (I heard bikes were involved!!!)!
You will also see a direction sheet for a new program offered here at Haigh called READING EGGS! This is an absolutely incredible program for our kids to help them with all areas of English Language Arts (phonics, phonemic awareness, spelling, reading, comprehension, games, avatars, etc.). We have piloted the program with some students here at Haigh and have had such great success that we purchased the program for all of the kids. I highly recommend getting it set up on your computer and your child can have at it! Another great part is that it is all game based, so the kids are playing games and learning at the same time. It’s also very easy for them to understand and follow along…some of my kids have to show me how to play some of the games! This is a great, fun, low-maintenance activity for your child to do over break.
OKAY! I know this sounds like a lot, and it is. But please, again, none of this work is required, it’s all extra practice for our long break. The week after we get back from break, we will begin round 2 of NWEA testing in reading and math. This extra practice will help keep them in learning mode and keep their brains focused on their academic goals here at school. It can only help them! I have talked to the kids a lot about how they are still expected to read over break, even if we are not in school. At this age/grade level, when kids miss two weeks of reading, a lot can happen (dropping 2 or more reading levels). Again, I know you all are crazy busy, and I can relate 110% – if you can fit it in, please do 🙂
I am almost done with our mid-year reading tests and I am SO PROUD of our kids! They have grown so much since September and they are doing just an incredible job. I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued involvement, support and encouragement with your child – it goes a long way!
Have a great holiday break!
Mrs. Donelson