Hi Families! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! I also hope you enjoyed student-led conferences. Your children did so well. I am very proud of them! I'm sure you are too. It was fun for me to watch them with you. Wow! This week will be a full week! I am kind of ready for it! I am so glad Halloween is on a Friday this year! Here is what is on the agenda this week:
Reading - We will be working on vocabulary as well as doing an independent book study. Tomorrow I will have the children check out a mystery book from the library. They will have 2 weeks to complete the mystery. I will allow them time to read in class, but they can read it at home as well. We will be studying the literary element, setting, with this genre. When they complete their book, I will give them a "setting" project to do.
English - Friendly letters, Adjectives
Spelling - "u" sounds
Science - We will finish up our geology unit. The test will be on Thursday. I will send home a study guide on Monday. This test is not a big as the Oklahoma History test, but the kids will still need to take time to study a little each night.
Math - We will begin a unit on graphs. This week we will look at pictographs, bar graphs, and line plots. Please continue to practice telling time and elapsed time with your children. Overall, they did pretty well, and we need to move on, but they will still need some practice at home to retain it.
There will be no social studies this week. Next week, we will begin a unit on the Northeast Region of the United States. The children did awesome on their Oklahoma History test! I am so proud of them! I know that you played a big role in that at home. Thank you for being so supportive in your child's education! It makes all the difference! You should have seen your children's faces when I gave bonus bucks out for good grades (A's, B's, and C's)! They were so proud of themselves. Success breeds success!
Friday, as you know, will be our Halloween Parade at 8:00 and the Halloween party following right after. The children will need to come to school dressed in their costumes. They will need to bring a change of clothes though, for after the parade/party. We will also be having a Read and Feed that day. Your child may bring an extra snack and a drink to school.
Our Christmas present project is coming up. If your child would like to participate, please send cash or check for $6.50 to school by next Friday, November 7th.
This week, I am assigning a fun homework assignment. I want you and your child to go on a leaf hunt! Look for a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Collect at least 10 or 12 leaves. Once you collect them, press them by soaking them in warm water for a few minutes, blot them dry, then press them between newspapers in between books. Press them for about a week. We will be doing a leaf art project next Friday, November 7th. You need to get started pretty quick this week. They do not do well if they are not pressed, so don't procrastinate. I have noticed some of the leaves have turned, not like I had hoped, but maybe enough for you to get a variety of colors. Good luck and have fun!
Here are this week's spelling words:
blush
crutch
crunch
grumpy
much
umpire
uncle
none
does
fuel
cute
cubicle
human
future
usual
uniform
used
beautiful
university
unicorn
The following are this week's enrichment words:
stalactite stalagmite metamorphic martyr pandemonium aghast sensible sedimentary quaint perplex despair croquet chromium igneous considerate
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Conferences coming up!
Just a note about conferences. Your child should bring home a reminder with your conference time on it tomorrow. We will be very busy in the next 2 days getting ready to lead conferences. It is a big thing. Please know how hard your child will prepare for this day and praise him/her big time!! Please also remember that there will be several families in the room at the same time. I've noticed over the years that every family just seems to be in their own little world and it really doesn't matter. I allow this because it is the only way to let everyone take their time and not be rushed. I don't want this to be like traditional conferences where it is "wham bam thank ya sam!". I want the children involved and taking ownership of their grades, behaviors, and choices. I want parents to not feel rushed out the door and to be able to get a clearer picture of their child and what is going on during his/her school day.
Don't forget to send a pumpkin to school by Thursday morning. Thanks!
Don't forget to send a pumpkin to school by Thursday morning. Thanks!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Week of 10/20
Well, I hope Fall Break provided much enjoyment for your family! My family enjoyed some shopping on Friday, time with my parents in Cushing on Saturday, and catching up with house cleaning and laundry on Sunday! It went fast, but I am ready for school tomorrow!
