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Dates to Remember:
- January 15th - MLK Day - No School
- Weeks of January 22nd through February 9th - ITBS Testing Window for 3rd - 5th grade Challenge Students
- January 16th - February 16th - Window for NNAT3 testing for all 2nd graders in the district
- February 5th-23rd - First Window for Kindergarten Challenge testing
Jan Term
We will have a “Jan Term” before we continue our unit on the Brain in February. This month 1st and 2nd graders will participate in a literature unit focusing on the work of award winning author and illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg. We are sure they will find his work fascinating. You may have to take a trip to the local library to check out all of his books after they read these.
Third, fourth, and fifth graders will be reading selections from the Jr. Great Books series. We will learn to use the shared inquiry method to delve deeper into our literary selections. Shared inquiry is a distinctive method of learning in which students search for answers to fundamental questions raised by text. Being an interpretive reader involves reading actively, raising questions, and striving for understanding. This program aims to make literature a “lifelong pursuit.” www.greatbooks.org
Testing
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will take the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) during the testing window from Jan 22 - Feb.9. The test will take approximately 40 minutes for reading and 40 minutes for math. These results will be used to determine the appropriate educational setting for each student. You will be contacted with the results by mail.
Kindergarten testing will take place throughout February. This is the first testing window for Kindergarten.
All second graders will take the NNAT3 at some point during the weeks of Jan.16– Feb.16. You will receive a letter from your child’s second grade teacher with the exact date.
Please contact your Challenge teacher with any questions.
Algebra 3rd-5th / Code Crackers K-2nd
Math will continue to be a strong part of our curriculum this month. First and second grade students will continue to work on Problem solving strategies and multiplication. Third—fifth graders will participate in Hands On Equations, a phenomenal algebra program for young students. This program teaches the basic principles of algebra using manipulatives. It is one of the most amazing things taught in the Challenge program.
To learn more, visit http://www.borenson.com/
Challenge Chess
2nd-5th grade students will focus on studying chess puzzles. Our UIL competition is quickly approaching. Below is the schedule for the upcoming UIL competitions:
Week of February 20th - UIL Chess Campus Invitational taken during regular Challenge time.
Week of March 4th - UIL Chess District Invitational (This will be taken by the top scorers in each grade level at each campus) taken during Challenge class or a prearranged time.
March 28th - UIL District Chess Award Ceremony at Neblett Elementary 6pm-7pm
Please check your child's Challenge folder each week and help them to remember to return it the following week. Items to look for are Weekly Challenge assignments and notes from the teacher. The newsletter is also sent home in the folder. Please remove items that are in the side that says Keep At Home. Sometimes your child may share their Challenge papers with you, but they are left in the folder. It helps us to know that you are receiving communication if the papers are removed.
If papers are sent in the side that says: Return to School, then please place them back in the folder and return in time for your child's Challenge day.
Thank YOU!