Christmas Break Letter!

Dear Parents/Guardians:

I hope your holiday is going smoothly and not too busy. I wanted to send a letter home about what kind of homework you could do with your child over the break. Here are some helpful suggestions.

If you are able, please purchase a writing journal for them or you could also use pieces of paper. Encourage them to write about things they are doing during their break. I would love to collect these after the break and read through them myself. Then they can use these journals throughout the year.

After the break, we are going to start working on re-grouping double digit subtraction in math. Write them a few problems in their writing journal.  I also think going over coins would be a wonderful review. Many of the kids are mixing up quarters and nickels and are having a hard time adding them up. They could also work on their math facts by using XtraMath!

Please Read 20 minutes a day with your child. They can read to you or you can read to them. Remember to record this on their reading log. You could also encourage your child to write their own story and have them read it to you. They can use RazKids over the break. Just go to www.raz-kids.com. Click on student login. My username is creinking. Then the kids click on their name and put in their password. They know what it is.

So, please take the time over the break and try some of these homework suggestions. I know it can get busy but it is very important to help your kids practice and learn concepts while they are on break. Thank you for taking the time. I hope your break is wonderful.

I also wanted to let you all know, I will be gone from Christmas break till Spring break. I will be home with my son Noah for several months. I will miss the kids but they will have a great substitute. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Reinking

P.S. There are two homework packets. The journal and reading minutes                                            are due after winter break on January 5th. The spelling, reading, and math are due January 8th. 

Homework

I would like to briefly discuss my homework policy with you.

I will be sending your child home with a folder on Fridays and I expect them to turn it back into me the following Friday. The homework will focus on math, spelling, and reading. Here are a few more details on what the homework entails:

• Math:  The kids will be working on practice lessons that we have worked on during the week. If you think they can finish assignment before the lesson is taught you may try it.
• Reading: They will need to read 100 minutes at home each week. Please fill out the reading form. Please write in the date, book title, and how long you read it for. Please sign the bottom of the form. I will not accept the reading minutes if the paper is not signed by an adult. If they receive 100 minutes each week I will provide a fun surprise! If you do not have time to fill out this form, a call or email on Friday to let me know how many minutes they read is fine too. I want them to receive their prize for completing their reading minutes.
• Spelling/Vocabulary: We focus on a set of spelling words each week. Each spelling list focuses on a certain sound. Please practice these words with your child each night. If you need some creative ideas on making studying spelling words more engaging, I can provide you with a few ideas. We also focus on a few vocabulary words each week. They need to understand what the word means and be able to read it when they see it in a story. Please practice these at home as well.

The purpose of homework is two-fold: to reinforce what we have learned in class, and to teach responsibility. A child who has done their homework is prepared, in class, to hear explanations of what they had trouble with at home. A child without their homework done loses twice—both in learning through reinforcement, and in listening to explanations in class. I am also trying to help them develop good work habits for future years. If you have any questions about homework don’t hesitate to ask!