This is our version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. We did it as a special project. You can also enjoy it, read by the authors, on the video.
On the first day of Christmas,
Shelby gave to her dad,
1 big, pretty picture.
On the second day of Christmas,
Mckayla gave to Savannah,
2 pretty dresses.
On the second day of Christmas,
Justyn gave to Mr. Kurtz,
2 Brett Favre coffee cups.
On the third day of Christmas,
Ashley gave to her dad,
3 speedy race cars.
On the third day of Christmas,
Abby gave to Logan,
3 cuddly teddy bears.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
Jasen gave to Lukas,
4 transformers.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
Kayla gave to Taylor,
4 silky stuffed animals.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
Travis gave to his sister, Sierra,
5 dresses for her teddy bears.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
Taylor T. gave to her family,
5 sparkling stars.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
Aubree gave to Cameron,
6 skirts and shirts.
On the sixth day of Christmas,
Rien gave to his dog,
6 scoops of dog food.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
Kevin gave to Jordan,
7 transformers.
On the eighth day of Christmas,
Taylor gave to Taylor,
8 boxes of graham crackers.
On the eighth day of Christmas, Jamie gave to Casey,
8 pretty Bratz dolls.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
Savannah gave to Cameron,
9 beautiful outfits.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
Cameron gave to her mommy,
9 pretty dresses.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
Jordan gave to his mom,
10 tickets to Las Vegas.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Kaelyn gave to Anna,
11 noisy tap shoes.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
Jordan gave to Mr. Kurtz,
11 sharp pencils.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Jesse gave to his bus driver,
12 boxes of chocolate.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Lukas gave to Santa,
12 boxes of cookies.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Week of Monday, December 12
Monday, December 12, 2005
We switch jobs every Monday. Each person gets a job. The jobs are line leader, caboose, closet, pass out, lunch, snack, floor, writing center, books, calendar and board, pencils, and shelves. The jobs are fun, and they help the classroom look good. They also help you make new friends because you have to work together with your partner to get it done.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Lukas’s mom brought the puppy in today. It’s a really cute puppy. It doesn’t have a tail so it won’t get in danger, so the cows won’t kill it. That’s why they cut off the tail. It’s very soft. It’s kind of yellow and white. The breed is a Welsh Corgie.
Lukas’s mom also helped us with the Christmas presents. She helped us with tying the ribbons. It was great to have her here.
We switch jobs every Monday. Each person gets a job. The jobs are line leader, caboose, closet, pass out, lunch, snack, floor, writing center, books, calendar and board, pencils, and shelves. The jobs are fun, and they help the classroom look good. They also help you make new friends because you have to work together with your partner to get it done.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Lukas’s mom brought the puppy in today. It’s a really cute puppy. It doesn’t have a tail so it won’t get in danger, so the cows won’t kill it. That’s why they cut off the tail. It’s very soft. It’s kind of yellow and white. The breed is a Welsh Corgie.
Lukas’s mom also helped us with the Christmas presents. She helped us with tying the ribbons. It was great to have her here.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Newsletter 12
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 12 http://room302.blogspot.com
Monday, December 05, 2005
Dear Families,
Wow! What a week; what a show! Thanks so much to all who worked so hard on learning parts and getting kids here last night. It was great to see all the hard work have such a great pay-off. I was reflecting on what a wonderful experience the whole thing was. The students chose their parts, read and reread over and over, worked alone, worked together, spoke, listened, and had a lot of fun doing it. I wasn’t able to video-tape the evening show, but I did tape our class performing the play in our room, and I taped the dress rehearsal we did for the school, so look for that on the circulating video tape.
Reading…
It’s amazing to hear students analyze the Gingerbread Boy now, in terms of who is the main character, what the main character wants, and what he or she does to get it. Rereading and performing help them think deeply about the story, because they’ve become so familiar with it. In our discussion today, possible main characters included the old man, the old woman, the fox, and the gingerbread boy. The great thing was that students could make a case for each of these characters being the most central. We’ll continue to have these conversations, both individually and as a group, as the year progresses.
Writing …
Our new special project is creating a class book based on The Twelve Days of Christmas. The twist is that we’re thinking of things to give, rather than to get. Also, I’m trying to get more kids’ writing on the blog, so you may want to check in from time to time. The shared writing was difficult lately so you saw less news there, but I think we’re back into routine, now.
Party…
Our party will be Friday, December 16 at about 1:40. The main activity will be building gingerbread houses. Let me know if you did not get a note about this already, or if you can’t remember what I asked you to bring, or if you are unable to provide what I requested. I just want to make sure we have what we need by Friday. Another activity will be decorating their own cookies, and we’ll need extra frosting and decorations for that. And, of course, the other “main” activity will be eating, so if you can donate fruit, vegetables, juice, or something else, just let us know. Savannah’s mom has again kindly offered to help coordinate this, so please give her a call and let her know if you can help with the cookie decorating or snacks.
Wish List …
One thing I don’t have is a big analog clock. The one in the room is digital, but I’d also like one with hands so we can work on telling time. And the bigger, the better. So if you have an old one you’d like to donate, please let me know.
Another thing I use every day is a big desk calendar (22”x17”). We write in important dates and keep track of our days and months. Unfortunately, the one I have ends in December. So if you have access to an inexpensive or free one, we’d love it.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, December 16—Holiday Party, 1:40 p.m. Friday, January 13—Early Release
December 19 – January 2—No School, Winter Break Monday, January 16—No School, M. L. King Day
Tuesday, January 3—School Resumes
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, December 05, 2005
Dear Families,
Wow! What a week; what a show! Thanks so much to all who worked so hard on learning parts and getting kids here last night. It was great to see all the hard work have such a great pay-off. I was reflecting on what a wonderful experience the whole thing was. The students chose their parts, read and reread over and over, worked alone, worked together, spoke, listened, and had a lot of fun doing it. I wasn’t able to video-tape the evening show, but I did tape our class performing the play in our room, and I taped the dress rehearsal we did for the school, so look for that on the circulating video tape.
Reading…
It’s amazing to hear students analyze the Gingerbread Boy now, in terms of who is the main character, what the main character wants, and what he or she does to get it. Rereading and performing help them think deeply about the story, because they’ve become so familiar with it. In our discussion today, possible main characters included the old man, the old woman, the fox, and the gingerbread boy. The great thing was that students could make a case for each of these characters being the most central. We’ll continue to have these conversations, both individually and as a group, as the year progresses.
Writing …
Our new special project is creating a class book based on The Twelve Days of Christmas. The twist is that we’re thinking of things to give, rather than to get. Also, I’m trying to get more kids’ writing on the blog, so you may want to check in from time to time. The shared writing was difficult lately so you saw less news there, but I think we’re back into routine, now.
Party…
Our party will be Friday, December 16 at about 1:40. The main activity will be building gingerbread houses. Let me know if you did not get a note about this already, or if you can’t remember what I asked you to bring, or if you are unable to provide what I requested. I just want to make sure we have what we need by Friday. Another activity will be decorating their own cookies, and we’ll need extra frosting and decorations for that. And, of course, the other “main” activity will be eating, so if you can donate fruit, vegetables, juice, or something else, just let us know. Savannah’s mom has again kindly offered to help coordinate this, so please give her a call and let her know if you can help with the cookie decorating or snacks.
Wish List …
One thing I don’t have is a big analog clock. The one in the room is digital, but I’d also like one with hands so we can work on telling time. And the bigger, the better. So if you have an old one you’d like to donate, please let me know.
Another thing I use every day is a big desk calendar (22”x17”). We write in important dates and keep track of our days and months. Unfortunately, the one I have ends in December. So if you have access to an inexpensive or free one, we’d love it.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, December 16—Holiday Party, 1:40 p.m. Friday, January 13—Early Release
December 19 – January 2—No School, Winter Break Monday, January 16—No School, M. L. King Day
Tuesday, January 3—School Resumes
Sincerely,
Jeff
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Camp Out by Cameron
Camp Out
Written and Illustrated
by
Cameron
© 2005
Today me and Abby are going to go camping. We are going on her trampoline to camp.
Off the side of the trampoline we will roast marshmallows in the campfire. The campfire was about 3 inches away from the trampoline.
We have a black tent on the trampoline. It is in the middle of the trampoline. It was fun. Her dad came with us. It was very EXCITING!
