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December 21st, 2020 – 1st Semester Ends

Hello Families!

We made it!  Hard to believe, but the school year is halfway through.  I’m so glad we have been able to stay open, and have been able to be as “normal” as we have been.  With the vaccine being rolled out, let’s hope our return to real normalcy comes sooner, rather than later!

Reading and Math

This week, the kids will simply wrap up any unfinished assignments, tests, reports, etc.  There will be no spelling and no reading homework.  I may have a bonus Math homework assignment Monday, but for the most part we will try and enjoy our time together the next two days, stress free.

Tuesday’s Adjusted Schedule

On Tuesday, please note the remote learners will have quite an abbreviated schedule.  There day will not begin until 10:30, and will look like this…

9:00 – Assembly in Cafeteria (No Zoom)

9:40 – P.E. – (No Zoom)

10:30 – Integrated Studies

11:00 – Math

12:00 – Recess and Lunch

1:00 – Polar Express (No Zoom)

2:45 – Bonus Recess (No Zoom)

As you can see, we have been given permission to watch “The Polar Express” to celebrate the end of the semester.  Unfortunately, due to copyright restrictions, remote learners will not be able to join us for this movie.  This decision really frustrates me, but we are beholden to those restrictions, unfortunately.

The movie will take the majority of the afternoon, and then we’ll end the day with a bonus recess.  Therefore, Remote Learners will end their day at noon on Tuesday.  It will basically be like an early-out, PLC Day for the remote learners.

Remote Learners Assignments Due

For the remote learners, please remember to turn in your child’s Unit 3 Math Test, as well as their Unit 3 Reading TDA (written question) and Vocabulary test pages on Monday.  Any other assignments they completed last week can be turned in then, as well.

Thanks for reading, and thank you for all you’ve done to help your child succeed in school this semester.

Eric Wachter

December 14th, 2020 – Test Week

Hello Families,

Hard to believe, but the semester is coming to a close.  It seems like only yesterday we were cranking things up, and just like that we’re at the end.  To wrap up the semester, this week the kids will take their Unit 3 tests in both reading and math.

Reading

We’ll spend the first part of the week squeezing in the lessons for unit 3, week 5 in reading, which will lead us to testing on Thursday and Friday.  We have a lot going on, so I think we’ll still practice the spelling skills for the week, but we will not take a test on Friday.  Just a tad too much going on to fit everything in.

We will have reading homework, however.  Last week again only 9 kids turned in their assignments, so thank you in advance for reminding your child he/she has reading homework due on Friday.

Math

Math will follow a similar pattern this week.  We’ll wrap up our lessons and do some review work on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, then take the test on Thursday and Friday.  I anticipate homework on these evenings.

Monday – Homework 3-19

Tuesday – Review 1

Wednesday – Review 2

Thursday and Friday – No Homework

Writing

The kids will wrap up their Presidential Profiles this week in writing.  We’ll put the finishing touches on them early in the week, and hopefully get some time to share at the end of the week.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

December 7th, 2020 – Space Week

Hello Families,

This is week (unit 3, week 3) the kids will learn about space during reading.  We’ll read a variety of expository texts about space and space exploration while practicing summarizing, suffixes and main idea.  You can expect a spelling list to come home on Monday evening, as well as a reading homework assignment.  Last week only 8 kids returned their reading homework, so thank you for helping to ensure your child completes and returns his/her assignment.

In math class, we’ll continue to practice addition and subtraction skills.  We’ll work to see the relationship between the two skills, and practice proving our answers by solving an inverse addition or subtraction problem.  I anticipate math homework on each evening this week.

Monday-Homework 3-13

Tuesday-Homework 3-14

Wednesday-Homework 3-15

Thursday-Homework 3-17

In writing, the kids have completed their notes and rough drafts of their presidential profiles.  This week, we’ll begin the final draft with a goal of compiling a book of finished reports.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

December 1st, 2020 – Abraham Lincoln and MAP Reading Test Week

Hello Families!

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break and were able to spend some quality time with your family.  As strange as this year has been, I’m so thankful for a moment to reset and recharge for the coming weeks!

Reading

This week the kids will practice visualization, cause and effect and idioms as we learn about Abraham Lincoln.  We will also take round #2 of the MAP Reading Test this week.  Even though we’ll be busy, you can still expect a spelling list to come home Tuesday evening, along with a reading homework assignment.

Math

In math class, the kids will continue to learn different strategies to add and subtract larger numbers.  Due to our schedule being reduced by a couple of days, I’m anticipating homework coming home every night this week.  However, this is always subject to change if a lesson doesn’t go as planned.

