Kamphouse News: January 8, 2014

Important Dates

January 20^th: Delayed Start.  Class begins at 10:00

January 27^th: DIBELS testing.  Please try to have your child here and well rested. J

February 13^th: As far as I know this is Jump Rope for Heart Day and we will celebrate Valentine’s Day as well!

February 14^th & 17^th: NO SCHOOL.  Professional Development and President’s Day

That was quite a break we had!  I hope that you all had a very blessed holiday and break.  What an awesome time of year.  I love that most everyone seems to be filled with joy around Christmas time!  I wish it lasted all year long.  J Thank you for the Christmas gifts! You did not have to get me anything.  That was very kind of you! I love spending each day with your child. J

Math

We will be starting Math Minute this month.  This is where the children have a minute (I actually give them 2+ minutes) to finish an addition/subtraction fact sheet.  I will also be teaching the Touch Point system more in depth.  I will be sending home a Touch Point Number strip for you to keep at home to use as needed.  I will explain how this works with a note.

Reading

Please continue to read with your child each day at home.  This is the year where they are to make the biggest reading growth!  And they are interested so let’s reel them in! J

We started a unit on character study before break.  We will continue to study characters and their traits and how they relate to other characters this month.

Writing

We were just beginning a unit of study on “How-to” writing.  The children had been practicing editing their work.  Now they are going to brainstorm and teach others through writing about things that they know how to do.  For example; they may know how to make a snowman or plant a seed. They will be deciding on something to teach others.  Then they will picture it in their head and tell the steps across their fingers.  Last they will sketch it on paper and write!