February Happenings

Greetings from Room 21!

We sure had a busy and fun week at school! Students worked hard and ended the week with a Friendship/Valentine's Day celebration. I'd like to thank students and parents for the lovely treats and Valentines. 

Here's what your child has been learning...

This past week, students have been working on a district writing assessment. They read articles, watched a video, and took notes on dental health. After that, they wrote an expository piece to inform the reader about how to take care of one's teeth. Their essay is being written on a word document and students will finish writing this Tuesday morning. 

In math, we're identifying fractions on a number line. You can guide your child through the process of learning fractions by letting your child know when you are using fractions in your daily life. Here are some tips to help answer questions they might have about fractions:

• Think about sharing equally.
• The numerator is the number on top.
• The denominator is the number on the bottom (memory tip: d is for denominator, d is for down - at the bottom).
• Experiencing the concept is always best for learning. Use objects and share them (pizza, orange sections, a sliced apple).
• Discuss fractions with your child whenever you come across a "Real Life" example. 
• Let them play with measuring cups in the bathtub or kitchen. 
• Try this fun, Fraction Game!

In reading, we're studying historical fiction and just finished the novel, Anna, Grandpa, and the Big Storm. This story is based on an actual blizzard that occurred in New York in 1888. Ask your child to tell you about the events that took place and how they know the book was historical fiction. On Tuesday, we'll begin reading another historical fiction novel about the Statue of Liberty.

In social studies, we'll be learning the history of Portland. On March 17th, our class will be taking a field trip to downtown Portland. Please look for detailed information, permission slips, and volunteer/chaperone slips in this week's Wednesday folder. 

Thank you for all your support!

Coming Soon…

Valentine's Day Friendship Party

Thursday, February 12, 2015

2:15-3:15

Please note:  If your child wishes to bring Valentine cards, please make sure he or she includes every student.  This will eliminate any hurt feelings on our party day.  Students are welcome to bring a board game or healthy snack (fruit/veggies) to share with friends.

List of Classmates

Mrs. Long  – Room 21

1. Tlachinolli
2.  Bianca
3.  Nylie
4.  Bryce
5.  Kayley
6.  Jesse
7.  David
8.  Andy
9.  Yessenia
10.  Reece
11.  Liliana
12.  Searra
13.  Aidan
14.  Alanna
15. Mohammed
16. Andrea
17. Haoming
18. Adrian
19. Ivan
20. Evan
21. Zeke
22. Anna
23. Adil
24. Aracely
25. Katia
26. Nellie
27. Yajaira
28. Joslyn
29. Hailee
30. Aliyah
31. Kimberly

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back Everyone!   

I hope you all had a peaceful and restful winter break.  We are in full swing at Earl Boyles, as January is a busy month.  Everyone is excited to begin cursive, explore fractions, and to learn about the history of Portland. As always, please call or email if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach me at 503-256-6500 x 8145 or linda_long@ddouglas.k12.or.us

Important Things to Remember:

1.  Send back Wednesday Folders.

2.  Homework is sent home on Wednesdays and is due the 

following Wednesday.  Please send a note if you have special 

circumstances.

3.  Reading Logs are due at the end of each month.

4. For those who have Internet access, please aim for 15 minutes of daily practice on IXL or another math website listed on my blog.

New Year’s Resolutions: Revisit your child's goals that we created during conferences!

Here are a few things you can do at home with your child to help build his 

or her reading skills:

*Point out the relationships between print and meaning when your child looks at labels, boxes, newspapers, magazines, and signs.

*Continue to listen to your child read words and books from home.

*Have your child reread familiar books.

*Build reading accuracy by asking your child to fix a sentence if s/he missed a word.

*Build reading comprehension by talking with your child about what  s/he is reading.  Ask about new words to build vocabulary skills.

*The Multnomah County Library has books on tape for everyone to check out.  Some are bilingual! 

*Choose a book that is above your child’s reading level to read to your child.  This will challenge their comprehension and excite them to grow as a reader without frustrating them with decoding that is too hard for them. 

This year elementary students will receive two report cards. The first report card will be sent home by mail in February. 

Important Upcoming Dates at

 Earl Boyles:

Spirit Assembly:
Monday, January 26th at 2:15
Hat Day!

No School:

Thursday, January 29^th

Professional Development

No School:

January 30^st

End of 1st semester grading period. Teacher work day.

We'll see you back at school on Monday, January 5th, 2015!

We sure had fun celebrating the end of 2014!

Don't forget to read every day!

Practice your math facts over break!

Remember to revisit your goals from conferences!

Holiday Party

Friday, December 19^th

Just taking some time to celebrate the beginning

of winter and the end of 2014! Students are welcome to bring a board game to play with other students. We will also have popcorn and a movie.

                Pajama Day

December 19th—

We are celebrating the last day before Winter Break with pajamas and a Sing-Along starting at 2:15 in the gym.   

Winter Break

December 20th - January 5

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Make sure to read everyday!

  

IXL/Xtra Math UPDATE:

Over Winter break, please encourage your child to practice IXL or Xtra Math for 15 min. daily. We are working on multiplication fluency (up to 10) in class and simple division. 

Celebrations~ Yesterday students took a four minute timed multiplication quiz with 64 problems.  Everyone showed growth from last month's quiz! Keep up the great work and practice!

The following students mastered this test with a score of 57 or above and have moved on to division facts: Adil, Aidan, Adrian, Evan, and Kayley! Our next quiz will happen in mid-January.

Thank You for Attending Conferences!

Thank you to everyone who attended conferences. Thank you for coming and spending the time. I really appreciate your support. Copies of your student's goals will be in their homework folder tomorrow. We'll also be revisiting these goals every week at school. Setting AND working toward goals is an important life skill. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Again, my email address is: linda_long@ddouglas.k12.or.us 
My phone number is: 503-256-6500 x 8145.

There were so many great questions at Conferences!  Here are a few reminders:

*Homework sheets come home on Wednesday and are due the following Wednesday.  Please let me know if you ever have special circumstances.  I am very respectful of family time and understand that, sometimes, family obligations take priority over homework.  Just let me know ahead of time if possible. 

*Rockin’ Readers Reading Logs – They come home at the beginning of the month.  As a part of our required homework, each child needs to read 15 or more minutes each school night.  It is okay to make up those minutes on another day if he or she misses a day.  Also, if you read to your child, that counts!  MOST IMPORTANTLY … they are due at the end of the month. Thanks for sending in those November Logs!

  

*Xtra Math: I am asking that families with Internet access please include 10 minutes of practice each night on Xtra Math. Let's do our best to use this resource to strengthen math skills! 

https://xtramath.org/signin/student

December’s character trait is Integrity. Integrity means to do the right thing, even when someone isn’t looking. Talk to you child about a time when he or she showed integrity.