12/17/12 - 12/20/12

 

PJ Day!  Several students wore their PJs and brought their favorite stuffed buddies1

 

     Is everyone ready for the holidays?  It gets pretty overwhelming, doesn't it!  I hope everyone will remember the true meaning for the season and find time to take time for what is truly important.  Also, remember to think of Joey who is back in the hospital at this time.  He is a wonderful little boy who really needs lots of prayers for good health!
     This week is a short week.  Aside from spelling tests on Monday and Tuesday and a Think Math test on Tuesday, we will be wrapping up the quarter with review and Christmas merriment.  (Think cards, Mom and Dad's Christmas gift, and Holiday Party!)  I wish you all a very wonderful holiday, and will plan to see everyone back in January!
    
 

12/10/12 - 12/14/12

     I hope you had a chance to attend Cookies with Santa on Friday.  It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed being one of the readers in the library.  Now for the real Christmas only a couple weeks away.  Of course there is a lot to do both at home and at school.  I've tried to get the last major tests in for science and social studies so that you wouldn't need to worry about these subjects too close to the holidays.  However, I postponed the Ch. 8 social studies test until tomorrow because I wanted to be sure to get a review game in before we took the test.  Hopefully students know the material well by now.
Here's what is happening this week:
Math- We are continuing to work on Think Math lessons.  There will be a test over Think Math either this Friday or next Monday.  We'll just have to see how it goes.  Also, please continue to work on 2x and 5x facts.  They both need to be memorized!
Writing - Personal narratives need to be turned in by this Friday!
Spelling - New spelling words come out tomorrow.  These will be for the last test of the quarter.
Reading - We have finished main idea and are working on locating important ideas in our reading texts.  Students should should this skill when taking ourn evaluate tests.
Science - The class is working on researching a planet of their choice. 
Social Studies - We are wrapping up government tomorrow.  After that the class will be finding information about an American symbol or monument and creating some kind of picture or object to go along with it.  We'll just see how it goes!
  
Important Events:
Mon. - Library;  Social Studies test Ch. 8;  New spelling words will be sent home;
Tues. -
Wed. -
Thurs. - Mrs. Toomey's counseling class; 

Fri. - Think Math test over lessons 1-8; Personal narratives are due;

 

Helping our buddies make reindeer antlers!

 



Playing a Christmas tree game with our buddies!

 



 



Fri. - Think Math test over lessons 1-8;  Personal narratives are due;

12/3/12 - 12/7/12

 

What a beautiful weekend!  It was difficult for me to get down to my school business.  Below the weekly update I am posting three videos for our classmate, Joey, who has been sick and is in the hospital.  We miss him very much and hope he will get well as quickly as possible.  We hope you enjoy the videos, Joey!

Math:  We are learning multiplication through a program called Think Math.  There are eight lessons and we do them together as a class.  The lessons can be found in the student binder behind math.  Please keep them in the binder until we test over them.
Writing:  Students have chosen the personal narrative they are planning to publish.  The stories must be revised and corrected before being written neatly.  Stories are due before the end of the quarter.
Spelling:  Red and Yellow Groups will have their test Monday, while the Blue and Green groups will test on Tuesday.
Reading:  Some of the reading groups have changed.  Three of the groups are reading nonfiction books, while the other is reading The Chocolate Touch, one of my favorites.  I am starting to take grades over the main idea skill.  Look for the papers that will be coming home.
Science:  We are testing over the moon's phases and over the lunar and solar eclipses on Tuesday.
Social Studies:  Our test over Government Ch. 8 will be this Friday.

Special Events: 
Mon. - Library;  Book Fair  (Bring money if you want to buy);  Spelling test Red and Yellow;  Quiz over 0-2x facts;
Tues. - Spelling test Blue and Green;  Science Test;
Wed. - Early Release Day;
Thurs. -
Fri. - Social Studies Test;  STPG Santa Night;

 

 

Get Well Soon, Joey!