Writing

In writing class, the kids have been working on a presidential profile.  So far, the kids have taken notes, and this we’ll we’ll take the next step and turn those notes into a rough draft.

Headphones and Water Bottles

Just a friendly reminder that students are welcome to bring headphones from home to use in class with their Chromebooks.  Also, kids are still encouraged to bring a water bottle for use during the day as the drinking fountains are still not in use due to COVID restrictions.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

November 16th, 2020 – Reading Unit 3 Begins

Hello Families!

Are we really half-way through November?  That’s just crazy to me.  Before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here and we’ll be on to 2021!

Reading 

This week, the kids will begin unit 3 (week 1) in reading.  We will practice visualization, synonyms and discuss problems and solutions while reading various folktales.  We will resume spelling this week, and you can expect a list to come home Monday evening.  

Math

In math class, the kids will begin to practice rounding numbers.  This can be a tricky skill, and most of our lessons this week will be two-day sessions.  I anticipate homework on the following evenings.

Monday – No Homework

Tuesday – Homework 3-5

Wednesday – No Homework

Thursday – Homework 3-6

Friday – Homework 3-7

Reading Homework

Reading homework will also continue this week.  The kids will bring a new story home Monday, and it will again be due on Friday.  Thank you so much for those of you that took the time to help your child with his/her one-minute reads last week.  Also, please remind your child to practice answer the comprehension questions in complete sentences. 

Writing

In the homeroom writing class, the kids have begun their 2nd quarter research reports.  Each child has chosen a president, and they began taking notes about that president last week.  This week, we’ll likely begin a rough draft.  After the Thanksgiving break, we’ll write a final draft.  They have done a great job so far, and I’m excited to share their finished work with your during the spring conferences.  

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

November 9th, 2020 – Reading Unit 2 Ends and Math Unit 3 Begins

Hello Families!

I hope you are having a nice weekend, and are able to recharge your batteries for the week ahead.

Reading 

This week, the kids will begin week 2, of unit 6 in reading.  This is our Unit Test week, so we will spend the first part of the week reviewing skills, and end the week taking the test.  There will be no spelling words this week.

Math

In math class, the kids will begin their third unit of the year.  This unit will focus on addition and subtraction strategies, which will be a nice break from multiplication and division.  The kids missed a lot of subtraction instruction during 4th quarter, so I anticipate this unit might be challenging for some kids.  We’ll take it slow, if necessary, and make sure they understand the concepts they would have been introduced to last spring.  I anticipate homework on the following evenings…

Monday – Homework 3-1

Tuesday – Homework 3-2

Wednesday – No Homework

Thursday – Homework 3-3

Friday – Homework 3-4

Reading Homework

This week the kids will begin a new literacy homework assignment.  This assignment will come home on Monday, and will be due at the end of the week on Friday.  Each weekly assignment has a story to read, a few comprehension questions, and a fluency rate to fill out.  On the back, there are a number of repetitive questions that review skills we practice each week in class.

We’ll practice this assignment in class, and ideally they will be able to complete the assignment at home independently.  The only thing they will need help with is five 1-minute reads for fluency practice.

Headphones and Water Bottles

Just a reminder that kids are welcome to bring headphones from home to use with their Chromebooks.  The ones I offer don’t always fit right, and are quite inexpensive.  In other words, they don’t last.

Also, the kids are encouraged to bring water bottles from home for use in class.  We still can’t use the drinking fountains due to COVID, so they come in pretty handy when the kids are thirsty.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

Class Web Site:  Mr. Wachter’s Class

 

November 4th, 2020 – Poetry Week

Hello Families!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the nice warm weather!  We had better enjoy it while it lasts!

Reading

This week in reading (Unit 2, Week 5) the kids will learn from a variety of different poems.  We’ll again discuss point of view, similes and nouns.  Being that it’s a short week, we will not have a spelling test on Friday.

Math

In math class the kids will spend Wednesday reviewing for their Unit 2 Test.  We’ll take most of the test Thursday, then finish up any last problems on Friday.  The kids will have a review homework on Wednesday, but no homework on Thursday or Friday.

Conferences

I really enjoyed meeting with so many of you via Zoom last week during conferences.  As weird as that format is, it was nice to celebrate the growth of you children with you!  If I didn’t meet with you, I will send home the cover sheets of what we would have discussed this week.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

October 26th, 2020 – Animal Rescue, Conferences and Red Ribbon Week!

Hello Families!

