Reading got off to a great start with a class literature set by Bill Wallace; Watchdog and the Coyotes. Watchdog is a little confused about his job as a watchdog and with the name of "Sweety" who could blame him? Sweety soon learns a lot about standing up for himself without being mean, self-esteem, and friendship.
In addition to our Treasures reading series, we are also reading Stone Fox. A musher will be coming to speak to us on our next Literacy Parent Night, October 7th. Check out our calendar for details.

We began the year with a big unit of place value concepts. We have been working on reading and writing large numbers that included millions. Decimals in the hundredths place will come later. Patterning and problem solving with larger numbers was part of our focus, as well.
A quick chapter for review of addition, subtraction and rounding is currently on our agendas. Brush up on those addition and subtraction facts...multiplication is just around the corner.

Science and Social Studies have a different twist this year at Northwest. Partner teachers are sharing their students for these subjects. Mrs. O'Neal's science classes have been tracking Hurricane Ike and learning about other weather related topics. When this topic is complete, they will turn their attention to the scientific method.

Mrs. Kraus's Social Studies classes have been learning all about the construction of a good Powerpoint. Our first projects are "All About Me." We will be using Powerpoints and other technology on numerous occasions as we travel through Missouri History this year.

**Your child has a reading log that they should be using to record their minutes of at-home reading. The goal is to read a minimum of 100 minutes each week. These logs are due back at school at the end of each month.

**Signed Agendas = Scholar Dollars

**Weekly Geography and Math computation homework is sent home every Monday and is due on Fridays.

**If your child is missing an assignment, I ask them to fill out and bring home a Homework Excuse Note. They are to ask a parent to sign this and then bring it back to school. This helps you to know on an almost daily basis if assignments are not being completed.