Today we took a picture and wrote some special messages for Joey to show how much we miss him at school.

Natalie: We all miss you Joey! You are really nice!

Matthew: Joey, we miss you a lot. We hope you get better.We hope you come back to school soon or later.

Peter: I really miss you Joey. Get well soon!

Ally: So I hear your in the hospital not feeling well.I just wanted to tell you to feel better and get well soon!

Alexia: I really hope you get better soon. I wish you could be here now.

Jacob: Joey,we all miss you.I hope you get well soon!

Owen: I miss you Joey. Come back soon.

Audrey: We all miss you.I hope you come back soon!

Marissa: I hope this message will cheer you up and put a smile on your face. I hope you will get well soon and come back to school.

Lucas: I am missing you so much!

Andros: Get better soon Joey! We miss you!

Leila: All of our class miss you Joey!

Maya: I hope you are feeling so well. I was worrying about you.

Max: Joey's great. I miss you!

Liam: The class and I Miss You. I hope you get better.

Devin: Joey,I hope you feel better!

Jnna: I hope you feel well Joey, and get better soon.

Nathan: I hope you get better soon make sure you vote for waddles or cool-aid man. Oooooh yeah !!!!

Mrs. Schmidt:  As you can see, Joey, we all miss you very much and hope you are on the road to recovery.  School is not the same without you here.  Get well soon!

11/19/12 - 11/20/12

     I hope you don't mind that my blog news is short, but then it is a short week.  We will use the two days of school to review skills.  There will be, however, a test in science on Tuesday.  Students have a study guide for the test and have taken home the science book for further study.  We will begin new spelling words after the holidays and will start a program called Think Math as a precursor to multiplication.  However, your child should be continuing with www.xtramath.org so that the addition and subtraction facts can be mastered.  I will be testing students at the end of the quarter on their facts!
     Below are pictures with our buddies in Mrs. Becker's kindergarten class.  We drew turkeys and Native Americans together.  Everyone had fun getting to know their buddies better!  This first picture is of students showing off their hats for Hat Day.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





    

11/12/12 - 11/16/12

     How quickly this second quarter is moving!  It's hard to believe we are already getting into the holiday season.  This week is a full week, but please note that Wednesday is an early release day.  Make sure your child knows how he/she will be getting home.  This week is also when we will be taking our November Evaluate tests.  We are working hard to improve our scores!  Please encourage your child to do his/her best.  The Evaluate tests are similar to last year's Tungsten tests.  Finally, this Friday brings us to a really fun event in which teachers will be playing volleyball against Sappington parents.  Yours truly is on the volleyball team (I love sports!).  Please join us for the chili cook off at 5:00 and the game following at 6:30.  I look forward to suppressing the parent's team!

Here's what else is happening this week:
Math - Continued study of time.  Our test should be this Friday!
Writing - Students are loving writing in personal narrative style.  I am seeing rapid improvement from many in the classroom!
Spelling - NO SPELLING this week.  We have too many other things to take care of (mainly Evaluate testing.)
Reading - We will start focusing on main idea.  Some groups are beginning new books, while other groups are wrapping up.
Science - The class is enjoying learning about how the sun, earth, and moon interact.
Social Studies - Continuation of government study;

Important Events:
Mon. - Library;
Tues. - Math Evaluate test;
 Wed. - Early Release Day (dismissal at 1:40);  School store;
Thurs. - Reading Evaluate test;  BMX Assembly;
Fri. - Math test over ch. 6;  Chili Cook Off and SPTG Volleyball Night;

11/7/12 - 11/9/12

     I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful mini vacation.  I think we all needed a break.  It is going to feel good to sleep late on Monday and Tuesday!  Then comes Wednesday, and we will all be back to doing important things.  Please view what we will be learning this week!

