Welcome to the New Year!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and a great new year!!  I hope the children are ready to work as we will be coming up on the CGA 2 January 20th and the state test in March before you know it.  The end of the nine weeks will be here right around the corner, too.  We still have a lot of skills and standards to cover so please continue to encourage and remind your child about the seriousness and focus they need to have in class.

Math
This week we will continue to work with fractions.  Students will practice comparing and ordering fractions using number lines, benchmark numbers, and equivalent fractions.  We will also cover adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and mixed numbers.  Please look for math homework and review it with your child nightly.

Science
We are still on our chapter covering different types of energy.  I have started a new homework routine for science which includes reading a book and completing a reading log throughout the week. Students will get their book on Monday and have all week to read the book, complete the reading log and answer the questions in the back of the book.  This will be part of their science grade.  Ask your child about what they are reading and learning about in their book.

Ways to help at home
Students always can use review of math multiplication facts.  Have students write multiples of numbers.  For example: 2: 2,4,6,8,10,12......7:7,14,21,28,35,42.  Have them say, "2 times 1 is 2, 2 times 2 is 4, 2 time 3 is 6 however, they write the multiple as the say it.  Also call out facts in multiplication form and division form.  Ask, " 7 time 5 equals what?" or say, " What time 8 equals 32?" or say, "What times 7 gets me 28?"  This will help when students are dividing as well as working with fractions.

Date to Remember
January 7.......................early dismissal
January 14....................end of the 2nd nine weeks
January 16....................Teacher Planning day-No School
January 19....................Martin Luther King Day-No School
January 20....................CGA 2 begins
January 28....................early dismissal and report cards go home

Until next time,
R. O'Steen