Your child will be learning many new vocabulary words during the school year. In addition to the words your child will be learning in class, we will be having a District Word of the Month. Teachers will provide a variety of lessons about the word of the month. We are hoping that you will join us in helping our children increase their vocabulary and comprehension.

The word of the month for September is, "CURIOUSITY." This was selected because children are naturally curious. Please talk with your children about what they are curious about, where they have seen the word and synonyms for curiosity. You can also talk about the Mars Rover, Curiosity, and space exploration.

Each month we will also be highlighting a learning strategy. Your child will learn many different strategies in school. The strategy for the month of September is "SETTING." Talking about the setting will help improve your child's reading comprehension. At home you can discuss the setting of a story, a television program, a movie and places in your home. While reading to or with your children, have them close their eyes and describe the setting of the story. Ask your child to provide details about the setting.

Tomorrow, September 11th, is Patriot Day. A brief remembrance ceremony will take place in each of our schools. Patriot Day is also the National Day of Service and Remembrance. The day will provide an opportunity to talk with your family about service and remembrance.

Please remember to register for the parent workshops about the NWEA assessments at NWEA13@valleystream13.com. You can choose either workshop. The workshops are for the District and are designed for all parents. We will schedule additional workshops if needed. The workshop presentation will also be posted on our website.

Thank you for being a part of this initiative and making your child's education a number one priority.

Dear Families,

It is October. Your children have settled into the routine of school and homework. Please be sure your child is doing his or her homework and is reading for at least twenty minutes per night. Research indicates that children who read or are read to for at least twenty minutes a day have higher achievement rates.

 The word of the month is 'Explore.' Speak with your child about what he or she wants to explore. When going to the park or playground, ask your child to explore the playground for different textures and patterns. Explore the changing colors of the leaves. Read books about scientists, engineers and others whose explorations have influenced our lives today.

 The learning strategy of the month is 'Building Fluency.' Remember when you learned to ride a bicycle or drive a car? At first you had to think about the different steps; now these tasks and so many others seem to happen automatically. Children need to build fluency in reading and math.

Fluency is one of the strategies incorporated into the Common Core Learning Standards. The National PTA published excellent grade level guides to the Common Core. These have been posted on our website. Here is the link: http://www.valleystream13.com/district/parent_resources.asp.

Building Math Fluency

The skills for math fluency change as students mature. Kindergarten students need to know how to count to 100 by ones and tens and add numbers within five. First graders need to know the addition and subtraction facts. Students who know their facts fluently learn multiplication and division more easily. Upper grade students need to have memorized the multiplication and division facts in order to be able to be successful with higher-order mathematics.

How can you help build math fluency at home?

• Practice.
• Work with your child to memorize the math facts taught in school.
• Review the appropriate grade level math facts with your child. Play games that require quick math. For instance, play 'Go, Fish with a Twist.' Have your child ask, "Do you have any two cards that when multiplied equal ____?"
• Put the number facts to a song.
• Use flash cards.

Building Reading Fluency

Reading fluency is the ability to read quickly, accurately and with expression. Fluent readers are able to recognize words quickly, thereby spending more time decoding the meaning of the text they are reading, resulting in higher levels of comprehension. Strategies used to develop reading fluency can include oral repetition, phonetic awareness and sight word recognition. It is best to build fluency on texts that are at your child's independent reading level - texts and books that are a bit easier than the ones your child's teacher is using for instruction. Older children enjoy reading to younger children. This helps build fluency.

How can you help build reading fluency at home?

If you have any questions about your own child's math and reading fluency, please contact your child's teacher.

Sincerely,