This week we will continue our geology unit. The kids have brought a lot of rocks in for our rock museum and have been busy researching what kind they are and labeling them! We will continue working on telling time and elapsed time. We will finish our Oklahoma history this week. Tomorrow, I will send home a study guide for the Oklahoma history test on Thursday. I suggest your child study a little each night. We have covered all the information in class, but it is a lot to remember. I know they will do great if they don't procrastinate! Help them to remember that old "time management" skill! :) We will also be learning more about our government and getting voter registration cards filled out for students in grades 3 through 6. Our mock election will be next Tuesday!
Please remember to send a pumpkin to school by Thursday morning. (small as an apple or big as your child can carry) We will be doing science, math, and art with the pumpkins.
I know this is a funny request, but could you send a hammer wrapped up in an old rag or sock to school by Tuesday. We will be cracking open geodes that day. Just tuck the wrapped up hammer down in your child's backpack and we will take it out to use it, then put it back in the backpack! :0 I do this project every year and it is so much fun!
If you have not sent your conference form back, please return it by Tuesday morning.
There will be no spelling on this short week again, but it will resume next week. There will, however, be reading homework. I will give another break on Halloween week, Thanksgiving week, and then in December, we will quit reading homework after the first two weeks of that month. I know the holidays are so busy. I have such readers this year though, that I am sure and I'm hoping, that reading will still be going on! :)
This week we will continue our geology unit. The kids have brought a lot of rocks in for our rock museum and have been busy researching what kind they are and labeling them! We will continue working on telling time and elapsed time. We will finish our Oklahoma history this week. Tomorrow, I will send home a study guide for the Oklahoma history test on Thursday. I suggest your child study a little each night. We have covered all the information in class, but it is a lot to remember. I know they will do great if they don't procrastinate! Help them to remember that old "time management" skill! :) We will also be learning more about our government and getting voter registration cards filled out for students in grades 3 through 6. Our mock election will be next Tuesday!
Please remember to send a pumpkin to school by Thursday morning. (small as an apple or big as your child can carry) We will be doing science, math, and art with the pumpkins.
I know this is a funny request, but could you send a hammer wrapped up in an old rag or sock to school by Tuesday. We will be cracking open geodes that day. Just tuck the wrapped up hammer down in your child's backpack and we will take it out to use it, then put it back in the backpack! :0 I do this project every year and it is so much fun!
If you have not sent your conference form back, please return it by Tuesday morning.
There will be no spelling on this short week again, but it will resume next week. There will, however, be reading homework. I will give another break on Halloween week, Thanksgiving week, and then in December, we will quit reading homework after the first two weeks of that month. I know the holidays are so busy. I have such readers this year though, that I am sure and I'm hoping, that reading will still be going on! :)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Week of 10/13/08
This will be a short week. I am sure your child is ready for Fall Break! This week we will begin our geology unit! Our geology unit covers language arts skills as well as science skills. It is a very fun unit! Your children may bring special rocks from home to display in our rock museum. They will all get their rocks back. We will start with a study of the earth and its layers. Math this week includes telling time and calendars. We will study elapsed time as well. You can help your child at home by giving them elapsed time questions such as: We will leave for football practice in 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is now 3:05. What time will we leave? Elapsed time is a hard concept for many children, especially those that struggle telling time on a "non-digital" clock. Practice "plain old" telling time too. In social studies, we will be finishing up our Oklahoma Symbols books and taking a quiz on the symbols. We will also take a look at the Dust Bowl.
Soon my children will be hosting a mock election for grades 3 through 6! We will be learning about government and the election process over the next few weeks. Our mock election will be held on October 28th, the Tuesday before the real election. Talk to your child about the presidential candidates and the importance of voting.
Next week, the children need to have their pumpkins to school by October 23rd. That will be our Pumpkin Day. Remember that your child may bring a pumpkin the size of an apple or as big as he/she can carry. We will be doing pumpkin related work in reading, math, science, and art.
Tomorrow, Monday, I will be sending home the conference note. Please send it back on Tuesday. The children seem very excited about these conferences! Boy, do we have a few things planned for you! They are anxious to be the leader, while you sit back and be the listener. Hopefully, you have taken a moment to read some of the research on student-led conferences. If you have not, the link is at the right.
