Part 1 (25 Math Problems): Your child has 25 math problems to do. Please have them do the problems and then review the answers with you. Please let me know if your child needs extra help in any particular area. I think that most kids should be able to complete these 25 math problems in about half an hour.

The children should show their work. Over the years I have found that kids who show their work are significantly more likely to get math problems correct compared to those student who won’t show their work...

5/7/09 Back to School... homework due on Monday

Part 1 (the Big Math review): Please sit down with your child and work through these math problems. This is not due until Monday. However, PLEASE don’t leave it all to the last minute. You are welcome to turn it in tomorrow if you want.

Part 2 (Progress Reports): please look over you child's progress report, sign it, and send it back tomorrow.

4 6 09 Geometry & Basic Addition and Subtraction

Part 1 (Daily Reading Homework): your child needs to read at least 20 minutes every night. Below, please record what they read, how long they read for and then initial it.

Part 2 (Geometry): Please look over the geometry work your child did in school and check their understanding.

Part 3 (Math): Subtraction Spaces Math: please have your child do the subtraction worksheet. Please have them show their work. They WILL have to regroup to get some of the answers (regrouping is the new term for what we used to call borrowing when I was young). AFTER they have completed all of the math problems they should color the worksheet as per the instructions. Coloring the worksheet should be done lightly so as not to obscure your child’s work. Coloring the worksheet is OPTIONAL.

Part 4 (Minute Math): Minute Math is a daily activity. It is not due until Friday.

Part 5 (the Big Book Roundup): please look around for any and all schoolbooks and library books at your house. We need all missing books back. SEVERAL children still haven’t turned reading bag books back to me or have class books at home. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Part 1 (Review Your Child's Understanding of Division & Multiplication): Today the kids took the Division Test. Please go over the test with them. I sent home a BLANK copy of the test with today's homework. It is there for you to have your child SHOW you how they did what they did. Ask your child to explain division to you. Consider the illustration to the right. Look at the part that says 12 divided by 3 = 4. Ask your student, “What does the 12 stand for? What does the 3 stand for? What does the 4 stand for?” The answers they should be able to give are:

• The 12 stands for the total number of marbles in all.
  
• The 3 is the number of groups they are being divided up into.
  
• The 4 is the number of things that end up in each group.
  

You’ll also note the 3X4=12. Your child needs to be able to explain that:

• The 3 stands for the number of groups.
  
• the 4 stands for the number of things in each group.
  
• The 12 stands for the total number of items in all.
  

Please check your child’s understanding. There will be a make-up exam for this test given on Thursday or Friday. It will be almost exactly like the one that was given today. The make-up exam is entirely optional. PLEASE let me know how discussing DIVISION goes with you and your child. You can e-mail me at kcopeland@newbraunfels.txed.net or call me at 627-6622. Of course, you are always welcome to swing by the classroom and visit!

Part 2 (Daily Reading Homework): your child needs to read at least 20 minutes every night. Please record what they read, how long they read for and then initial it. Thanks!

Part 3 (Minute Math): Minute Math is a daily activity. It is not due until Friday.

3/30/09 Drops in the Bucket & Multiplication

Part 1 (Daily Reading Homework): your child needs to read at least 20 minutes every night. Below, please record what they read, how long they read for and then initial it.  Please note that everyone got new reading bag books today.

Part 2 (Multiplication): Please check your child’s understanding of the multiplication and division work we did today. Does your child have a firm grasp of “input & output”? Do YOU have any questions about what I am teaching during math lessons?

Part 3 (Math): Drops in the Bucket Math: we are reviewing many of the math facts that we have learned to date: comparing numbers, patterns, adding and subtracting, how many in all, money, place value, comparing numbers, time, and shapes (& following directions).

Part 4 (Minute Math): Minute Math is a daily activity. It is not due until Friday.

3/19 No Homework other than Minute Math Tonight!

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring.  Please bring your favorite book, a towel, and a water bottle to celebrate... we're going to be doing some reading outside!

Minute Math is due tomorrow... other than that there is no homework!

3/18/09 Study for Spelling Test & Vocabulary Test... Comprehension piece about White House

We have a Spelling Test and a Vocabulary Test tomorrow... are you ready? Also, please complete the comprehension sheet titled the White House. There is optional homework, too: a re-do on the work we did today on proper and common nouns.