Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Help these sweet dogs find a home
These 2 dogs were dumped in our country neighborhood this summer. My family took pity on them and we have been caring for them for close to 2 months now. We already have 4 dogs, including 2 geriatric dogs on medication. We cannot afford 2 more dogs. They are young and very sweet. They would make good outside pets, and possibly inside as well. Please help us find them a home. They are quite attached too. If they could stay together, it would even be better. Thanks for helping us!Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Scholastic Book Order Goal
Hi Families!
Tomorrow I will be sending home the first Scholastic Book Club order of the year. Please make sure you read the letter attached, and then sign and return it. It has some exciting news in it!
Kids remember to be reading your 100 minutes. The spelling test is coming up on Thursday. Do you know your words? I am very proud of you and your hard work and sweet attitudes.
Tomorrow I will be sending home the first Scholastic Book Club order of the year. Please make sure you read the letter attached, and then sign and return it. It has some exciting news in it!
Kids remember to be reading your 100 minutes. The spelling test is coming up on Thursday. Do you know your words? I am very proud of you and your hard work and sweet attitudes.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Week of 8/25/08
Hi all! Well, we have our first full week under our belt! The children are so enjoyable! Here is what's on the agenda this week:
Language Arts - We will be reading a story called Lewis and Clark, A Dog's Tale, working on related vocabulary, reviewing last week's vocabulary, testing reading comprehension, and working on the reading skill, cause and effect. Our spelling words are long a and i words. Overall, the children did well on their spelling test last Thursday! Yeah! We will look at imperative and exclamatory sentences too this week.
Math - Compare and Order numbers and Rounding Last week, I talked to the children about benchmarks when estimating. I sent 2 estimation jars home with Matt. He brought them back with a benchmark number of items in 1 jar and the other jar was full of the same item. The children hopefully can use the benchmark jar to give a better estimate of the full jar. Whoever gets closest to the amount in the full jar gets to take them home next! Get creative with whatever you put in them. Matt did a great job!
Social Studies - Map work including: continents, hemispheres, landforms and boundaries, and grids I will also read the story about Flat Stanley. It is a story about a little boy who becomes flat after a bulliten board falls on him. He has many adventures being flat, but the biggest is when he is mailed in an envelope to his friend in another state. We are going to make our own Flat Stanleys this week. Please be thinking of someone you know in another city, state, or country that you could mail Flat Stanley to. They in turn could take pictures of Flat Stanley in front of a place or places in their city, state, or country to help us learn a little more about other places. They could include a postcard and a letter explaining Flat Stanley's adventures when they send him back. This project has been done in the past with great success! It is quite exciting! Please help us out!
Science - Ocean Right now, we are working in groups and by teacher guidance on an ocean reading packet to get them more familiar with different types of ocean animals. We have reviewed the different oceans and will learn about other "oceany" facts. Each child will eventually choose an ocean animal to become an expert on. They will write a 3-5 paragraph report and include an illustration. We will go over how to pick out the important information when covering topics and how to turn notes into sentences and paragraphs.
I will post first day of school pictures soon! I am waiting on 1 permission slip.
I will be sending our first Scholastic book order home this week. More information about that will come later this week.
Don't forget reading homework is due on Monday.
Language Arts - We will be reading a story called Lewis and Clark, A Dog's Tale, working on related vocabulary, reviewing last week's vocabulary, testing reading comprehension, and working on the reading skill, cause and effect. Our spelling words are long a and i words. Overall, the children did well on their spelling test last Thursday! Yeah! We will look at imperative and exclamatory sentences too this week.
Math - Compare and Order numbers and Rounding Last week, I talked to the children about benchmarks when estimating. I sent 2 estimation jars home with Matt. He brought them back with a benchmark number of items in 1 jar and the other jar was full of the same item. The children hopefully can use the benchmark jar to give a better estimate of the full jar. Whoever gets closest to the amount in the full jar gets to take them home next! Get creative with whatever you put in them. Matt did a great job!
Social Studies - Map work including: continents, hemispheres, landforms and boundaries, and grids I will also read the story about Flat Stanley. It is a story about a little boy who becomes flat after a bulliten board falls on him. He has many adventures being flat, but the biggest is when he is mailed in an envelope to his friend in another state. We are going to make our own Flat Stanleys this week. Please be thinking of someone you know in another city, state, or country that you could mail Flat Stanley to. They in turn could take pictures of Flat Stanley in front of a place or places in their city, state, or country to help us learn a little more about other places. They could include a postcard and a letter explaining Flat Stanley's adventures when they send him back. This project has been done in the past with great success! It is quite exciting! Please help us out!
