Friday, January 28, 2011

To regroup or not to regroup? That is the question.

We will begin adding two 3 digit numbers next week. It is always a challenge for the children to analyze each problem and decide if they need to regroup or not. Previously all they had to focus on was trading 10 ones for one 10. That still remains of course, but now they also need to focus on trading 10 tens for 1 hundred. Whew! That is a lot to think about!

In light of all this critical thinking, it would be SO helpful if your child has all of the addition facts memorized. There is enough to think about without having to use fingers and toes to add each column. The First in Math site can really help with that goal in a fun way. I strongly encourage you to have your child go on First in Math for about 15 minutes each evening to work on the facts. Your child will thank you for your encouragement. While this post has been all about additon, subtraction is just around the corner!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Bullying Info from Ms. Armbruster

Jewish Family & Career Services

Bullying: A Community Response

Bullying

has reached epidemic proportions in our community. All one has to do is turn on the evening news or, even more disturbingly, listen to our children as we sit at the dinner table to understand how prevalent it has become. 66% of youth are teased at least once a month, and nearly 1/3 of youth are bullied at least once a month. 6 out of 10 American teens witness bullying at least once a day. For children in grades 6 – 10, nearly one in six — or 3.2 million — are victims of bullying

each year and 3.7 million are bullies.

(From

http://www.groundspark.org/ )

Jewish Family & Career Services, in collaboration with the Atlanta Rabbinical Association and the Anti-Defamation League is proud to present an important community program about Bullying.

The afternoon will consist of a panel of experts, moderated by

Bill Nigut, ADL
Southeast Regional Director, followed by separate break-out sessions for youth,parents and educators to speak honestly about the prevalence and impact ofbullying and how to take action against it.

January 23, 2011 from 3 - 5 pm

Congregation B’nai Torah (700 Mt. Vernon Highway Atlanta, 30328)

This session is intended for parents, educators and youth ages 10 and up.

RSVP to outreach@jfcs-atlanta.org or 770.677.9434

Free of charge and open to the community.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

January Excitement

We have all enjoyed our first day back in school and excitement began bubbling for our January activities.

Today the children found out that they would be researching an animal (all to be done at school) and writing their very own hardback book about it, just like the books in the media center. The children will choose their animal on Wednesday, so be sure to ask about it tomorrow evening.

We will be visiting Safety Village on this Friday. I have everyone's permission slip, but wanted to remind you that we will be out of the building from @ 9:15-1:45. It is a wonderful field trip and I am so happy the children will get to experience it.

This is an unusual week due to the 4 day week and the field trip on Friday. We will resume spelling words/tests and homework notebooks next week. Look for the new spelling words in agendas this Friday. Meanwhile, there will be the usual Wednesday math homework and lots of free evenings for reading and writing responses as we kick off our 3rd quarter.