Happy Winter Vacations!

February 2, 2015

Dear Parents,

Hopefully everyone is in a more relaxed state and enjoying a brief respite from the daily grind of school.  The students did well in the last monthly test and most have improved and reached their own individual goals. We have worked hard the whole semester and it’s time to recharge our batteries, so to speak.

As a class, they are starting to work together really well and helping each other. We have had the occasional breakdown but every day can’t be perfect. That would make us robots!

Hopefully the new semester will be smoother than the last and we’ll be able to get more done.

You have probably noticed that the test was a bit more difficult than any of the previous ones. In order to test the new concepts, we had to introduce them early on, so that by the end of next semester they will be more confident in the skills they need in order to progress to Grade 3. Like I said previously, we are not trying to trick them; we are trying to see what they know and how much we need to reteach. We completed the story Peter’s Chair. Do not throw the worksheets away as it will be easier for them to see their individual progress by looking at the worksheets. If they want to review certain concepts, the worksheets are a straightforward simple way of doing it.

As always, reading is important and this is not going to change in the new semester. Every day, regardless of whether they have written homework, they will be required to read the story at least once. We will continue with a story called Cinderella and I will provide the glogs as I have in the past. The Glog to Peter’s Chair is up and students’ can review the concepts by playing the games and discussing with you.

In the new semester the children will have to recite/read a story or a speech of about 1 minute. I will provide them with short speeches in the form of poems and short monologues. They can choose the one they want to do and practice at home and in the classroom. I will provide online copies on this site should your child misplace theirs.

As for the Winter Vacation homework, we have a few short stories and basic comprehension to do. I have provided a link to the answer sheet and they can correct this by themselves. Please have them do the work before checking the answers. Winter Homework Answers

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the blog or by email.

I will be at school up to Chinese New Year if you want to have a chat.

Have a wonderful vacation,

Carmen