October 15, 2009

Calliope Weekly Update Week Seven
October 12-16, 2009

Dear Parents,

Literacy: We had several opportunities to read a variety of texts and “show what we know” on the NECAP reading assessments this week. Students did a fabulous job using the text as they responded to multiple choice and constructed response questions. We read aloud a great picture book entitled Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler in honor of the NECAPS.

Math: Due to the testing schedule and half-day Friday, students engaged in formal math class once this week on Monday. Both classes were reviewing a variety of mathematical tasks and questions in preparation for testing.

Writing: Students got quite a bit of “on demand” writing opportunities during NECAP testing. Thank you, Parents and Guardians, for responding in writing to your child’s weekly update letters. This weekly ritual is a prime example of an authentic writing task. Having a written response to the weekly letters is incredibly motivating, even to our most reluctant writers.

Word Study: Students in Mr. B’s spelling groups had their first week of spelling homework, and they are getting used to seeing Mr. Bolger tug at his ear and say, “It’s all about the sound! What sound do those vowels make…?” They also explored words with prefixes and suffixes, as well as, word meanings in context. Ms. S’s Fundations group worked with both vowel and consonant suffixes this week, as well as, mastering the cursive i and j. Students learned that the suffix –ed makes three sounds: /d/ as in called, /t/ as in jumped, and /id/ as in folded.

Responsive Classroom: Congratulations to all students for successfully completing the NECAP testing this week! Also, students have been practicing respectful and responsible citizenship during Calliope meetings each week.

Ask me about:
• What we appreciate about Jack Gregory (we celebrated Jack’s birthday today.)
• Our Readers’ Notebooks with our new lists of books we want to read.
• The DCF books Ms. Wentz showed us – especially Knucklehead by John Sciezka!
• Pancake Breakfast!

We would like to include your home phone and address on an old-fashioned one-page sheet of 3rd-4th grade Calliope phone numbers so kids can connect out of school. Please note below if you would like us to refrain from including your phone number/address on this list. We won’t include emails.

Thank You: Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous donations of snacks for this week’s testing. Please note that next Thursday and Friday are VT Teacher Convention days and there is no school. Have a cheerful, chilly weekend!

David and Sarah

Parent/Guardian Signature & Comments: ______________________________________________