12/12 - 12/16/

     After a couple of sick days, I am very anxious to get back to school.  The class was in very good hands with Mr. Arnold.  We had a class meeting concerning manners the day before I was out sick.  However, Mr. Arnold took this to a whole new level with manner charts for everyone in the class.  The children were very receptive to this, so I'm hoping to see our manners at an all time high!  How is that for prepping for the holidays!
     Congratulations to Nathan Cobb, who is pictured above with his first place award for the Punt, Kick, and Pass Contest held down at the Ram's Stadium.  He is in the running for the National Punt, Kick, and Pass Contest as well, and has a very good chance of being selected to represent Missouri.  I'll will keep you posted as I find out more information.
     The quarter ends this Friday.  There are just a few more grades of which I am in need.  We will all be taking a spelling test on Thursday over my word pet peeve list.  These are the top ten words misspelled by the class when writing rough drafts.  We will also have a test over the Think Math lessons on Thursday.  Our tests in multiplication will be over the 11x facts, followed by the 12x facts.  After the holidays we will move on to the facts that require a lot of memorization

Here's what is scheduled this week:
Math:  Think Math test on Thursday;  11x fact test on Monday;  12x fact test on Thursday;

Reading:  I will finish the context clue lessons with the class.  The Chocolate Touch and Buttons for Washington groups will be wrapping up their books and response pages.  When Mack Came Back will have to carry over into Quarter 3.

Spelling:  Everybody Spelling list - test Thursday;

Science:  We will continue our study of the solar system when we get back from the holidays.  We will use this time for poetry writing.

S. Studies:  We will begin Chapter 8 after the holidays.  We will use this time to catch up on the Time for Kids Newspapers, which are lessons on current events!

Writing:  Final week for personal narratives.  All narratives are due by Thursday!  Many have written Christmas stories and acrostics in addition to their narratives.  We will begin hearing them on Monday at writing time.

Important Events:
Tuesday - Math Tungsten Test
Friday - Christmas party in the afternoon!

Weekly Update 12/6 - 12/10

     It feels good to be on my blog again!  So sorry I missed a week of updates.  I guess I was just enjoying that Thanksgiving break a little too much last weekend! 
     Now that we are back to work, we are making as much progress as possible in all subjects.  With the end of the quarter so near, you are apt to see more review quizzes in math as well as a final test on Think Math by the end of the quarter.  Along with Think Math (a two week math program that emphasizes strategies for multiplication) we are also beginning to memorize the multiplication facts.  All students have passed the 0,1, and 2x's tests.  Next we will learn the 5, 10, and 11x's facts.  After Christmas holidays we will focus heavily on all the harder facts .  A great website to help with learning these facts is www.multiplication.com.  I recommend that every student uses this site daily.  Now for other news: 

Math- Lessons 5-9 this week.  Please see the Think Math lessons that we have already completed.  They are kept in the math section of the binder.

Reading - We are reviewing the November Tungsten test and taking the December test this Tuesday.  We are also working on figuring out new vocabulary through context clues.  Students should continue to underline and number details when responding to questions in the the literature they read.

Spelling - Tests this week!  Yellow Group/Tuesday, Green Group/Wednesday, and Blue Group/ Thursday.

Science - We are studying our solar system.  Our lessons have focused on Earth's movement and its tilt on its axis.  We are learning what causes day/night and seasons.  We will have a quiz over this material Friday.  However, please consult the daily planner for more information!

Social Studies - Our test over Chapter 7 is this Wednesday.  We will spend Monday and Tuesday working on our Rights and Responsibility posters and reviewing.

Writing - Students are publishing their personal narratives.  Each day we share a finished story, and the class is amazed at how interesting each story is!  Those who are finished with their narrative are either attempting a Christmas disaster fiction story, a Christmas acrostic, or a story of their own choosing.  The important thing is that we are all writing! 