Math - We will start with clocks on Wednesday.  We'll spend one day one telling time to the nearest hour and quarter hour, and then move right into telling time to the nearest minute.  After that we will begin learning about elapsed time.  This skill may be new and can be difficult.  We will also become experts on A.M. and P.M.
Writing - I love teaching personal narrative writing, and this is what we are working on right now.  Most of the second quarter will be devoted to this type of writing!
Spelling - Tests for all groups this week.  Red and Yellow Group test Thursday and the Blue and Green group test Friday.
Reading - As a class, we have just wrapped up genre, and will be heading into main idea and details.  Groups four and five have completed their reading selections and are moving on to new books.  Groups one and two are reading The Principal's New Clothes and Freckle Juice respectively.  These should be coming to a close by the end of the week.
Science - Learning about how the earth, sun, and moon interact as well as about why we have seasons will prove to be interesting topics this week.
Social Studies -  Chapter 8 is a continuation of government.  However, this chapter will go into more detail as to how government works.

Important Events: 
Wed. - I have computer training in the morning, but will be in class by noon.
Thurs. - Spelling test for the Red and Yellow Groups.
Fri. - Veteran's Day Reception;  Spelling test for the Blue and Green Groups.

11/5/12 - 11/9/12

     I tried to get everybody in the classroom in this video, but it seems I failed miserably!  When I swept around the classroom, some students were already at the face painting station.  I did go over to that station, but only noticed Nathan as not having been video taped.  I realized later that Owen, Jake, and Natalie had left the face painting station and that I had missed filming them altogether.  My apologies for not getting everyone in the video!

Pictures of Natalie, Jake, Owen, and Max.

Class Halloween pictures right before the party began!

 

10/2912 - 11/2/12

     It seems as if we are getting busier and busier here at school.  One thing I know for sure, and that is that I am so happy that we are past the subtraction chapter in math!  Thank you for pitching in and helping with the learning process.  I will try to have students review the subtraction with regrouping skill often.  Some still have some trouble knowing what to do at times.  If you notice your child regrouping incorrectly and see the pattern for what he/she is doing incorrectly, please step in and reteach.  This is a life long skill!

     This will be an extremely busy week.  We have conferences, Halloween parties, Kids Voting, and a couple of tests.  Wish I could put the tests on a different week, but it is impossible without causing us to lose time.  Please see the testing schedule below these pictures which were taken at Sheldon Concert Hall right before the program was scheduled to begin.  I think the class really enjoyed going on this field trip!



This Week:

Mon. -  Conference; Library;  New spelling words come home;

Tues. -  Science Test! 

Wed. -  Halloween parties;

Thurs. - Conferences; Kids Voting; 

Fri. - Social Studies Test / Ch. 7 ;  Math Test / Ch. 6 (Money)





10/22/12 - 10/26/12

     Thank you to the parents who were able to attend our field trip last week.  It was a fun, but exhausting day.  Were you as tired as I was?  Look for pictures of the field trip below the news update.  Hopefully you will see your child somewhere in the pictures!
     We have another field trip on Thursday - this time to The Sheldon Concert Hall.  It is such a short and easy trip that we do not have parents come along.  Thanks to the SPTG for funding the tickets and bus fare!

Here's what is happening in the classroom this week:
Math - We wrap up Ch. 5 on Monday and test on Tuesday.  After that we begin a study of money.  This is one of those chapters in which some students know a lot while others know very little, so it is time to get out the coins and start practicing counting money.  Start with the bills and largest coins.  When we learn to count change, we begin with pennies until we get to the nearest 5 or 10 and then start using the larger coins.
Spelling -Red and Yellow Groups test on Wednesday;  Blue and Green Groups test on Thursday;
Writing-  Students took a break at the end of last week and enjoyed writing an acrostic poem for  October.  They are also decorating their published piece to give the poem a pleasing presentation!  After that we will begin my favorite kind of writing - personal narratives.
Reading - Most of the groups have started new books.  We will study genre in our mini lessons this week.
Science -  We will have a test over food chains, food webs, predators, and prey on Friday, and next week we will begin a new unit in the science book!

