Sunday, September 25, 2011

Week of September 26th

Hi Families! Here is the agenda for this week:

Reading - Guided reading groups - I think the children are enjoying their novels.  They are doing a great job rotating in literacy centers and staying focused and on task! So proud of them!  This week in their centers they will do a reading comprehension page that is focused on our science topic: minerals, they will play a 5 W's reading game, and they will work on the computer researching the Oklahoma symbols.  Each week they will add to their 50 state folders with the information they discovered about different states!

Spelling - Sounds of "i" - List 5 on spellingcity.com  The enriched words for this week are the "k" words on spellingcity.com

English  - We will finish our animal reports this week! Finally! :) We will also continue to do a Daily Language Review that involves various concepts such as: punctuation, capitalization, spellings of words, parts of speech, etc..  We will work on making nouns plural as well.

Math  - Decimal place value, place value test, adding and subtracting big numbers    We will continue taking speed tests on multiplication facts almost daily.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spend time studying those multiplication facts DAILY!  It is so very important that the kids know them with speed and accuracy.  I can't stress this enough. It is essential for future math success.  They have got to know them to do large number multiplication, long division, fractions, etc.  Quiz them on the way to practices, play games with them, let them play on multiplication.com, have them write them with special smelly markers or in shaving cream, reward them.......anything you can do to help them get those facts stuck in their heads.  Please also remember to keep it positive and encouraging.  Kids can get stressed out by learning the facts....you don't want to cause anxiety by being too hard on them or negative.  We play a card game almost everyday before we take the test.  I have a silly duster made up with a face that is Brain Builder Bob and he christens the kids' heads right before the test! We also take calming deep breaths before starting.  I know so many of you are doing such a great job at working with your kids and it will pay off! I promise!  My mom and I thought I would never learn my facts, but she worked everyday with me and they FINALLY started sticking!! :) Hang in there!

Social Studies - Oklahoma Native American groups, Trail of Tears, Civil War, Cattle Drives, and the Oil industry in Oklahoma

Science - Geology - minerals, the 3 types of rocks - This week, we will "earth eat", "rock eat", and make homemade geodes! Fun!

Quote: Be a Fruit Loop in a world full of Cheerios  Anonymous

***IMPORTANT REMINDERS***

The mouse house is due this Thursday.  Don't forget to include a letter of persuasion to Ralph convincing him to live in the house you built for him.  Some of the children have already turned their mouse houses and letters in and WOW! I am so impressed with the creativity!! I can't wait to display them!

We go to Turkey Creek School next Wednesday.  Don't forget to turn in your $3 admission money this week.  If the children want a picture, remember to send $7 more dollars. 

I wanted to let you know that if your child has a "D" or an "F" on a paper, they may correct it at home and I will average the 2 grades for a better grade.  (Only D's or F's)

If you have any rocks to temporarily donate to our class rock museum, please do so.  We will make sure it gets back to you.  Thanks!

Apple Day is this Friday.  It will be a great day!  Please remember to send 2 apples by Thursday.  I will be peeling, coring, and slicing apples Thursday evening for our Friday's homemade applesauce.  Yum!

Look for a note home this week about Student-Led Conferences coming up! The children's book orders should come in this week too!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Week of September 19th!

Hi Families!


It's been a great week shared with your sweet kiddos!  We had a lot of fun today on our field trip!  The children learned a variety of things from "how to make butter" to "how to wash clothes in a washtub"!  We are very excited about our Turkey Creek School field trip coming up on October 5th.. Hopefully your child got the note home about it. The admission is $3 due the last week of September.  If your child wants a special class picture, the cost is $7.  We will be touring the museum and there will be a gift shop available if the children want to bring some spending money.  A note was also sent home this week about 2 special days coming up......O.R.E.O. Project Day and Apple Day.  The O.R.E.O. Project Day is this coming Thursday, September 22nd. We will be conducting our experiment shortly after 11:00.  Thanks so much to those that signed up to donate a bag of Oreos! I greatly appreciate it!  Our Apple Day will be on September 30th.  Thanks to those that signed up to help with it as well!  I could still use a couple more volunteers for that day if you can. :) 


Here is the agenda for this week:


Reading  - We will start our guided reading groups this week.  I will be meeting with 4 groups separately.  Each group will begin a new novel.  I also sent home a homework assignment on Wednesday that is due on September 29th.  It involves building a house for Ralph.....the character out of The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Ask your child for the note about it if you haven't seen it. :)


Spelling - Sounds of "e" List 4 on spellingcity.com  The enriched list are the "h" enrichment words.