This weeks important events:
Monday:  Winter Holiday Music Program at school at 2:00.  Students perform again in the evening!
Tuesday:  Reading Tungsten Test;  Spelling test - Yellow Group;
Wednesday:  Early Release Day;  Social Studies Test;  Spelling test - Green Group;
Thursday:  Tungsten Math Test;  Spelling test - Blue Group:
Friday:  Science quiz;

PS:  I will notify you by email as to when we will have library.  I will have to schedule a time since our time is cancelled due to Early Release.  We will have the opportunity to buy books at the book fair at that time. 

Thanksgiving Week!

     Happy Thanksgiving week!  I know we are all excited about the holidays ahead.  I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with lots of family get togethers and fun.  With only two days of school this week, there isn't a lot to report, but here's what is in the news.

Math:  We will have a test on clocks, elapsed time, calendars, and time lines this coming Tuesday.
 
Reading:  Most groups will be finished their books and responses.

Spelling:  No new spelling words will come out until the following Monday.

Science/Social Studies:  We will be using the science/social studies times to wrap up government ch. 7 in social studies.  However, we will not complete the study guide or take the test until after the holidays.

Writing:  Look for the graded water project letters in tomorrow's home folder.  Several students are publishing the second quarter personal narrative. 

  

Weekly Update 11/14/11 - 11/18/11

     What a beautiful weekend!  I hope everyone in my classroom is taking advantage of this wonderful weather.  We had a very productive week last week.  The Tungsten Tests went very well for most students.  I am in awe of how hard these children work!  When these tests come home, please take time to go through them with your child so that you can see what your child is expected to do in the spring on MAP tests.  We will also go over them in the classroom before they are sent home.

This week's agenda:
Math - We will continue our study of clocks.  On Monday and Tuesday we will work very hard on how to determine elapsed time.  After that we will learn how to read time schedules and calendars.  Start brushing up on the months of the year!  As of now I believe our test is likely to be the following
Tuesday.  However, please check the daily planner in case I decide to have it a day earlier.

Reading-  The students are continuing to work on their comprehension through some very enjoyable books.  We are also working on how to find, underline, and number information that helps us to respond to questions.  We will continue with "story" homework while keeping in mind that everyone will make use of this skill when answering the questions associated with the story.

Spelling-  Students continue with their spelling skills.  Tests: Yellow Group/Tuesday, Green Group/Wednesday, Blue Group/Thursday.

Science- We will study weather and clouds this week.  We will do a project over this lesson rather than test.

Social Studies-  I'll try to get more accomplished this week in social studies.  We are continuing our study of government.

Writing- Our letters are just about ready to display!  You will receive your child's final graded copy by the end of the week (I hope!).  After your child turns in their final copy, I have them make a display copy in which they rewrite without any errors.  If your are around at the end of the week, check out our letters in the hallway!

Special Events:
Tues.:  Spelling Test/Yellow
Wed.:  Early Release Day;  Spelling Test/Green
Thurs.:  Spelling Test/Blue

Nov. 7 - Nov. 11

     As you can see from the videos below, our class had a fantastic Halloween party and parade.  Thanks to Mrs. Durham for organizing this event and to all the parents who helped by being there that day or by sending in treats or supplies.  Not only was the party fun, but the children were very well behaved.  I was very proud of everyone in the class!
     Once again, our class will be experiencing a very full week.  Please give your child the reminders he or she needs to be the very best he or she can be each day at school!
Math:  Following our math test on Monday, we will begin chapter 7 which deals with clocks, elapsed time, months of the year, and calendars.
Reading:  We are reading several books with an emphasis on inferences.  You may know this as "reading between the lines!"
Spelling:  No tests this week!  However, all students will be receiving new words.
Science:  We will be wrapping up weather and the water cycle.  We will make a water cycle wheel to help us remember the steps of the water cycle.
Social Studies:  Chapter 7 will teach us about government!
Writing:  We have written parents a letter about the Water Project.  We will take the letters through the writing process.  Because the letters are so good already, I may put them on display before grading them and sending them home. 
    
Special Events:
Monday-New spelling words for the Yellow Group;  math test over chapter 6;
Tuesday- New spelling words for the Green Group;  Math Tungsten;
Wednesday- New spelling words for the  Blue Group; 
Thursday- Reading Tungsten;
Friday-Science test over weather and the water cycle;  Veterans Day Assembly;

                                                                                 

    
                                                                             

Oct. 31 - Nov.4

Crazy Hair Day!

     I hope everyone has been enjoying the extended weekend!  It's good to get a little extra time for ourselves.  What a pleasure it was to meet with so many of you for conferencing.  Students have done well in this first quarter, and it is my hope they will continue to do their best.  Thanks for all of the hard work put into the math subtraction test.  We are now in the money chapter and have reviewed how to count it, starting with largest values first.  When we start learning how to count change, the opposite holds true.  Begin with pennies to get to the nearest 5 or 10.  Then use the larger coins to count back the change.  Please practice both counting money and counting change.  

Here's what's in store for this week:
Math:  We will finish Chapter 6 (Money) by the end of the week.  Our test will most likely be on Monday or Tuesday of the following week.

Reading:  We will wrap up the questioning strategy.  We are in the middle of a wonderful story called "A Day's Work."   This book is a great springboard for thick questions!

Spelling:  Green group-test Monday; Blue Group-test Tuesday; Yellow Group-cutting new word cards and one day spelling holiday (computers!)

Science:  Our food chains turned out great!  What a fabulous group of artists!  Hopefully I will have the chains hung for guests to see by party time tomorrow!

Social Studies:  We have finished chapter 5.  We will work on our study guide on Tuesday and then test on Thursday.  After that we will begin the study of government.

Writing:  I will be trying some new ideas in writing class throughout this week.  Look for some short writes on various topics.  We'll work on sentence starts and using interesting words.  Hopefully this practice will be helpful!

Special Events:
Monday:  Halloween parade (1:20) and party (1:45).
Wednesday:  Library
 










    

October 24- October 27

     What an exciting and busy week lies ahead!  We will be celebrate Red Ribbon Week, go on another field trip, and have conferences on Monday and Wednesday evenings.  Our trip to the Old Courthouse last week was lots of fun, and I feel the children learned from the trip.  After all, we are studying about early St. Louis history in social studies right now.  Thank you to the parents who helped with the Old Courthouse trip.  It was nice to have so many volunteers.  If I was unable to have you help for this field trip, it is my hope that you will be available once again in the future.  You will be at the top of my list!  Chaperones are not needed for this week's trip to the Sheldon, however.
Here is what I have planned for this week:

Math:  Please work very hard on all kinds subtraction with regrouping!  This is very hard for the children.  Our test is scheduled for Tuesday.  After testing, we will begin chapter 6 on time and money.  Please get a head start and work on some time and money basics!
 
Reading:  We will be working on the questioning reading strategy.  Ask your child what the difference is between a thick and thin question!

Spelling:  Yellow - test Wed.,  Green- test Thurs.;  Blue - Test Mon.;

Science:  We will be making our food chains this week!

S. Studies:  Our study of St. Louis will move into early transportation.  We will also be learning about and making line graphs in social studies!

Writing:  We will continue writing personal narratives and moving through the writing process.     

Special Events:
Monday:  Wear red for Red Ribbon Kickoff Day (assembly at school);  Evening conferences;
Tuesday:  "I'm a Jean-ious. I'm drug free!"  Wear jeans and spirit wear!
Wednesday: "United we stand for a drug free land."  Wear red, white , and blue;  Evening conferences;
Thursday:  "Hair's to a drug free life!"  Crazy Hair Day;  Field trip to Sheldon Music Hall;
Friday:  No School
                    

Weekly Update Oct.17-Oct. 21

     Whew!  First quarter ended Friday, and we worked very hard to wrap up our subjects so that we would be ready for all new experiences in quarter two.  This will be a busy week as well as we have a field trip on Thursday and a lot to accomplish each day.  In this quarter I will begin a new type of homework as I step up the reading expectations.  You will notice that a short story will come home about once a week for students to read and respond to questions.  I'll generally send the stories home on Monday.  Here is what else I have planned for the week:

Math:  Subtraction of larger numbers with lots of regrouping.  One of the most important skills of the year - subtracting across a zero- will also be learned.  This will take a lot of work to master.  Please look over homework papers to catch any problems your child may be having as bad habits form quickly.

