Weekly Reminders 9/29

Dear Parents,

Spelling Program Begins!
As of today we’ve started our new spelling program! This program focuses on word study, not just memorization. Students received their words today in class and sorted them into categories based on patterns they saw. We discussed different patterns and sorts and then disclosed the focus sorts for this week.

Tonight, Monday, students are to sort their words into the focus sorts, write the sorts on binder paper in their organized categories, and then write a sentence describing each of the categories.

Tuesday evening students will be writing meaningful sentences.
Wednesday there will be an activity/game exploration in class
Thursday there will be a practice test given at home
Friday the homework is due ( list/rules, sentences, practice test) and the test is will be given in class.

Some additional information about the research behind word studies is given below:

Word study provides students with opportunities to investigate and
understand the patterns in words. Knowledge of these patterns means that students needn't learn to spell one word at a time.

Take, for example, the difference between "hard c" (as in cat) and "soft c"
(as in cell). After collecting many words containing the letter "c,"
students discover that "c" is usually hard when followed by consonants (as in clue and crayon) and the vowels "a," "o," and "u" (as in cat, cot, and cut). In contrast, "c" is usually soft when followed by "i", "e," and "y"
(as in circus, celery, and cycle).

Of course, for every rule there are exceptions that threaten the rule.
Students learn, though, that spelling patterns exist and that these patterns help to explain how to spell, read, and write words. Word study is also designed to build word knowledge that can be applied to
both reading and spelling. Because it is closely tied to reading instruction, it also develops students' abilities in phonics, word recognition, and vocabulary. Word meaning will also be developed through this program as we learn root words, suffixes, and prefixes and their relationship to spelling.

Fine Arts Performance

Auditions are under way and we’ve had a great time listening to the students sing and perform their memorized lines. We’ll continue to audition throughout the week.

More specific information will come home after the break regarding volunteer opportunities for helping us with performance tasks.

Volunteer Opportunity Mania!

New Opportunity!
The Rockhopper teachers would like to produce a compilation DVD featuring all of the wonderful events of the year for our classrooms. We would truly love it if we could have a parent volunteer for each classroom to do the video editing throughout the year. This job would entail downloading video, photographs, and music to make a formatted video presentation. You will need to be familiar with Mac computers and the iMovie application. Although there will be some time required throughout the year, most of the DVD preparation will occur in the last trimester. Please contact your family room teacher if you’re interested.

Thank you to the parents who helped with the salt dough maps project. We couldn’t have done it without you! They turned out great!

Thank you to Mrs. Hart and Mr. Cuyle for volunteering to take pictures of our class activities for the school yearbook! Kudos to you

Important Dates to Remember:

Tues. 9/30 Parent/Principal Exchange 8:15 a.m.
Wed. 10/1 Project Cornerstone Meeting 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Mon. 10/6 Portal Fall Break begins; no school
Mon. 10/20 School resumes; beginning of Red Ribbon Week
Mon. 10/20 School Site Council 3:00
Wed. 10/22 PSCO Meeting 6:30 p.m.

California Trivia Question
Q: What CA town’s name, when spelled backwards, is a form of poetry?

Mr. Roels and Miss Scourkes