Dear Sexton Mt. Families:
Last week I
had an opportunity to meet with students in third, fourth and fifth grade. We talked about math patterns and how
recognizing and applying patterns can make some tasks in life easier. While I met with students, teachers met with
our Response to Intervention teacher, Megan Smith, to discuss our mid-year
progress check and plan next steps for instruction. Teachers had many little celebrations as we
saw how much students have grown during the first half of the year. This week, Megan Smith and I will meet with
the rest of the teams. Exciting things
are happening at Sexton Mountain and we see evidence of growth! We have reasons to celebrate.
Another
reason to celebrate is one of our student has been wildly successful on
Mathletics.com. Andrew G. is currently
ranked 61st in the nation on the Mathletics.com website! Since our school-wide improvement emphasis
has been on mathematics this year, I have a personal little party each and
every time I see our children succeed in this area.
Since
September 24, our first through fifth graders have solved 109,271 math
equations just on the one-minute weekly timed tests. This means our amazing pool of volunteers
have corrected even more! The ability to
quickly recall basic facts is important for math success. We hope you will continue
to practice at home too. Here are some
ways you might do this:
·
Flashcard
practice during television commercials
·
Keep a set of
flashcards in the car and have your child practice at every stoplight
·
After dinner,
practice equations orally for five minutes before you clear the table
·
Download
printable worksheets from the web or make your own for kids to do
HOW MANY EQUATIONS CAN WE SOLVE IN
ONE-MINUTE?
|
|
First Grade
Addition
|
Second Grade
Addition
|
Third Grade
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and
Division
|
Fourth Grade
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and
Division
|
Fifth Grade
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and
Division
|
|
Week Of
Sept. 24
|
178
|
717
|
1335
|
1852
|
2785
|
|
Week of
Jan. 24
|
1252
|
2094
|
1865
|
3279
|
3582
|
Another one of our strategies for improving
student achievement in mathematics is to increase student vocabulary related to
mathematics. The ability to understand
math vocabulary and process words associated with mathematics sets apart strong
mathematicians from the rest. In all
classrooms, teachers are working to explicitly teach the terms. At home, start a list of words or phrases
that indicate what operation is needed in order to solve a number story
problem. Each Wednesday, students have
had the opportunity to wear a math word (in the form of a sticker).
Additionally,
we’ve worked on improving math problem solving skills. Children must understand what math word
problems are asking and have a bank of strategies for solving problems.
There are many
great math resources available online to provide support and practice. Check out some of the sites below.
We know that
practice makes proficient. The best way
to become a better reader is to READ then write about it. The best way to become a better mathematician
is to practice, reflect and practice some more.
Thank you for supporting our students and teachers with all your
support. Thank you for sharing your
children with us!
Take Care,
Dr.
Teresa Clemens-Brower
a.k.a.
Mrs. C.-B.
Principal
Thank you!
·
Thanks to Lori
Laraway, Kara Ebbutt, Anna McLeod, Booma Murali, and Amanda Savage for
volunteering to help implement MUSIC WORKSHOP in classrooms. Thanks to Tiffany Hellum for chairing the
MUSIC WORKSHOP. This program is similar
to Art Literacy and is going to provide a great opportunity for our
students! We continue to look for
volunteers so that all of our classrooms get this special experience.
·
Thanks to Megan
McCue for donating hand soap for before lunch hand washing.
·
Thanks to Roger
Golliver, Heather Hough, Jen Fife-Adams, Abeer Awad, and Seona Zimmerman for
leading the second round of battles for the Oregon Battle of the Books this
week.
·
Thanks to Lindsey
Zobrist for sharing GREAT teaching ideas with us regularly.
·
Thanks to the
Goodman and Harrison families for facilitating Family Movie Night. Thanks to Sally Ebanks and Mary Duncan for
keeping the popcorn stocked. Families
had fun!
Upcoming Events
January
31 Spirit Assembly at 8:25
February
1 Staff Development Day—No School
February
14-Dress Your Best Day
February
15-Will Hornyak-Storyteller Assemblies
February
15-Hundredth Day of School Dance, 6:30-8:30pm
February
18- Presidents’ Day-No School
February
20 Passport Club Check Day (Grades 3,4,5)-Email Heidi at glacierlodge@comcast.net to volunteer.
February
22 5th Grade Biz Town Field Trip
February
22-Art Fair 6:30-8:30pm
Wish List--These are little things or jobs that will make a
difference to our kids. Feel free to send them in.
·
Volunteers Needed-We will begin our One Book, One School-school wide
reading experience in mid-February.
Volunteers are needed to help label and distribute books on February 4
at 9:00am in the staff room.
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