Science - Ocean Right now, we are working in groups and by teacher guidance on an ocean reading packet to get them more familiar with different types of ocean animals. We have reviewed the different oceans and will learn about other "oceany" facts. Each child will eventually choose an ocean animal to become an expert on. They will write a 3-5 paragraph report and include an illustration. We will go over how to pick out the important information when covering topics and how to turn notes into sentences and paragraphs.
I will post first day of school pictures soon! I am waiting on 1 permission slip.
I will be sending our first Scholastic book order home this week. More information about that will come later this week.
Don't forget reading homework is due on Monday.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
WEEK OF 08/18/2008
It was a great first 2 days of school. The children are delightful! I am anxious to get to know them more! This week will find us settling into a nice routine. This is what is ahead in each subject:
Language Arts - We will be reading the story of Winn Dixie and working on related vocabulary words as well as checking reading comprehension. We will focus on the skill of sequencing. We will work on declarative and interrogative sentences. A list of the week's spelling words will be sent home on Monday. Spelling tests are on Thursday. We will also begin 100 minutes of reading for the week. I will send the folder with the form in it home on Monday and it will be due the following Monday.
Math - Place Value
Social Studies - Map skills
Science - Ocean Unit
Hopefully, on Friday we will get to meet our Kindergarten partners! The children are very excited about this! The children will have the opportunity to mentor a younger child. I do this every year and it is quite a success as well as very sweet to witness!
Remember that your child may bring a bottle of water and a snack every day. They do get hungry between breakfast and lunch.
Several of the children are already members of the Mastery Club! I am so impressed by their motivation! Check it out in the links on the right.
If you have not read the post about our Class Economy System, scroll down and read it. The children are super excited about this. I am busy this weekend trying hard to match children to jobs. It is not easy!!! I will announce who got what job on Monday.
Thanks Kathryn's mom for giving me some sites to check out. I am going to check them out this weekend!
Remember to check this blog at least once or twice a week to keep up with what is going on in class. As soon as I get everyone's website permission slip back I will start posting pictures too!
Language Arts - We will be reading the story of Winn Dixie and working on related vocabulary words as well as checking reading comprehension. We will focus on the skill of sequencing. We will work on declarative and interrogative sentences. A list of the week's spelling words will be sent home on Monday. Spelling tests are on Thursday. We will also begin 100 minutes of reading for the week. I will send the folder with the form in it home on Monday and it will be due the following Monday.
Math - Place Value
Social Studies - Map skills
Science - Ocean Unit
Hopefully, on Friday we will get to meet our Kindergarten partners! The children are very excited about this! The children will have the opportunity to mentor a younger child. I do this every year and it is quite a success as well as very sweet to witness!
Remember that your child may bring a bottle of water and a snack every day. They do get hungry between breakfast and lunch.
Several of the children are already members of the Mastery Club! I am so impressed by their motivation! Check it out in the links on the right.
If you have not read the post about our Class Economy System, scroll down and read it. The children are super excited about this. I am busy this weekend trying hard to match children to jobs. It is not easy!!! I will announce who got what job on Monday.
Thanks Kathryn's mom for giving me some sites to check out. I am going to check them out this weekend!
Remember to check this blog at least once or twice a week to keep up with what is going on in class. As soon as I get everyone's website permission slip back I will start posting pictures too!
Monday, August 11, 2008
PROCEDURES/POLICIES
PROCEDURES
WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN THE MORNING
Turn in your homework (if you have any)
Hang your backpack and coat up
Sharpen your pencils (2 at the most)
Begin your morning work
DISMISSAL
When you hear the music, begin gathering your homework (if needed) to put in your backpack, check the board to make sure you have everything completed
Clean up your area
Clean your desk top
Check your mailbox for notes and graded work
Put your backpack and coat on your desk
Help others
HOMEWORK
As far as homework is concerned, I generally will not assign too much homework. I will assign a long term, fun project once a month. For the most part, the only homework you will have is the daily work you did not complete in class. I do encourage reading at home, though it is not a requirement.
TURN IN
Turn-in Trays are located on the table by the mailboxes. Turn in your work in the tray marked with the subject you completed. Highlight your name right before turning it in. Any late or absent work should be turned in directly to me.
ABSENT WORK
You will receive 1 night for every day you are absent to make up absent work.
