Weekly Update
The fourth grade team is focusing on improving our students’ reading fluency. Fluent readers can decode words accurately and effortlessly, use expressive features in one’s voice such as the use of pitch, volume, intonation, and rhythm, and finally, read at a reasonable rate so that reading seems automatic. Research shows that when students read a text multiple times, their fluency increases. This in turn improves comprehension, or an understanding of what has been read. Because fluency is the bridge to comprehension, fluent readers enjoy reading more than students who devote all their energy to sounding out words.
Beginning Tuesday, November 29, 2011, your child will receive one poem each week. As a part of their daily Homefun, students will need to read the poem out loud to an adult three times every night. This is called “Repeated Reading.” We encourage you to read the poem along with them! Encourage your child to read with prosody, expression, and most of all, have fun with it! Please sign the back of your child’s poem each night, and feel free to make a comment as well.
Once a month, the students will participate in “The Great Poetry Race.” Your child's goal will be to read the poem to as many adults as possible throughout the week. After your child reads the poem, his or her “audience” must sign the back of the poem. The goal is to read to as many different adults as possible. Therefore, only one signature per adult, per night will be allowed, as well as only one signature per reading. For instance, in order to get a signature from two people listening at the same time, the student would need to read the poem twice. Feel free to call relatives or family friends, and have your child read to them over the phone! Just be sure to sign for that person. At the end of “The Great Poetry Race,” students will participate in an optional “Poetry Slam,” and the students with the most signatures will receive special recognition for their achievement!
Healthy Choices Week!
Tuesday, November 29 - Red Ribbon Day: "Sock it to Drugs!"
Wear red shirts and crazy socks
Wednesday, November 30 - Walk for a Healthy Body Day
Walk-a-thon during P.E.
Wear a jersey from any sport you participate in and school uniform pants
Thursday, December 1 - Healthy Spirit Day
Wear Campus School spirit shirt and jeans
U of M Marching Band
Just a reminder about a few upcoming events...
Friday, December 2 - Confucius Classroom Dedication and Reception
Campus School Playroom 8am