We made smores and we ate them on the trampoline and it sticked! We said, “Eeewwww!” I was having a good time. I want to do it again. If we do it again, I will be happy.
We had to clean the trampoline because I like to clean and her mom made us clean it. It was fun. Goodbye. That is the end of my story. The end.
Written and Illustrated
by
Cameron
© 2005
Today me and Abby are going to go camping. We are going on her trampoline to camp.
Off the side of the trampoline we will roast marshmallows in the campfire. The campfire was about 3 inches away from the trampoline.
We have a black tent on the trampoline. It is in the middle of the trampoline. It was fun. Her dad came with us. It was very EXCITING!
We made smores and we ate them on the trampoline and it sticked! We said, “Eeewwww!” I was having a good time. I want to do it again. If we do it again, I will be happy.
We had to clean the trampoline because I like to clean and her mom made us clean it. It was fun. Goodbye. That is the end of my story. The end.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Week of Monday, December 05
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Getting Ready
All month we’ve been planning for our holiday concert. We’ve been practicing our play called The Gingerbread Boy. Our whole class is doing it with the other first grade class. Some of us have talking parts and some of us play instruments for sound effects.
We also decorated ornaments that look like gingerbread people. Tomorrow is the big show. We can hardly wait!
Getting Ready
All month we’ve been planning for our holiday concert. We’ve been practicing our play called The Gingerbread Boy. Our whole class is doing it with the other first grade class. Some of us have talking parts and some of us play instruments for sound effects.
We also decorated ornaments that look like gingerbread people. Tomorrow is the big show. We can hardly wait!
Monday, December 05, 2005
Newsletter 11
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 11
http://room302.blogspot.com
Monday, December 05, 2005
Dear Families,
It was great to see everyone at conferences. I enjoyed all the feedback and questions and conversations. It was nice to be able to convey information face to face for a change, instead of like this. I hope you all left with a sense of how much I appreciate and enjoy your children. We don’t have another scheduled conference time, but if you need me, please don’t hesitate to write, or call, or visit.
I have a list of stuff to cover this time, so here it is:
Holiday Concert…
We perform for families at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8. Everyone in the class has a part, so we hope to see everyone there. Please let me know if you don’t think you’ll make it so we can reassign the part. Plan on dropping the students off in our classroom with me around 6:45 p.m. Then our whole class will walk down together. Following the concert, all children will return with their teachers to the classrooms. You may then collect your children from their classrooms.
Reading…
Our big push right now is learning the Gingerbread Boy play for the concert, so much of our time is spent doing that. I hope you saw the copy I sent home and are able to help your child learn the assigned part. Some kids have speaking parts; some have sound effect parts; all need to know it without scripts by next Thursday, but sooner would be better. I’d like them to not only know their lines, but their cues as well, and one way to do this would be for someone to read the play aloud and have the student come in at the appropriate time. Please encourage them to speak clearly and loudly. The “loudly” part seems to be the most challenging for many, and it’s rather important, since it can be difficult to hear in a gym full of people.
The second part of our show will be performing a set of songs. The lyrics to those were sent home as well, and that is another thing where I encourage you to help as needed.
In math….
We made our new calendars on Thursday. We did weaving and talked about pattern, repetition, contrast, horizontal, and vertical. As an experiment, ask your child what those words mean, and if he or she can demonstrate those things on the weavings.
Weather Fun…
Last week was a strange one. I was glad to be able to send an email to those of you on my list the other day as soon as we knew school would be released early. It made me feel like we’d have a better chance of everyone getting where they need to be safely. I doubt that will happen again, but if so I will try to keep you in the loop.
Video…
I’ve started circulating a video “in progress” of some things I’ve filmed, including our field trip, parties, and kids reading. It’s highly motivating for those who volunteer to be filmed performing, and I hope it gives you a chance to see a bit of what goes on here. If you haven’t had it at your house yet, it will be coming some time. I’ve asked the students to bring the video back on the next school day whether they got to watch it or not. This is so the next person does not miss a turn, and so I can add new footage. When everyone has had a turn, we’ll send it around again.
Wish List …
One thing I don’t have is a big analog clock. The one in the room is digital, but I’d also like one with hands so we can work on telling time. And the bigger, the better. So if you have an old one you’d like to donate, please let me know.
Another thing I use every day is a big desk calendar (22”x17”). We write in important dates and keep track of our days and months. Unfortunately, the one I have ends in December. So if you have access to an inexpensive or free one, we’d love it.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Thursday, December 8—K-2 Holiday Concert, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 16—Holiday Party, 1:40 p.m.
December 19 – January 2—No School, Winter Break
Tuesday, January 3—School Resumes
Friday, January 13—Early Release
Monday, January 16—No School, M. L. King Day
Sincerely,
Jeff
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Week of Monday, November 28
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Yesterday was Noah’s birthday. We didn’t get the donuts yesterday because we had to go home at 2:30. We went home at 2:30 because it was snowy outside. It was snowing a lot and the busses had get us home before it was too snowy, and icy, and slippery on the roads. And maybe they wanted us to get enough time to play in the snow before it melted. Or maybe our parents were worried about us.
But we got the treats today. Noah’s mom brought donuts from Safeway and milk from a cow. The treats were super delicious and terrific. Thank you to Noah and his mom. Happy belated birthday, Noah!
Yesterday was Noah’s birthday. We didn’t get the donuts yesterday because we had to go home at 2:30. We went home at 2:30 because it was snowy outside. It was snowing a lot and the busses had get us home before it was too snowy, and icy, and slippery on the roads. And maybe they wanted us to get enough time to play in the snow before it melted. Or maybe our parents were worried about us.
But we got the treats today. Noah’s mom brought donuts from Safeway and milk from a cow. The treats were super delicious and terrific. Thank you to Noah and his mom. Happy belated birthday, Noah!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
I See Snow
I see snow on the tree.
I see snow on the ground.
I see snow on my nose.
I see snow onto my brother.
I wonder?
How many snowflakes are in this world?
--by Taylor
I see snow on the ground.
I see snow on my nose.
I see snow onto my brother.
I wonder?
How many snowflakes are in this world?
--by Taylor
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
What are we thankful for, and why?
Lukas
I am thankful for my sister because she gives me love. She gives me kisses and hugs before I go to school. When I come back from school she hugs me tight.
Justyn
I am thankful for my X-Box because I can beat my brother, Kevn, and my X-Box games, but sometimes he beats me. And I am thankful for my dogs because they give me company, because they love me.
Noah
I am thankful for my mom because she plays with me and she does the dishes for me. She loves me so much and I love her too. I love her because she helps me with stuff.
Jamie
I am thankful for my brother, even if he’s a cat. I love my cat because my cat lets me pet him. My cat lets me pet him on his neck. It makes me happy.
Jordan
I am thankful for my cat. She lets me hold her. I am happy to love her. Her name is Kitty.
Travis
I am thankful for my cat named Jessie. She keeps me company. She lays with me on my bed. I feed my cat. It makes her happy, and me, too. I love my cat. My cat is in my bed.
Donna
I am thankful for my mom and dad because they love me, and help me spell, and kiss me before I go to bed. And I also love them, too.
I don’t get to see my mom in the morning because she goes to work at five o’clock in the morning. I wish she didn’t have to do that, but she does, anyway. But my dad is there in the morning, and he watches me until the clock says 8:25.
Then I have to go to the bus stop with all my friends and play Simon Says with the parent who’s there. Then when the school bus comes we have to line up and get on the bus. I usually have to go to the back of the bus and finally we get there and I get to get off that smelly bus.
Just joking.
Anyway, I’m thankful for my mom and dad. I love them so much, and they love me, too, but I love them more.
Jesse
I am thankful for my Thanksgiving because you get to have a fiesta. I feel good. I love the food, and I have my friends over.
Kaelyn
I am thankful for my family because they gave me lots of presents like Brats, a Brat Cat, and Pinball Alley. I felt happy, and it was my birthday. I love them, and they love me, too.
Rien
I am thankful for my mom, my dad, and my brother. They are helping us move into Aubree’s neighborhood. It makes me happy.
Cameron
I am thankful for my mom and dad for getting me a new bike. It is cool that they spent money for me on my birthday. It is blue. It has a pink and white basket on it. It has a kickstand that is really hard to put up and down.
Jordan
I am thankful for my birthday because I get lots of presents and I am thankful for Christmas because I get lots of presents and I can’t wait until Christmas. Christmas is next month!
