Dear Parents,

The results are in for our Math mid-term and Reading Street assessments. Most children did very well and made significant gains. I am very pleased with the results; the class average rose by 8 points! We finished the first half of the math journal this week, but some children still had pages or partial pages that they didn't do in class. If I sent the workbook home, it was for them to complete and return to me. I would like to go over them again. Remember that this is a workbook and as such, they weren't always corrected by me, I was checking during class to see if they had any trouble.

This week we start unit 4 of Reading Street. The unit is entitled Puzzles and Mysteries, and the "big idea" for this unit is "Is there an explanation for everything?" To quote the authors "a big idea is a concept, theme, or issue that gives meaning and connection to discrete facts and skills...In an education for understanding, a vital challenge is to highlight the big ideas, show how they prioritize the learning, and help students understand their value for making sense of all the "stuff" of content."

On Friday of this week, we will have our Valentine Party. I sent home a list of all the children in the class. Please make sure that they address a valentine to every member of the class. I don't want any hurt feelings. Mrs. Welbourne has taken care of all the preparations, and Mrs. Murphy is going to do a craft with them. Also, in the middle of the party, we will be going to an assembly for Goffstown's birthday celebration. The children going to ski school will be able to participate in the card exchange and craft, I will have them take some treats with them when they leave.

Sincerely,
Jackie