LATE WORK POLICY
Work is due the next morning at 8:00. If you are late with an assignment, you will receive a $1.00 fine due on payday (see Economic System). You will also miss free time that day. If you have a consistent problem with late work, I will contact your parent.
LINING UP/HALLWAY BEHAVIOR
I expect you to walk nicely to get in line. Walk quietly and nicely on the right side of the hall. When going to lunch, remember single file, second tile.
LUNCH ROOM BEHAVIOR
You may talk using inside voices. Be respectful and use good manners.
BATHROOM
You will receive 2 bathroom passes to use each day. You may go to the bathroom when you need to without asking me as long as I am not teaching or you are not taking a test. There are 2 plastic boxes on the small table by the smartboard. When you need to go to the bathroom, simply take your bathroom pass and put it on top of the box. When you return, put the pass inside the box. It will be used up then. One boy and one girl are allowed out at the same time, so if you see another girl’s pass on top of the box and you are a girl, you will need to wait until she gets back. You may also go to the bathroom during lunch and computer without a pass. I understand emergencies, but if you consistently need to go more often than that, I will need a letter from your parent.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE
Sit quietly and wait patiently for the next subject. You may read a book, or finish other work you have not completed. You shouldn’t have much time between subjects.
DIRT/Accelerated Reader
DIRT(Daily Independent Reading Time) will be set aside every day. It is very important!! You are to stay on task and READ during this time. You need to have a book already picked out when it is DIRT. On Fridays you can read “everybody books”. There will be fun rewards for earning AR points!!
MASTERY CLUB
This is a club for everyone! There are lots of things to learn and memorize for FUN! We will keep track of all the challenges you have learned and at the end of the year, you will receive extra auction money!! Check out the Mastery Club link.
SPEED BEADS
These beads are earned through timed multiplication facts quizes. We will have a banana split party in January for those that passed through their tests!
UNFINISHED WORK FOLDERS
Your yellow folders will be your Unfinished Work Folders. They are strictly for uncompleted work. If you do not get something done, and we need to move on, put the unfinished work in this folder. If you have any free time, you can get it out and work on it. If at the end of the day, you still have unfinished work in the folder, take the folder home. Finish your work and bring the yellow folder with your completed work in it back to school the next day. Always keep the folder on or in your desk, except to take it home. Please do not use it to store other things.
MORNING WORK FOLDERS
Your red folders will be your Morning Work Folders. Each morning you will have a short math and language arts assignment to do. It is very important that you keep track of this work because we will work on it and go over it every day. Make sure that you keep your morning work in your red folder.
SUPPLIES
Most of your supplies can be kept in a plastic box in your desk. Write your name on all supplies. When we need them for art or another project/activity, you will have your supplies handy. Please take good care of your supplies. Keep them neatly in their original boxes and put lids on tightly.
CLASSROOM RULES/DISCIPLINE
We will follow the 8 Expectations for our classroom rules. (See the post, The 8 Expectations) You have a small magnet on your desk to refer to when needed. Remember, we are a family this year and we need to value one another and be kind and helpful. As far as consequences goes, Free Choice Time and Fun Friday will be taken away if needed to remind you how to act.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
I expect you to use the 8 Expectations. As a class, we will work towards getting 25 good and productive days. When this happens, the class will earn a privilege such as Show and Tell, or a special Themed Day, etc.
AWAY FROM CLASS BEHAVIOR
When you are in music, P.E., computer, the playground, an assembly, the library, etc., you need to follow the 8 Expectations as well as the established rules in those places.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN THE MORNING
Turn in your homework (if you have any)
Hang your backpack and coat up
Sharpen your pencils (2 at the most)
Begin your morning work
DISMISSAL
When you hear the music, begin gathering your homework (if needed) to put in your backpack, check the board to make sure you have everything completed
Clean up your area
Clean your desk top
Check your mailbox for notes and graded work
Put your backpack and coat on your desk
Help others
HOMEWORK
As far as homework is concerned, I generally will not assign too much homework. I will assign a long term, fun project once a month. For the most part, the only homework you will have is the daily work you did not complete in class. I do encourage reading at home, though it is not a requirement.
TURN IN
Turn-in Trays are located on the table by the mailboxes. Turn in your work in the tray marked with the subject you completed. Highlight your name right before turning it in. Any late or absent work should be turned in directly to me.
ABSENT WORK
You will receive 1 night for every day you are absent to make up absent work.
