Announcements for May 14th, 2021

 Science 

We had a fantastic review and test this past week. Thank you for preparing your scholars for this test.

The last two weeks we will be doing some fun activities to wrap up our school year!

Math

Reminder to our first-grade parents: This is a reminder to please refrain from using the term “borrow” when assisting with subtraction within 100. Subtract the ones first, then, if needed, we take a ten from the tens place and add it to the ones. For example, 42 – 24 = ? 4 cannot be taken from (subtracted) 2 so we need to take a 10 from the 4 tens and add that to the 2 ones in 42. 42 now becomes 3 tens and 12 ones and 4 can be subtracted from 12. 12 – 4 =8 ones. 3 tens – 2 tens is 1 ten therefore 42-24=18 or 1 ten 8 ones. This procedure teaches the students how they solved their problems and provides the background for higher level subtraction.

 

This week we complete our unit regarding subtraction within 100. The students will take the chapter test on Tuesday and Units 1-18 Cumulative Test on Wednesday after a review of math concepts they have learned from the beginning of the year. Thursday and Friday scholars begin our money unit. They will be introduced to various coins and bills learning the value of each coin and dollar bill. They will also learn to add the total value a set various coins, and total value of a set of bills. Please continue to discuss the values of coins and bills and invite your scholar to count the “change” from your purse or pocket!

Literature

Last week we celebrated our My Father's Dragon quarter party! Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who drew gorillas, cut out fleas and masks, added string to the masks, donated cookies, punch, sandwiches, tangerines, and dry ice! Our party was AMAZING!!! The scholars played pin the flea on the gorilla. They colored a dragon mask and wore them during the party. Students received a piece of bubble-gum that changed mouths to all sorts of colors! They had a snack of a peanut-butter sandwich, iced animal cookies, a tangerine and swamp water! Actually, it was green punch complete with dry ice!  This was the best party ever!!!

Homework

We have had many, many questions about homework over the course of this year. Here are some of the more popular questions and the answers to those questions....

• Q: Why do we assign homework?
• A: to reinforce the concepts taught in school

• Q: When should homework be done?
• A: Many parents report that homework should be done shortly after getting home from school and should not be put off until the evening when scholars start to get sleepy.
  

• Q: Does my scholar need to complete the homework?
• A: Yes! It is an expectation at Great Hearts that every student complete their homework as it is assigned as the homework is graded. Great Hearts is a rigorous school and every student is expected to meet to the expectations.

• Q: What if my scholar cannot complete their homework?
• A: Communication is the key. Communicate with your scholar's teacher to let them know why. If your scholar could not complete their homework because they chose to watch TV, then the homework would most likely not be excused and would be counted as late. However, if your scholar could not complete their homework because of illness or some sort if emergency, then most lkely it would be excused and no points deducted; again communication is the key - Talk to your scholar's teachers!

• Q: Why can't homework be done at school?
• A: Homework should be done at home to reinforce concepts we have taught at school. If homework were done at school, then it wouldn't be called homework, it would be called schoolwork! At Great Hearts, we partner with parents and expect they take an active role in helping their scholars on their path to success which means parent are needed to help with nightly homework.