I hope you’re having a nice weekend, and getting some quality time with your family.  I just finished watching the Nebraska game, and will be crying non-stop for the next 48 hours.  🙂

Reading

It’s reading unit 2, week 4 this week, and the kids will read stories about how people can help save and rescue animals.  The kids will practice rereading, point of view and suffixes while reading expository texts.  You can expect a spelling list to come home on Monday evening.

Math

In math class, the kids will wrap up their lessons for unit 2.  We began learning the “Order of Operations” last week, and we’ll continue to practice that this week.  We’ll also keep applying what we know to word problems.  Every lesson this week is a single day lesson, so I anticipate homework every evening.  Please remember that declaration is subject to change based on how a lesson goes, but that’s the plan at this point.

Health

This week is Red Ribbon Week.  The kids will learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, addiction and high risk behavior.  There is a fun celebration each day, and the kids are encourage to wear different clothes each day to show their spirit.  Please see the attachment to see the spirit week schedule.

Conferences

Conferences will take place on Monday and Wednesday, from 4:00 to 7:00.  If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so with the link below.  If you can’t meet with me, I will send home your child’s progress notes for your to review at your convenience.

Mr. Wachter’s Conference Sign-Up

Click on this link to Zoom-In to your conference: https://lps.zoom.us/j/5261813917

Initially, you’ll be placed in a “waiting room,” and I will invite you in when your conference begins.  If possible, please sign in with your first and last name, so I can confirm I’m inviting the correct person into the conference.  I would rate myself about C+ Zoomer, so please be patient with me as we navigate these sessions!  🙂

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

Eric Wachter

October 19th, 2020 – 2nd Quarter Begins!

Hello Families!

Welcome to the 2nd quarter of the year.  Wow…time sure does fly sometimes!

Reading and Math

This week, the kids will begin week 2, of unit 3.  Government will be the theme of the week, as the kids will learn about the process and importance of voting.  We’ll practice rereading difficult texts, point of view, prefixes and possessive nouns.  You can expect a spelling list to come home on Monday evening.  If you don’t see a practice list come home, remember you can always find the lists under the spelling tab of the class website. 

Math

In math class the kids will prace a lot of word problems this week.  Our goal in these problems is always to identify the key numbers/information given, and then decide if we’re supposed to multiply or divide, or even add or subtract.  We’ll also continue to practice their facts and build fluency.  I anticipate homework only on Tuesday (2-9) and Thursday (2-10) evenings due to two day lessons.

Conferences

Fall conferences are October 26th and 28th.  If you haven’t had a chance, please sign up for a conference time using the link below.  They will be held via Zoom due to COVID protocols.  If you can’t meet, I will send home the information I will share for you to look over.

Mr. Wachter’s Conference Registration

Remote Learners

Please note that Remote Learners will start joining Guided Reading groups this week via Zoom.  Their GR group times are listed on their weekly schedule.  This will definitely be a learning curve by all to join on time, attend to the lesson via Zoom, and then complete independent work as usual.  I am really looking forward to working with the Zoomers in this way, as I love to hear and help kids read!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

October 12th, 2020 – Immigration Week

Hello Families!

I hope you had a nice weekend, and were able to get outside and enjoy some of this fall weather.  Looks like it turns a bit chilly at the end of the week, so we better savor it while we can!

Reading and Math

This week, the kids will begin week 2, of unit 2.  Immigration is the theme of the week, and we’ll learn about how America has grown as a result of so many immigrants from all over the world.  We’ll continue practicing theme, and making predictions.  We’ll also practice similes and singular and plural nouns.  Considering it’s only a three day week, we’ll practice spelling words in class, but we won’t take a test on Wednesday.  Therefore, don’t expect a list to come home Monday evening.

Math

In math class the kids will continue to build their fact fluency, and practice word problems.  We’ll also learn about “Square” numbers, and look for patterns in squares.  I anticipate homework on Monday (Lesson 2-6) and Tuesday (Lesson 2-7) evenings, but not Wednesday.  I think they’ve earned a break over the long weekend!

Remote Learners

I hope the new weekly schedule is easier to read!  I’ll continue to do my best to update the “Work Due” checklist, as well.  Please keep in mind all my grand plans are tentative.  You never know when something won’t go as expected, and I have to make adjustments to the pacing.  As a wise man once said, “We have a great plan, from which we will deviate from.” 🙂

Nuisance Items

Thank you so much for helping your child keep toys and trinkets at home last week.  There were far fewer things brought to school, which allowed us to be more focused in class.  I really appreciate your help!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter