2. Reminders A note should be sent to school when your child has been absent. You can send this note to me via e-mail. If there is a change in your childs transportation, please send a note in to school. Please return any back to school paperwork tonight or on the first day of school.

3. Test Schedule New York State ELA -- April 1 - 4 New York State Math – April 30 – May 2 Archdiocese Religion – June 3

4. Interim Assessments These are being developed by the Archdiocese in both Math and ELA. Each assessment is approximately one hour in length and will be given throughoutthe school year. The tentative testing dates are Week of October 7 Week of December 9 Week of February 10

5. Next week at a glance This weekly note is sent home on Friday and contains the new Spelling list list of all assessments to be given the next week

6. Class Notes Chapter notes for Science, Social Studies and Religion are posted on the class website. It makes studying on the go easier and eliminates the I forgot my book excuses.

7. Math Common Core Curriculum is being implemented. Some of the topics include: Place value and rounding Multiplication with regrouping Division Fractions Decimals Word problems

8. Math Materials To help prepare the children for the rigors of the Common Core Curriculum, we are use the following materials: Envision Math workbook Common Core Coach Simple Solutions Worksheets developed by the New York State Department of Education

9. Common Core Math Help Check the website for vocabulary and helpful websites about the units we are studying The students notebooks also contain the vocabulary and other materials

10. Reading Ongoing preparation for the NYS exam Use of basal reader Supplemental materials to review and practice skills Monthly book report DEAR time –every afternoon from 2:45 – dismissal The children will spend the time reading silently.

11. Listening Skills This year we will be listening to the following books on tape: Sarah Plain and Tall Sign of the Beaver Musket and Mobcap The School Story Because of Winn –Dixie My Side of the Mountain Frindle

12. Writing Skills We will continue to work on developing writing skills. The NYS ELA exam gives the children a prompt or topic and asks them to develop it into a well written essay. Weekly composition – assigned and begun in class on Wednesday. The final copy will be due on Monday in the composition notebook. Writing prompt on the weekly Reading test In class journal writing The more we write, the easier it becomes.

13. Religion The Ten Commandments The Beatitudes The Joyful Mysteries Corporal Works of Mercy Spiritual Works of Mercy Conscience Development Saints Please check the website for the Archdiocese Exam review of vocabulary and concepts.

14. Social Studies New York State Geography Iroquois Indians Dutch and New Amsterdam American Revolution Erie Canal Civil War

15. Science We will be working with the following topics: Simple Machines Electricity Energy Magnets States of Matter Weather Water Cycle Plants and Seeds

16. Keep in Touch Via e-mail from the class website Telephone 471-6600 extension 251 Note with your child