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Showing posts from September, 2024

Team Work

  Dear Parents of A2,  I want to take a moment to share some important insights about your child’s journey in learning English. As we work through reading, writing, spelling, and understanding vocabulary, it’s important to remember that learning a language is a gradual and step-by-step process. Young learners are building the foundational skills they need to read and comprehend texts, write with confidence, and understand the meaning and usage of new words. These skills are interconnected, and each one strengthens the other. For example, as children read stories, they not only improve their reading abilities but also expand their vocabulary and their imagination. Spelling practice reinforces the correct use of these words, and writing allows them to express their thoughts clearly and creatively. As we progress, I often incorporate visual aids like pictures to help students associate words with their meanings. This makes learning more engaging and helps reinforce understanding....

Fun ways to learn Comparatives and Superlatives

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Some parents have asked me how they can assist their child with some concepts in our unit test and soon-to-be exam. I suggest more interactive fun family activities rather than "more" written homework.                                                                                                      Here's an easy at-home lesson plan for teaching superlatives and comparatives to your A2 students: Objective: Students will understand and practice using comparative and superlative adjectives. Materials: Notebook or paper Pen or pencil A list of adjectives (e.g., tall, short, fast, slow, big, small) Objects around the house (e.g., toys, books, chairs) Explain that comparatives are used to compare two things (e.g., taller, shorter) and su...

Sensay for week 6

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  https://student.oksensay.com/?key=rv8o3 pin:  rv8o3  Week 6 Sensay reading

Week 6

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Homework:  write words #1-12   3 times each                               write the definitions for words 1-8       1 time                               begin to practice reading on Sensay Vocabulary week 6 Dear Parents, As we begin a new week in our English studies, we are excited to introduce a new reading from Reading Street titled "Soil" , an expository text that explores the fascinating facts about soil and its importance in our environment. Throughout this unit, students will: Learn key vocabulary words related to soil and its characteristics. Study spelling concepts focusing on diphthongs : ou, ow, oi, oy . Develop comprehension skills that help distinguish between facts and opinions . Practice strategies to understand suffixes and their meanings in context. To support your child's learni...

Study for Friday's Written Unit Test-Lifecycle of a Pumpkin

review activity   join using any device  https://quizizz.com/join?gc=961355&source=liveDashboard enter to join code: 961355 Dear Parents and Students, This is a reminder that tomorrow’s unit test will cover several key areas we’ve been studying. Students must review and prepare thoroughly. The test will include: 1.    Spelling Words : There will be 10 spelling words from the Readers & Writers Notebook list of 12, pages 305 and 310. 2.    Vocabulary from Week 5 : Students must recognize words by identifying the correct picture or using them to fill in blanks in sentences. 3.    The 8 stages of the Life Cycle of a Pumpkin : Students should be familiar with the sequencing of the pumpkin’s life cycle; study notes written in the HW bubblebook. 4.    Adjectives : Review adjectives of number, size, and shape from Readers & Writers Notebook, page 307 . 5.    Reading Comprehension : There will be questions about...

Sensay Reading Practice

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Dear Parents and Students,  I would like to remind you of an exciting new opportunity for students to enhance their reading proficiency and track their progress through Sensay , an innovative AI-based reading program offered here at Xinmin. While participation in Sensay is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged, as it provides valuable insights into each student's reading development. Through reading recordings, Sensay allows students to practice their reading fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension in a fun and interactive way. It also helps teachers and parents monitor their progress more effectively. How it works: Students will be asked to read a selection of texts, which will be recorded through Sensay. The program will assess their fluency and provide feedback to help improve their reading skills. Parents will have access to progress reports that show how your child is advancing. This is a wonderful tool to support your child's learning outside the classroom, and we beli...

