THE
BROADVIEW ELEMENTARY
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME7: MARCH 2017
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Hello Broadview
Family!
This month we
have many
exciting events
coming up!
Please look
within our
newsletter for all of our upcoming events.
Thursday, March 16th at 6:30 pm, we will be
hosting our annual FSA Night for students in grades
3-5! We are in testing season and with FSA only a
few weeks away, we want to do our best to provide
you with the resources to help your child at home
get prepared. FSA Testing begins withe ELA/
Reading testing for 3rd grade on March 28-29,
2017.
Teachers have been doing a fabulous job getting
our students ready with Tier 1 instruction, small
group instruction, iReady, and Saturday Crunch
Time Camp. Please make sure your child is doing
their practice homework every night. They can also
gain extra practice by using our iReady program for
30 minutes every night.
We are also fundraising for the American Heart
Association. Students have brought home letters
and packets to raise awareness about living a healthy
lifestyle. We will be collecting money until March
23rd when we will have our culminating event
Jump Rope for Heart. Students can also register
online to donate this year. Students that donate at
least $5 this year, will be receiving a tiger key
chains! Please support the American Heart
Association this year during our fundraiser. Our goal
is to raise $6,000 this year.
Next week we will have an Early Release Day on
Thursday, March 23rd. Students will be dismissed at
noon. Friday, March 24th will be a Teacher Planning
Day and there will be no school for students.
Excellence is expected because We CARE to do
our BEST!
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 2017
• March 16th: SAC/PTO 6:00 pm, FSA
Night in the Cafeteria at 6:30 pm.
• March 23rd: Early Release Day- Jump
Rope for Heart for the American Heart
Association.
• March 24:Teacher Planning Day
• March 28/29th: FSA 3rd Grade ELA/
Reading
• April 8-16th: Spring Break
• April 20th: Report Cards
Kindergarten Corner
We are into our 3rd quarter of the school year and we are
very happy to see our Kindergarten students growing and
making academic gains. We still need the support at
home to ensure that they will achieve their goals for this
year!
We know that you are very busy, but please make time to
discuss with your child what he/
she is learning.
* Read and write sight words.
* Blend sounds to read or write cvc words example /b//a//
t/ to make bat
* Read decodable books and retell the story.
Math
Reading/Language Arts:
* Students will practice showing
addition and subtraction through objects
and drawings.
* Students will ask and answer
questions about key details in the
text they read.
Science:
* Students will identifying
elements of a story and discussing
characters in the texts.
* Students will observe plants and
animals and describe how they are alike
and different in the way they look and in
the things they do.
* They will also observe and tell
the similarities and differences between two different
texts.
In March, our kindergarten students will
have a field trip the Young Art Museum. We look forward
to the students enjoying this new experience.
Social Studies:
Please remember to check your child’s backpack every
night for important papers and homework. Reading for
10—15 minutes a day will help your students to become
a fluent reader!
Students will learn how to use a timeline.
Phonics/Phonemic Awareness
* Recognize 52 letters and 26 sounds.
As always, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher
with questions or concerns.
* Recognize and say rhyming words.
Annual Parent Surveys!!!!
The window for the Annual Parent Survey is from March 6, 2017 to March 31, 2017. A copy
of the survey was sent home with your child. Please fill out the survey and return it to your
child’s teacher or the front office. If you need the survey in another language, please stop by
our front office. We have copies in various languages. The survey link is also on our school
Website! Please support our school and take a few minutes to fill out the survey. If you have
any questions, please contact our front office at 754-322-5500.
Preschool
During the month of March, Intensive Preschool will be working on Animals Unit. We will be learning about pets, farm,
zoo and sea animals as well as insects and other creatures through songs, file folder games, arts and crafts, stories, and
listening activities.
Head Start will continue to work the Tree Unit. Children will be observing and comparing trees to learn about what lives
in them, what they are made from, and who cares for them. Invite your child to talk about trees and share memories that
you may have involving trees and games you might have played. Collect parts of trees and encourage your child to sort
and describe them.
In Mrs. Wiskoff’s and Ms. Burciaga’s Specialized Preschool classrooms, we are wrapping up our unit on Our Earth, Our
Home. We are reviewing the solid shapes that we have focused on; sphere, cylinder, cube, and cone. We will begin our
new unit mid-March which focuses on Living Things. We will talk about what grows, animals, plants, and how things
change over time. Our math focus will be on basic addition, combining two groups of objects and seeing how many in all.
