Thank YOU parents and families and a note about the big R...READING! :)

A big thank you to the parents and family members who came to conferences last week.  It was great talking with you, sharing your child's learning and finding out more about your needs and how I can help you understand what we do here at school in 4th grade.

As I said to many family members, I encourage you to listen to your child read, talk about their reading and ask them questions about what they're reading. Advancing children across the reading continuum is our goal and although they might be reading for very long periods of time, finding out what are they reading and discovering if the book is 'just right' for them is very important.  To be 'just right' there needs to be a few words and phrases that challenge them as they read so they can increase their vocabulary and become better readers and thinkers.  Not too many words, it shouldn't be difficult to read.  If it is, then it is too hard and an easier book will be more appropriate for them.  Let me know if you have any questions about how to support your child in reading.  Reading is the key to every aspect of a child's learning and we love reading in Room 13!  Check out the pictures below.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  December 17th is the last day before Winter Break.  Room 13 is busy watching bones turn into rubber, drafting impossible, unimaginable events in their fantasy writing, discussing their novels in their book study groups and learning how to multiply large numbers using six different strategies.

Enjoy these crisp, fresh winter days!                   Ms Harold