Spelling Words

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  S tudy Guide for G3 A2 Students – Unit Test Preparation   Spelling Words Review (RWNB Pages 305 & 310) Spelling Words Focus on the spelling words you’ve practiced from these pages.  Make sure to: Spell them correctly. Able to identify the oo or u vowel pattern 

Monday 9/23

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  Monday Homework Tuesday Homework Wednesday Homework Week 5 communication book insert Dear A2 Parents,  After careful consideration and reflection on our recent evaluations, I have decided to implement a new system to better support our A2 students in their homework and quiz preparations. Starting this week, I will be uploading all homework information and supplemental handouts directly to our class blog. The blog will be updated weekly and will include detailed homework assignments, as well as any additional resources that may assist with studying for our weekly quizzes and unit tests. I believe this approach will provide a more organized and accessible platform for both parents and students, allowing for better planning and preparation. In addition to the weekly updates, I will also post any important announcements or changes as needed throughout the week. My hope is that this initiative will help ease some of the pressure that comes with homework and studying while en...

Friday 9/20

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  Homework:  1. Take home Vocabulary Quiz  2. Read the story - The Lifecycle of a Pumpkin  3. Preview and recite all week 5 words in preparation for Monday’s lesson Week 5 Vocabulary PPT Greetings Parents, I am writing to update you on our recent vocabulary quiz in the A2 class. While working closely with the students to review and practice new vocabulary, I noticed that many students are still adjusting to the quiz format, which impacted the overall A2 levels'  performance. In preparation for the quiz, we reviewed the vocabulary story thoroughly in class, and I assigned additional homework to help reinforce their understanding. Unfortunately, this is where the majority of the students made their greatest errors. As we continue into the school year, it’s important for students to not only understand the words but also be able to read and use them accurately in context, as this will be the focus of both our quizzes and unit tests. To better support your child’s s...

Wednesday 9/18

  HOMEWORK:  Complete the vocabulary story practice                                    Practice and review vocabulary and words from week 4; on page 48 Dear Parents, I hope everyone had a bountiful and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival with your families! Thank you for your generous, delicious tasty treats too.  As we continue our study of The Life Cycle of a Pumpkin , the students are working diligently to prepare for this Friday's vocabulary quiz. This week, we are focusing on learning the vocabulary words and definitions, practicing picture recognition for the PPT file, and completing fill-in-the-blank reading passages. To support your child in their learning, please take some time to review the vocabulary list with them, which can be found on page 48 of the communication book . Regular practice will help reinforce the words and ensure they feel confident about the quiz. Thank you for yo...

Sensay

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Dear Parents, I hope this message finds you well. As discussed during Saturday’s Parents Day Orientation, I am excited to introduce Sensay , an innovative AI tool designed to assess and enhance students' language-speaking skills. What is Sensay? Sensay uses advanced AI technology to provide personalized feedback on your child's spoken English. It helps in identifying areas for improvement while encouraging your child to practice speaking confidently and accurately. Why Sensay? Incorporating Sensay into our curriculum offers several benefits: Personalized Feedback: Your child receives targeted guidance to strengthen their language skills. Convenient Practice: Students can practice speaking from the comfort of home, at a pace that suits them. Engaging Learning: Sensay uses interactive methods to make language learning fun and effective. How to Get Started: Please follow the steps below to register your child in the A2 group and begin practicing with Sensay: Visit the registrat...

Monday 9/16

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Homework:   Write the vocabulary word 3X each, and then write the definition of each word, and choose 5 words use those words you selected, and make your own sentence. 1. vocabulary words 3X each . word: bumpy, bumpy, bumpy definition: having or covered in bumps Sentence: Many different kinds of vegetables and fruits have bumpy outer skin. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xh_BEHbzDHeepnjWfzOV1T2ta6Z3shbh/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113792004556525717884&rtpof=true&sd=true Monday 9/16 What an exciting way to begin the autumn season with a new lesson. I would like to share with  you that we have started a new story in class titled "A Life Cycle of a Pumpkin."    In this unit, the students will learn about a pumpkin's life cycle while building important vocabulary and language skills. We will be focusing on the following 7 key vocabulary words today: bumpy fruit harvest root sm...

