August 29, 2008

Dear Parents,

   Thank you for a wonderful beginning of the school year.  It has been a bit crazy with the days off thanks to the storm.  I’m hoping from here out we will be good to go!  The storms have caused a delay in our shipment of student planners.  As soon as they arrive we will begin using them.  Please check them nightly and sign them.

     We have been moving slowly to learn routines in the classroom.  A successful learning environment requires that everyone understands how things are done and why.  Our classroom is made up of 4^th and 5^th grade students.  It is critical that they begin to take responsibility for their learning.  We spend time working on understanding how each of learns differently and that we all have strengths and weaknesses.  Please note that the beginning of the year many of the assignments appear “easy”.  This is for many reasons.  We need to learn different processes for learning and using content that is not too challenging allows this to happen.  Students also have had a significant time off from school and need time to come back up to speed with their learning.   Many students in my class also have “holes” in their learning.  They may be able to read (from sight) many words but lack the phonics skills to decode more difficult words.  We need to fill in the holes through intensive intervention during class time. 

     We have begun our reading and math groups this week.  We are all working in the Sopris West Reading Program Language!  This is taught whole group.  The lessons incorporate all areas of literacy (reading, writing, speaking, and grammar).   It is a highly structured program that provides intensive remediation while still exposing students to more grade appropriate text.  This reading program is utilized district wide for exceptional education students beginning in grade 4. To watch a video about the program Language! Visit http://store.cambiumlearning.com/resource.aspx?page=Video&site=sw&parentId=019005277 

      Our math program is from SRA and is called Number Worlds.  This program is an intervention tool .  Students were given a placement test during the first few days of school.  Based on the test along with other data, such as FCAT,  students have been placed in 2 different levels.  I am currently teaching levels D and E.  Students should be able to tell you which group they are in.  To find out more about this program please visit http://www.sranumberworlds.com/ . 

     In addition to our core programs for reading and math we will have daily fluency timings.  Mrs. Baker will be conducting reading timings from the intervention program called “Read Naturally”.  Students will read a story “cold” for one minute and count the number of words correct to graph their results.  Students will work at a variety of reading levels from 0.8 – 5.0 based on their individual needs.  Each day they will practice their readings.  At the end of the week they will take a “hot” timing to check their growth and complete a comprehension check.   In math, Mrs. Baker will also be conducting 1 minute math timings.  The expectation for mastery will increase each nine weeks and is based on their math level.  During the month of September both math groups will be having daily math timings that are for math facts 0-18 addition.  Students in Book D must be able to complete 25 problems correctly in 1 minute.  Students in Book E must be able to complete 30 problems correctly in 1 minute.  Please practice math facts at home.  You can make your own flashcards or purchase flash cards (often for only $1 at places like the Dollar Store).  Students can also practice facts online.  One site that is easy to use is  http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html .

     Homework will begin next week.  It is an expectation that students are reading 20 minutes nightly and practicing math facts for 10 minutes beyond any assigned homework.  Spelling or vocabulary homework will be assigned weekly.  It is expected to be neatly completed by the student.  Other homework will be assigned on an “as needed” basis. 

    Many students in my classroom attend other classes for math, science , or social studies.  I provide support for those classes, however I cannot answer any specific questions for their assigned teachers.  Please contact him or her directly regarding any concerns or questions.  Students attending general education classes are responsible for completing all assigned class work, homework or projects for that class in a timely manner. 

Thank you for your support.  Please feel free to contact me via email baldwink@flaglerschools.com or call 206-4600 x5108 and leave a message.  You can also visit my website at http://www.flaglerschools.com/schools/res/teachers/baldwink  or Rymfire’s website at http://www.flaglerschools.com/schools/res. 

Thank You!
 Mrs. Kathy Baldwin

***Monday Sept. 1^st:  No School Labor Day

***Wednesday, Sept. 3^rd:  PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30

***Thursday, September 18^th:  Open House 6:30-7:30

***Friday, September 19th:  Progress Reports go home

***Wednesday, September 24^th:  Early Release 12:30

***Library for Mrs. Baldwin’s PM Classes: Thursday, September 4^th and 18th