Reading:  There will be a continuation of main idea.  Students will also beginning new books in guided reading.

Spelling:  All groups will begin new words, but tests will not be scheduled until the following week.

Science:  We will be studying foods chains food pyramids.  Students will be making food chain mobiles.

Social Studies:  We will begin chapter 5.  This starts with a little St. Louis history, which will work in perfectly with our Old Courthouse field trip.  Students will also be rehearsing a Reader's Theater Script entitled The Bubble Gum Trial.  They will put on this trial at the Old Courthouse which should be fun.  Please remember to pack a lunch for the trip, and if your field trip permission slip and fee have not been turned in, please do so as soon as possible.

Writing:  We will continue story time by student authors, as well as our continued writing of personal narratives.

Special Classes this week are PE-M, W, F;  Art-T;  Music-Th
Library Thursday
Bingo Night October 21 - I'll be there!  Hope to see some of you!
 

Weekly Update Oct. 10- Oct. 14

     As you can see from the videos, the children certainly enjoyed the fun provided on Dairy Tour Day.  Hopefully you heard all about it!  This Wednesday there will be another special event.  We will be walking the distance children in Africa walk to get water.  This is the official kickoff of the Water Project.  The video we saw in class a week ago about this project was very moving.  In fact, it was so moving, we will be seeing it again tomorrow.  This time we will reflect our thoughts in our Water Project Reflection Book.  Please help us with our endeavor.  Support your child's walk on Wednesday by sponsering your child's walk.  Ask relatives or friends if they would consider helping us with our cause.  Thank you for all that you do!

Math:  Wow!  How hard your children worked in chapter 4!  Fine test scores are the result of all that hard work.  We will begin this week by going over the September Math Tungsten.  Then we will take the Tungsten test for October on Thursday.  We will also begin chapter 5, which is a subtraction chapter.  Again, students will need to know their subtraction facts well in order for this chapter to not be too tedious.

Reading:  We are working an main idea.  From there we will begin to learn how to write summaries.

Spelling:  Tests:  Yellow Group-Wed., Green Group-Thursday, Blue Group- Fri.

Science:  We are wrapping up our chapter on ecosystems, producers, consumers,and decomposers.
The test will be given either Thursday or Friday of this week.

S. Studies:  We will test over chapter 2 this Wednesday!

Writing:  Our first stories have been published, and I am very excited about everyone meeting the first quarter deadline.  Several students have already written a mini report about their ecosystem as well.  We have also begun personsal narratives, which happen to be my favorite to read.  We will also practice letter writting by writing a letter telling about the Water Project.

Have a wonderful week!

Weekly Update 10/3/11-10/7/11

     What a beautiful weekend!  This will be the last day I will be playing the piano for the musical production of Bye Bye Birdie.  I have had a couple of very busy weekends, but I love what I do both at school and away.  The following is what I have planned for the week:

Math:  We are working on addition and regrouping.  Please keep practicing the facts!  I can tell that many students have been doing so because of the ease with which they they doing the work.  Our test for Ch. 4 will tentatively be this Friday.  Please continue to enjoy the practice online in the Harcourt Math Book!

Spelling:  Green Group will test Monday;  Blue Group will test Tuesday.

Reading:  Our new skill will be Main Idea.  This is a diificult skill for many students, but we'll see how it goes.  I'll be assessing frequently in the next two weeks over comprehension.  However, there is no way to study for these reading assessments.  The best practice is to read, read, read.  I hope students are involved in their books at home.

Science:  We are continuing ecosystems.  I have not yet decided when the test will be, but it will likely happen this week.  Please check the planner for that information.  This chapter also includes a graded ecosystem project in which the students will plan an ecosystem on poster paper.  Most, if not all, of the work for this project will be done at school

Social Studies:  We are continuing geography chapter 2.  I will give a short quiz over the states bordering Missouri on Wednesday.  We will go over this information tomorrow.  Our chapter test, however, will be next week.  Study guides will come home by Friday of this week.