We are often asked by parents “How can we help our kids at home?” We continue to encourage our parents to read to their
children daily, talk with them about what is read, and help build on their communication skills. In preschool, it is also
important to count with them daily as well, whether it be pointing to numbers in a row while counting, counting by rote,
or activities such as counting how many people are sitting at the table. Additionally coloring, cutting, sorting and simple
games such as matching and bingo are very helpful for children. If you need any additional assistance or materials that we
may be able to provide- please contact us via email and we will do our best to assist you.
It’s Fantastic in 1st Grade!
Third quarter is almost done! As we look toward the last few months of this school year, here are some things for you to be
aware of:
* Students are expected to be reading daily at home, practicing the skills taught in class, including retelling the story and
talking in detail about what’s happening in illustrations.
* In math, we’re diving in to two-digit numbers, which can be difficult
to understand for some children. Be sure to go over classwork and
homework with your child.
* Your child should be able to write 5 or more sentences on a topic,
completely and properly. Please monitor writing homework for capital
letters and punctuation.
* More projects, coming soon! Please remember that these projects are
for your child to do with minimal help and guidance from you. Students
should be following the directions on the papers given and using the rubric to ensure they get the best score possible. Late
projects will not be accepted so be sure to watch the due dates. And remember, missing a day of school in order to
complete the project does not make for an excused absence.
* Our field trip to Bedner’s Farm is happening on March 22. Please make sure your child wears sneakers on this
day and apply sunscreen before coming to school.
2nd Grade Splash
problems may involve addition,
subtraction, and equal groups situations.
In Reading
We are:
Working on Craft Structure in Informational
Text
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Determining the meaning of words and
phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2
topic or subject area.
Identifying and using various text
features (e.g. captions, bold print,
subheadings, glossaries, indexes,
electronic menus, icons) to locate key
facts or information in a text efficiently.
Identifying the main purpose of a text,
including what the author wants to
answer, explain, or describe.
In Language Arts
We are:
Writing opinion pieces in which they
introduce the topic or book they are
writing about, state an opinion, supply
reasons that support the opinion, use
linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to
connect opinion and reasons, and provide a
concluding statement or section.
In Math
We are:
Fluently adding and subtracting within 100
using strategies based on place value,
properties of operations, and/or the
relationship between addition and
subtraction.
Telling and writing time from analog to
digital clocks to the nearest 5 minutes
Solving one- and two-step word problems
involving dollar bills (singles, fives, tens,
twenties, and hundreds) or coins
(quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies)
using $ and c symbols appropriately, Word
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In Science
We are:
Distinguishing between the human body
parts (brain, heart, lungs, stomach,
muscles, and skeleton) and their basic
functions.
In Social Studies
We are:
Explaining why people form governments.
Explaining the consequences of an absence
of rules and laws.
Identifying what it means to be a United
States citizen either by birth or by
naturalization.
Defining and apply the characteristics or
responsible citizenship.
3rd Grade Flips for Success
Our wonderful third graders will be taking the FSA ELA/ Reading the week of March 28-29th. We know
that they are going to make us proud and will be utilizing their “Good Test Taking Strategies” that they’ve
learned this year. Parents please continue to work with your child to ensure that they are as prepared as
possible on the exam days and for the remainder of the school year. You may also want to follow these
helpful tips and strategies to ensure their success.
Testing Tips and Strategies: It is important that your child has a good night’s rest (8pm) and a healthy
breakfast in the morning! Please make sure that they arrive a little early, so they have ample time to prepare
and get settled before the test. Continue engaging your child by asking questions like who, what, when,
where, and why. Some ideas that are benchmark specific: Compare and contrast different family members,
restaurants, cars, books, and cartoon characters. Sequencing, have your student create a recipe or even
follow the directions on a package. Main Idea, watch a program together and ask your student what the
episode was mostly about. Encourage and initiate conversations with your child beyond normal daily
exchanges. Really challenge them to use their critical thinking skills to figure out real world problems!
We encourage you to also learn all you can about the FSA. Information for both parents and students can be
found at the following website: http://www.fsassessments.org You will also find practice tests that your
child can take. The assessments can be done both online and on paper. Having your child practice both the
reading and the math will give them every opportunity to be successful!
4th Grade Continues to Move in the “Write” Direction
During the month of March students will be focusing on the
following material:
Integrated Literacy:
During this month, students will be using the Florida Coach
ELA books for test preparation. Using this text, students will
utilize all of the strategies they have been taught throughout
the year. While using the Coach book, students will continue
to read complex texts from a variety of genres, read closely,
interpret, cite evidence based terminology, build content
knowledge, and apply academic vocabulary. In addition,
students will revisit all of the priority standards for literary and
informational texts.
