Our first day of testing!

Parents,
Today, your child started taking the CoGat test. The letter explaining this test went home last week. We are testing tomorrow morning and Friday morning. Today's test took some extra time as the kids got the routines down of what to do and how to behave during a testing situation. The test is not timed - the kids have time to think and answer at their own pace, and then they let me know they are done by putting their pencil in the middle of their books. Most of them did a great job at remembering to do this step. I am SURE the kids will do better tomorrow and by Friday, there will be no question what to do during testing. I saw some excellent thinking skills during the tests today!

Due to the testing, we did not have math today. Your child's homework in math was to study their doubles fact cards (in home binder pouch). Memorizing these doubles facts will help them greatly in upcoming lessons. We are making some fabulous progress with Otter Creek, so make sure your child keeps their math flashcards (from Curriculum Night) up to date so they are studying the correct facts to help them pass. We take a test on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday most weeks.

Next week, we have another famous author coming to visit Nancy Young Elementary - LAURA NUMEROFF!! Ms. Ranucci talked to us last week about the books she has written, including If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Pig a Pancake. Due this Friday is a picture and sentence that uses the same pattern the Laura uses in her writing. Her new book is called If You Give a Dog a Donut. A form came home today for the kids (you!) to order one of her books and get an autographed copy while she visits our school. What a great memory! They are great books!

We are currently reading books written by another great author, Cynthia Rylant. She has written many books, including familiar series like Henry and Mudge and the Poppleton books. Tomorrow, we'll be reading an autobiography of hers to expose the kids to non-fiction work as well as the many fictional stories she has to choose from.

Make plans now to attend the 2nd grade PE night next week on October 5! More coming home about that this week! FUN! FUN!!