Smith Spokesman 9.23.11

Math: Bridges Unit I

It has been exciting to watch our students take to the new Bridges curriculum and activities.  This week we learned about prime and composite numbers. Using square tiles, students built rectangles out of a specified number of tiles.  If students found they could only build one rectangle – that number of tiles was prime.  If students were able to build more than one kind of rectangle, the number of tiles was composite.  Can you tell which is prime and which is composite?

                On the back of this page is a form of tic-tac-toe.  Ask your student to play it with you?  Extra credit if they do and turn this in signed tomorrow!

Writing: The Class Book continues

This week we worked on organizing our interview questions and answers into logical paragraphs, which a topic sentence for each paragraph with matching details.  We are also working on our writing stamina!

Computer Lab:  Typing our interviews.

Social Studies: Geography continues

Scholastic Book Orders:

Yes, you can order them online yourself!  Log On:

http://scholastic.com/  Click “Parents,” then click “Register Now” as a non-educator.  You will then complete your on-line account.  Then… are you with me still?  Click:  SHOP Classroom Book  Club Flyer.  Click:  Parent Sign In.  Register your child.

And… enter this 5 letter activation code:  HQTQZ

Reading:  Crash  continues

As you know our first read aloud unit is Crash, by Jerry Spinelli.  The students seem to agree that Mr. Spinelli is a great writer – and many have been inspired to read more books by him.  We have launched into the definitions of RESPECT & BULLY.  BYSTANDER will be next week.  Please be sure your student is reading 30 minutes per night or two hours per week of their own book at home!

Ask Your Student:

Class jobs?  Which job did your student have this week?  I wonder which they’ll have next week?

Earthquake Drill?  What do we do?  And how?

Firedrill?   What do we do?  How does it differ from an Earthquake procedure?

Please Note!

The date of the Back to School Picnic and Open House has been changed to:

Thursday, October 6^th, 2011

This relaxed event is a great way to meet the Maplewood staff, view the portables, and get your questions about the new year answered.   There will be some informational handouts, and an opportunity to sign up for conferences as well.  If the weather permits, bring a picnic before the event.  Typically people begin to gather about 5:30, and rooms will be opened beginning at 6:30.  I hope to see you all there!!!