Week beginning the 23rd of January

This week in Language Arts:
In reading we focused on using our prior knowledge of a topic to help us work out what challenging words might be in a text.
In writing we focused on writing topic sentences.  We talked about how our topic sentence should inform the reader about the content of the paragraph and that often times we come up with our topic sentence after we decide on the content of the paragraph.
In grammar we are still focusing on when to use capital letters.  There are many rules to remember.  Many of the children are beginning to use them correctly in their writing.
Our novel study is on going. We are practicing answering questions that don't have direct answers in the text but require inferencing and opinions. We are also practicing comparing and contrasting characters and summarizing events.

This week in Math:
We began looking at multiplication. We have discussed why we use multiplication and how it is repeated addition.  We looked at the variety of ways we can represent multiplication and focused specifically on using arrays to solve multiplication word problems.  The class has done very well overall with this topic.  They do however need to practice their multiplication facts for speed and accuracy. This is one of the reasons the class is now using xtramath.  This program allows children to practice basic math facts for a few minutes daily working on speed and accuracy.
Xtramath: Each child has received a enrollment notice that has been sent home.  This is one way you can support your child in improving their math skills at home.  Their pin will be taped to the plastic pocket of their planner with their Mathletics log in.

Speech Arts:
The children will be reading the Bible readings this Wednesday to Friday. They still have 2 weeks to memorize and practice their poems which will be presented on February 14th or 15th. A reminder that the poems must be a minimum of 1 minute long.

Other Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 30th 3 - 3:30pm Praise and Worship Club
Sunday, February 5th 12:00pm -2:30pm Open House
February 9th and 10th - No School Catholic Educators' Conference