This week we will continue with our unit on Africa. We will look at many of the diverse cultures there. We do read about Zambia, South Africa, and Kenya.

We will also begin preparing for the state tests in April. I will work with small groups during center time, teaching them test taking strategies and giving them practice to complete passages under a time constraint. This will make them be more comfortable when they have to take the test in April. Also, these strategies are good reading strategies that they have been using all year.

We will begin Unit 8 this week. The focus is fractions. However, I cannot stress enough how important it is for your child to practice multiplication facts.

We start literature circles tomorrow. Students will be reading a fantasy book. The three books are: The Littles, No Flying in the House, and The Fairy Rebel.

We had our celebration on Friday. The students did a nice job on this writing piece. We will now read and write poetry.

Please encourage your child to get on FastMath at home or Math Magician. Anything you can do to help your child learn his/her facts is beneficial.

If you have the Internet, please allow your child to get on spellingcity.com. Their spelling words are there and it is a great site to have them practice spelling while having fun! Also, FastMath is now available at home. The students really need to practice their addition and subtraction facts.

If you go to oswego.org/intranet/fastmath - students will be able to practice their math facts. I sent home an index card with their ID number on it, which is their user name. 

Again, please do not hesitate to email me at nzawisza@oswego.org if you have any concerns or comments. I welcome your input as no one knows your child better than you!

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Remember that you can always contact me at nzawisza@oswego.org.