Writing:  We will be putting the finishing touches on our published stories.  I will takes two grades from them.  The first will be the child's "finished" product.  The second will follow assistance given through teacher editing.  I think most of you will enjoy the stories when you finally get to read them!

Monday:  Cardinal Day!  Wear the colors!
Have a great week!

Weekly Update: 9/26-9/30

     What a lovely time of year!  Our class enjoyed an extra recess on Friday playing kickball with Mr. Hamby.  This was a reward for our first two weeks of perfect attendance.  Since then we have have another week.  I'm so proud of the students for being in school every day.  This coming Wednesday is "Be There Day" as well as class picture day.  Everyone will have their picture taken!  Buying the pictures is optional.  Forms for buying went home a couple weeks ago.  If you need another form, please contact the office.  Now, here's what is happening for the rest of the week:

 Math:  Our test over chapter 3 is Tuesday.  After that we will begin an addition chapter in which we will be adding large numbers.  Knowing the facts well is essential for this chapter.  For those who don't know their facts, this chapter will be very tedious.

Spelling Tests:  Yellow Group Thursday, 9/29
                           Green Group  Monday, 10/3
                           Blue Group Tuesday 10/4

Reading:  I will be giving the class some reading assessment pages this week.  We have been working on reading for understanding and responding to what we have read in a clear meaningful way.

Science:  Tests will be returned on Monday.  Then we will begin study of ecosystems.

Social Studies:  We are continuing our study of geography.  Students made a map of the continents and oceans of the world.  I will display them until right before our test.  Then the maps will be returned for test prep.  We will also be studying about natural resources and about how to conserve them.

Writing:  Many students have written and turned in their first published story.  I will grade what they have done on their own along with some conferencing with me.  Then I will help them correct anything they have missed so that they can make their final copy.  When the stories are completed, we will have Published Story Week.  Each student will read his/her story to the class sometime during the week.

     Enjoy the videos below.  The first is of the students excercising in PE class.  The second is our class enjoying Harcourt Math and AAAMath on the computers.  
  

September 19-22

     We had a very full and exciting week!  Our class took the first reading and math Tungsten and entered the results into the computer.  We also met with our kindergarten buddy class.  I regret that I did not capture this on camera or video.  I'm starting to be forgetful of those Kodak moments, so I will have to try to step it up a little this coming week!  Here is what I have planned:

Math: We will be comparing and ordering large numbers, as well as rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.  This will be another challenging chapter!

Reading:  Our reading groups are well under way!  Each group has an exciting book to read and questions for which they are responsible.  We are also focusing on sequence so that we can organize the events of a story in our mind.

Spelling:  Green Group tests Mon., while Blue Group tests Tues.  Each group will have a 2 day spelling vacation following each test.  During that time, the groups will cut out their new word cards and work on cursive.  Everyone is looking forward to this!

Science:  We will study photosynthesis and then have a quiz over the photosynthesis process.  Please check the student planner for the assessment date.

Social Studies:  We will continue to study geography of the world.  Our next project is a color, cut, paste, and label picture that will help us learn the world's continents and oceans.

Writing:  Students are choosing a story from their journals to edit and revise so that I can see what each can do on their own.  I have conferenced with students, and have already read some of the story choices.  I encouraged students to write meaningful stories and to make them readable by editing for periods and capitals.  I asked students to enhance their stories by adding interesting details where ever possible.  Learning to write well is a process.  This first story will let me know what each child can do with limited input from me.  I can't wait to read them!

Specials:  M-PE, T-Music, W-PE, TH-Art, F-PE;
Other Events:  Wed.-Picture Day, Attendence Day, and Library!

