August 13, 2018

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we’ve only completed one week of school. The class is starting to connect in meaningful ways, which is so important at the beginning of the year. Students are already caring for each other, being attentive to each other’s needs, and pitching in when others need help. A teacher couldn’t ask for more. Thank you for sharing this most wonderful part of you–your child.

We spent last week getting to know each other and establishing some classroom patterns. This week we will set our classroom norms, as well as dig into literacy and math. The week will be focused on establishing reading and writing behaviors that enhance learning. Math will include some review as well as building a more complex number sense. While we inch closer to a full academic schedule, we are taking a little class time to define and purposefully practice the Lincoln School core values:  learning, compassion, respect, integrity, responsibility, and collaboration.

Homework begins this week. First, I will never assign more than 30 minutes of homework a night. Play and time for family is as important as academics. Anything beyond independent reading will typically be a game. My goal is that each student will soon be able to look at his/her data and progress and self-select the appropriate game/practice. When playing a game it is tempting to intervene and tell your child the concepts or strategies he/she is missing. Please refrain from that; instead, pose probing questions. For example: Could you think about that another way? What is the relationship between ____ and ____? Could you use your understanding of that relationship to solve this another way? What makes you say/think that? Also, the best way for a student to develop fluency, once a concept is known and understood, is through repetitive play of instructional games. This allows the student to uncover and discover more refined strategies and develop fluency, rather than timed drills or intervention from an adult. (Of course there are exceptions.) You probably know all of this; I just wanted to share my professional perspective. Game directions will accompany homework materials and can be found in the homework folder–coming home tomorrow.

Homework:

Don’t forget to read Ms. Brydie’s email regarding the upcoming aquatics unit. Important information and dates.

I will end each weekly email with a quote. Sometimes they are perfect for dinnertime conversation.

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

• -The Twits by Roald Dahl

Have a wonderful week.

Rachel Hull