Dear Parents,

We hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend!
We understand that your child may be feeling tired these days and ready for the summer holidays, however, we still have about 4 weeks left of school. It is important that your child continue doing all his/her homework, coming to school on time and coming to school on half days. Students have classes on half days and we do not want students falling behind, especially now.
We would like to remind you that the first graders will be taking the MAP assessments starting the second week of May. You can practice the various MAP skills by asking your child to play the online MAP reading and math games. They can be found under the 'Links' heading.
We would also like to remind you that we are going on a field trip to the zoo on Friday, May 4th in connection to our new science unit, Organisims. Please make sure that your child brings back his/her permission slip by Thursday, May 3rd. We are also asking all studnets to wear their Discovery shirts that day.
This week your child will inquire into the following:

Language Arts

• Phonics- This week the class will be reviewing all the Word Wall words through various words activities and chants.
• Reading- This week your child will be learning how to decode unknown words through understanding and using compound words by reading and listening two poems, 'Gay Tulips' and 'For Rent'. They will also continue learing how to include emotions and beats when reading a poem.
• Writing- Your child will be exploring how to write a shape poem about an animal of his/her choice. 

Math- Your child will be starting a new chapter this week; Chapter 11, Addition and Subtraction- Facts to 18. You can start helping your child with this new chapter by asking him/her to review the doubles and facts that make 10 daily. These two types of addtion facts will greatly help your child better compute both addition and subtraction problems faster and with more accuracy.

Theme- Science-Organisims- The class will examining animals and animal kingdoms. The class will be making a memory game using their animal classification knowledge.

Homework

Wednesday
Math- Make Numbers worksheet
L.A.- Contraction worksheet
Reading-read 10 minutes and fill out the reading log

Thursday
Math- Circle the Doubles workhseet
L.A.- Compound Words worksheet
Reading-read 10 minutes and fill out the reading log

Reminders

Field Trip-  Friday, May 4th. The students will be leaving the school at 8:30 a.m. and returning by 11:30 a.m.
School Spirit Day- Every Friday the students are asked to wear their Discovery shirts to show their school spirit!
Elementary Luncheon – the school cafeteria is planning it’s second parent-student luncheon for Friday, May 11. This is a great opportunity to come and have a delicious lunch with your elementary students. We hope you can all join us!

MAP Tests: Our third MAP testing session begins next week. If you would like to practice for these tests, here are two great links that may help you. All you need to do is select a link below (math or reading practice) and click on the score ranges your child received on the last MAP assessment.  (Please contact me if youdo not know your child's last MAP scores.) This will direct you to leveled activities that are appropriate practice for upcoming MAP assessments.

Math practice leveled by MAP scores http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/Pages/studentlinks/map/

Reading practice leveled by MAP scores
http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/reading.htm

Water Bottles- Your child needs to bring a water bottle to school everyday. Please write your child's name on the bottle.
Sweaters/Jackets and Other Objects: We ask parents to label all their child’s belongings with a permanent marker. This makes it easier for us to help you look for things if they are misplaced or lost. We also ask for your cooperation by sending back with your child any item he/she brings home that does not belong to him, and to notify the homeroom teacher about it (by text message, email or phone call).
Library- Please make sure your child brings back his/her library book on his/her library day every week.
P.E- Please make sure your child wears proper running shoes and clothes on the days when he/she has P.E

Links
MAP Reading
BBC.co.uk- Great literacy games
Giggle Poetry- funny poetry for children
MAP Math
IXL- various math skills activites including measurment
Fun Brain- various math games
National Geographics for Kids
Biology 4 Kids- information about plants. Your child will need your help to read this website
Science Kids- Plant Facts

Secret Word- kingdom