Next Week: September 12-16

     We had a very productive week!  We wrapped up the first chapter in social studies, and all students did well on this first test.  I am so proud of them!  Here is what we have to look forward to next week:

Math-  We will finish chapter 2 on place, value, patterns, and large numbers in the 10,000 and 100,000 place.  Reading and writing these large numbers is very difficult for most of the students.  Please practice writing large numbers daily!  We will test on Friday.
Reading-  We have been focusing on visualization, but will move into understanding sequence and the key words that help us determine sequence.  Reading groups just formed and they will continue to meet throughout next week.

Spelling-  I have met with each spelling group once this week.  I will see each group again next week and then will test.  Students should work with their word cards at home.  Understanding the sort helps students with both reading and writing words.  Yellow Group tests Thursday,  Green-Friday, and Blue the following Monday.

Science-  We are continuing our study of plants and plant parts.  We will have a quiz over the plant parts and their functions on Thursday.

Social Studies-  We have just a few finishing touches to put on our urban, suburban, rural murals.  They are absolutely awesome!  Every child contributed to one of the two murals.  They will be on display by Thursday, so be sure to come and see!  We will also begin chapter 2 on Monday.  This chapter is about landforms and geography.  Students will be reviewing continents and will learn Missouri's neighbors on the map.

Writing-  To accompany our social studies murals, students have written postcards about an urban, suburban, or rural community.  This week they will work on editing their own work and then will conference with me for further corrections.

Special Classes:  M-Art, T-PE, W-Music, TH-PE, F-Art
Grant's Farm Night - 5:30-8:00  I hope to see you there!  If I don't recognize you, please come up to me and reintroduce yourself.  I'll be with my husband and granddaughter, Sophia!

Fun in Science Class!

We had fun measuring the growth of our seeds.

  A few children wanted to show them off

in front of the camera. Look for the seeds

to be coming home today!

Weekly Update

     How is everyone enjoying this nice extended weekend?  Hopefully you are able to enjoy family and friends for the holiday.

     The past week went by quickly.  We encountered our first tests in math and science.  Students did very well in both areas.  We will have another test this coming Friday, Sept. 9th, over chapter 1 in social studies.  The study guide is in the social studies section of the binder.  The following is more of what we will be covering this coming week:

Math-  We have already started chapter 2 and have reviewed even/odd, place, and value.  We'll continue learning place and value through the thousands period.  Reading and writing large numbers can be tricky for third graders, so please go over any missed answers on all returned papers.  Other vocabulary will include digits, standard form, expanded form, and word form.

Reading-Reading groups begin this week.  Students should continue to read 20 minutes at home daily.  Remember, library is every Wednesday.  Hopefully your child is bringing home books that are "just right!'.

Spelling- Groups will begin in spelling this coming week as well.  Students will be leveled according to the results of their pretest.  Spelling words will come home after I have met with each group.  Please refer to the student planner for testing information as there is no regular testing day.  Each group will be on a nine day cycle, with the test taking place on day eight.    
   
Science- We are having fun growing seeds!  We measure and record results daily.  We will begin chapter 2 on Tuesday and will focus on plant parts and their function. 

Writing/Social Studies- Our first writing assignment will be postcards about the urban, suburban, and rural areas we are studying in social studies.  In social studies we are making murals featuring these areas!

Special Classes:  Tues.-Art, Wed.-PE, Thurs.-Music, and Friday-PE.

Wednesday, August 31st!

     Yeah!  We made it through the first math test!  I'll be putting the grade on SIS in the next couple of days.  Grades come in slowly at the beginning of the year.  Most of our work is practice for the tests, therefore studying for tests is very important.  Students must know the skills, so thank you for working so hard with your child!

     Library is every Wednesday, so look for those books in the bookbags tonight.  Listen to your child read a little from the books.  Discuss whether or not you both feel they are on the "just right" level.  The books should feel comfortable enough for independent reading.

     Science books went home tonight.  I just think it is nice for parents to see from where the science information is coming.  The science book chapter 1 may even be nice nonfiction reading for the next two evenings.  Books need to come back by Friday.

    I hope everyone notices the Respect/Responsibility checklist.  Please initial and return by Friday! 

Music Classroom Video

Enjoy the video!

Happy Friday!

