Understanding the Oral Fluency Assessments

I sent home graded papers today and part of that is the Oral Fluency Assessment. Notice on the right side of the page the two boxes Reading Rate and Accuracy and Reading Fluency. In the Reading Rate and Accuracy box you will see a place for the number of correct words read per minute; this is found by counting the numbers of words they read and then subtracting the number of errors they made (see details below on what counts as an error). The children at this time should be reading at least 23 correct words per minute. In the Spring, which is almost here, the children should be reading at least 53 correct words per minute. The Reading Fluency box does not factor into the final grade, however, this is still an important part in the children's reading ability and should be looked over (see details below about each category). The rubric for this is Low (needs improvement), Average (on-level), High (above average skill).

Errors in reading

• Words that are misread
• Words that the student omits
• Inserting extra words
• Words that have been reversed

] This bracket symbol shows where the student read to in one minute.

Reading Fluency Box

Decoding Ability- how well a student blends, recognize, or decodes a word. 

Pace- the speed of which they are reading. I explain that they do not need to read too slow or too fast. That it is not about how fast you read or reading all the words but reading at a steady pace and reading the words Correctly. 

Syntax- being aware of the ideas the author was trying to express. (Reading it like the author intended it be; reading with expression)

Self-correction- are they aware of their mistakes, do they catch them and then fix them

Intonation- being aware of punctuation....pausing at commas, periods, etc. 

Spelling Test

Please encourage your child to be neat and to listen well to the sentences. I don't just say a sentence once and expect them to write it. I say it several times, then when the test is completed, I ask the children to touch each word as I go back and read the sentences to them one more time. If they have left out a word, they ought to catch that mistake. I ask them to listen to my voice and how I read the sentences to help them know the correct punctuation. Don't forget that Spelling City is a good tool to help your child get ready for the test and can be found on the right side of my blog listed under "Check Out These Sites". Also, be sure to review all High-Frequency words with your child. They not only need to be able to identify them, they also need to be able to spell them. I sent home a master list of all High Frequency Words we have and will learn this year. If you need another copy just send me an email :)

Dr. Seuss Thursday

In addition to our dress-up days, Thursday we are going to spend the day doing fun Dr. Seuss activities. The children should choose a favorite Dr. Seuss book to bring to school and share with the class. They may bring a small pillow and wear their pajamas (NO stuffed animals are allowed). If any of you would like to make some special treats for us that day, please do. We plan to have a party at snack time!

******We will still have the spelling pre-test. 

Study Guide

Study Guides went home today. I found one on my floor :)  so I am posting it here! Remember this is not considered Homework and I do not check for it. However, I do encourage the students to review it so that they will be well-prepared for the reading test. This test will not have a grammar part on it but we are reviewing and using adjectives and comparative adjectives this week.

Winners Never Quit Study Guide
1. What sports do Mia love?
2. What sport is her favorite?
3. Why does Mia’s team cheer?
4. Why couldn't Mia score goals on that one day?
5. Mia didn't want luck next time, she wanted it now, so what did she do?
6. Why does Mia quit?
7. When does Mia always quit?
8. What happens the next day right when Mia runs outside?
9. Why didn't they wait for Mia to start the game?
10. What was Mia doing as the game was going on?
11. The next day, who did Garrett pick first?
12. What did Mia feel when she missed the goal?
13. What does Mia hate?
14. Why didn't she quit?
15. Why is playing more important than winning or losing?
16. What does Mia learn?
17. What does it mean to dribble a soccer ball?
18. What is a game you like to play very much?
Vocabulary Use your glossary to find the definition. Write it beside the word.
Stomped-
Rather-
Phonics
/er/ Sound; Spelling ear

Parent Newsletter Week March 2nd-6th

Spelling Words: boat, float, soap, doe, goes, tiptoe, yellow, window, slow, show, here, hear, would, Monday

High Frequency Words: any, from, water, come

Sounds/Spellings: New: sound /er/ spelling ear          Review Long/Short Vowel Sounds and Spellings (see study guide for specifics)

Vocabulary: stomped, rather

Story: Winners Never Lose

Comprehension Skills and Strategies: Asking Questions, Visualizing, Making Inferences, Cause and Effect, Sequence of Events, Identifying Sound Words ex. swoosh, Making Connections

Language Arts: Adjectives and Comparative Adjectives, Sentence expansion with describing words

Writing: Squiggle Line Story #4, Creative Writing

Math: New Concepts; Subtracting Two-Digit numbers Math Concepts to be tested on: Addition/Subtraction Families 1-10, using a ruler to measure, Measurements: how many feet in a yard, how many inches in a foot, and how many inches in a yard, taking one half of a group, distinguishing between thirds, halves, and fourths, counting by 2s, story problems

Math Test: Wednesday, March 4th
Pre-Spelling Test: Thursday, March 5th
Spelling and Sentence Test: Friday, March 5th
Reading Test: Friday, March 5th (may change)

Dates to Remember

Don't forget to look at the Dates to Remember found on the right side of my blog. These dates will also be listed on your child's Calendar in his/her binder :)

Flat Stanley!

Please send to school the two 6"x9" envelopes, two stamps, and the address form I sent home last week by tomorrow!!! They were due today. We cannot start our Flat Stanley project until every student has returned these things. Thank you. Be sure that the envelopes are 6"x9"