Week 30

The NY State English Language Arts exam will take place next week. We've worked very hard to best prepare for this important exam. Our students have practiced the strategies as best as they can and have shown that they can do well. 

Please keep in mind the following as we enter the home stretch:

• Help your child be well rested. Keep up your normal routines, especially bedtimes.
• Be on time for school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If there have been instances of lateness in the past, please plan ahead and come to school a little earlier than usual. 
• Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast. Avoid overly sugary foods.
• Encourage your child to do their best instead of encouraging he or she to score a specific grade. The test is only a part of the promotional criteria.

Enjoy the weekend!

Week 29

Welcome back!
We are entering the final week before the Statewide ELA test. We are working on making our reading, writing and math habits the strongest they can so that we do our very best on this assessment and the math test during the following week. Many students have brought back a completed packet (WOW!) from the Spring Recess. We have reviewed the ELA portion of the packet and many of the students did well, with most students getting 30+ questions correct out of the 42 multiple choice questions given.

The writing part will be collected and treated as this week's reading response. We will go over the math portion on Monday.

There seems to be a horrible strand of flu going around. With the pressure of the upcoming test, please keep in mind that it will not be worth it in the long run to send a sick child to school. It is important that we be well rested in order to do our very best. During this upcoming week, try to stick to bedtime schedules so that your child can get enough rest. Good physical activity will also help your child de-stress.

Here's what to expect for next week:

• We are headed to the Armory on Tuesday. Please have your child wear clothing suitable for physical activity.
• We will drop by the Community Garden on Thursday to plant our vegetables. Please had your child be dressed for working outside. 
• A trip form went home for an excursion to the Brooklyn Museum. Please sign and send in the admission fee as soon as you can. 

Finally, our thanks to the parents who came by during Family Friday. We demonstrated how a fitness break is incorporated into our school day and we were especially happy that our audience participated in the exercises with us. Great job, everyone!

Have a lovely spring weekend!

Week 28

On Thursday, each child received a rather sizable packet of test prep materials. As stated on the cover, it has to brought back on Friday, April 5. With many families already committed to travel and engagements, it is understood that some children will not be able to complete the whole packet. The class has already begun some work on it as of Thursday. The plan is to review it the week after we return from vacation so that we can give feedback to students before the actual ELA and Math test. If your child is struggling with a particular question, please remind him/ her to make a "best guess" and then mark the question with a star so that we can be sure to focus on it during review.

We also want to thank the moms who came with us to Wyckoff Farmhouse. It was a fabulous interactive experience which left our students wanting more!

Have a safe and happy Spring Recess! School resumes Wednesday, April 3.

Week 27

My thanks to everyone who came to Parent Teacher Conferences on a rainy Tuesday. Your comments and support are appreciated and it was great to chat.

Test prep was a frequent topic of conversation. Our class has begun looking at some practical test taking strategies and this Friday, we took a mock test for day one of the ELA. Our students got the opportunity to work under test conditions on a timed task. They worked very carefully and were excellent patient test takers!

Here's what to expect next week:

• We will take a trip to Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum on Thursday. We expect to be back by lunchtime. 
• We will have our Unit 7 Math test on Friday. This test will focus on fractions. The Unit 6 test was graded and many parents saw the results during PTC. Children will bring that test home along with the Unit 7 test after Spring Break. 

Have a great weekend!

Week 26

It's already time for the second round of report cards! Please be aware that the third marking period has begun and we are heading towards a busy time in our year. Test preparation has begun in the classroom  and with it, some anxieties might arise. In class, we have discussed how the work we've down throughout the year is helping prepare us to do our best on these assessments. It is also important to keep reminding ourselves that the test is not the only criteria for success and that students can do well in class, too. It is important for students to remember that what they do everyday can help them be successful.
ADDENDUM: The third optional test packet is available this week. I placed a copy of it on the desks of students who's family families requested it on Friday afternoon. Your child should bring it to you if they attend Saturday school tomorrow.

Scholastic Book orders were collected today. If you would like to order you still can if you go to the Scholastic website You can access it with this blog's Guided Reading link or go to www.Scholastic.com. Our class's online code is HHRTL.

Here's what's happening next week:

• Report cards will be given out on Monday.
• Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on Tuesday. Afternoon conferences will be from 1:00- 3:00. Evening conferences will start at 5:30 and end by 8:00. Check your child's homework folder for your appointment time. 
• Tuesday will be a half day due to Parent Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at 12. Any child not picked up by then will be brought to the Multi Media Room. 
• Ms. Ussery will have the class participate in PACERS on Wednesday. Please make sure your child is dressed for physical activity.

Have a safe and warm weekend!