Aubree
I am thankful for the people who help to serve Thanksgiving. I love to eat cranberries because they are good.
Savannah
I am thankful for Pilgrims because they thought of Thanksgiving. I always get cranberries only on Thanksgiving. I get them that day. I get them at my grandma and grandpa’s house. The cranberries are so yummy! I am so happy to eat them!
Abby
I am thankful for my daddy because he is coming home on Saturday or Sunday. I am very, very, very happy. My mommy told me that.
I met him at Disneyland when I was meeting Eeyore. When I saw Charlie, I said in my head, “Who is that baby?” But when my mommy said, “Abby…” I knew it was mommy and Charlie. But I did not know that my daddy was with them. But when my daddy said, “Abby…” I ran up to him. I was super, super, super happy to see him.
We are going to Whistler. It is going to be fun. I will be happy. We are going to eat turkey and cranberries. They are YUMMY! Turkey is yummy, and cranberries are yummy, too. I like cranberries.
The end.
Mckayla
I am thankful for the turkey and pie I have on Thanksgiving because one Thanksgiving the Pilgrims had their first Thanksgiving with the Indians. And I also am thankful for the cranberries I have on Thanksgiving.
Kevin
I am thankful for my puppy, Willy, because he keeps me company when my dad goes to work at night.
Taylor
Being Thankful
I am thankful for the turkey and my mom, and dad, and my brother. I am thankful for my family because they are really nice to me. I like turkey because it is good. I am thankful for my cat, my other cat, my one dog, and my hamster because she keeps me company when I am sad. And that’s all I am thankful for at Thanksgiving. I am thankful for animals I love.
Shelby
I am thankful for my cat. When my cat bonks me in the head, she wants me to pet her. It makes me confused. I love my cat!
Jasen
I am thankful for my mom because she protects me. She looks out for me, too, because she loves me. She lets me have whatever I want for lunch. I like peanut butter sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Week of Monday, November 14
Monday, November 14, 2005
Busy Day, Lots of Stuff
We didn’t get Writer’s Workshop today. We wished we could have writing because it’s fun to learn to spell words, and to work on our journal because we have a lot of things in our heads to write about in our journals, and sometimes our stories are published.
But we didn’t because of music and P.E. P.E. was really special because we got to go on the climbing wall, and we never, ever get to go on the climbing wall. We did in Kindergarten, but that’s it. Not in first grade.
Math was fun, too. We built stuff out of cubes with a partner, and the partner had to copy it. First we tried it with 10 cubes, then with 15, and then with 20. We did Daily Equation, too. We had to write an equation that matches the date. Today is November 14, so our equations had to equal 14. We had to think of a way to make 14, like 13+1=14.
Also, we finally got treats today, since the Packers won.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Crossing Over
We got to go on the climbing wall again today! It was so fantastic! It was awesome! We got two tries to go all the way across. It wasn’t easy to do. It was hard to get up, and in the middle of the climbing wall there weren’t too many handholds, and when you don’t grab the handholds and just slide your hands on the rough wall, it could give you a scrape. Jesse’s arms felt like they were stretching out; after Jordan was done, it felt like he was still holding on to the handles on the wall, even after he let go; Abby’s hands hurt from doing it. Some people have gone across many times, but some people are still working on it.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Book Fair
We got to visit the book fair today. The book fair is like a bookstore that comes to your school library. They have cases and cases of books. A book fair is a chance for people to buy books for families, friends, themselves, and teachers. Mrs. Yonkers and Mrs. Sullivan got all these shelves and tables and they filled them with books. Everyone got to choose some books that they want. We looked for the books we liked. We wrote the titles on our wish lists, along with the prices. We had to find the prices that said U.S. We will take our lists home and show them to our moms and dads and we’ll hope they will buy one for us. Part of the money for the books goes to our school library so they can buy new books.
Busy Day, Lots of Stuff
We didn’t get Writer’s Workshop today. We wished we could have writing because it’s fun to learn to spell words, and to work on our journal because we have a lot of things in our heads to write about in our journals, and sometimes our stories are published.
But we didn’t because of music and P.E. P.E. was really special because we got to go on the climbing wall, and we never, ever get to go on the climbing wall. We did in Kindergarten, but that’s it. Not in first grade.
Math was fun, too. We built stuff out of cubes with a partner, and the partner had to copy it. First we tried it with 10 cubes, then with 15, and then with 20. We did Daily Equation, too. We had to write an equation that matches the date. Today is November 14, so our equations had to equal 14. We had to think of a way to make 14, like 13+1=14.
Also, we finally got treats today, since the Packers won.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Crossing Over
We got to go on the climbing wall again today! It was so fantastic! It was awesome! We got two tries to go all the way across. It wasn’t easy to do. It was hard to get up, and in the middle of the climbing wall there weren’t too many handholds, and when you don’t grab the handholds and just slide your hands on the rough wall, it could give you a scrape. Jesse’s arms felt like they were stretching out; after Jordan was done, it felt like he was still holding on to the handles on the wall, even after he let go; Abby’s hands hurt from doing it. Some people have gone across many times, but some people are still working on it.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Book Fair
We got to visit the book fair today. The book fair is like a bookstore that comes to your school library. They have cases and cases of books. A book fair is a chance for people to buy books for families, friends, themselves, and teachers. Mrs. Yonkers and Mrs. Sullivan got all these shelves and tables and they filled them with books. Everyone got to choose some books that they want. We looked for the books we liked. We wrote the titles on our wish lists, along with the prices. We had to find the prices that said U.S. We will take our lists home and show them to our moms and dads and we’ll hope they will buy one for us. Part of the money for the books goes to our school library so they can buy new books.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Week of Monday, November 7
Monday, November 07, 2005
Substitute P.E. Teacher
Today in P.E. we had a new substitute teacher. Her name was a German name, but she taught us how to count to 10 in Spanish. It goes like this: uno (1), dos (2), tres (3), cuatro (4), cinco (5), seis (6), siete (7), ocho (8), nueve (9), diez (10). She taught us a game: The boys stand in a line facing a line of girls. We found out there is one more girl than boy in our class: 11 boys and 12 girls. The boys get a ball and they throw the ball to the girl across from them. Kayla got to play with the teacher. They toss the ball back and forth and count the number of catches. That was one of our best physical education classes ever, but we still missed Mrs. Smith.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Veteran’s Day
Our day ended with an assembly. It was about Veteran’s Day. Veteran’s Day is on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at 11:00 in the morning. That’s when they agreed to stop fighting. We sang The Star Spangled Banner and This Land is Your Land. Mr. Stocker taught us about the military, which is the Army, the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines. Then he read us a book about Veteran’s Day. On Veteran’s Day, bells might ring, and many people are quiet for two minutes.
Substitute P.E. Teacher
Today in P.E. we had a new substitute teacher. Her name was a German name, but she taught us how to count to 10 in Spanish. It goes like this: uno (1), dos (2), tres (3), cuatro (4), cinco (5), seis (6), siete (7), ocho (8), nueve (9), diez (10). She taught us a game: The boys stand in a line facing a line of girls. We found out there is one more girl than boy in our class: 11 boys and 12 girls. The boys get a ball and they throw the ball to the girl across from them. Kayla got to play with the teacher. They toss the ball back and forth and count the number of catches. That was one of our best physical education classes ever, but we still missed Mrs. Smith.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Veteran’s Day
Our day ended with an assembly. It was about Veteran’s Day. Veteran’s Day is on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at 11:00 in the morning. That’s when they agreed to stop fighting. We sang The Star Spangled Banner and This Land is Your Land. Mr. Stocker taught us about the military, which is the Army, the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines. Then he read us a book about Veteran’s Day. On Veteran’s Day, bells might ring, and many people are quiet for two minutes.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Newsletter 10
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 10 http://room302.blogspot.com
November 4, 2005
Dear Families,
What a great party. Thanks so much to everyone for helping out. If you didn’t get a chance to be here, you can get a feel for some of it on the blog site. I still have a scale and some knives here, so if you’re missing either, please let me know. The next big thing is conferences. I’m hoping to hear from you about what you’ve noticed, and what you’re wondering, because you know your child best.