Social Studies -  On to chapter 7 and then chapter 8 for second quarter social studies.  These chapters are a study of government.  We will also be talking about the upcoming election and prepare for Kids Voting Week.                                 



                                                         The Jury                                                      



 



The Bailiff

 

The Defendant and His Lawyer

 The Plaintiff and the Prosecuting Attourney

 

Important Events:
Mon. - Library;
Tues. - Math Test Ch. 5;
Wed. - Spelling Test for Red/Yellow Groups;
Thurs. - Spelling Test for Blue/Green Groups;  Field Trip to the Sheldon;
Fri. - Science Test over pages 172-177 and p.180-185;

10/15/12-10/19/12

     We have a lot of schools events this week!  Look for:

            Psghetti's  Night on Tuesday the 16th from 4 - 9 PM

 

            Arch and Old Courthouse Fieldtrip on Wednesday the 17th

  

            Early Dismissal / Last Day of Quarter on Friday the 19th, (11:30AM) 

    

     We are in good shape as far as getting through the appropriate material for the first quarter.   I am still in the process of entering grades onto SIS, however, so you will notice grades changing all week long as I enter more and more information.  I am also giving one more important test over chapter two in social studies on Thursday.  Look for the study guide coming home on Monday.  Some of it will be homework to be completed at home.

 

     You will find a new behavior sheet in the Wednesday folder this week.  It is my expectation that students should be mastering the classroom rules.  However, as students become more comfortable in the classroom, I sometimes start to notice some negative changes in student behavior.  Students will have to work hard to earn their plus signs on the weekly behavior sheet in the second quarter!

 

     I hope you keep in mind the above special days.  I plan to be at Psghetti's Night and look forward to seeing you there.  Also, please remember to send a lunch and drink in a disposable bag for the field trip Wednesday.  Finally, enjoy and celebrate the end of the first quarter on Friday.  I know I will be!

      

            

10/8/12 - 10/12/12

     The end of the quarter is right around the corner.  As a result, we will be testing in several subjects as we bring our chapters of study to a close.  Look for tests in science, math, and spelling this week, as well as a chapter 2 test in social studies next week.  These tests can make a difference in one's grades, so please encourage study.  Besides that, studying at an early age makes for good habits later.  Now here is a run down of the week:

Math - We are practicing "predict and test" word problems, and they are difficult to do without some teacher guidance.  However, there will be two problems of this nature on the Ch. 4 test on Wed.
Writing - The class is enjoying gathering facts about their chosen countries.  The artsy part of the paper they are writing has to do with writing a catchy introduction to an otherwise ordinary report.  Students will glue a picture of "Waldo" (remember the Where's Waldo books?) to the maps of the world that they have made.  Students will then write as if Waldo is visiting their country.  I hope the stories and maps will make a really fun and informative display!
Spelling - All students will test in spelling this week.
Reading - We have finished the cause and effect skill and will move on to inferences.  There are a lot of fun stories that go along with this skill!
Science - We will test over chapters 4 and 5 on Tuesday.  Don't panic, however, as the test covers only the parts of the chapters indicated on the study guide.
Social Studies - We will finish Ch. 2 by Friday.  Look for a study guide to come next weekend.  Our test will be the early part of next week - probably Tuesday.

Important Events:
Mon. - Fundraiser money needs to be turned in;  library;
Tues. - Science test;  Spelling test for the Red and Yellow Groups;
Wed. - Math test over chapter 4;  spelling test for the Green and Blue Groups;

10/1/12 - 10/5/12

 What a beautiful weekend!  I know how busy weekends can get, however, so I am hoping that through all the busyness you were able to get a chance to visit SIS to check in on your child's grades thus far in the quarter.  We will have at least one more test in all subject areas, and in some areas there may be more than one.  Please continue to encourage your to do his/her best right up to the end of the quarter!