Happy Mid Autumn Festival and Thank You!

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  Dear Parents, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity and kindness as I have received many gifts for the Mid Autumn Festival. I am truly touched by the thoughtful holiday treats and gifts you shared with me, and I am honored to be included in your family’s special traditions. It means so much to me to be a part of your child's educational journey, and your support and thoughtfulness make it even more special. Thank you once again for your generosity and for allowing me to play a role in your child's learning experience. I look forward to continuing to work together in fostering their growth and success.

Parents Day

Meet Ms. Jeannie   Dear Parents, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for attending today's Parent’s Day event. It was a pleasure to meet each of you and to share more about your child’s learning journey. Your presence and engagement mean a great deal to both the students and myself, as it reinforces the importance of a strong partnership between home and school. I hope you found the sessions informative and that you gained a deeper understanding of our curriculum, classroom activities, and the progress your child is making. Your support is invaluable in helping your child succeed, and I truly appreciate the time you took to join us. Should you have any further questions or need additional clarification on any topics discussed, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to support your child's growth and development. Once again, thank you for your time and commitment. Sincerely, Ms. Jeannie

Friday, September 13

This is your homework for Friday, September 13, 2024   1. Take home your UNIT test for parental review and signature 2. Journal Entry #1 -  What I am Good at?   How to Write a Journal Entry Write the Date Start by writing today’s date at the top of the page. This helps you remember when you wrote it! Start with the Topic or Title        What I am Good at? Write about the Topic Write 5 to 7 sentences to explain something you are good at. Why, do you like it? How does it make you feel? End with a Closing Finish by writing something like, "This is what I like and it makes me happy."  Draw a Picture (Optional) If you want, you can draw a picture to go with your writing! Here is an example:  I am really good at drawing pictures. I love using bright colors like red, blue, and yellow. My favorite thing to draw is animals, especially cats and dogs. I think I have a great imagination. I also like to make birthday cards for my friends and fa...

Thursday 9/12

  Dear Parents, Homework for tonight is to study and review all material . As we approach tomorrow’s test for our unit on A Froggy Fable , I would like to provide some key information to ensure your child is fully prepared. The test will cover several important areas, including: Vocabulary from week 1&2 in the communication book. Spelling of final syllable "-le" words (Readers & Writers Notebook, page 298). Grammar conventions focusing on the use of adjectives. Story comprehension based on A Froggy Fable . To help with review, your child's textbooks have been returned home. Please encourage them to revisit the material and practice the spelling words and their understanding of adjectives. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in Xinmin’s English Program. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wednesday 9/11

Homework for Wednesday :  Make corrections to RWNB if needed. PLEASE use a BLUE pen to correct. DO NOT erase your original answer.  Read A Froggy Fable and complete the comprehension questions handout in your bubble book. Dear A2 Parents,  I would like to inform you that our first unit test will take place this Friday, the 13th of September. To assist you in helping your child prepare, I have attached a study guide that outlines the key areas to focus on. This guide will be a useful resource, and future unit tests will follow a similar format. Should there be any changes or additional materials to cover, I will be sure to keep you updated. For this test, students will need to be familiar with the vocabulary from Week 1 and Week 2, and some words from Week 3 will be of our lessons. They will be tested on both word recognition and definitions. Students will have the words highlighted in their communication books, and from that, I will select 20 words. The spelling sectio...

Tuesday 9/10

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  Today,  our class has been focusing on key story elements and vocabulary skills. Here are some important updates: Story Summary: Students have been working on summarizing our story A Froggy Fable . They highlighted key points and noted page numbers on their summary handout. This summary will be tested in Friday's test, so please encourage your child to review it. Spelling Practice: Students were given a spelling handout as homework. Please help them practice spelling the words by saying each word and encouraging them to spell it out loud. Adjectives: We have been working on identifying and using adjectives. Students took notes on what an adjective is and practiced rewriting simple sentences to make them more descriptive. You might ask your child to share what they've learned and provide examples at home.

