Tomorrow is pajama day, crazy hair day, and birthday bash!  If you have not sent in your $5, please do so tomorrow morning so we can pay for the pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream.  I still need money from 11 students!!

Tomorrow is also our spelling test!!!!!

Report cards will come home on Monday.

Since we missed a few spirit days this week, we will make them up next week.  Monday, February 3rd will be hippie day and Tuesday, February 4th will be class color day (that is BLUE for us).

I am realizing when students come to me in reading group that many of them have only read their book once.  Especially for students with shorter books it is a MUST that they go back and read their book over.  In the classroom we discuss that rereading a book helps with comprehension and fluency.  Today I sat down with a group and asked each of them how many times they read their book – every student answered “one time” except for one student who said “four”…when I started asking questions about the story only one student could answer my questions correctly – guess who?  I realize as adults we are easily tired of hearing the same story over and over, but it will help your child become a better reader.  The 1st time through the story you can focus on making sure they are reading all the words correctly.  The 2nd time through the story you can discuss what is happening, who the characters are, what is the main idea, which parts are most important, etc…  The 3rd time through the story really listen to your child as they read – are they stopping at periods?  Is there expression in their voice?  Does it sound smooth?

Students with long chapter books are often reading silently and independently at home, I’m sure.  However, once they have read a chapter (or a couple) to themselves, have them come to you and REREAD their favorite couple of pages or a part where they were confused.  Doing this 3 or 4 times during a chapter book will help you see their strengths and where they need help the most.

I know you are working hard at home and I am very thankful for each and every thing you do 🙂