Classroom News!Dear Parents,
I truly can not believe that this school year is already coming to an end!!! It seems like it was only yesterday that we were coming together for the very first time, excited to kick off the new school year and ready to see what we had in store! I honestly could not have gotten through this school year without the wonderful help and assistance that each of you offered to the class. From the many items donated, the time spent volunteering at school functions and classroom events, and so, so, so much more! I appreciate you all- and all that you have done! I would especially like to thank our INCREDIBLE room parents, Kelly Wang, and Natalie and Carl Lauryssen, who selflessly took on the many challenges that I presented to them, and came to my rescue so many times! Thank you again to ALL of our wonderful volunteers! You are truly appreciated!! Most importantly, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you all for trusting me with your precious children. Each and every one of them are so incredibly unique and special, and have been such an exceptional gift to me and this classroom. I feel so blessed to have had each one of these remarkable children in my third grade class, and am so thankful to have gotten to know them all. Each one has truly touched my life forever! I have no doubt that all of these children will be extremely successful in their bright futures ahead!! As parents, you should also feel very proud!! I truly commend you all; for I know firsthand how much work goes into raising kids, and I must say that each of you have done an extraordinary job!! Thank you again for everything! Have a wonderful summer and please keep in touch! Best wishes, Jennifer Matus *Please remember that this Thursday, May 25, is officially the last day of the school year and is an Early Release Day. Students will be released at 11:45 on this day. :) -- |
Mrs. Matus' Class Twitter Feed:
Scroll down to see all the awesome pictures that have been posted this year!
|
Finding a "Good Fit Book" for Your Child
A common question for many parents this year has been where
to find books that are on my child’s reading level. It is important to help our kids find those
“good fit books” so that they are reading books independently that they can
also comprehend without assistance. In
addition, it is equally important to find books that kids can read fluently on
an independent level, again so they are able to comprehend the material even
better. Of course finding chapter books
or series that actually interest the child will ultimately drive the child’s
love of reading even further, or quite possibly just begin to develop and grow
that amazing spark for reading.
We are currently finishing up beginning of year reading assessments on each student, but if you are unsure what level to start them at, here a few good tips that I found from the Reading Rockets website: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/selecting-books-your-child-finding-just-right-books How can parents help their children find books that are not "too hard" and not "too easy" but instead are "just right"? Here's some advice. Five finger rule- 1. Choose a book that you think you will enjoy. 2. Read the second page. 3. Hold up a finger for each word you are not sure of, or do not know. 4. If there are five or more words you did not know, you should choose an easier book. Still think it may not be too difficult? Use the five finger rule on two more pages. Choose a book that is a good fit for you! Read two or three pages and ask yourself these questions: Will it be an easy, fun book to read? Do I understand what I am reading? Do I know almost every word? When I read it aloud, can I read it smoothly? Do I think the topic will interest me? If most of your answers were "yes", this will be an easy book to read independently by yourself. Will this book be too hard for me? Are there five or more words on a page that I don't know, or am unsure of? Is this book confusing and hard to understand by myself? When I read it aloud, does it sound choppy and slow? If most of your answers were "yes," this book is too hard. You should wait awhile before you read this book. Give the book another try later, or ask an adult to read the book to you. Tips on reading with your child When they can't read the word, say… Can you sound it out? Fingertap it. Can you think of the word or movement that helps you remember that vowel sound? What is the first and last sound? What word would make sense? Does it have a pattern that you have seen in other words? (ex-an, ack) How does the word begin? You said_______. Does that make sense? What word would make sense that would start with these sounds? Put your finger under the word as you say it. If you are familiar with your child’s reading level, then this website is an excellent resource to find a variety of books that appeal to many different interests. http://www.kidsbookseries.com/list/sorted-by-fountas-pinnell-guided-reading-level Happy reading!! Jennifer Matus |
Mrs. Matus' Third Grade Class Schedule
|
|
|