*If your student would like to use their own individual headphones in school please send them in at your leisure, properly labelled with their name and in a baggie or other container.
Hello Dear Families,
Focusing on kindness and the tools of an author as they craft stories, we’ve enjoyed our short author study of Kevin Henke’s books. Great literature allows us to explore so much in literacy education, but also in exploration of ideas of citizenship, social and emotional growth, and ethics on a fundamental level. We will engage in great author studies throughout the year. As communicated during back-to-school night, it is paramount that our young readers feel primarily that books and stories are enjoyable and meaningful to them and secondly that they are used to practice the skills of successful readers. We as adults become coaches and supporters of effort rather than evaluators of successes and “failures”. With this growth mindset we are able to propel young readers through the literally thousands of unique decoding and sense-making experiences needed before they can solidly stand on self-extending literacy’s ground.
I came across this quality list of some amazing picture books to grab if you are so inclined. This is by no means exhaustive but wouldn’t you rather read to and with your child than scroll through the nightly news one more time? 😊.
In class we have begun to use the Razkids online library. https://www.raz-plus.com/ offers access to quality books in several genres at their own level. This is an online program that allows teachers to assign appropriately leveled texts for home reading and monitor reading remotely. Here are a few guidelines for home use of https://www.raz-plus.com/. Current leveling for your student will not be precise as it is quite early in the year. Let me know if you’d like me to raise challenge (in decoding only). Also, it’s always better to start with more easily decoded texts and move to more challenging texts. In this way confidence is built along with fluency. Some directives regarding RAZKIDS:
1. Use of Razkids is optional, but reading is not. All students should be reading at home daily and being read to daily. Razkids can be a part of that. It is essentially an online library.
2. Access is simple. To access to your student’s account, navigate to https://www.raz-plus.com/.Please click on the big green “Kids’ Login” button.
Then type in my teacher code: asmith1512. Select your student’s name and enter the password. Boys = banana, Girls = goldfish.
3. Begin reading in the LEVEL UP! Zone only but allow the other reading area if you’d like.
4. Bookmark the login page for easy future access.
5. All books must be read, listened to, and quiz completed before they will be able to move on to the next level.
6. Building robots and rocket ships with the stars that have been earned is both fun and completely optional.
Have fun with this new tool and happy reading!
It’s a bit early, but the sign-up sheet for fall parent and teacher conferences is active. I love to meet to talk about progress, set goals, and strategize together. Please be sure to sign up.
As always, Thank you for your support and for trusting me with your amazing kids. Please find our first homework of the year below.
Regards,
Andrew Smith
Teacher, Del Mar Heights School
Homework Assignment #1
Personal Book Box
Your child needs to create a personal book-box.
This book-box will be a place where your child keeps books that have been chosen just for him/her.
By next Monday(9/6), your child needs to bring a shoebox or other similar sized box decorated with stickers, drawings, notes, etc…
The box should be uniquely your child’s and should reflect his or her interests. On the inside of the box, please write a loving and encouraging note to your child so that he or she can think of you whenever the box is used.
Be creative!
