Catholic High School Name Submission

Hello students and parents!
As many of you know, the Midland area is in the process of starting a Catholic High School. They are enlisting in the help of our students to name it after a Saint. As a class, we are going to submit a name of a Saint on behalf of 3A but if you would like provide a suggestion yourself, there are forms in the office to do so. We have discussed several Saints during religion class as our daily "Saint of the Day" activity, but if you have time I invite you to look at the websites below to learn about some other Saints to consider. This is also a wonderful activity in preparation for our upcoming Saint Project. Thank you for your help with this!
http://www.catholic.org/saints/
http://saintsresource.com/
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.aspx

Midterm

Our first midterm of the year has arrived. I average all the students' grades up to the midterm, and determine their progress. If I feel your child could use improvement on any areas, a progress report will be sent home by the end of next week that indicates their current grade in the subject and helpful tips on how to improve. As a reminder, if you are interested in knowing your child's average at any time, I can provide it for you. Just let me know through email, phone or conference.

Thank you again for all your help and support! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Adjectives and Adverb Practice

We are focusing on identifying adjectives and adverbs in sentences this week. Here are a couple of games that might help your child practice:

• Grammar Blast! (Adjective/Adverb)
• Adverb Game
• Adjective/Adverb Trail Game
• Adjective/Adverb Millionaire

Ways to Practice Spelling

Looking to study spelling words?

Tired of having your child recite their spelling words out loud to make sure they know them?
What students really need to know is how to write, recognize and define their spelling words. 

Here are a few new ways to practice spelling. 

You and your child can:

1. Create a set of flashcards Have your child write their spelling word in pencil on one side an index card. There are some ways to use flashcards other than using them to quiz. They can:

• Trace the word in pen or marker to reinforce knowing the letters and shape the word makes when it’s spelled correctly.
• Read the word, turn the card over, write it again and flip to check for accuracy.

2. Create a second set of flashcards with the definition of the word on it. If possible, use a different color index card then the first set.She can:

• Have you read or show her the definition and tell you the word that goes with it.
• Flip the card over and write the correct spelling word on the back.
• Test herself by writing the words on a separate piece of paper as she looks at the card.

3. Use both sets of flashcards to play spelling Memory.

• Arrange the flashcards in rows, face down on the table.
• Each player takes a turn to pick up a two cards, one of each color. If the word and definition match, the player keeps the cards. If not, they put them back in the same place and it’s the next player’s turn.
• The players will have to remember the position of the cards in order to match them up. When all the cards are gone, the player with the most matches wins.

4. Use alphabet magnets or Scrabble tiles to spell out each word.
5. Write the word  list on a piece of construction paper. Then cut the words apart into strips. Then, cut those words into letters and have your child reconstruct the list.
6. Write sentences for each word. Make sure your child is using it in context to show that they understand the definition and part of speech of the spelling words.
7. Type her spelling words on the computer. This will help to reinforce how to spell each word and help them recognize what the words will look like in a book or other reading material.
8. Write or type a story using all of the spelling words. The story doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, but it should show that they know how to spell and use each word properly.
9.  Use the Spelling City website.  Parents can register for the free version and input your child’s spelling word list. Your child can then play games and activities or take practice tests on the site.
10. Use Discovery Education’s puzzlemaker tool. You can create word searches using your child’s spelling words.
11.  Alphabetize the word list. This can be done either by writing them in alphabetical order or by using the flashcards.
12.  Sit down with your child, two pencils and a piece of paper. Tell them the spelling word you’ll be practicing and write the first letter of the word. Pass the paper to them so they can add the next letter. You add the letter after that, repeating until the word is spelled.
You can do this with all of the words and up the ante by having them write the next two or three letters before passing the paper back to you.
13. Create Mad Libs only using the spelling words. You can either buy Mad Libs books for just this purpose or find them online at Wacky Web Tales.
14.  Use old magazines or newspapers to find spelling words and cut them out. It can be an interesting demonstration of how many times words are used in everyday writing.

