This weeks Blog will tell you a little about what academic skills were taught this week in the classroom. If you have questions at any time during the year please call the school at 435-7824, email me at mnolan@epschoolsri.com, post a note on the Blog, add a note in the Friday Folder or write me a note your child's agenda.

Friday Folders will be coming home on the first Friday in October. Friday Folders will continue to come home every other week (unless it is a school vacation week). Please read the page on the left as it explains how students are graded in the areas of behavior, classwork, homework and effort. One note about classwork: classwork is not just graded papers that students complete. Students are also graded on use of time in class as well as completion of assignments. I ask that you review your child's work, sign the folder, add any comments and return the folder on Monday.

Math - this year our school district has adopted a new math program called Engage NY. This program is correlated to the Common Core standards and brand new to students and teachers alike. The program is taught through modules and our first is Module 1. Lesson One begins with a review of base 10 - multiplying and dividing by 10's, 100's and 1000's (also decimals to the thousandths is also taught). The rest of the module contains adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals and place value and rounding decimal fractions. It is a very rigorous  program that will prepare students for new assessment that will begin in 2014.

Literacy (Reading and Writing) - Our literacy program begins with Text Structure and our topics are: chronological order (sequencing), compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution and description. This week students took notes and practice examples of chronological order and compare and contrast. Students practiced these skills using nonfiction articles. Papers will be going home tomorrow and you will be able to see what we've been doing. At home you can practice compare and contrast by comparing things around the house. Also ask your children what some of their "signal" words are. Thanks for your help. Students received writing journals and folders to decorate. Next week they will begin writing in their journals. They begin by writing "seeds" and then develop these seeds into stories. Not all stories will be published (Some stories will be used as for future language lessons such as proofreading, editing etc.). Seeds are ideas (which can be one word or phrases). More information next week.

Map Project - An at home project will be assigned next week. Read the criteria with your child and guide them if they need help.  Please do not do the work for your child. We are teaching your children to become independent thinkers and learners ready to transition to the middle school. We appreciate your help and support.

As always thank you for your support from the homefront. It is encouraged and truly appreciated.