Writing
All of the work students have been doing in Writing
throughout the year is also beneficial for
students in answering short and extended response questions
that will be on the Florida Standardized English Language Arts
Assessments. The purpose of the short response questions is to
assess a student’s ability to comprehend and analyze the text.
These are single questions in which students use textual
evidence to support their own answers to an inferential
question.
Extended response questions will require comprehension and
analysis of either a single text or paired texts. Paired texts
require students to read and analyze two related texts. For
paired texts, students will be expected to synthesize ideas
between and draw evidence from both texts. Extended
response questions allow students to demonstrate their ability
to write a reasoned paragraph using textual evidence to support
their ideas.
Please visit the link below, which contains test guides for
English Language Arts and Mathematics; as well as, sample
test questions for English Language Arts.
www.fsassessments.org
Math:
Fourth Graders will learn all about geometry. Students will
gather knowledge about types of angles, differentiate between
lines, line segments and rays, and name solid figures and their
attributes. Listed below are the objectives students will learn
at the end of the unit:
! Identify points, lines, line segments, rays, angles, and
perpendicular and parallel lines.
! Use formal geometric language such as parallel,
perpendicular, acute, obtuse, and right angle to classify
two-dimensional figures.
! Additionally, students apply knowledge of right angles to
identify acute, right, and obtuse triangles.
! Identify and draw one or more lines of symmetry, if they
exist, for two-dimensional figures.
Parents: As a reminder, please have your child utilize the
I-Ready website for Reading and Math 15 minutes a night.
It will be tremendously beneficial in preparing your child
to meet promotion criteria. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.
5th Grade Focus
March is roaring in as the fi/h graders are fine-­‐tuning their skills in 5me for April’s Florida Standards Assessment. Throughout the month, in science, the students will be iden5fying familiar forces that cause objects to move. For example, the students will be inves5ga5ng forces such as push, pull, balanced forces, and fric5on. The month’s mathema5cs focus will be conver5ng units of measurement. The students will be conver5ng among different-­‐sized measurements and using the conversions to solve mul5-­‐step real-­‐world problems. The reading focus during March will be strengthening the reading standards iden5fied from the students’ January standardized assessment.
The fi/h grade teachers would like to wish everyone a safe and resIul Spring Break. Thank you for your support,
The Fi/h Grade Team
Ms. Rho’s Math Coach Corner
Home School Connection
Let’s work together to build our children confidence in their ability to apply their
mathematical knowledge to solve real-life problems.
As the state Assessment quickly approaches, it’s important to be in the know of what our children
are expected to accomplish.
Please access state testing information using the flowing website:
http://www.fsassessments.org/students-and-parents
Tips of the Month: Primary Grades (K to 2nd)
¬ Have your child count to 100 by ones, 6ives and tens. Count objects like windows, doors, etc…
¬ Use the calendar to count the number of days in a week or in a month, to count the number of months in a year, or to name the days of a week or months of a year.
¬ Pour different amounts of water into 3 or 4 glasses that are the same size. Compare the amounts of water using terms such as more, less, or the same.
¬ Practice identifying coins and their values. Using their own money, have your child count and decide if they have enough to make a certain purchase.
Intermediate grades (3rd to 5th)
¬ While in the car, practice mental math. (Ex: 2 X 2 –1 =)
¬ Have your child calculate what time to start getting ready and what time to leave your house in order to get to an event on time.
¬ Read schedules for information (TV Guide, bus, train). Watch a 30 minute TV show. Time the length of commercials. Figure out time of actual show to the nearest minute.
¬ Have your child keep track of how much time he/she spends watching TV vs. how much time he/she spends doing homework for one week. At the end of the week, make a graph comparing the results.
Math Website or App of the Month “Fun for the Whole Family”
http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/families
Learn English through videos with real-world context
Check out this APP: http://www.fluentu.com/
Let’s Strive for more time on iReady. Encourage for your child to logon daily for at least 15
minutes! If there are any questions, feel free to contact your child’s teacher.
ESE Corner
purpose, improve self-esteem, and develop focus and motivation. The goals we set for ourselves touch our inner
motivation giving us encouragement, energy and strength in the area of those goals. Setting goals typically comes
naturally to most of us. But what about our students who have ADHD or other disabilities that may affect their ability to
set a goal for themselves and follow-through; they are missing the “how” in accomplishing them.