Here's what is happening this week:
Math - We will be practicing our addition with larger numbers in the thousands.  This means lots of regrouping!  Rounding is still being used in this chapter.  Students must know how to round to the nearest ten and nearest hundred without fail!
Writing - We are wrapping up our stories about someone in our family.  We'll try to publish them at a later time.  In the meantime, we will write a short nonfiction piece that will tie in with social studies.  I'm hoping these will be finished by the end of the week.
Spelling - Words are coming out for all groups this week.  Blue and Green spelling groups will test on Wednesday.!
Reading - Our focus continues to be on cause and effect, a difficult skill for students to master.
Science - Sorry about all the confusion over science.  We will finish our unit of study before the end of the first quarter.  Our next test will be over part of chapter 4 and part of chapter 5.  I am planning to have that test next week on Tuesday.  Our vocabulary will include words such as population, community, environment, ecosystem, habitat, producer, and consumer.   This may sound like a social studies review, but these words have a slightly different twist when part of science.  Be sure to go over this vocab well in advance!
Social Studies - Be ready to know the states in the midwest region.  We will learn about this region  and quiz over the states on the map surrounding Missouri on Thursday.   Look for this geography study page on Tuesday.

Important Events:
Wed. - Blue and Green Spelling Groups will test;
Thurs.- Map quiz over the states in the midwest region of the United States;
Fri.-  Bingo Night!

Picture from Friday's Dance Day

 (PE All School Event for the Guiness Book of World Records)



9/24/12 - 9/28/12 Update and Class Pictures From Rams Day

 

     Here we are posing for class pictures on Ram's Day earlier in the month.  The class wanted to do one serious and one silly pose!  See below for weekly update:

 

 

 

 

 Math - We will finish up rounding on Monday.  The study guide will come home as homework on Monday evening.  We will review and go over the study guide on Tuesday, followed by the Ch. 3 test on Wednesday.  We will only test over rounding to the nearest 10 and the nearest 100.

Writing - Now that we have finished the Summer Fun story and the community postcards, we are beginning to write about someone in our family.  I'm looking forward to being thoroughly entertained by these stories!

Spelling - The next test is either Thursday or Friday of this week depending on the group. (See below.)
Reading - Books of study include The Hundred Dresses, My Mother's Chair, Thank you Mr. Falker, Chameleons, and Weddings.  Ask your child which book he/she is reading!

Science - We have finished our study of plants and will continue with a study of ecosystems.  This means we will not go through chapter 3 in the book, but rather will skip to chapter 4.  This unit of study has videos and projects that the class will enjoy!

Social Studies - Geography, geography, and more geography!  That's what chapter 2 is all about.  I'm starting with continents and oceans of the world.  From there we will learn about our country, region, state, and city.

 

Special Events:  Please consider selling at least one product for our school fundraiser.  Students always feel proud that they have helped contributed!

Mon. - Library!!!!  Math study guide comes home for chapter 3.

Wed. - Spelling test for the Red and Yellow spelling groups;  Math test Ch. 3;

Thurs. - Spelling test for the Blue and Green groups. 

Fri. - No School!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/17/12 - 9/21/12

Sunday, September 16, 2012

 Greetings!

What an amazing week! The children were absolutely wonderful, and as a result we were able to accomplish a great deal. Math centers and spelling groups are going strong. This week we will officially begin our reading groups. All groups have already met, but students were reading their own books while at the reading table. It is now time for us to start reading assigned literature. I love reading groups because reading is thinking, and I get to see how well the children think after reading an article or parts of a book. Much of the thinking is observed through discussion, but some of the thinking is observed through written responses. Students must be able to do both. Please encourage your your to always be thinking when he/she is reading!

