ST Math in Action
Here is a video of the class doing ST Math on their i-pads. Do you hear all the "dings" as the students get their problem correct and move on? As I've mentioned before, ST Math is a supplement to our current math program Investigations. The children go on ST Math two - three times a week for 30 minute sessions. They really love it and so do I. What I love about it is that I can walk around and observe how many times each child has tried a session. A large number of dots on the bottom of their page indicates that a child has tried a session unsuccessfully multiple times and that they are struggling. At this point I can put them on a tutorial and sit with them, guiding them on figuring out how to complete the task. Remember there are no verbal instructions on ST math so this can get tricky. Taking time to do this tutorial with me prevents the students from getting too frustrated. However, most times the children are able to figure how to do it on their own. It's great to see their "Ah ha!" looks when they finally figure out how to do a problem independently. I have to admit that the spatial and visual learning is sometimes tricky for me to figure out as well!!Xtramath.com Websites
By now you should have all received the user names and passwords for the www.xtramath.com website. If you have access to a computer, please try to have your child go onto this website 3-4 times a week. It's fast, fun and sends me weekly reports on how your child is doing. This program tests the automaticity of a child's rote memory of math facts -- in other words, their quick memory. Repetition (at home and in school) is the only way for this rote memorization of facts to take hold. From the reports I have been receiving it looks as if the children are doing very well. These reports help me to determine who needs help and how I can help them. It also lets me know if all is fine and allows me to challenge children further if need be. If you need passwords or usernames to this website, please let me know and I'll get that information to you right away! The i-ready reading website is another great resource and I'll be sending log on information to that website in the very near future.Halloween Parade
Francis Wyman will hold its annual Halloween Parade on WEDNESDAY, October 31st at 1:45. All parents are invited to view the parade in the gym. Please send your child to school with their costume on Halloween to be changed into later that day. If part of your child's costume is something that can be worn comfortably all day then feel free to have him/her wear it. The parade is purely voluntary so if you do not want your child to participate, there are alternate activities for those not participating.Also optional is sending your child to school with a flashlight for "Spooky reading." If they want to bring in a favorite spooky book that is also encouraged. However, I have plenty of books in the classroom library for them to read during this time if they rather read a classroom book.
Scholastic Online Ordering
Click on the Scholastic Book Club title on the right to open to the latest books being offered by Scholastic. One advantage of ordering online is that we earn a free book for the classroom every time a parent places an order online. It's quick, offers a large selection of books and nothing needs to be sent to school in your child's backpack with the possibility of being accidentally lost or misplaced So click on the Book Ordering link on the right and check it out. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at farmer@bpsk12.org Happy Ordering!