We are doing well on box tops! We also have some donated pet items! Yeah! The kids and I say "Thank you". Some of you have already sent in items for upcoming projects. Thank you. I have started a pile behind our ship! I will let you know when things are due as they come if you would rather wait to send things.
There will be no reading homework or spelling this week.
Have a great week!
Soon my children will be hosting a mock election for grades 3 through 6! We will be learning about government and the election process over the next few weeks. Our mock election will be held on October 28th, the Tuesday before the real election. Talk to your child about the presidential candidates and the importance of voting.
Next week, the children need to have their pumpkins to school by October 23rd. That will be our Pumpkin Day. Remember that your child may bring a pumpkin the size of an apple or as big as he/she can carry. We will be doing pumpkin related work in reading, math, science, and art.
Tomorrow, Monday, I will be sending home the conference note. Please send it back on Tuesday. The children seem very excited about these conferences! Boy, do we have a few things planned for you! They are anxious to be the leader, while you sit back and be the listener. Hopefully, you have taken a moment to read some of the research on student-led conferences. If you have not, the link is at the right.
We are doing well on box tops! We also have some donated pet items! Yeah! The kids and I say "Thank you". Some of you have already sent in items for upcoming projects. Thank you. I have started a pile behind our ship! I will let you know when things are due as they come if you would rather wait to send things.
There will be no reading homework or spelling this week.
Have a great week!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Program and other info!
Wasn't the program awesome?! I am so proud of your beautiful children! They have worked so hard for the past 3 weeks and it certainly paid off tonight. I am sure you enjoyed the program as much as me! We are, however, glad that it is over and we can get back to some normalcy! Most of the children have sure missed P.E.!
Remember that next Monday, I will be sending home conference forms.
We will not have spelling or reading homework next week.
The Fall Fundraiser is due tomorrow.
Thanks to all who have sent in boxtops. Keep sending them in as you get them!
Hopefully, the book order will be in tomorrow. Some children did not order their free book (from ordering from the Sept. order). When I send out the November order, I will list the children who still have a free book coming to them and they can pick out one then.
Have a wonderful weekend! I will post again on Sunday about what is ahead for next week!
Remember that next Monday, I will be sending home conference forms.
We will not have spelling or reading homework next week.
The Fall Fundraiser is due tomorrow.
Thanks to all who have sent in boxtops. Keep sending them in as you get them!
Hopefully, the book order will be in tomorrow. Some children did not order their free book (from ordering from the Sept. order). When I send out the November order, I will list the children who still have a free book coming to them and they can pick out one then.
Have a wonderful weekend! I will post again on Sunday about what is ahead for next week!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Conferences Coming Up!
Conferences are coming up the week after next. They will be held on October 23rd and 24th. I do conferencing a little different than most. I have student-led conferences. I have posted the conference letter that will be coming home with your child next Monday. For more information about student-led conferences please see the link at the right.
Dear Parents,
For the last several years, I have held student-led conferences. This is a type of conference where your child gets to be in charge. Your child will greet you with a letter. He/She will go over his/her strengths and weaknesses, as well as his/her report card. He/She will then take you on an adventure in our classroom. You will get to have a chance to take a peek at a typical day in our classroom. I have had wonderful response from both my students and parents using this type of conferencing. It seems to give the children ownership of the choices they make, as well as a chance to analyze themselves on what they are good at and what they struggle at. It gives them focus too. As for parents, it helps you to see your child in a different light. You may walk away having learned something about your child that you didn’t know before. The time during conferencing is a good connecting time. Please cut off and fill out the form and return it to me. If after these student-led conferences, you would like to talk to me personally, please let me know and we can schedule a time to meet.