Here's what's happening the week:
Math: Look for returning math tests on Monday. We will begin Ch. 3 which begins with rounding and then heads into subtracting with regrouping multiple times.
Writing: We will weave a little social studies into our writing time this week by writing postcards from rural, urban, and suburban communities. By the end of the week you should be able to see our communities murals and postcards on display in the hallway.
Spelling: New words will come home for the Red and Yellow Groups on Tuesday and the Blue and Green Groups on Wednesday. (No spelling on Mondays because of library.)

Reading:  Reading groups begin.  Some groups will meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Other groups will meet every Tuesday and Thursday.
Science: Quiz on plants and their parts on Tuesday. Also know what all plants needs in order to survive. We will also continue study of trees and their leaves.
Social Studies: We will head into Ch.2 which is a study of Earth's geography.

Important Events:
Mon.- Library
Tues.- Science Quiz
Fri.- First published story due;

9/10/12 - 9/14/12

     Wow! What a busy week lies ahead!  We will be finishing and testing over our first chapter in social studies, second chapter in math, and will be taking our first spelling test.  How can you help as parents?  To start, try to be ahead of the game.  Spelling words should be second nature by now as students have had them since the beginning of last week.  If not, get working on them right away.  That way there will be more time to study for the math and social studies tests.  When students first begin third grade, they aren't always sure of how to plan their study, so my suggestion is to learn what you can well in advance.

Here's what is happening in more detail:
Math - We will finish the second chapter which deals with place value to the hundred thousands.  Reading and writing big numbers is one of the difficult skills on which we are focusing.  Knowing how to write those numbers in standard, expanded, and word form is essential.  Our test will be Friday, with the study guide coming home on Wednesday for homework.
Writing - We are working on locating misspelled words in our writing, circling them, and then correcting.  Some dictionary work has been taught and students are practing the skill with a few of their misspelled words.
Spelling - Students are practicing their words daily through various spelling activities.  The first tests are on Thursday and Friday of this week.
Reading - I have one more reading group with which to meet, and then I will have met with all groups for my preevaluation.  Part of our reading this week will also be spent taking the monthly MAP practice assessment.  This is not for a grade.  Rather it is a tool used to assist teachers in their teaching.
Science - We will learn about plants, what they need to live, and about the function of each plant part.  
Social Studies -  The study guide for chapter one will come home on Tuesday.  Our first test is on Thursday.  We are very close to finishing our communities murals!

Special Events:
Mon. -  Library!
Tues. - ELL Curriculum Night in Miss Crawford's room for parents whose children       
             participate in ELL classes.  I will be there too!
Wed. - Early dismissal day (1:40)
Thurs. - Spelling test for Red and Yellow spelling groups;  Social Studies test / Chap.1
Fri. - Our first Buddy Day!  Spelling test for Blue and Green spelling groups;  Math test/Chap. 2 

 

9/4/12 - 9/7/12

     I was very happy to see so many in attendance for Curriculum Night.  Thank you for your attendance!  Hopefully you have a better understanding of third grade.  We are really getting into our subjects now, and it feels good.  This coming week we will test over science chapter 1.  Students may study the study guides located in the binder behind science.  There should be three different pages.  If one is missing, please let me know so that I can copy replacement pages for study. 

Here's what else is going on this week:
Math - In Ch. 2 we will learn about even-odd, place and value, and ways to write a number:  standard form, word form, and expanded form.  This is a very challenging chapter, and so  there may be more math homework this week.  Please continue to practice addition and subtraction facts as well so that the review sections of assignments aren't a struggle.
Writing - The class is doing a great job as they practice how to construct a good paraghraph with details!
Spelling - Let the spelling groups begin!  Each student was informed of their group and group members.  I will meet with two groups each day.  Since I have four groups, that means I will meet with your child every other day.  Look for the word list in the daily planner as well as word cards being sent home on the first day that the group meets.  Feel free to cut cards and sort, learning how the words are connected and how they are spelled.
Reading - I'm not quite ready for groups yet, but know that I will most likely begin them next week.  Right now we are practicing visualizing and making connections with what we read.
Science - Our seeds are germinating and growing!  We'll bring them home this week.  Out first test is Friday.
Social Studies -  We will be designing murals depicting urban, suburban, and rural communities.  We will also be focusing on map study.  Look for a chapter 1 test sometime next week.