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
I’m currently assessing the students, and I’ll share my findings at conferences. I’d like you to do the same thing at home, in a different way. I’m assessing for reading strategies and appropriate levels. I’d like you to assess for reading behaviors and attitudes: How often does he or she choose to read, and what types of things? Does he see himself as a reader. Does she have favorite authors, or stories that she rereads? I can get some idea of these things here, but I want to know what happens away from school.
In writing….
If you could see the huge variety of writing that happens every day, you would know why I dislike saying some kids are “meeting standards” and some kids are above or below. Some, but not all, of the things we’ve discussed this last week include rereading, a date on every page, “period-space-upper case” to end a sentence and start a new one, beginning-middle-end, showing and telling details, mixing capital and lower case letters, and using spaces between words. That is a lot to keep in mind, but we’re practicing; and we’re having fun doing it.
In math….
We started the next workbook in the series, which is Building Number Sense. My teacher’s guide says our emphasis will be “Counting quantities up to about 20, developing strategies for counting and comparing the number of dots in dot patterns and strategies for organizing collections of objects so that they are easy to count and combine, and using numerals to record how many.”
Conferences…
Please return the yellow slips as soon as possible, so I know the time I picked is good for you. If not, please let me know so we can plan another time.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Thursday, November 10—No school
Friday, November 11—No school
November 17-November 22—Early release days; conferences
Wednesday, November 23—Early release day
November 24 & 25—No school
November 29—Noah’s birthday
Sincerely,
Jeff
November 4, 2005
Dear Families,
What a great party. Thanks so much to everyone for helping out. If you didn’t get a chance to be here, you can get a feel for some of it on the blog site. I still have a scale and some knives here, so if you’re missing either, please let me know. The next big thing is conferences. I’m hoping to hear from you about what you’ve noticed, and what you’re wondering, because you know your child best.
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
I’m currently assessing the students, and I’ll share my findings at conferences. I’d like you to do the same thing at home, in a different way. I’m assessing for reading strategies and appropriate levels. I’d like you to assess for reading behaviors and attitudes: How often does he or she choose to read, and what types of things? Does he see himself as a reader. Does she have favorite authors, or stories that she rereads? I can get some idea of these things here, but I want to know what happens away from school.
In writing….
If you could see the huge variety of writing that happens every day, you would know why I dislike saying some kids are “meeting standards” and some kids are above or below. Some, but not all, of the things we’ve discussed this last week include rereading, a date on every page, “period-space-upper case” to end a sentence and start a new one, beginning-middle-end, showing and telling details, mixing capital and lower case letters, and using spaces between words. That is a lot to keep in mind, but we’re practicing; and we’re having fun doing it.
In math….
We started the next workbook in the series, which is Building Number Sense. My teacher’s guide says our emphasis will be “Counting quantities up to about 20, developing strategies for counting and comparing the number of dots in dot patterns and strategies for organizing collections of objects so that they are easy to count and combine, and using numerals to record how many.”
Conferences…
Please return the yellow slips as soon as possible, so I know the time I picked is good for you. If not, please let me know so we can plan another time.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Thursday, November 10—No school
Friday, November 11—No school
November 17-November 22—Early release days; conferences
Wednesday, November 23—Early release day
November 24 & 25—No school
November 29—Noah’s birthday
Sincerely,
Jeff
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Week of Monday, October 31
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Fall Party
When we came in from recess everything was set up, and we were excited. There were black streamers and pumpkins up on the lights. There was a dancing pumpkin about 34 inches high. There was a big spider web in the corner with a spider on it. In another corner there was a hay bale and corn stalks.
There were lots of parents here. Some of the parents were dressed up in costumes. We put on our costumes, too. Then Mr. Kurtz put us in stations and we had to stay there until it was time to move to the next one. The parents were at the stations helping the kids do the stuff.
At the counting seeds station, we got up to 899 seeds, and there were still more. When we took out the pumpkin seeds, our hands were all gooey. We used chalk to decorate wind socks at table 5. We used a scale to weigh the pumpkins at table 4. At station 5 we had to see if the pumpkins would float, and all three of them floated, and you got to get some food. There were some Kit Kats, Oreos, twisty Cheetos, m&m’s, pretzels, juice, chips, cupcakes, carrots and dip, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin seeds. A parent took pictures of everyone sitting on the hay bale, one at a time, and we got to take the pictures home. We also got to take home treat bags that people brought.
By the time it was done, we were tired, full of food (including seconds and thirds for some, with more food to take home), and some people even had stomach aches.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The Hole Thing
Savannah lost a tooth. She lost it in the bathroom. Then she came back into the room and said, “I lost a tooth!” And then everyone was crowding around the door. It was the second one out on the top left. She likes the hole because she thinks it looks funny. She hopes another tooth will not grow in that spot.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Science Fair
The science fair was in two places. One was up on the stage, and one was in the library. There was a lot of cool science. First we went to the library and then we went to the stage.
In the library, Lukas’s was about “Why Do Barn Owls Puke?” We learned they puke because they eat the animals and the animal have bones inside. So the owls puke out the bones and the fur. It all comes out in a little fur ball. The owls don’t have hands, so they pick it up with their feet, and later they spit it out. There are two places. One is the place where the meat goes, and the other is the place where the bad stuff goes. And later they puke up the stuff they can’t have in their bodies.
We saw things other kids made, too. We saw things like a bottle rocket with an air presser to make it fly off, volcanoes, “what is sour,” a rocket, blue water, this thing that picks up litter, this little car pulling a big wheel thingy, paper airplanes, boats in the water, and a mouse trap with a magnet. All of these things will be on display again tonight for those people who are coming to the western dance. Yee haw!
Fall Party
When we came in from recess everything was set up, and we were excited. There were black streamers and pumpkins up on the lights. There was a dancing pumpkin about 34 inches high. There was a big spider web in the corner with a spider on it. In another corner there was a hay bale and corn stalks.
There were lots of parents here. Some of the parents were dressed up in costumes. We put on our costumes, too. Then Mr. Kurtz put us in stations and we had to stay there until it was time to move to the next one. The parents were at the stations helping the kids do the stuff.
At the counting seeds station, we got up to 899 seeds, and there were still more. When we took out the pumpkin seeds, our hands were all gooey. We used chalk to decorate wind socks at table 5. We used a scale to weigh the pumpkins at table 4. At station 5 we had to see if the pumpkins would float, and all three of them floated, and you got to get some food. There were some Kit Kats, Oreos, twisty Cheetos, m&m’s, pretzels, juice, chips, cupcakes, carrots and dip, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin seeds. A parent took pictures of everyone sitting on the hay bale, one at a time, and we got to take the pictures home. We also got to take home treat bags that people brought.
By the time it was done, we were tired, full of food (including seconds and thirds for some, with more food to take home), and some people even had stomach aches.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The Hole Thing
Savannah lost a tooth. She lost it in the bathroom. Then she came back into the room and said, “I lost a tooth!” And then everyone was crowding around the door. It was the second one out on the top left. She likes the hole because she thinks it looks funny. She hopes another tooth will not grow in that spot.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Science Fair
The science fair was in two places. One was up on the stage, and one was in the library. There was a lot of cool science. First we went to the library and then we went to the stage.
In the library, Lukas’s was about “Why Do Barn Owls Puke?” We learned they puke because they eat the animals and the animal have bones inside. So the owls puke out the bones and the fur. It all comes out in a little fur ball. The owls don’t have hands, so they pick it up with their feet, and later they spit it out. There are two places. One is the place where the meat goes, and the other is the place where the bad stuff goes. And later they puke up the stuff they can’t have in their bodies.
We saw things other kids made, too. We saw things like a bottle rocket with an air presser to make it fly off, volcanoes, “what is sour,” a rocket, blue water, this thing that picks up litter, this little car pulling a big wheel thingy, paper airplanes, boats in the water, and a mouse trap with a magnet. All of these things will be on display again tonight for those people who are coming to the western dance. Yee haw!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Newsletter 9
October 29, 2005
Dear Families,
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
We continue to work on book choice. I want them to choose carefully, but I also want them to realize that sometimes it’s not easy to tell if a book is good or not until they try it. Something that may help you as you choose books to read at home is the list of contenders vying for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award. We’ll be reading these at school, and voting on our favorite, and I think you’d enjoy them at home, too. Many are worth rereading. The web site is http://www.wlma.org/Association/wccpba.htm
Title
Author
Steve Jenkins
Forest Explorer
Nic Bishop
Agent A to Agent Z
Andy Rash
Gator Gumbo
Candace Fleming
Alice the Fairy
David Shannon
Goldie and the Three Bears
Diane Stanley
Arrowhawk
Lola M. Schaefer
I Wanna Iguana
Karen Kaufman Orloff
Baby Brains
Simon James
Karate Hour
Carol Nevius
Beatrice Doesn't Want To
Laura Numeroff
King of the Cats
Aaron Shepard
Blizzard
Betty Ren Wright
Manana Iguana
Ann Whitford Paul
Catalina Magdalena
Tedd Arnold
Mighty Jackie
Marissa Moss
Crazy Hair Day
Barney Saltzberg
Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth
Alison McGhee
Elves and the Shoemaker
Jim LaMarche
Superdog
Caralyn Buehner
In writing….
