Dear Sprague Community,
As we move into October, our classrooms are really in full swing. Each day, students participate in many types of activities and receive instruction. Reading and writing instruction is provided each day. You may not have thought a lot about all the different components that make up a strong literacy program. In Wellesley, we use a balanced approach, which includes the workshop model. Students have Reader’s Workshop time each day for 60 minutes. This block of time is divided to include whole group explicit instruction, independent practice, small group instruction, and a group share. Generally, teachers begin with a focus lesson that targets specific skills or strategies in reading, a shared reading book or a book talk, depending on the grade level. Next there is time for independent practice and differentiated instruction. Sometimes, teachers confer with students individually to provide feedback and instruction. Other times, they lead guided reading groups, strategy groups, or book clubs, which utilize leveled text and incorporate skill and strategy work. Students have time to read independently or with a partner and may be asked to write about text as well. At the end of Reader’s Workshop, there is time for a group share to check for understanding, reteach, or discuss the day’s work. Additionally, students engage in word study at a time outside the Reader’s Workshop time. This encompasses systematic phonics instruction in grades K-2, and spelling, grammar, and vocabulary in the upper grades. Teachers also spend time on a regular basis modeling reading behaviors and enjoying books with their classes during read aloud and interactive read aloud time. Writer’s Workshop is generally scheduled 4 days a week for about 45 minutes. The structure is similar, but focuses on writing areas like writer’s craft, elaboration, grammar, and punctuation. That said, in Wellesley we want our students to LOVE reading and LOVE expressing their thoughts and stories in writing.
School pictures will arrive home soon. Hopefully, you will like the photos. In the event you do not, retake day is October 27th. If you want a retake, you should send back the photos you do not want on that day.
Teachers have sent home notices about how to sign up for a parent conference. There are 3 afternoons that are set aside for parent conferences. (Please note that there are two Wednesdays and one Tuesday -12:00 dismissal) This is a great time to talk about your child’s strengths, areas for growth, and progress so far this year. Your child’s teacher will meet with you for 20 minutes. Your child’s teacher will work with you to find a time to meet if you are unable to come on one of the scheduled conference days. Written progress reports are sent home in January and June.
Dates to remember:
Oct. 10: No school—Columbus Day
Oct. 12: No school—Yom Kippur
Oct. 18: Walk to School Day
Oct. 18: Fall Festival at 6 PM (raindate is Oct. 20)
Oct. 19: MCAS presentation at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria
Oct. 27: Picture Retake Day
Nov. 1, 2, 9: Parent Conferences—12:00 dismissal
Nov. 8: Election Day—late start at 10:30
Nov. 9: WEF Spelling Bee
We are pleased to partner with the Wellesley Recreation Department to offer after school enrichment classes. Enrollment opened on Tuesday, Oct. 4 on the Rec. Dept. website. Classes begin the week of Oct. 17th . Please see after school offerings below:
| Sprague After School Programs Fall – 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Program | Grade | Day(s) | Times | Dates | Skip days | # of classes | Instructor | Instructor Rate $ | Instructor email | Description | Student Cost $ | Max # students |
| Chess Activity # 422500-05 |
Grades 1 – 5 | Tuesday | 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Oct 18 – Dec 13 | 1-Nov | 8 | Julius Kovacs | $110/pp | hypnotistkovacs | This course is designed for children who ranges from no background to limited knowledge of chess. Our goal is to improve every child’s cognitive development and critical thinking skills. It will introduce the movements, and values of all the pieces. Check, checkmate, castling, endgames, and chess rules are also covered. Some tactics such as fork, discovery, and pin will also be covered and practiced. Get ready for 8 exciting weeks of chess! | $120 | 12 |
| Drama : Let’s Put on A Show! Activity # 422500-06 |
Grade 3- 5 | Monday | 3:05 – 4:05 pm | October 17 – Nov 21 | 6 | Cindy Wright | $100/class | cindywright13 | Children will be given equitable roles in a short play that will be performed on the last day of the session. They will be introduced to some basics of theater and acting and will have costumes and props to help bring their characters and story to life. |
$75 | min12 max 14 |
|
| Lego Master Builders Activity # 422500-07 |
K-2 | Tuesday | 3:05 – 4:05 pm | October 18 – Nov 29 | 1-Nov | 6 | Event -FULL | $15/pp/day | dianed17@rcn.com
andymolly@comcast.net |
This weekly program will be centered around everything LEGO!! Build anything you create/imagine in your mind and make it happen with the LEGOs provided to you!! Each week there will be a theme with different LEGOs to work with! Themes include: Star Wars, Super Heroes, LEGO City, Harry Potter and MORE!!…the possibilities are endless!!! The LEGOs stay with us, but the experience is yours forever! | $95 | min12 max 15 |
| Home Alone #422500-08 |
4 & 5 | Monday | 3:05 – 5:05 pm | 14-Nov | 1 | Juanita Allen | $40/child | jallenkingsley | Children will learn telephone and door answering techniques, internet safety, accident and fire protection and first aid techniques. The class includes a variety of teaching methods, including a video and role playing. Please bring a snackI | $45 | 12 | |
All programs will take place at Sprague School Registration begins Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 am (online) and 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (phone) www.wellesleyma.gov/recreation or (781) 235-2370 Please make sure you have a username and password before registering online. You may contact the Recreation Department for a username/password. Recreation Department office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Recreation Dept. Last account activity: 22 minutes ago Details |
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