Happy New Year! January is always great time to look ahead to the new year and all of the opportunities that lie before us.  Selecting and implementing "New Year's Resolutions" is something most people do to improve their lives.

 WHAT NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS WOULD I LIKE EVERY PARENT TO SET?

·      Read to your child every day!

·      Ensure that your child reads independently every day!

·      Talk to your child about what he/she reads every day!

Truly, if you could make and keep only one resolution, this one would have lasting benefits for your child(ren).  AND it is not difficult to do.  You don't have to change clothing, get sweaty, or leave home to do it!  Did you know that when you read to a child:

• you condition the child's brain to associate reading with pleasure.

• you create background knowledge - knowledge of things outside the current surroundings; the ability to travel without going anywhere.

• he/she is able to build a stronger vocabulary which is the greatest predictor of school success.

• listening comprehension is strengthened which helps build reading comprehension down the road.

• your conversation is the primary garden in which vocabulary and comprehension grows.

 

Please see the back of this Newsette for ways the school is helping you to help your child with reading at home!                      

Deanne Spencer.

Principal

Once again we will hold the annual cheesecake fundraising sale beginning this month. The proceeds are used to reduce the high cost of the tuition for a week at Outdoor Science School for next year's 5^th graders.  The whole school gets involved in this fundraising effort so that our 5^th graders are able to attend this camp.  Don't worry - when the younger ones get to 5^th grade, everyone will work to help them, also!  The sale kick-off will be held on January 31^st .  All items are freezable so you can buy a whole year's worth at  one time!  Co-workers and other family members love to buy them in large quantities because they are SOOOO delicious!  Orders are due Feb. 15^th  and cheesecakes will be delivered Mar. 14^th.    Mmmmmmm!

Q: What is the "Reading Fever" Program at Grace Miller School?

A:  "Reading Fever" is a program developed by Grace Miller Staff to motivate students to read outside of school.

The objectives for the program are for students to:

•       Read for the love of reading.

•       Read books at their instructional and independent reading levels so they can grow as readers.

•       Understand what they read.

•       Connect to text in a personal way.

•       Account for their reading in a way that doesn't take the joy out of reading.

•       Involve their parents with them in reading.

•       Read widely, a variety of genre (types of books)

•       Connect with others as readers.

 

Q:  How is the program monitored?

A: Time will be provided each day for students to read in class.  Students will also need to read at home.  Even though there is a district minimum requirement for reading each day, students are encouraged to read more than the minimum.  Each grade level has recording sheets for Home Reading:

•          Kindergarten: Parents read aloud 20 minutes per night; at least 10 books per week. (A picture book = 20 pgs.)

•          1^st grade: 20 minutes per night; at least 12 books per week.

•          2^nd grade: 20 minutes per night; track number of pages

•          3rd grade - Trimester 1 & 2 - 20 minutes per night and also track # of pages.

              Trimester 3 = 30 min. per night and also track # of pages

•          4th grade - 30 minutes per night, target 80 pages per week

•          5th grade - 30 minutes per night, target minimum of 125 pages per week

 

Q:  Are there incentives/recognitions for the students' reading?

A:  Utilizing the grade level requirements, students achieve READING TIERS:

 

•              Tier 1  (Gr. K-1: 150 picture books; Gr. 2—3@ 3000 pages; Gr. 4 @2500 pages; Gr. 5 @ 2000 pages)

•              Tier 2  (Gr. K-1: 300 picture books; Gr. 2—3@ 6000 pages; Gr. 4 @5000 pages; Gr. 5 @ 4000 pages)

•              Tier 3  (Gr. K-1: 150 picture books; Gr. 2—3@ 9000 pages; Gr. 4 @7500 pages; Gr. 5 @ 6000 pages) , etc.

 

Recognition:

 

·   Tier 1 = Students will be recognized trimesterly at the Spirit Assembly, will receive a free book and will get their pictures taken for the Reading Fever board in the cafeteria.

·   For each subsequent tier completed, students will receive recognition at the Friday Spirit Assembly at the end of the trimester and will receive a free book and certificate for each tier completed.

Our school library is available to serve students and parents M-F from 7:45 until 2:15 (except during lunch).  You can  also access the school library contents online. Log on to:      http://lib.bonita.k12.ca.us Click on :      Grace Miller Click on:       Destiny Quest (top left-hand corner) Notice:         Three fun choices - "Top 10"  "Resource Lists"                       "New Arrivals" Log in:          UN:  Student's 10-digit ID #;   PW: abc  OR . . . Search:        Type into search bar what you are looking for.                      Example:  "Planets"   (135 books) Click on:       The book in which you are interested Look at:        The reading level (under "Target Audience") to                        make sure it is appropriate for your child Click on:      "Title Peek" to see what the book looks like,                       read a summary and reviews Decide:        If you want a book and it is "IN", add it to                      your list to remember it, or "hold it" if you'd like                                         to pick it up at the library within 7 days.                      (Child must be logged in to utilize this function)   The books in the library are leveled according to the chart below.  Your child should read books in his/her READING RANGE to ensure growth as a reader.  Your child's teacher can tell you the correct reading level, plus, it is noted on your child's library card. BOOK LEVELS
Grade	Guided reading*	AR Levels	Lexiles
	A	0.1 - 0.2
	B	0.3 - 0.4
	C	0.5 - 0.7	BR
K	D	0.8 - 0.9
	E	1.0 - 1.1	up to 150
	F	1.2 - 1.3
	G	1.4 - 1.5	200
	H	1.6 - 1.7	275
1st	I	1.8 - 1.9	325
	J	2.0 - 2.2	400
	K	2.3 - 2.5	450
	L	2.6 - 2.7	500
	M	2.8 - 2.9	525
2nd	N	3.0 - 3.3	600
	O	3.4 - 3.6	650
	P	3.7 - 3.9	675
	Q	4.0 - 4.3	725
3rd	R	4.4 - 4.6	750
	S	4.7 - 4.9	800
	T	5.0 - 5.3	825
4th	U	5.4 - 5.6	850
	V	5.7 - 5.9	900
	W	6.0 - 6.2	925
5th	X	6.3 - 6.5	950
	Y	6.6 - 6.7	975
	Z	6.8 - 6.9	over 1000

 

Click here to print the newsette!