One consequence of writing every day is that students start paying more attention to spelling, because all of a sudden it’s important. We’re working on teaching them strategies: like looking around the room for the word, thinking of a word they know that sounds the same, and stretching out the sounds and trying to match the sounds with letters that could make those sounds. When you’re helping them write at home, I encourage you to just tell them the correct spelling. This will help them maintain their focus on the most important thing: meaning. This will help them develop a personal “bank” of correctly spelled words they can use when they’re trying to spell a new word. If you find yourself spelling certain things over and over, like grandma or thank you, I’d suggest writing those down somewhere so the writer has them when needed.
In math….
Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota. Or is it South Dakota? But really, who cares? For most of us, this is just trivia. It has no personal relevance, so we don’t pay much attention. The fact is, all knowledge is trivia, unless there is some personal relevance. There are just too many things to know and learn, and it is actually one important job of the brain to filter out that which is irrelevant. We want our kids to learn math facts, so we ask: How do we turn them from trivial to important and personally relevant? I think one great way is with games, which is why we’ve been practicing Cross Out, and which is why it came home this week. Many students seem to enjoy this game, and my hope is that they’ll teach it to you, and it can be something you play now and then. If so, great. If not, there are other ways in—you probably have games right now that incorporate math at some level. Your child will choose those that have personal relevance and importance. Play when you get the chance—whether it’s at home, at a restaurant, or driving on a family trip through Bismarck, North Dakota.
Fall Party…
This will begin around 1:45 on October 31. Students (and anyone else—feel free to bring those siblings) may bring costumes. We’ll have them change after lunch recess, before the party. Some may need reminders to wear proper shoes for P.E. that day, too. Savannah’s mom has graciously volunteered to coordinate this, so I am forwarding offers of help to her. If you can contribute, please call her.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Wish List…
Wallpaper—We’d like to have wallpaper samples to use for an art project, so if you have access to one of those books we can use, please let me know.
Dice—someone told me that casinos give their dice away free after they’ve used them, so if you or someone you know is in Las Vegas (or another place where they do that) we would really appreciate any they could get for us. We find many uses for them.
Conferences…
You’ll see on the calendar that these are coming up in November. I plan to share what I’ve learned about your child, and I’d love to hear anything you’ve noticed, or questions you have. I’d also love to have the students here during the conferences, so they may take part. I find it much more powerful to talk with them and to them, rather than about them. They deserve to celebrate with us, and they deserve to hear what the next steps might be. I don’t plan on saying anything they can’t hear, so please plan to bring them. The sign-up sheets for conference times came home in the Thursday folders.
Calendar…
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Thursday, November 10—No school
Friday, November 11—No school
November 17-November 22—Early release days; conferences
Wednesday, November 23—Early release day
November 24 & 25—No school
November 29—Noah’s birthday
Sincerely,
Jeff
Conference Request Form
October, 2005
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we near the end of the first report card period, plans are being made for parent-teacher
conferences. In order to accommodate conferences, children will have early dismissal on each
of the following days:
Thursday, November 17 Friday, November 18
Monday, November 21 Tuesday, November 22
On each of these days, students in will be dismissed at 12:15. Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled on these afternoons. Before establishing our conference schedules, it would be extremely helpful to have an indication of your availability during these dates/times. Every effort will be
made to schedule your conference at a time you indicate as being available. Please note that we
will be able to offer a limited number of conferences on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 17. Please indicate your availability by circling "yes" or "no" for each date below and return this to school
by Tuesday, November 1. As soon as conferences are scheduled, you will receive notification of
your conference date and time.
• Thursday, November 17 YES NO
• Friday, November 18 YES NO
• Monday, November 21 YES NO
• Tuesday, November 22 YES NO
Student Name:______________________________ Teacher :______________________________
Sibling(s) : ______________________________________________________________________________
Other information that would help us in scheduling your conference(s):
*** Our Annual Bookfair will also happen during conference week…more information to follow…***
Monday, October 24, 2005
Week of Monday, October 24
Monday, October 24, 2005
Jesse is Back in Time for P. E. and Music Fun!
It’s a good thing Jesse came back today for P.E. and music because if he wasn’t here, then he would have missed all the Halloween fun. We did a new Halloween song in music called Five Little Jack-O-Lanterns.
In P.E. Mrs. Smith taught us a game. All four walls in the gym had Halloween labels, like Bat Cave, Pumpkin Patch, Spider Web, and Trick or Treat. We had to run to the one she said, when she said it. And she sometimes tricked us by saying something we didn’t expect.
We did another Halloween game in P.E. We pretended that the huge green rectangle was a house, and there were bean bags in there that we pretended were candy. Four people were it. The rest of us had to try to get the bean bags, but if the people tagged us when we were running, we had to drop the candy and go on the other side of the green line and try again. The game was done when the bean bags were all gone. Tomorrow will be the Spider Obstacle Course.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
ESCAPE FROM THE SPIDERS!
We went to the spider obstacle course today in the gym. Mrs. Smith set it up. Some fifth graders were there to help us. So was Taylor’s mom. There were lots of challenges. Some were easy, and some were harder. We had to work our way through without touching the spiders, or the webs, or bells, or balloons, or bowling pins, or pumpkins, or ghosts. There was a table you had to crawl under without touching the bell. There was a maze to go through. Then you had to go through the hula hoops, under the jump ropes on our tummies on little square scooters, tiptoe through the pumpkin patch, climb under the net, and walk across the balance beam without touching the spider. At the end we all got certificates from Mrs. Smith that said “I escaped from the spiders at physical education.” We felt tired, excited, and happy.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Partners
Mrs. Willard-Reid’s class came over to play Cross Out today. We let them sit in our chairs and we sat on the floor to watch Mr. Kurtz and Mrs. Willard-Reid play the game in front of us. Then each class lined up, and Mrs. Willard-Reid paired us off so that we could play with someone from across the hall. Some people were in groups of three. We started playing and everyone had fun. Then we cleaned up, and they went back, and we all did math happily ever after.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Half Day
We had a lot of fun on our half day. A half day is where you spend only half of the day at school. We’re at school until just a little while after lunch. Then we leave school and do other things, like play with our friends, visit each other, read, go fishing, and go to daycare.
At school this morning we made a wall story about our Halloween costumes. We had to write our names, draw our Halloween costumes, and print what they were. The most popular costume was a witch. Seven people picked that costume. And three people will be zombies. The other costumes were cheerleader, Indian, Scream, Darth Vader, goblin, knight, gatekeeper, The Thing, dragon ninja, fairy, Belle, and Batman. Those are great costumes, and it will be FUN on Halloween!
Jesse is Back in Time for P. E. and Music Fun!
It’s a good thing Jesse came back today for P.E. and music because if he wasn’t here, then he would have missed all the Halloween fun. We did a new Halloween song in music called Five Little Jack-O-Lanterns.
In P.E. Mrs. Smith taught us a game. All four walls in the gym had Halloween labels, like Bat Cave, Pumpkin Patch, Spider Web, and Trick or Treat. We had to run to the one she said, when she said it. And she sometimes tricked us by saying something we didn’t expect.
We did another Halloween game in P.E. We pretended that the huge green rectangle was a house, and there were bean bags in there that we pretended were candy. Four people were it. The rest of us had to try to get the bean bags, but if the people tagged us when we were running, we had to drop the candy and go on the other side of the green line and try again. The game was done when the bean bags were all gone. Tomorrow will be the Spider Obstacle Course.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
ESCAPE FROM THE SPIDERS!
