It is 2015!

Welcome back and Happy 2015!  As we start 2015 in our classroom we will be focusing on the reading strategy of “Close Reading.”  Close reading asks readers to use multiple strategies while reading the same text three different times.  We read first to get the gist of the selection.  We then read it a second time to dig a little deeper, and then finally a third reading to put it all together.  We will definitely put our brains back to work after our vacation!  In math we will be starting a unit on multiplication and division.  You can help your child by practicing their multiplication facts (0-10) at home with the fact triangles I sent home at fall conferences.  We will also start a science unit that will focus on simple machines.  Finally during this second part of the year we will introduce “Genius Hour” as a weekly time for us to practice our research skills and explore topics that interest each individual.  Students will study a topic and then create a project of some type to share their learning with their classmates.  Here’s to a wonderful start to 2015!