I enjoyed seeing those of you who were able to attend Curiculum Night last night.  If you were unable to be present, please look through the home folder for some important handout information about how my classroom is run.

We have had a very good week!  The class is very excited about their perfect attendance for two weeks in a row.  Way to go!
    
Next week's special schedule is as follows:  M-PE, T-Art, W-PE and Library, TH-Music, F-PE.

What we learned this week: 
     Math- Reviewed 2 digit addition and subtraction;  Vocabulary- addends, sum, difference, inverse operations, fact family;   .
     Reading- Learned how to make connections and how to write them in a clear way.
     Spelling- Practiced sorting words in different ways;  We used our classmates' names throughout the week.  We will not take an actual test over them, but may take a practice test just to see how much was learned through the in-class practice.
     Science- Learned about living things;  Vocabulary- organism, cell, nucleus, reproduce, react, grow, life cycle;
     Social Studies- Learned about what makes a community;  Vocabulary - community, law, citizen, map key, compass rose;
     Writing- Learned routines for personal journal and writing journal;

Upcoming Tests:  Math Chapter 1 / Wednesday

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  (I plan to post my video that was taken in music class sometime over the weekend!)

Fun in the Classroom!

     We've had a great first week!  On Friday, we began the morning with math.  After reviewing the concept of fact families, we made a fact family tree.  The video shows the kids cutting and pasting on their fact family apples.  The trees are a work of art! 
     In reading, we have been trying to make sure that the books we read are just right - not too easy, not to hard.  I am impressed that the children are so aware of what is right for them.  
     In spelling, we took a beginning of the year assessment.  From this assessment I will determine the spelling groups for the Words Their Way spelling program.
     By afternoon, we were reading in our social studies book about communities and discussing and coloring our vocabulary flashcards.  We stored them in our binders behind the social studies tab.  If you have not managed to get the dividers, please try to do so before long.  It is important for the children to be organized. 
     We ended the day by writing a birthday letter to one of our classmates.  Yes, you can expect to get a folder of birthday letters on your child's birthday!  Believe me, they are a lot of fun to read.
     I hope you are enjoying the blog.  If so, please shoot me an email or make a post comment so that I know you are trying to follow.  I would appreciate knowing that you are reading it!               

Class Picture

     We had another really great day today!  We are starting to get very involved with our subjects.  Students received a note today about how to label the dividers for the binder.  I'm hoping they will have the binder complete by tomorrow!
     I hope you enjoy the attached class pictures.  The kids asked to include a silly pose, so I did.  Be sure to let them view the pics!

First Day of School!

     Well, we did it!  Our first day was a success.  Everyone got to school and home again safely on the right bus.  We organized our binders, but are still waiting for many to get the divider pages for them.  I will be sending home a note telling you how to label the dividers so that they are all in the right order.  We played a couple of games to get to know new friends and to help us renew the old.  And of course we read a couple of great picture books for the start of school.  Tomorrow we will work on further organizing supplies such as notebooks and folders.  I will also try to get a handle on where students are academically.  Have a great evening, and don't forget to have your child read 20 minutes tonight!

Ready for First Day!

     I'm really getting excited about tomorrow!  I have so many wonderful things planned for the children.  Besides getting to know each other through games, we will have a class meeting and will begin our job of organizing the desks and binders.  Please look for a note from me that will help you understand what we are doing with our binders.  They are a very important tool and are something you'll be looking in every single day.  So get ready - the fun is about to begin!

Meet the Teacher Night

     Thanks to everyone who came to the Open House tonight!  I enjoyed meeting my new students and parents.  Thank you also for filling out all those forms and for volunteering for parties.  I'm excited about Tuesday, but know we will be spending a fair amount of time just organizing our desks and binders.  I realize that many have already purchased the 1 inch binder.  If they are not working out, I will inform you on curriculum night that the 1 1/2 inch binder will be needed.  Children get frustrated when the binder is either too small or too big.
     I'm hoping to put videos from my new flip camera on this blog once every week.  Therefore, I hope you check in often!