Respectfully,
Gina Corderman
Child’s Name_______________
Thursday Friday
3:15-3:45_____ 8:30-9:00_____
3:45-4:15_____ 9:00-9:30_____
4:15-4:45_____ 9:30-10:00____
4:45-5:15_____ 10:00-10:30____
5:15-5:45_____
5:45-6:15_____
6:15-6:45_____
6:45-7:15_____
Dear Parents,
For the last several years, I have held student-led conferences. This is a type of conference where your child gets to be in charge. Your child will greet you with a letter. He/She will go over his/her strengths and weaknesses, as well as his/her report card. He/She will then take you on an adventure in our classroom. You will get to have a chance to take a peek at a typical day in our classroom. I have had wonderful response from both my students and parents using this type of conferencing. It seems to give the children ownership of the choices they make, as well as a chance to analyze themselves on what they are good at and what they struggle at. It gives them focus too. As for parents, it helps you to see your child in a different light. You may walk away having learned something about your child that you didn’t know before. The time during conferencing is a good connecting time. Please cut off and fill out the form and return it to me. If after these student-led conferences, you would like to talk to me personally, please let me know and we can schedule a time to meet.
Respectfully,
Gina Corderman
Child’s Name_______________
Thursday Friday
3:15-3:45_____ 8:30-9:00_____
3:45-4:15_____ 9:00-9:30_____
4:15-4:45_____ 9:30-10:00____
4:45-5:15_____ 10:00-10:30____
5:15-5:45_____
5:45-6:15_____
6:15-6:45_____
6:45-7:15_____
Monday, October 6, 2008
Spelling words/Enrichment words
strong
wrong
copy
cloth
problem
October
whole
explode
control
shown
bowl
bottom
smoky
coach
throat
toast
doughnut
foe
oil
profit
enrichment words
isolation humidity alligator laughing pyramid fingerprint boastful homophone prism triangular aggravate delicious frivolous economics loquacious
wrong
copy
cloth
problem
October
whole
explode
control
shown
bowl
bottom
smoky
coach
throat
toast
doughnut
foe
oil
profit
enrichment words
isolation humidity alligator laughing pyramid fingerprint boastful homophone prism triangular aggravate delicious frivolous economics loquacious
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Week of 10/06/2008
Hi families!
Check out the Turkey Creek School Day slideshow! I am sorry that it is a little fast! It would not let me add another song to lenghten the transitions between pictures, so I would have had to redo it and make two slideshows to slow it down. I don't have time for that! You can click on the play/pause to pause it to look at a picture more closely. We had a ball on that field trip! The kids were so stinkin cute! It was a beautiful day too!
This week will be a crazy one because of the 4th grade program! We will be practicing on stage every day! The program will be a cute one though, that you will enjoy! The dress rehearsal will be at 1:30 and the real deal will be at 6:30, both on Thursday. Please send your child in jeans and tennis shoes. The shirts should be in tomorrow and I will distribute them on Tuesday. The night of the program, please send your child to my classroom at 6:15. You may then find a seat in the gym. After the program, please come to my room to pick your child up.
Here is what's on the agenda for subject matter:
Reading: "How would you react?" scenarios and thought provoking questions
Math: We will finish chapter 4 on algebra.
English: Verbs
Social Studies: Oil in Oklahoma, state symbols
Spelling: sounds of "o" I will post the new list tomorrow.
Science: Next week we will begin a geology unit! Start looking for rocks to bring to school.
Parents please don't forget to encourage 100 minutes reading homework and then sign off on the 100 minute form. If your child did not turn in his/her reading homework folder, then he/she did not get a new 100 minute form. You may sign a note stating that your child read 100 minutes, if you do not have the form. Most of the children are doing an excellent job keeping up with this, but a few are not. I do take 25 points per week for this homework. That amounts to 2 100's per 9 weeks. This could effect your child's reading grade. We will take a break from the 100 minutes homework the week of Fall Break and the week of Halloween.
The book fair is here. The Fall fundraiser is due on the 10th. Please send in boxtops! We are trying to win the Cookie Cake Party!
Check out the Turkey Creek School Day slideshow! I am sorry that it is a little fast! It would not let me add another song to lenghten the transitions between pictures, so I would have had to redo it and make two slideshows to slow it down. I don't have time for that! You can click on the play/pause to pause it to look at a picture more closely. We had a ball on that field trip! The kids were so stinkin cute! It was a beautiful day too!