We went to the spider obstacle course today in the gym. Mrs. Smith set it up. Some fifth graders were there to help us. So was Taylor’s mom. There were lots of challenges. Some were easy, and some were harder. We had to work our way through without touching the spiders, or the webs, or bells, or balloons, or bowling pins, or pumpkins, or ghosts. There was a table you had to crawl under without touching the bell. There was a maze to go through. Then you had to go through the hula hoops, under the jump ropes on our tummies on little square scooters, tiptoe through the pumpkin patch, climb under the net, and walk across the balance beam without touching the spider. At the end we all got certificates from Mrs. Smith that said “I escaped from the spiders at physical education.” We felt tired, excited, and happy.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Partners
Mrs. Willard-Reid’s class came over to play Cross Out today. We let them sit in our chairs and we sat on the floor to watch Mr. Kurtz and Mrs. Willard-Reid play the game in front of us. Then each class lined up, and Mrs. Willard-Reid paired us off so that we could play with someone from across the hall. Some people were in groups of three. We started playing and everyone had fun. Then we cleaned up, and they went back, and we all did math happily ever after.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Half Day
We had a lot of fun on our half day. A half day is where you spend only half of the day at school. We’re at school until just a little while after lunch. Then we leave school and do other things, like play with our friends, visit each other, read, go fishing, and go to daycare.
At school this morning we made a wall story about our Halloween costumes. We had to write our names, draw our Halloween costumes, and print what they were. The most popular costume was a witch. Seven people picked that costume. And three people will be zombies. The other costumes were cheerleader, Indian, Scream, Darth Vader, goblin, knight, gatekeeper, The Thing, dragon ninja, fairy, Belle, and Batman. Those are great costumes, and it will be FUN on Halloween!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Fall Party Supply Sheet
Fall Party
Monday, October 31st at 1:45
Sign Up For…..
____ Chips (any kind) ____ fruit
____ Juice Boxes ____ sweets
____ 1 bag M&M’s ____ plates or napkins (circle which one)
____ 1 roll orange or black streamers ____ I would also like to help at the party.
Student Name: _______________________________ Parent Name ________________
E-Mail Address: _________________________________ Phone: _________________
To help, just print this out, fill it in, & send it back to school.
Please send or bring items to school the day of the party.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Newsletter 8
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 8 http://room302.blogspot.com
October 20, 2005
Dear Families,
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
Every time I read a book out loud, I always start with the title and author (and often the illustrator). This means that I end up mentioning the chapter book author a lot. Inevitably someone asks “Why do you say that every time?” Here is my answer: I want them to be aware of what we’re reading each day, and who wrote it. I want them to be aware of authors, and to have favorites, and to perhaps look for more books by the same author when they are choosing books for themselves. And when someone asks them the title and author of the current chapter book, I don’t want their answer to be “I don’t know.” I encourage you to mention title, author, and illustrators when you’re reading aloud each night.
In writing….
We continue to use our shared writing each day (usually) as a way to take ideas from the entire class and work them into one coherent (I hope) story. This means choosing from a range of topics, and then thinking about the piece from beginning to end. Here is a great place for us to work on exciting beginnings, appropriate endings, details that will create pictures in the minds of our readers, and a host of other things that writers worry about. Some have asked again for the address of the site where I publish those each time, so I’ve added it to the top of the newsletter. As always, we appreciate your feedback: it’s encouraging to know that there is an audience out there reading our work.
In math….
We’re finishing up the first unit, and getting ready for the next one. We’re also learning a new game that helps teach number combinations, called Cross Out. After we’ve played awhile, I’ll send a copy home, for those that would like to play there.
Field Trip…
We’re set to visit the post office tomorrow. If you have filled out your paperwork, please feel free to join us (even if you haven’t heard back yet). We’ll probably leave as soon as we can, but by 9:15 at the latest.
Volunteers…
Speaking of volunteering, the process is longer than one might think. If you’ve gotten a letter of clearance from the district, that’s the first step. The next step is for staff here to check references, and that is proceeding as rapidly as possible. A letter will come home when you’ve been confirmed, and I’ll give you a call so we can get you in here with us as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience in this.
Fall Party…
This will begin around 1:45 on October 31. Savannah’s mom, Kim has graciously volunteered to coordinate this, so I am forwarding offers of help to her. If you can contribute, please call her.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, October 21—Cameron’s birthday
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
October 20, 2005
Dear Families,
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
Every time I read a book out loud, I always start with the title and author (and often the illustrator). This means that I end up mentioning the chapter book author a lot. Inevitably someone asks “Why do you say that every time?” Here is my answer: I want them to be aware of what we’re reading each day, and who wrote it. I want them to be aware of authors, and to have favorites, and to perhaps look for more books by the same author when they are choosing books for themselves. And when someone asks them the title and author of the current chapter book, I don’t want their answer to be “I don’t know.” I encourage you to mention title, author, and illustrators when you’re reading aloud each night.
In writing….
We continue to use our shared writing each day (usually) as a way to take ideas from the entire class and work them into one coherent (I hope) story. This means choosing from a range of topics, and then thinking about the piece from beginning to end. Here is a great place for us to work on exciting beginnings, appropriate endings, details that will create pictures in the minds of our readers, and a host of other things that writers worry about. Some have asked again for the address of the site where I publish those each time, so I’ve added it to the top of the newsletter. As always, we appreciate your feedback: it’s encouraging to know that there is an audience out there reading our work.
In math….
We’re finishing up the first unit, and getting ready for the next one. We’re also learning a new game that helps teach number combinations, called Cross Out. After we’ve played awhile, I’ll send a copy home, for those that would like to play there.
Field Trip…
We’re set to visit the post office tomorrow. If you have filled out your paperwork, please feel free to join us (even if you haven’t heard back yet). We’ll probably leave as soon as we can, but by 9:15 at the latest.
Volunteers…
Speaking of volunteering, the process is longer than one might think. If you’ve gotten a letter of clearance from the district, that’s the first step. The next step is for staff here to check references, and that is proceeding as rapidly as possible. A letter will come home when you’ve been confirmed, and I’ll give you a call so we can get you in here with us as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience in this.
Fall Party…
This will begin around 1:45 on October 31. Savannah’s mom, Kim has graciously volunteered to coordinate this, so I am forwarding offers of help to her. If you can contribute, please call her.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, October 21—Cameron’s birthday
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Week of Monday, October 17
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Mckayla is back from visiting her Aunt Lisa in California, and Jasen is back from being sick. We’re glad to have both of them here.
We got to visit Mrs. Roessler’s room and the library today. In Mrs. Roessler’s room, we heard a nonfiction book that told what puppies can teach us. Then we played with puppets and we talked about feelings using our puppets. Everyone got a puppet to use, but we didn’t get to keep them.
Next was library. We got to hear a book there, too. Mrs. Sullivan read us a nonfiction book about trees and leaves called Leaves on Trees. Then we got to check out books: Four people got nonfiction books. Fifteen people got fiction books. Ten people got chapter books. Eight of the chapter books were Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park. Five people got drawing books. Seven people got books they can read by themselves. Fourteen people got books they want someone to read to them. And six people picked out books, but they have to get them tomorrow when they bring back their other books. This seems like a lot of books, but some people checked out two.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Cheese Puff Party
We came in to the music portable and sat at our seats. Mrs. Couch put some music on and gave us the Cheese Puffs. It was for a special party because we got all our letters.
We earn the letters each day, and when we’re all done earning them, we get to have the party. We have to spell the words “Awesome Music.” We can get one letter each day. We earn the letters by doing a great job in music. That means raising our hands, singing the songs, doing the motions, not messing around, and doing what Mrs. Couch says.
Today we also did the songs called Clapping Land and Going to the Zoo. It was a fun time in music. We left happy.
Friday, October 21, 2005
A Busy, Busy Day
Cameron turned 7 years old today. It’s her birthday. It was fun. We sang Happy Birthday to her (cha, cha, cha). We ate the cupcakes and drank the CapriSun she brought to celebrate. (But Lukas brought his own. It’s not a cupcake; it’s a blueberry muffin that his mom made. She made it a long time ago, but she said he could have it.) Cameron got a radio and a doll for her birthday in the morning before school.