Important Events:
Mon. - No school
Tues. - Spelling Groups begin;  bring books to return to library;
Fri. - Science Test;  Football Spirit Day!  Wear as much Ram's attire as you can for the schools classroom contest!  Judges will vote on the class with the most spirit.  I love football, so I'm hoping we will snatch the prize for the most spirit!!!!!

 

Today's Science Class

     We started our first science experiment today.  Students were in teams of two or three students.  Each team was in charge of three types of seeds - lima. pinto, and radish.  Here's what a couple teams had to say about what they did!

 

 

 



8/27 - 8/31

     We had another awesome week!  Students are grasping the new routines and working hard to do their very best.  I think I have a wonderful group of children and am so happy that each child is a part of my class.  Tuesday is Curriculum Night, and it is my hope to see each and every one of you there.  This may very well be the most important meeting we have during the course of the year!

Here's what is happening in school this week:

Math - We are finishing the first chapter in math on Tuesday, and our first math test will be given on Thursday.  Students should be practicing their addition and subtraction facts as much as possible.  Knowing them well is the basis for an entire year of math.  The study guide will come home on Tuesday evening as homework.  We will go over it in class on Wednesday.  Students may study from it again on Wednesday evening.
Writing - My hope is that students will write a letter to their parents inviting them to curriculum night!  Wish us luck, as I hope everyone is successful in finishing them in time!
Spelling - I'm in the process of developing the spelling groups for the year.  In class we are still practicing all of the activities associated with my spelling centers.
Reading - The class is building stamina as they read silently for a certain amount of time each day.  This week we will learn the routine for reading to someone and listening to someone read.
Science - Monday is experiment day.  We will be in teams of three and will experiment with three types of seeds.  Our goal is to see how long it takes for each seed to germinate.
S.Studies -  This is our week to make our community murals!

Important Events:
Mon. -   Library Day
Tues. -  Curriculum Night
Wed. - Study for math test!
Thurs. - Test over math chapter 1
Fri. - ??????

August 20 - August 24

    Hello, and welcome to a new school year!  I really enjoyed getting to know my new students this past week, and I am looking forward to a very good year.  We spent Thursday and Friday getting acquainted with one another.  Three students in our classroom are new to the district, but by lunch time the first day, you could hardly tell.  Everyone was blending together beautifully.  I am hoping for an equally nice week this week!

The following is an idea of what we will try to cover this coming week:

Math - We will be dusting off the addition and subtraction flash cards as we review our facts in the first chapter.  We will learn a few tricks along the way to aid in adding and subtracting accurately.  Please practice at home1
Writing - Students will review the idea of a topic and topic sentence.  Then they will write their first paragraphs about something fun they did this summer.  I'll be looking for good topic sentences, at least three detail sentences, and a closing sentence.  Wish us success!
Spelling - The class will learn how to do various sorts with the names of the students in the class.  We will use their names to practice the activities I am using with the Words Their Way spelling program.
Reading - At the start of our reading program we will learn the importance of knowing how to read well, learn how to choose "just right" books, and will work on building our reading stamina.  This week and next I will be organizing reading groups.  New students to the school will be tested for reading level.
Science - Our study of plant and an animal life cycles will begin.
S. Studies - We will begin chapter 1, which is a review of types of communities - urban, suburban, and rural.



Up coming Events:
Tuesday, August 28th is Curriculum Night.  I hope all parents will be in attendance.  This is perhaps our most important meeting of the year! 

More Pictures of Biography Day

Students dressed up like the main character in their biography books.  They told our guests details about their lives.  Caleb, Alana, Josh, Emilio, Alexis, and Nathan all had wonderful reports!