Here is a simple activity
define a goal, or goals,
accomplishing them.
younger children, but
lead with parent
to teach your child how to clearly
and how to stay motivated in
Parents can lead the steps for
intermediate grade students can
assistance.
Find a colored piece of
bright and eye catching.
in x 12 x long). Next,
sections. In the first
the middle section, write
example, “read for 10
Finally, in the third
“every weekend,”
game this season.”
paper, preferably in a color that is
The the paper into a strip (about 3
fold the paper strip into three even
section, write the words “I will.” In
one goal in simple format. For
minutes” or “score 5 points.”
section write when they will do it:
“everyday,” “every basketball
The strip of paper should basically read as: will + what + when. This simple goal writing helps all of us stay focused and
motivated. Put the strip, or strips, of paper where your child looks regularly, reminding them of what they want to
achieve. Once they achieve a goal, they can take them down and put up more. Younger students, or those brand new to
goal setting, should start with smaller goals that are easier to achieve, like reading for 5 to 10 minutes every day. As
students grow, they can increase the difficulty of the goals and make some more long term, like getting an A in math
Dear Parents:
Guidance Tidbits
The character trait for the month of March is SelfControl, which means to have discipline over one’s
behavior and actions.
Take the opportunity to discuss with your students
the following:
* Why is it important to do what is right, even when
you don’t feel like it?
* What are some healthy habits that can make you a
stronger person?
* Athletes make a lot of sacrifices in order to reach
their goals. Can you think of ways athletes show
self-control or self-discipline?
* What could happen to someone who has very
little self-control?
This activity is a great discussion to have before
FSA Testing! Please make sure your students eat a
healthy breakfast, come to school on time, and are
well-rested.
3rd 4th 5th
ELA: 3/28-3/29 ELA: 4/25-4/26 ELA: 4/18-4/19
Math: 4/18-4/19 Math: 5/3-5/3 Math: 4/25-4/26
Science: 5/2-5/3
Reading Coach Corner
Teaching kids to read is a Team Effort…
Please help your child rock the test!!!
Parents, as we approach the season of TESTING, please 7ind what to expect for the test, resources and tips to ensure your children do well. As we prepare our students for the upcoming Florida Standards Assessment, we’d like for you to be aware of a few tips and resources: Tips:
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Read, read, read! Encourage READING and discuss the CONCEPTS as well as details. Learn a new word each day with your child to help increase student(s) vocabulary
Practice writing with your children
Have your child respond with complete sentences and using proper English
Ask your child to provide you with evidence from various sources. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas, and Range and Level of complexity. Key Ideas and Details
What it means: Your child will be encouraged to carefully read many books and texts. With these texts, your child will be working to understand what is happening, summarize key events or points and recall details important to the story or topic. How parents can help: After you share a story, talk about important story elements such as beginning, middle and end. Encourage your child to retell or summarize the reading. After reading non7iction, ask questions about the information, “Is the spider and insect? How is a spider different than an insect?” Craft and Structure
What it means: The standards within this area (or “strand”) focus on speci7ics within a book, for example an author’s speci7ic word choices or phrases. A second emphasis relates to understanding the underlying structure of common types of texts, including storybooks, poems and more. Resources: Parent Guides to Student Success
www.pta.org/common_core_standards.asp
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By grade level
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Sample of what your child will be working on •
Activities included for you to support your child(ren) at home
How parents can help: During and after reading, call attention to interesting words and phrases. This may include repeated phrases, metaphors or idioms (“sick as a dog,” “a dime a dozen.”) Talk about any new vocabulary and other ways the author used language or words to make the text interesting, informative, funny or sad. Informational Resources: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Florida Department of Education
www.7ldoe.org
What it means: Within this strand, students will be working to compare and contrast details from stories, describe key ideas using details I informational text, and tell how two texts on the same topic differ. CPALMS
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/
FLDOE Assessment Website
http://www.7ldoe.org/asp/
FSA Portal http://www.fsassessments.org/
Despite the complexities of the standards, there are several basic ways parents can support their child’s learning. The recommendations below line up with the four broad areas of the Florida State Standards: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, How parents can help: For younger students, encourage your child to describe how the illustrations within the book support the story. For older students, have fun reading different versions of the same fairy or folk tale. Talk about the similarities and differences between the two books. Then switch to non7iction and read two books on the same topic. Compare the information in each, again focusing on similarities and differences. “Let’s look at each book and think about the words used to describe weather. How are the descriptions alike? How are they different?”