English - We will finish our animal reports this week.


Math - Rounding, money and decimals, making change, probelm solving


Social Studies - We will begin learning about the earliest people of Oklahoma, the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, and cattle drives.   We will also paint our dough maps!  The children did a great job on them!


Science - We will finish up our habitat posters.  The children are so imaginative and the posters all look so exceptional! Such a creative group I have!!  We will also begin our geology unit this week.  We will be creating a rock museum soon, so if you have any rocks to temporarily share with us, that would be terrific! 

Art - We will have a guest this week giving us a special art lesson! It should be fun!

Quote: Your friend is the one who knows all about you, and still likes you. Anonymous


We reached our class goal of a $275 book order!! Yippee!  That means more learning materials for our class!  Thanks to all who ordered!  There is still time if you want to order.  The book orders are due on Tuesday. 

Friday, September 9, 2011

Pictures!!

Building creativity!!!  If your picture is not here, never fear, I will catch you soon!! :)






 Duct tape wallets and foam frames!! Thanks volunteers!!

Week of September 12th!

Hi Families! Hope you have had a terrific week! Hasn't the weather been beautiful?!! My family has sure enjoyed the wonderful evenings! We've had supper picnics, long walks, played with sidewalk chalk, and went on trips to feed the neighborhood goat! 


This past week was sure a full one!  District mandated testing took a good 4 hours of our time this week! Yuck!  I am sure looking forward to a "normal" week!  We had to postpone a few of the things I planned because of the testing, so some of the agenda for the new week will look familiar! :)


Reading- We will finish the Mouse and the Motorcycle story this week.  Look for a related homework assignment this week.  The children have all taken their Star Test now, so I will be sending home their AR level based on this test. 

Spelling - Sounds of  "a"  List 3 on spellingcity.com  Our first set of enrichment words will be the "g" enrichment list on spellingcity.com.  This is a list that is optional for those that want an extra challenge. :)

English - Animal Reports

Math - Place Value test - Tuesday    Rounding begins on Wednesday.  We only had time for one day of multiplication speed tests last week.  This week, we will hit it hard.  Your child should be studying their 3's.  If they know their 3's, they can study other facts.

Social Studies - Oklahoma!  Please don't forget to send your 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup salt mixture by Tuesday.  We will be mostly looking at Oklahoma's land features and natural resources this week, as well as Oklahoma's Native American groups.

Science - We will start our habitat murals this week! Fun!

I am so proud of your kiddos! Many of them are working really hard on the Mastery Club! 

Don't forget to send in Sunny D labels. :)

Remember to take a look at our Scholastic book orders.  If our class has a $275 order, that means 5000 bonus points!  That equals a lot of free learning materials for our classroom, such as books and games, etc.!!  We are already up to $50 in orders!   You can order books online as well.  I will send home a letter with directions on Monday.  The book orders are due September 20th.

I want to thank all my volunteers! I so appreciate you!  Mrs. Ramirez has copied for me and Mrs. Clegg will be copying for me.  Mrs. Stong has done several odd jobs that has saved me time!  Today, Mrs. Humes, Mrs. Stong, Mr. Goben, and Mrs. Masengale volunteered in the class to help with duct tape wallets and foam frames! Wow! What a job it was!! I couldn't have done it without them!! Thanks so much!! I think the children had fun and were proud of their crafts! 

Don't forget the Map Homework Assignment that is due on Tuesday!!!!  If you have any questions about it, let me know!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Week of September 6th!

Hi Families!! So enjoying your sweet kids! Here is what the next week looks like:

Reading - We will continue the Mouse and the Motorcycle story checking after each chapter for comprehension. 

Spelling - Consonant Diagraphs  List 2 on spellingcity.com

English - Animal Report

Math - Comparing and Ordering numbers, Place Value Test (Thursday), Rounding    We will also be beginning our speed multiplication tests this week.  Practice with your child, and please help them to not worry and be anxious about it. They have plenty of time and we will practice a lot.  :) You can help as parents by setting aside a few minutes everyday to practice with your child.  Give them lots of praise as well!

Science - Habitats

Social Studies - Equator/Hemispheres, Coordinates, Road Maps  Look for a Map Homework assignment this week. :) Fun project!!

Thanks to those that sent in Box Tops and Sunny D labels!!

I hope you have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!!

Quote of the Week: Only surround yourself with people who will lift you higher.  Oprah Winfrey