TeamLuby Update August 2013 Spring Street School Mrs.

Lubys class General Information

Hope everyone is enjoying their summers so far. We have been very fortunate to have had a long spell of wonderful weather for outdoor activities. This summer newsletter will give you an idea of TeamLuby Weekly Newsletters that will be posted on our Class Website. These newsletters are updated weekly and typically are two pages long with general class/school information, homework, math, LA, science, social studies, and birthdays. Technology will play an important part in our classroom throughout this school year. Two important bookmarks for your family are: http://teamluby.blogspot.com/- Our TeamLuby class site will be updated regularly along with our Weekly Newsletters and other important information. http://kidblog.org/TeamLuby/ - children will respond to class discussion threads and questions through Kidblog.com on a variety of topics. Each child will get a student number and password to log in. They will keep this information in their planners. The children should be reading at least two books on the Summer Reading List, including at least ONE off the Required Reading List. They will be discussing their texts in groups, completing assignments independently and in small groups. They should be using the organizer found on the SPS Summer Reading link as it will help them describe settings, characters, plot/problems and solutions. Please drop me an e-mail if you have any questions or concerns. If your child is reading The Island, he/she should be encouraged to read the entire series. If you dont have access to books 2 and 3, let me know, and I can arrange for you to borrow them from our class library.

Homework
Homework assignments will be listed here and in the planner each week. Although, assignments are revised occasionally during the week, I usually try to have the entire weeks material listed in this weekly newsletter. Projects, quizzes, and tests and other important dates will also be listed. Homework should take approximately 40 -50 minutes nightly and includes at least 15-20 minutes of reading nightly in a weekly cycle (remember-weekends are good times for quiet reading). The children will be filling in Genre Bingo Logs throughout the school year.

Language Arts
Rigbys Literacy By Design comprehensive reading program takes us through reading strategies using a diverse series of themes and stories. It is supplemented with Guided Reading groups, chapter books, Daily 3, and many other reading selections as part of our overall language arts program this year.

MCAS and good testing preparation strategies will also be stressed.

Class Tidbits July/August/September Birthdays!

Jordan C. 7-14 Esme D. 7-30 Emma K. 8-6 Ciara M. 8-18 Dennis M. 9-28 Sam B. 9-28

Writing
The children will write poetry, personal narratives, expository and opinion essays this year.

Math
Lots to do with fractions, geometry, pre-algebraic equations, patterns, and more! Multiplication and division factpractice is essential at home and in class throughout the school year where we stress fact tables through the 12s. We will be using the XtraMath web site at home as one practice tool.

*Specials*
Art: Monday, 9:15 9:55 AM Physical Education: Wednesday, 10:45-11:25 Music: Wednesday, 11:25 12:05 PM Health: Thursday, 10:45 11:25 AM Chorus: Friday, 10:00-10:40 AM Media: ?????

Social Studies
Cant wait to begin learning more about mapping, regions of the United States (East, Midwest, South, and West), Canada, and Mexico! Physical features, natural resources, climate, and culture and economy will be our main focus this year. We will learn why people live where they do, why they came to this country, and the freedoms we have.

As always, your comments are welcome. Please drop me an e-mail at school bluby@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or at home tbluby@townisp.com. I can be reached by phone at SSS 508.841.8700. Barbara Luby

Science
Mrs. Liporto will be teaching the children Science this year! The years curriculum includes earth materials and rocks and minerals, simple machines, as well as electricity and magnetism.