Week of September 9-13

MAP Testing
This week we will begin MAP Testing. MAP Testing is completed on the computer to assess student performance in Reading, Math and Language skills. Tomorrow's test will be over reading.

XtraMath
Tomorrow evening I would like everyone to begin using a website called XtraMath to practice their basic math facts. The website gives preassessments and then helps children to master their basic math facts based on their personal needs. The children's results will be displayed for me to see on a regular basis so I can also monitor their progress. It is a really cool tool for mastering math facts! Tomorrow each child will be given their own personal pin number and I will show them at school how to log in to begin practicing their facts.

Field Trip!
This Friday we will take our first field trip of the year to Riverside, Farnsley-Moremen Landing! Mrs. Pike and Mrs. Sarno will be chaperoning. Please be sure to have your child bring a sack lunch and dress appropriately for digging, walking, and working with clay. It will be a fantastic experience where the kids will even get to participate in a real-life archeological dig!

Black Paw!
On Friday, our class earned our first black paw! To celebrate, the kids have opted to have 20 extra minutes of recess today!

PE
PE starts on Wednesday!  Please have your child wear athletic shoes!

In case you need a refresher...here is the Order of Operations!

Rule 1:	First perform any calculations inside parentheses.
Rule 2:	Then perform any calculations using exponents.
Rule 3:	Next perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to right.

 Rule 4:  Lastly, perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to right.

This Week's Learning
Math: In math we will review the order of operations and how to write problems as both numerical and verbal expressions. (e.g., 2 x 6 is the numerical expression, the product of 2 and 6 is the verbal expression).
Social Studies: We will continue learning about the 5 major regions of the United States and their characteristics.
Word Study: We will continue to learn about figurative language and how author's use it.
Writing: We will finish our study of the 6 traits of writing and begin putting those traits into practice.
Reading: The kids will use the research they gathered on a historical or famous person to create a BioPoem and a short essay.

Have a great week!! :o)