We walked across the street today, also. We used the crosswalk, and we went to the Black Diamond Post Office. It was for a field trip. Donna opened the door for us and we went inside. We waited in line until Kim opened the door that let us into the back where they sort all the mail. And we got to see all the mail they sort. The mail is usually on a big, metal, silver cart that they use for sorting, but today it only had one box full of mail on it. Kim showed us where the people who don’t have mailboxes come to get their mail.
Next we got to go up front, and one of the workers showed us different kinds of stamps, like old cars, flowers, presidents, birds, movie stars, American flags, and Disneyland.
Finally, we went outside to see the mail trucks. We got to see how big the inside is back. We got to see what the front looks like, too. We found out that they get to drive with the doors open. And one of the trucks had dog bones in it because the mail carrier likes to feed dogs. There were also chains inside the truck so if it snows, she can hook them on the tires so she doesn’t get stuck.
Then we left. We loved it so much. We wish we could go back some day.
Mckayla is back from visiting her Aunt Lisa in California, and Jasen is back from being sick. We’re glad to have both of them here.
We got to visit Mrs. Roessler’s room and the library today. In Mrs. Roessler’s room, we heard a nonfiction book that told what puppies can teach us. Then we played with puppets and we talked about feelings using our puppets. Everyone got a puppet to use, but we didn’t get to keep them.
Next was library. We got to hear a book there, too. Mrs. Sullivan read us a nonfiction book about trees and leaves called Leaves on Trees. Then we got to check out books: Four people got nonfiction books. Fifteen people got fiction books. Ten people got chapter books. Eight of the chapter books were Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park. Five people got drawing books. Seven people got books they can read by themselves. Fourteen people got books they want someone to read to them. And six people picked out books, but they have to get them tomorrow when they bring back their other books. This seems like a lot of books, but some people checked out two.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Cheese Puff Party
We came in to the music portable and sat at our seats. Mrs. Couch put some music on and gave us the Cheese Puffs. It was for a special party because we got all our letters.
We earn the letters each day, and when we’re all done earning them, we get to have the party. We have to spell the words “Awesome Music.” We can get one letter each day. We earn the letters by doing a great job in music. That means raising our hands, singing the songs, doing the motions, not messing around, and doing what Mrs. Couch says.
Today we also did the songs called Clapping Land and Going to the Zoo. It was a fun time in music. We left happy.
Friday, October 21, 2005
A Busy, Busy Day
Cameron turned 7 years old today. It’s her birthday. It was fun. We sang Happy Birthday to her (cha, cha, cha). We ate the cupcakes and drank the CapriSun she brought to celebrate. (But Lukas brought his own. It’s not a cupcake; it’s a blueberry muffin that his mom made. She made it a long time ago, but she said he could have it.) Cameron got a radio and a doll for her birthday in the morning before school.
We walked across the street today, also. We used the crosswalk, and we went to the Black Diamond Post Office. It was for a field trip. Donna opened the door for us and we went inside. We waited in line until Kim opened the door that let us into the back where they sort all the mail. And we got to see all the mail they sort. The mail is usually on a big, metal, silver cart that they use for sorting, but today it only had one box full of mail on it. Kim showed us where the people who don’t have mailboxes come to get their mail.
Next we got to go up front, and one of the workers showed us different kinds of stamps, like old cars, flowers, presidents, birds, movie stars, American flags, and Disneyland.
Finally, we went outside to see the mail trucks. We got to see how big the inside is back. We got to see what the front looks like, too. We found out that they get to drive with the doors open. And one of the trucks had dog bones in it because the mail carrier likes to feed dogs. There were also chains inside the truck so if it snows, she can hook them on the tires so she doesn’t get stuck.
Then we left. We loved it so much. We wish we could go back some day.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Newsletter 7
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 7
October 13, 2005
Dear Families,
I appreciate the feedback on these newsletters. Sometimes I turn them out rather quickly, and stuff slips by, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. (My dad would claim he was making mistakes on purpose, just to see if anyone was paying attention, so maybe that will be my excuse.)
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
The topic of ants has come up now and then in our reading and writing, and that’s what our new wall story is about. We’ve read a few nonfiction books about ants, and we’ve talked about things we’ve learned. This is an expectation I want them to have when it comes to nonfiction: they should expect to learn something. The wall story is a chance for them to tell and illustrate something they have learned about ants, and when it’s done it will be something they can read.
In writing….
As I grow into this routine of writing these every week, I find myself anticipating them and thinking of what to write about. That’s one reason I have the students write four days a week. I want it to become routine, and I want them to start anticipating topics, so that when they sit down to write, they can get started right away. I’ve shown the students the book I use to keep track of my ideas so I don’t forget them, and your child may be interested in doing something similar. It could be as simple as a spiral notebook where they jot notes or pictures—anything so that great idea is not forgotten or lost.
In math….
We are almost finished with our first workbook, and we’re working on story problems that ask students to find and show different combinations that equal a set amount. For example, if there are ten dinosaurs and tigers, how many of each could there be? Part of this problem is doing the math, and another part is learning how to use paper and pencil to show the math they did and to express their answer clearly. This will continue to show up throughout the year.
Field Trip…
We’d like to get out and see some sites around the community this year, and this will be our first. We’re going across the street to visit our post office on Friday, October 21. Look for the permission slip sent home today.
Fall Party…
We’ll have our fall party on Monday, October 31, starting after lunch recess, around 1:45. We’ll need 5-7 pumpkins, along with treats, juice, napkins, silverware, and plates. Let me know if you can contribute. We’ll be doing some activities that go much better when we have more adults around, so please come and join us if you can. If you plan to be here, just send me a note or an email.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 21—Cameron’s birthday (forgot last time—sorry Cameron ()
Friday, October 21—Post Office Field Trip
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
October 13, 2005
Dear Families,
I appreciate the feedback on these newsletters. Sometimes I turn them out rather quickly, and stuff slips by, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. (My dad would claim he was making mistakes on purpose, just to see if anyone was paying attention, so maybe that will be my excuse.)
Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
The topic of ants has come up now and then in our reading and writing, and that’s what our new wall story is about. We’ve read a few nonfiction books about ants, and we’ve talked about things we’ve learned. This is an expectation I want them to have when it comes to nonfiction: they should expect to learn something. The wall story is a chance for them to tell and illustrate something they have learned about ants, and when it’s done it will be something they can read.
In writing….
As I grow into this routine of writing these every week, I find myself anticipating them and thinking of what to write about. That’s one reason I have the students write four days a week. I want it to become routine, and I want them to start anticipating topics, so that when they sit down to write, they can get started right away. I’ve shown the students the book I use to keep track of my ideas so I don’t forget them, and your child may be interested in doing something similar. It could be as simple as a spiral notebook where they jot notes or pictures—anything so that great idea is not forgotten or lost.
In math….
We are almost finished with our first workbook, and we’re working on story problems that ask students to find and show different combinations that equal a set amount. For example, if there are ten dinosaurs and tigers, how many of each could there be? Part of this problem is doing the math, and another part is learning how to use paper and pencil to show the math they did and to express their answer clearly. This will continue to show up throughout the year.
Field Trip…
We’d like to get out and see some sites around the community this year, and this will be our first. We’re going across the street to visit our post office on Friday, October 21. Look for the permission slip sent home today.
Fall Party…
We’ll have our fall party on Monday, October 31, starting after lunch recess, around 1:45. We’ll need 5-7 pumpkins, along with treats, juice, napkins, silverware, and plates. Let me know if you can contribute. We’ll be doing some activities that go much better when we have more adults around, so please come and join us if you can. If you plan to be here, just send me a note or an email.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud…
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Calendar…
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 21—Cameron’s birthday (forgot last time—sorry Cameron ()
Friday, October 21—Post Office Field Trip
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, October 10, 2005
Week of Monday, October 10
Monday, October 10, 2005
The Game Room is a fun place. Today was the first day it was open. Some of us went there during lunch recess. Ashley, Aubree, Cameron, Travis, Jordan, Lukas, and Kevin colored pictures. Noah, Justyn, and Rien played Battleship. Kaelyn played HI HO! CHERRY-O, then she went to watch the boys play Battleship.
The library was open at lunch recess, too. Shelby worked on the computer, and Abby read books, while Mckayla, Savannah, and Taylor wrote in their notebooks.
The rest of us went outside to play.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
We have started writing a new wall story. We each make one page, and then we put them all together into a book. It tells some things we’ve learned about ants.