This week will be a crazy one because of the 4th grade program! We will be practicing on stage every day! The program will be a cute one though, that you will enjoy! The dress rehearsal will be at 1:30 and the real deal will be at 6:30, both on Thursday. Please send your child in jeans and tennis shoes. The shirts should be in tomorrow and I will distribute them on Tuesday. The night of the program, please send your child to my classroom at 6:15. You may then find a seat in the gym. After the program, please come to my room to pick your child up.
Here is what's on the agenda for subject matter:
Reading: "How would you react?" scenarios and thought provoking questions
Math: We will finish chapter 4 on algebra.
English: Verbs
Social Studies: Oil in Oklahoma, state symbols
Spelling: sounds of "o" I will post the new list tomorrow.
Science: Next week we will begin a geology unit! Start looking for rocks to bring to school.
Parents please don't forget to encourage 100 minutes reading homework and then sign off on the 100 minute form. If your child did not turn in his/her reading homework folder, then he/she did not get a new 100 minute form. You may sign a note stating that your child read 100 minutes, if you do not have the form. Most of the children are doing an excellent job keeping up with this, but a few are not. I do take 25 points per week for this homework. That amounts to 2 100's per 9 weeks. This could effect your child's reading grade. We will take a break from the 100 minutes homework the week of Fall Break and the week of Halloween.
The book fair is here. The Fall fundraiser is due on the 10th. Please send in boxtops! We are trying to win the Cookie Cake Party!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Planning Ahead
Hey Families!
I wanted to give you a heads up in regards to some projects and events we will be doing in the next 3 months. The holiday season, while bringing anticipation and joy, also brings about stress and expense. For this reason, I thought it would help to let you know what is ahead so that you can plan for things both expense wise and to be a part of.
October: Pumpkin Day will be October 24th. I usually do not need parent volunteers on this day, but each child will need to bring a pumpkin to school. I always tell the children that they can bring a pumpkin the size of an apple or as big as they can carry.
November: We will be making a gift for someone special. This gift is a really neat one. I made one for my parents when I was 11 and my parents still have it! I can't tell you what it is! The cost is around $6.50. I tell the kids that they need to do some extra chores around the house to raise the money themselves since it is usually a parent gift and parents shouldn't have to pay for a gift for themselves!!
December: Gingerbread Houses - We will be making these houses the week of Dec. 15th. Each child will need to bring a container of white frosting, 6 graham crackers, and 1 bag of candy. (No red hots............I still have several bags left over from last year.) This is a very fun day!
Polar Pajama Day - This day will probably be Tuesday, Dec. 16th. The children will get to wear their pajamas and houseshoes. We will be rotating through polar learning stations and watching Polar Express while drinking cocoa and eating s'mores. This too is a very fun day! Your child will need to bring 1 bar of Ivory soap and 1 box of sugar cubes. I will provide the cocoa and s'mores. I will also need parent volunteers that day.
The last thing our class will be asking for is a donation of a pet item. I am reading a story about the life of a stray. It is a very touching story and will make you never look at a stray dog the same way again. This is the reason why my family still has 2 strays! 2 years ago, my class was very moved by this story and wanted to do something for the SPCA. They all decided to bring pet items to school. We had things ranging from dog or cat treats, collars and toys, to dog and cat beds! They did so well bringing things that the SPCA came to visit! They brought some of their dogs and talked to the kids about the shelter and how to take good care of pets. The newspaper even came and took pictures! The kids this year wanted to do the same. If every child donated 1 thing, we would have a big donation! I plan on asking the SPCA to come again!
You can send any of the items except for the pumpkin to school starting now. Please write your child's name on the items with a permanent marker. Remember, I am letting you know early so that you can space the cost of things out during this expensive holiday season. Don't feel like you need to send it all at once, unless you want to. I wrote an itemized list below. Thank you in advance!