Testing Week

Next week is Testing Week. Please refer to your schedule that went home in Tuesday Folder to see when your child will be testing. Here at St. Ann's we take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. This test is actually quite different from tests you will see at most schools. It might seem strange to be testing in September, however the reason we do this is to actually help identify the best ways to help your child throughout the year. Your child should feel no pressure about this test, however we do want them to do their best in order to assess them properly, which allows you and the teachers to get the best reading of their strengths and weaknesses. The best way to prepare your child for testing week is to simply allow them to have plenty of sleep, get a good breakfast, and arrive on time. It is especially important to be on time during this week so they do not miss any tests. You should also expect your child to have no homework during testing week in order to rest and have a fresh mind. We will test Tuesday through Thursday.

Some have asked about bringing a snack to school during testing. A healthy snack can often bring an energy boost and help your child concentrate. Your child may bring a small snack for testing this week if they wish. Keep in mind that we only have about 10 minute breaks that also include using the restroom if necessary, so snacks should be very simple. Some good choices are dried fruits or apple slices. Any snack packed with protein is a great option too, like cheese cubes or string cheese, but please keep the peanuts, peanut butter, and any kind of nuts at home as we do have students with allergies. Pretzels, goldfish, and crackers are good options as well. Really any snack that is healthy and easy to eat quickly will be good for breaks. It is not necessary that you bring a snack. We will provide plenty of breaks and our lunchtime will be the same as normal.

I hope this helps in preparing your child for testing, but the best way to get ready is to get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, arrive on time, and above all else...RELAX. The purpose of testing is to help the teachers learn how to educate your child the best way we can, so please remind them that they should feel no pressure, but to simply do their best work. Thanks so much for all of your help!

Fun Ways to Count Money

Looking for some fun ways to count money? These are so enjoyable you won't even realize you're doing math!

1.     Money Memory- Make a money concentration game with 20 index cards, magazine pictures and coin stickers or stamps.  Have your child look through magazines and cut out pictures of ten items that he would like to purchase.  Have him glue each picture on an index card.  Draw a price tag on each picture.  On the other ten cards, put coin stickers or stamps that equal the prices of the objects shown on the other cards.  To play, shuffle and spread the cards face down on a playing surface.  One player chooses two cards.  If she gets a match, she gets to go again.  If they do not get a match, the cards are returned and the next player picks two cards.

2.     Penny-a-Day- Purchase four disposable plastic cups.  Label each cup with a different coin name (penny, nickel, dime, quarter).  Each day give your child a penny to place in the penny cup.  When he reaches 5¢ in the penny cup, allow him to trade for a nickel and put in the correct cup.  Encourage them to keep trading for larger and larger coins as they save money.

3.     Coin Toss- Place a plastic bowl on the floor several feet away from your child.  Give her 10 play coins.  Instruct her to toss the coins into the bowl.  She then counts the coins that land in the bowl.

3.     How Many Ways? - Each day review counting money by asking your child to show you different combinations of coins that equal the date.  For instance: Today is the 21^st.  Show me how many different ways you can make 21¢ using coins.

4.     Grocery Store- Buy a package of garage sale stickers or use a roll of masking tape to make price tags.  Place them on several grocery items and write a price on each.  Place the priced items on the table and invite your child to go ‘shopping’.  He can use real or play coins to purchase the items.  Older children can practice making change.

5.     Egg-celent Shake-up- Recycle your old cardboard egg cartons.  Place a handful of coins in a cardboard egg carton.  Close the lid and have your child shake it up.  When she opens the lid, ask her to count the coins in each section of the carton.

6.     Race to a Dollar- Grab a pair of dice, a bag of coins, a partner and you’re ready to go!  To play, one person rolls the dice.  She takes the same number of coins as the number that they roll.  Play continues until one player reaches a dollar. 

7.   Create a Catalog- Get several pieces of construction paper and have your child create their own catalog by drawing pictures of things that they like.  You can even write descriptions beside the drawings.   Help him accurately price each item.  Using play coins and bills, allow him to ‘purchase’ the item and count out the money needed.

Rosary Prayers