Monday, September 9

  Dear Parents, As part of our ongoing effort to improve reading, spelling, and pronunciation skills, our class will focus on a new spelling pattern: words ending in "-le." This is an important area for our G3 A2 students as it helps them recognize common spelling patterns, improve their vocabulary, and enhance their ability to decode unfamiliar words. To help reinforce this learning at home, I encourage you to engage your child in fun and simple activities such as: Spelling Practice : Review the words with your child and ask them to spell them out loud. Sentence Building : Have your child use each word in a sentence to ensure they understand the spelling and meaning. Word Games : Play games like word searches, crosswords, or even simple flashcards to make learning interactive and enjoyable. This week, we will incorporate these words from the RWN into our spelling quiz and class activities, so regular practice at home will benefit your child’s success. Thank you for your cont...

Friday 9/6

  Homework 9/6 Take home your quiz and share your feelings about the quiz with your parents. Preview the next set of vocabulary from the communication book (no written homework) Dear Parents, I am pleased to share that our A2 students took their first vocabulary quiz today, and I am very happy with their performance. As we embark on this new school year, I am continually assessing my teaching methods and pacing to ensure the best learning experience for our students. Next week, I will be rearranging the seating in the classroom and reinforcing our rules and procedures. One of the key expectations in my class is maintaining an English-only environment. It is crucial for your child’s language development that they adhere to this rule. Please take a few moments to review your child’s quiz and score. I hope this will help them prepare for future assessments. Vocabulary quizzes will be conducted weekly, and students will need to demonstrate their understanding by knowing the definitions...

Thursday 9/5

Today, A2 students were given a thorough lesson on several key aspects of responsibility and organization that are crucial for their academic success. The lesson began with a detailed instruction on properly writing in their communication books. This included not only the correct format and structure but also the importance of maintaining these books as accurate records of their daily activities, assignments, and important notes from teachers. Following this, students were walked through the procedure for turning in their homework. They were taught when and how to submit their work, emphasizing the importance of timeliness and the appropriate method for handing in assignments. Clear expectations were set regarding deadlines, if there was an unexpected family event or other reasons; students should communicate this to me as that is the responsible action.  The most significant part of the lesson focused on accountability and responsibility, particularly regarding their textbooks and...

Wednesday 9/4

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  Students were taught the story details and elements using the story's first page. Tonight their homework is to fill in the blanks using the handout in their bubble HW book. Students must also choose any 5 words from the vocabulary word list #13-24, and write a sentence using the word.

Tuesday 9/3

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  Story: A Froggy Tale Students are learning the story elements of genre, setting, and main character. They highlighted the meaning of Fable: to learn a lesson. Here is the vocabulary PPT:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nDBFywLJrL4c2lh531fuX_Ro4vUsKhjU/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113792004556525717884&rtpof=true&sd=true  Students also learned how to write in their HW Bubble book correctly. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OkGkKOuYu75oUfD5nYAVl_7C5bdf8rev/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113792004556525717884&rtpof=true&sd=true 

Monday 9/2

   Dear Students and Parents,  I am writing to share the excitement of the first day of our A2 leveling classes, which officially started today. It was wonderful to meet the students and begin our journey together! Today, we introduced the students to two important tools we will be using throughout the year: the communication books and the Bubble homework books . These will play a key role in our learning process and help keep everyone on track with their studies and progress. I feel very privileged to be a part of your child's English learning journey. My goal is to not only teach them language skills but also to help them develop strong study habits and life skills that will serve them well in the future. If you have any questions or concerns at any point during the year, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your child's progress is my greatest reward, and I am here to support them in every way possible. Thank you for your trust and partnership as we embark on this e...