This week I want to introduce a new math website your child can use at home, called Happy Numbers. The site is aligned with the Common Core learning standards. It is usually a fee-based program, but is temporarily free of charge until June 30.
I am generally not a big fan of many online learning programs, with some exceptions. Tailoring online instruction to individual student needs can be difficult and imperfect, despite what many online programs promise. Also, a site may present concepts in ways that are different than how we’ve covered it in our classroom, often leading to student confusion or frustration. Finally, online programs can complement and reinforce traditional classroom instruction, but were never intended to replace it. Given the circumstances and our need to use some online tools while the school is closed, I am optimistic that this Happy Numbers site can be a helpful tool in our remote learning toolbox. It is probably the best math site I have come across that is available free of charge.
This is the sixth week of remote learning, so all the new weekly work I provide in the Google Classrooms will be labeled as “Week #6.” The overview of this week’s new work is in the "Remote Learning Week #6 Parent-Caregiver Guide," available as a PDF file attached to this e-mail message. Also, this message and all the previous weekly Remote Learning Parent-Caregiver Guides are always available on my class blog at bssroom302.blogspot.com.
PARENT/CAREGIVER ACTION ITEM #1
Have your child take the Happy Numbers placement test. Details and passwords for logging in to the site are available in an individualized post for your child in our Math and Science Google Classroom. After they log in, the site will automatically have them take this one-time placement test. The test takes about 20 -30 minutes.
**IMPORTANT** Please pick a time to have your child take the placement test when they can focus and try their best. Even though the site is adaptive, meaning it will adjust content to try to meet your child’s needs, their performance on the placement test determines the initial learning path they are placed on. We want to get the most accurate initial placement possible. It is also a good idea to have a pencil and scrap paper nearby during the placement test, and during any online math work.
PARENT/CAREGIVER ACTION ITEM #2
This week I am offering an online read aloud of Tuck Everlasting, a book that we started in class last month. Help your child find these online read aloud recordings in our Reading and Writing Google Classroom. I think they will enjoy continuing to share this book together.
PARENT/CAREGIVER ACTION ITEM #3
Tell your child about a new feature I have set up for students to communicate with me called “Talk with Mr. Z.” They can get to this private chat feature by going to the “Talk with Mr. Z” post in the Specials, Talk to Mr. Z, and Other Cool Stuff Google Classroom. Directions for how to use the chat feature are in the post. Of course please feel free to check in on our chat and join us any time.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
* Bridge Street Occupational Therapist Stacey Noble has teamed up with other district therapists to create a district website focused on OT/PT activity ideas, videos, worksheets, visuals and games. The site is at https://sites.google.com/
As always, feel free to call or text me at my new phone line (413) 342-1490. You can also email me at jzyskowski@northampton-k12.us
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