Math...and Other Matters

This Friday we will be taking our first unit math test of the year, and I wanted to make you aware of the routine I will follow. Each test will be preceded by a unit review. The review will be one of the three test versions provided by our math program. While the test questions will be different, the concepts covered on the review will be the same as those on the unit test. Please go over the review with your child and sign it like any other homework assignment. If your child demonstrates proficiency on the review, they will likely be successful on the test.

On the day of each unit test, we will go over each question on the review. I will also project the unit test on the Activboard before my students take the test, and read through and review the questions so the kids understand what they need to do. I will also be available to read and clarify questions during the test.

We have also begun WIN (What I Need) Time for math each Wednesday afternoon. Your child stays with me for remediation and enrichment in mathematics. I will be using this time to review important math vocabulary and teach the kids new math games. One of the activities we will do each Wednesday is to take a timed addition or subtraction test. Each test will be 100 problems and the students will have eight minutes to successfully complete as many problems as they are able. The goal is to reach 60 percent proficiency by the end of the first trimester. I told my students is I simply want to see improvement with each test. We took our first timed test this afternoon, and I was very pleased with their effort.

As a former fourth grade teacher I can say with confidence that being proficient with basic math facts is essential to being successful in later grades.

I also wanted to share a couple of other items.

We have P.E. with Mr. Weston on Day 1 and Day 4. Please make sure that your child comes to school either wearing tennis shoes or with tennis shoes in their backpack.

We also have book checkout every Day 2. Second graders may check out up to three library books. Library books will be coming home each day in the Kiwi Packs, as per our discussion at Parent Information Night. I am also sending my kids to the Media Center as needed to get new library books.

If you have any questions about the information in this blog entry, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would also welcome any suggestions you might have for future blog entries!