Monday, March 28, 2011

FCAT Notes of Encouragement

Dear Parents of my Wonderful, Intelligent Students,

As you probably know already, the FCAT testing will be the week of April 11th. This is your child's chance to prove how much they have grown as a reader and mathematician the last few years. The most important things you can do to help your child on these days is ensure they get plenty of rest, relaxation, laughs, eat healthy meals, and arrive to school on time.

One other piece of this puzzle is offering support and encouragement. On Monday you will be receiving an envelope with 4 blank note cards. Each day they will read one of your messages. On each card please write a special message to your child. The message can be a reminder to do their best, use their strategies, think carefully, but most of all that you love and care for them no matter what. This can be a very stressful time but nothing relieves that stress knowing you are there for them.

Please send the envelope and 4 messages in by the 8th so we can get it ready for them. Write your child's name on the front and seal it tight with love!
Mrs. Tsengas and I are so proud of everyone and know they are going to really shine! Enjoy your spring break and we look forward to seeing you all back in a week!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Revisit your Vocabulary skills

Last week we had been reviewing vocabulary skills that are essential for superb readers. We were practicing breaking apart words to discover the meanings of common prefixes and suffixes. Also, we have been studying synonyms and antonyms as well. Students come across homophone, similes, and idioms daily, which is why these topics have been taught.
One benefit of this exposure is that many students transfer this knowledge into their writings. Their writings have grown so much after learning these vocabulary skills. Way to go boys and girls! I can't wait to read your Narratives as we begin them this week.

What some extra practice on several vocab skills? Below is a link that has MANY games for different vocab skills like idioms, synonyms, and root words. This is wonderful practice!

Vocab Games