*$6.50 cash or check (leave the "To" blank.....I will fill it in with the companies name)
*1 container (round tub) of white frosting
*6 graham crackers (or 1 package)
*1 bag of candy (get creative with what would dress up a gingerbread house......we will all share the candy)
*1 bar of Ivory soap
*1 box of white sugar cubes
*1 pet item (This is purely optional)
The pumpkin can be brought to school starting October 20th.
I wanted to give you a heads up in regards to some projects and events we will be doing in the next 3 months. The holiday season, while bringing anticipation and joy, also brings about stress and expense. For this reason, I thought it would help to let you know what is ahead so that you can plan for things both expense wise and to be a part of.
October: Pumpkin Day will be October 24th. I usually do not need parent volunteers on this day, but each child will need to bring a pumpkin to school. I always tell the children that they can bring a pumpkin the size of an apple or as big as they can carry.
November: We will be making a gift for someone special. This gift is a really neat one. I made one for my parents when I was 11 and my parents still have it! I can't tell you what it is! The cost is around $6.50. I tell the kids that they need to do some extra chores around the house to raise the money themselves since it is usually a parent gift and parents shouldn't have to pay for a gift for themselves!!
December: Gingerbread Houses - We will be making these houses the week of Dec. 15th. Each child will need to bring a container of white frosting, 6 graham crackers, and 1 bag of candy. (No red hots............I still have several bags left over from last year.) This is a very fun day!
Polar Pajama Day - This day will probably be Tuesday, Dec. 16th. The children will get to wear their pajamas and houseshoes. We will be rotating through polar learning stations and watching Polar Express while drinking cocoa and eating s'mores. This too is a very fun day! Your child will need to bring 1 bar of Ivory soap and 1 box of sugar cubes. I will provide the cocoa and s'mores. I will also need parent volunteers that day.
The last thing our class will be asking for is a donation of a pet item. I am reading a story about the life of a stray. It is a very touching story and will make you never look at a stray dog the same way again. This is the reason why my family still has 2 strays! 2 years ago, my class was very moved by this story and wanted to do something for the SPCA. They all decided to bring pet items to school. We had things ranging from dog or cat treats, collars and toys, to dog and cat beds! They did so well bringing things that the SPCA came to visit! They brought some of their dogs and talked to the kids about the shelter and how to take good care of pets. The newspaper even came and took pictures! The kids this year wanted to do the same. If every child donated 1 thing, we would have a big donation! I plan on asking the SPCA to come again!
You can send any of the items except for the pumpkin to school starting now. Please write your child's name on the items with a permanent marker. Remember, I am letting you know early so that you can space the cost of things out during this expensive holiday season. Don't feel like you need to send it all at once, unless you want to. I wrote an itemized list below. Thank you in advance!
*$6.50 cash or check (leave the "To" blank.....I will fill it in with the companies name)
*1 container (round tub) of white frosting
*6 graham crackers (or 1 package)
*1 bag of candy (get creative with what would dress up a gingerbread house......we will all share the candy)
*1 bar of Ivory soap
*1 box of white sugar cubes
*1 pet item (This is purely optional)
The pumpkin can be brought to school starting October 20th.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
FYI
Please remember that our Turkey Creek Field Trip is scheduled for Friday. The $3 admission is due. Your child will need to bring a lunch that day as well.
Our 4th grade program is on Thursday, October 9th. The rehearsal is at 1:30 and the actual program is at 6:30. I will give you more info on that later. I want to thank you for being so prompt with the return of the T-shirt order forms and money. I know it was short notice. So sorry about that! Every single child turned in their order form yesterday so we celebrated by having an extra recess for their responsibility! Thanks again!
Our 4th grade program is on Thursday, October 9th. The rehearsal is at 1:30 and the actual program is at 6:30. I will give you more info on that later. I want to thank you for being so prompt with the return of the T-shirt order forms and money. I know it was short notice. So sorry about that! Every single child turned in their order form yesterday so we celebrated by having an extra recess for their responsibility! Thanks again!
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