Dear parents,

this update is for parents of children in my reading and writing classes.

READING: SOL review is in full swing! Here is a basic overview of our weeks up until May 19 (our SOL test date for reading):

• developing and practicing note-taking strategies for the different kinds of passages that will appear on the test (narrative, expository, advertisement/webpage, poetry). Ask them about their Lady Gaga song for narrative passage note-taking….
• developing and practicing a strategy to systematically and thoughtfully answer each question – Called King ABCD and The Strategies (will be taught soon.)

WRITING: we are FINALLY back into personal narrative writing, this time with memoirs! Please ask your child what makes a memoir different from just a personal narrative, and what seed stories they are currently writing that they’re thinking of using for their memoirs.

WORD STUDY: we are taking a break from the system of word study that we have been using in the last couple of weeks to focus our time on the type of word study that will be required for success on the test: understanding word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and root words, as well as synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and multiple meaning words. Most work will be short-term class work and homework assignments.

A word about homework during this time:

• All students still have an independent book to be reading, but they know they will not have much time in class to read them. They need to be reading on their own at home and completing 2 thinkmarks for the books. Books are due to be completed on May 8. Please ask your child about what book they have chosen and how it is going!
• Monday through Thursday, students will have homework involving a reading passage and possibly questions about it as practice. This is not my favorite type of homework but during this time it is important that they get their practice using our test-taking strategies, so that it can be habitual by the time that we take the test. Thank you for your support in helping them remember to complete this and all assignments.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment on this blog post or email me. Thanks!

Hi families,

I am so sorry for my absence on the blog lately! There are quite a few updates to share with you all:

• Report cards have gone home. Please go over them with your child and sign and return the envelope. Please contact us (the teachers) with any questions you have.
• This Friday, May 1: there are 2 important events going on!
  • Charles Barrett Earth Day celebration: Please have your child stay after school on Friday to help beautify and improve our already-beautiful grounds. Activities will include lots of planting, transplanting, and re-planting, as well as mulching, watering, weeding, and trash picking.
  • PE Adopt-A-Gym Fundraiser Fun Run: at 3:45. Pledge forms have gone home. Please encourage your child to get pledges to help a school in NW Washington, DC build their collection of gym equipment.
• Next week is Screen-Free week here at school. Please encourage your children to refrain from using screens at all, just for the one week. In addition to the myriad benefits to your children’s mental and emotional growth that can be had by taking a break from screens to use their imaginations, it is better for our environment for them to not be using electronics! Here is a great website with TONS of nature-based, awesome activity ideas to keep your kids entertained and to stretch their imaginations.
• SOL test dates have been planned. Please mark your calendars as follows:
  • Tuesday, May 19: Reading
  • Monday and Tuesday, June 1-2: Math
  • Thursday, June 4: Science

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!