Cultural Day

This is our class playing games from different countries!

Teddy Bear Picnic. (Indoors due to rain.)

     We had fun in spite of the rain!

5/26/14 - 5/30/14

     This will most likely be my last Lindbergh blog other than pictures I may post from our last week's events.  As you most likely know, this is my last year of teaching.  I have been enjoying retirement events for the last three weeks, and now it is time to actually retire.  I have enjoyed all my years, and am happy that I was able to end my teaching career with the sweet class I had the pleasure of working with this year.  Thank you for sharing your children with me and trusting me with their education.  I wish everyone the best and will miss you all!

This week's important Events:
Mon. - No School;
Tues. -
Wed. - Zoo Field Trip from 9:00 - 2:00;
Thurs. - Library Makeup Day;
Fri. - Half Day School with dismissal at 11:40;  Morning Assembly;  Fly Up Day;

Weekly Update 5/12/14 - 5/16/14

     After ending the week with an exciting Author's Day experience, one might think there is nothing left to top that.  However, the next three weeks are quite full with activities for the end of the year.  This Tuesday, we will have the Teddy Bear Picnic with our kindergarten buddies.  Students should remember to bring a drink, snack, beach towel for the grass, and teddy bear.  This is an early morning event, so no phone calls home if a child forgets his/ her supplies.  The teddy bears and towels are optional.  We will also have a big MAP celebration assembly on the 15th, and of course the students do not come to school this Friday as it is a professional development day.
     Next week, we will go to Suson Park (Thursday the 22nd) with our buddies.  Students will need to bring a drink and their lunch to this event.  Parents who plan to attend may either meet us at the park playground at about 9:15, or follow the bus from school to the park.  We will leave school at 9:00.  I will contact all parents who volunteered with any further details.
     The following week we will be going on our zoo field trip.  If you volunteered to go with us (Wednesday the 28th), I am counting on you going as a parent helper.  If something else comes up and you are unable to attend, please let me know as soon as possible.   I will send an email the week before with further details concerning our trip.  Since we have five parent volunteers and myself, the groups will be very small and easy to manage.  If some groups want to go together, that is an option.
Now here is what is happening this week:
Writing - We are diving into our fairy tale adaptations.  I have never done this with a class before, so it is a little scary!
Math -  We will finish chapter 25 on fractions.  Look for a test early next week.  The kids did a great job on the probability test!!!
Reading - Students can look forward to comparing and contrasting traditional fairy tales with their adapted counterpart.
Science - After wrapping up chapter 7 (space), we will head into chapter 8 on matter.
Cursive - You will love our cursive writing!  We practice on lined paper, and then try to put our very best in our very own cursive writing books.
S. Studies - We have done a short study of St. Louis in Ch. 5.  From there the chapter goes into early transportation.

Important Events:
Mon. - Library; visitors from Bayless School District to observe writing class;
Tues. - Teddy Bear Picnic;
Wed. - MAP Celebration Assembly;
Thurs. -
Fri. - No School due to Professional Development Day!

Author's Day in Pictures

      Friday was Author's Day, and students enjoyed experiencing several authors.  They shared their writing experiences, writing tips, and stories.  Below are pictures from our time spent with  author Mary Jane Schnitker, a former Lindbergh kindergarten teacher.

     Our next author visit was with Kate Klise.  She has published several books and had a lot of interesting advice to impart.   The class really enjoyed her presentation and learned a lot about being an author.

     Our third author of the day was Margo Dill.  She has written chapter books for young readers.  The books looked very appropriate for 3rd through 6th grade and perhaps beyond.

     Next we traveled to the library to hear from a hometown blogger.  In fact, Mrs. Mitchell is a parent of a kindergartner here at Sappington.  After the presentation, students had the opportunity to blog.

     We ended the day with the book Goodnight St. Louis and met the authors of this very popular book!

Weekly Update 5/5/14 - 5/9/14

     Starting tomorrow, we are back to our normal schedule.  However, there are a couple of ELL students who must do some make up testing this week.  Also, if a student was absent last week, he/she will need to do the make up testing as well.  Speaking of MAP, I want to thank all of you for asking your child to do his/her best on the tests. Students worked hard and took the test seriously all the way to the end, which is pretty tough for a third grader.  Results will come out in the fall and will be sent to you in the mail.      

     This Friday is Writer's Day.  Authors will be visiting and holding short workshops for the students, so our schedule will be completely different from normal.  (Contrary to what I stated in the first sentence of this email!)  Along with Writer's Day is a volunteer luncheon.  Those who have volunteered for our school in some way are asked to join in on the luncheon.  Perhaps you have escorted our class on a field trip or will be doing so for the Suson or zoo trip.  Perhaps you have helped at parties or sent in some treats for the class.  If so, please come and join us on Writer's Day between 11:15 and 12:00.   

Now take a look at what is going on this week:

Writing - We will end the year with a Fairy Tale Unit.  Our adapted/fractured fairy tales are sure to be a lot of fun!

Math - Sorry to have to do this so quickly, but tomorrow we will be reviewing chapter 24 on probability.  A study guide will come home so that we can test over chapter 24 on Tuesday.  If we don't look as if we will be ready for Tuesday, then I will make it a 

Wednesday test instead.

Reading - I will be working with students on their question/response skills.  All students will be tested to see what their reading level is at the end of the year.   

Science - Our next lesson is about Earth's movement around the sun (revolution and rotation.)  I will try to have another lesson check by Thursday.  Please look for the most recent lesson check which is coming home tomorrow.  Everyone did very well.

Social Studies - We will begin a study of St. Louis and transportation as we end the year with chapter 5.   

Cursive Writing - The class will love trying their hand at cursive writing.  Who knows - maybe we will have some future cursive writers!  A few in our class have actually studied cursive on their own at home and are doing remarkably well!

Important Events:

Mon. - Library;  math study guide comes home;

Tues. - Math test chapter 24;

Wed. - 

Thurs. - Science open book check for Ch. 7, Lesson 3;

Fri. - Writer's Day;  Volunteer Luncheon 11:15 - 12:00;

Buddy Day Pictures

We took a short break from all of our testing and met with our buddies last Friday.  We read a book to our buddy and then played together on the playground.

M

Weekly Update Pictures and Message for Week of 4/21/14 - 4/25/14

     Guess what?  Next week is Book Fair!  We browsed for good books today, but have the opportunity to buy at our library time on Monday.  If you would like your child to buy books, send the money in an envelope with your child's named marked on the front.  Book selections were sent home in the Wednesday folder.

     MAP begins next week for most students.  However, a couple students will be testing on Monday, so be sure you child is rested for the week.  I will email you if your child is one of the ones testing on Monday.

     If you haven't already done so, please send in an item or our trail mix.  It is really something the children look forward to.

     Finally, we are having a reward party this coming Friday.  Students may wear pajamas, bring a stuffed animal, and bring a device for Device Day.  Remember, I have computers at school, so don't worry about the device if you don't feel comfortable sending it!

     Below are pictures of students browsing at the Book Fair!

Important Events:

Mon. - Book Fair and library;  beginning of MAP testing week;

Tues.

Wed. - Early Release Day;

Thurs. -

Fri. - Pajama Day and Device Party;