This will be the last week that I assign any spelling homework. Instead of completing spelling homework, I would like for students to focus on their writing at home. Students should now be able to write at least 4-5 sentences on topic (minimum). Students should also be consistently spacing between words, using legible handwriting, spelling word wall words correctly, and applying correct capitalization and punctuation. In class we have been focusing on using transition words (first, next, second, then, last, etc.) and editing our own work (finding our own mistakes). Be sure to ask your child about the writing rubric they use to score their own writing! Also in class, we have been creating pre-writing plans prior to writing our stories. The students have really responded well to this. We will continue to focus on all of these areas in class.
On another note, please make sure that your child is reading at home every night for at least 10-15 minutes. Students should be focusing on retelling stories that they read. In class, we have been focusing on describing the main character from the beginning to the end of the story. This is still difficult for some of the students. Students should also be able to identify the setting (where and when), many events in sequential order, topic (what the story is mostly about), and key concepts (what are the most important ideas to remember). In addition, students must be able to make connections to every story that they read. Please continue to focus on all of these elements at home. Thank you!
