January 27, 2020

Handwriting

Students are so excited to begin cursive.  This week we are practicing basic strokes- undercurve, overcurve, and downcurve.

Our students will learn all about why SJPS still teaches cursive.  The International Dyslexia Association and John Hopkins University all agree that there are neurological benefits to learning cursive.  Students practicing will combine tactile, visual, and fine motor skills; similar to learning a musical instrument.  If you want to read more about this please check out these articles-

https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-case-for-cursive-why-its-about-more-than-writing_3054078.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/memory-medic/201303/why-writing-hand-could-make-you-smarter

Math

Our primary focus this week will be to use our understanding of place value and properties of operations to add and subtract.  Students will use Frames and Arrows, Number Charts, and Open Number Lines as possible tools as they strategize.  One thing we are beginning to work on is the Mathematical Practice Standard 3.  It states that students will construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.  The ability to analyze, critique, and offer alternate strategies is quite powerful.  Your student is working and thinking hard here at school:)

Khan Academy- Students will begin to utilize Khan Academy online to practice math.  This is new for lower elementary.  I'm interested to see how it goes.  Let me know your thoughts if your student uses the program at home.  Here is a link to our Khan classroom

https://www.khanacademy.org/join/8PYU9PF9




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