Subtraction, Reports and Absences

                                                Absences

Usually this time of year, I have some families that go on trips to warmer climates. I totally understand the need for sunshine...this was my road last week! I should mention it was totally sunny and snow free in Burlington that day. If your child is going to be absent, I would like to remind you to let the school absent check line know so the automated service (or our school secretaries) don't phone you. As a courtesy, it would be great to let me know in the agenda but you also have to let the absent line know. You can make multiple absences (if you are going to Florida or somewhere tropical for a week or so) on the automated line as well. 

                                        Mathematics again...

Your child may have mentioned that I did a quick money test with each student. This was just a pre-unit skills check to see what each child knows so I can gear my teaching and groupings for maximum learning. No use teaching coin value if everyone knows it! No use learning about the penny....now that it is about to become extinct! Although, I think it will make teaching more interesting now. How will I explain to future students that a nickel is 5 cents if they don't know what 1 cent looks like? I'll have to talk to them using terms like 'long ago in 2013... there were once pennies'. Sort of like when I refer to records, or turntables or any 80's musical references with my younger colleagues...sigh! I did want to share this picture with you to explain what it means on a report when the teacher jargon refers to 'concrete' or 'manipulatives' in math. Essentially in primary grades, it is very important to use 'hands on' counters and organizers to help students visualize mathematical concepts. In this picture you will see that we are learning how to borrow in subtraction by using  
tens and ones as our manipulatives. We use a simple memory chant:
                                                More on top
                                                No need to stop
                                                More on the floor
                                                Go next door
                                                Borrow ten more
This means simply if the number on the bottom is bigger than the number on top, then this is an opportunity to borrow. Using the 10 frames below, we physically exchange 10 for 10 ones and then complete our subtraction. This visual tool is particularly helpful for students who don't fully understand when to borrow.

                                             
Reports - Report cards go home on February 25th. I will be contacting parents in advance if there is an area of concern on your child's report. 
Family Day - Don't forget family day is February 18th this year. Hope you have something wonderful planned!
Valentine's Day - I have made a Valentine list of names for you that I will send home on Monday (11th). However, if you need names right away you can always use the class picture as it is labelled at the bottom.