LATE WORK POLICY
Work is due the next morning at 8:00. If you are late with an assignment, you will receive a $1.00 fine due on payday (see Economic System). You will also miss free time that day. If you have a consistent problem with late work, I will contact your parent.
LINING UP/HALLWAY BEHAVIOR
I expect you to walk nicely to get in line. Walk quietly and nicely on the right side of the hall. When going to lunch, remember single file, second tile.
LUNCH ROOM BEHAVIOR
You may talk using inside voices. Be respectful and use good manners.
BATHROOM
You will receive 2 bathroom passes to use each day. You may go to the bathroom when you need to without asking me as long as I am not teaching or you are not taking a test. There are 2 plastic boxes on the small table by the smartboard. When you need to go to the bathroom, simply take your bathroom pass and put it on top of the box. When you return, put the pass inside the box. It will be used up then. One boy and one girl are allowed out at the same time, so if you see another girl’s pass on top of the box and you are a girl, you will need to wait until she gets back. You may also go to the bathroom during lunch and computer without a pass. I understand emergencies, but if you consistently need to go more often than that, I will need a letter from your parent.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE
Sit quietly and wait patiently for the next subject. You may read a book, or finish other work you have not completed. You shouldn’t have much time between subjects.
DIRT/Accelerated Reader
DIRT(Daily Independent Reading Time) will be set aside every day. It is very important!! You are to stay on task and READ during this time. You need to have a book already picked out when it is DIRT. On Fridays you can read “everybody books”. There will be fun rewards for earning AR points!!
MASTERY CLUB
This is a club for everyone! There are lots of things to learn and memorize for FUN! We will keep track of all the challenges you have learned and at the end of the year, you will receive extra auction money!! Check out the Mastery Club link.
SPEED BEADS
These beads are earned through timed multiplication facts quizes. We will have a banana split party in January for those that passed through their tests!
UNFINISHED WORK FOLDERS
Your yellow folders will be your Unfinished Work Folders. They are strictly for uncompleted work. If you do not get something done, and we need to move on, put the unfinished work in this folder. If you have any free time, you can get it out and work on it. If at the end of the day, you still have unfinished work in the folder, take the folder home. Finish your work and bring the yellow folder with your completed work in it back to school the next day. Always keep the folder on or in your desk, except to take it home. Please do not use it to store other things.
MORNING WORK FOLDERS
Your red folders will be your Morning Work Folders. Each morning you will have a short math and language arts assignment to do. It is very important that you keep track of this work because we will work on it and go over it every day. Make sure that you keep your morning work in your red folder.
SUPPLIES
Most of your supplies can be kept in a plastic box in your desk. Write your name on all supplies. When we need them for art or another project/activity, you will have your supplies handy. Please take good care of your supplies. Keep them neatly in their original boxes and put lids on tightly.
CLASSROOM RULES/DISCIPLINE
We will follow the 8 Expectations for our classroom rules. (See the post, The 8 Expectations) You have a small magnet on your desk to refer to when needed. Remember, we are a family this year and we need to value one another and be kind and helpful. As far as consequences goes, Free Choice Time and Fun Friday will be taken away if needed to remind you how to act.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
I expect you to use the 8 Expectations. As a class, we will work towards getting 25 good and productive days. When this happens, the class will earn a privilege such as Show and Tell, or a special Themed Day, etc.
AWAY FROM CLASS BEHAVIOR
When you are in music, P.E., computer, the playground, an assembly, the library, etc., you need to follow the 8 Expectations as well as the established rules in those places.
CLASSROOM ECONOMIC SYSTEM
This year your child will learn a little about economics and hopefully become better money managers as a result! Every child will apply for 3 classroom salaried positions. They will fill out a job application stating what jobs they are applying for and why they would be good in that position. I will hire each of them for 1 of the jobs they applied for. Payday will be the 20th of each month. At that time the children will make deposits with the banker, pay rent for their home (desk/chair), pay any fines they may have received regarding incomplete work, messy work area, or not turning in homework. They can also visit the store and purchase monthly privileges with any leftover money they may have. Some of the children may be really good at saving their money. If this is the case, they may end up saving enough money to buy their home (desk/chair) and not have to pay monthly rent anymore. At the end of the year, we will have an auction. The more money the children save, the better chance they have of getting a much wanted item. I hope to teach the children a little about money management, budgeting, saving, delayed gratification, as well as work ethic, and when you work for things maybe you appreciate things more. The children will also learn to fill out ledgers and might get visited by the taxman! These are life lessons……….the most important lessons we can teach them!
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