We have learned a lot of things. We learned that there are honey ants, green ants, queen ants, red ants, and a whole bunch more. We learned that they have three body parts. We learned that they live in a high dirt hill with tunnels. We learned that they come out in the spring, but not in the winter. We like ants, but not the pincher ants that bite you.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
In math today we tried to solve a problem. We had to solve how many oranges and cherries we could have to get to 13. Some people got different answers than other people. For example, Shelby got 3 oranges and 10 cherries. Donna got 11 cherries and 2 oranges. Justyn got 12 cherries and 1 orange. Travis got 5 oranges and 8 cherries. When we knew the answer, we wrote it on our papers and some people made pictures. Some people even did it more than one way. We’ll do more of these next week.
Friday, October 14, 2005
No school for students; teachers work on writing and math.
The Game Room is a fun place. Today was the first day it was open. Some of us went there during lunch recess. Ashley, Aubree, Cameron, Travis, Jordan, Lukas, and Kevin colored pictures. Noah, Justyn, and Rien played Battleship. Kaelyn played HI HO! CHERRY-O, then she went to watch the boys play Battleship.
The library was open at lunch recess, too. Shelby worked on the computer, and Abby read books, while Mckayla, Savannah, and Taylor wrote in their notebooks.
The rest of us went outside to play.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
We have started writing a new wall story. We each make one page, and then we put them all together into a book. It tells some things we’ve learned about ants.
We have learned a lot of things. We learned that there are honey ants, green ants, queen ants, red ants, and a whole bunch more. We learned that they have three body parts. We learned that they live in a high dirt hill with tunnels. We learned that they come out in the spring, but not in the winter. We like ants, but not the pincher ants that bite you.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
In math today we tried to solve a problem. We had to solve how many oranges and cherries we could have to get to 13. Some people got different answers than other people. For example, Shelby got 3 oranges and 10 cherries. Donna got 11 cherries and 2 oranges. Justyn got 12 cherries and 1 orange. Travis got 5 oranges and 8 cherries. When we knew the answer, we wrote it on our papers and some people made pictures. Some people even did it more than one way. We’ll do more of these next week.
Friday, October 14, 2005
No school for students; teachers work on writing and math.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Newsletter 6
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 6
October 7, 2005
Dear Families,
I love the Thursday folders. If this newsletter is ready, I send it then. If not, I send it Friday, which I’m doing this time. Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
We’re still working on reading in our heads. A great way to practice this is by using the poems in our poetry binders. I pass out three or four poems per week. We practice rereading these a lot, so they are also excellent read aloud material for the students. If you’d like your child to read some to you, suggest they bring the binder home to share. But please help them remember to bring it back the next day.
In writing….
I was thinking again about how much we’re asking of students when we have them write every day. To get a sense of just what is involved, try doing it. Get a journal or notebook or diary and try writing for 20-30 minutes every day. It’s something that I find challenging—finding the time, thinking of topics, deciding exactly what I want to say. If you then want to take it to another level, share your writing with others. You may find it to be a bit intimidating to share something so personal and intimate. I find myself getting a bit defensive about my work, even when I know the person giving questions or comments has only my best interests in mind. But again, we ask students to do it every day. If you do decide to try this, I think it will give you a new perspective on your child as a writer, and I know it will provide a powerful model for your child as a writer.
In math….
We made new calendar, which you should have seen come home. The art on the top was inspired by an artist named Winslow Homer. The story goes that he was so poor, his family could not afford paper and pencils. But he was driven to do art, so he improvised, using the insides of cereal boxes for paper and charcoal from the fire for his medium. Hence, our use of cereal boxes and charcoal pencils. We thank the PTA board and members for their generous contributions and allocations to our classrooms, which made possible the purchase of those pencils. (If you still need to join, let me know and I’ll get you hooked up.)
Invitations…
I’ve recently been informed of a school policy concerning birthday invitations: We ask that you not send invitations to school unless everyone in the class is invited. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud….
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
by Barbara Park
Calendar…
Sunday, October 2—Donna’s birthday
Thursday, October 6—Taylor’s birthday
Friday, October 7—Kaelyn’s birthday
Saturday, October 8—Kaelyn’s birthday party (everyone invited)
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
October 7, 2005
Dear Families,
I love the Thursday folders. If this newsletter is ready, I send it then. If not, I send it Friday, which I’m doing this time. Here’s what’s going on…..
In reading….
We’re still working on reading in our heads. A great way to practice this is by using the poems in our poetry binders. I pass out three or four poems per week. We practice rereading these a lot, so they are also excellent read aloud material for the students. If you’d like your child to read some to you, suggest they bring the binder home to share. But please help them remember to bring it back the next day.
In writing….
I was thinking again about how much we’re asking of students when we have them write every day. To get a sense of just what is involved, try doing it. Get a journal or notebook or diary and try writing for 20-30 minutes every day. It’s something that I find challenging—finding the time, thinking of topics, deciding exactly what I want to say. If you then want to take it to another level, share your writing with others. You may find it to be a bit intimidating to share something so personal and intimate. I find myself getting a bit defensive about my work, even when I know the person giving questions or comments has only my best interests in mind. But again, we ask students to do it every day. If you do decide to try this, I think it will give you a new perspective on your child as a writer, and I know it will provide a powerful model for your child as a writer.
In math….
We made new calendar, which you should have seen come home. The art on the top was inspired by an artist named Winslow Homer. The story goes that he was so poor, his family could not afford paper and pencils. But he was driven to do art, so he improvised, using the insides of cereal boxes for paper and charcoal from the fire for his medium. Hence, our use of cereal boxes and charcoal pencils. We thank the PTA board and members for their generous contributions and allocations to our classrooms, which made possible the purchase of those pencils. (If you still need to join, let me know and I’ll get you hooked up.)
Invitations…
I’ve recently been informed of a school policy concerning birthday invitations: We ask that you not send invitations to school unless everyone in the class is invited. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
Current Chapter Book Read Aloud….
Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business
by Barbara Park
Calendar…
Sunday, October 2—Donna’s birthday
Thursday, October 6—Taylor’s birthday
Friday, October 7—Kaelyn’s birthday
Saturday, October 8—Kaelyn’s birthday party (everyone invited)
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Monday, October 31—Fall party (afternoon)
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, October 03, 2005
Week of Monday, October 3
Monday, October 03, 2005
Yesterday was Donna’s birthday. She turned seven years old. We’re making cards for her.
In math we finished our charcoal drawing of a pumpkin patch. We stapled them to black paper. Then we sprayed them with hairspray so they wouldn’t smear when we touched them. Then we took them home.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
We got a new poem. It’s called “Hickory Dickory Dock.” It’s about a mouse who climbs up a clock, but then gets scared when the clock strikes one o’clock, so he runs down. We don’t know what the mouse does after that.
Another poem we’re learning is “October” by Maurice Sendak. It’s a scary poem that has a witch, and a goblin, and a ghost in it. When we read it out loud, we practiced using our scary voices.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The kid in the orange shirt, Kyle, came and let us know they were ready for us. We lined up and left our room. We went to the stage, but we had to wait for the second graders to get done. The adults kept telling us to be quiet because it was really noisy in there. But it wasn’t just us making the noise, it was the second graders, too, and the kids at P.E.
Finally, it was our turn. One by one, we sat on the stool in front of the camera. The lady behind the camera put a square piece of film into the camera. It had our names on it so she’d know who was who. Then she told us to say different words, like “pretty,” or “recess,” or “daisy,” or “pickle,” or “pumpkin,” or “princess.” When we said the word we smiled and she pressed the button and snuck our picture. Everyone had fun.
After that, we came back to our classroom for writing.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Mckayla came back today. She was gone for three days. She was visiting her grandma and grandpa. We missed her and we’re glad to have her back. She got back just in time for Taylor’s birthday.
Taylor turned 7 years old today. She got a hamster for her birthday, and her dad came and brought McDonald’s for her lunch. He even brought French fries for Mr. Kurtz! Later, her mom came and brought tiny chocolate spider cupcakes with webs on them. They brought juice, too. They were great.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Hooray!
Hooray!
It’s Kaelyn’s birthday today!
She turned 7. Mr. Kurtz made her a crown. Kaelyn brought cupcakes and we ate them outside while we looked at the pictures we made for Kayla. We made pictures for Kayla because we learned her name in spelling today.
Tomorrow is Kaelyn’s party from 2-4 at Godfather’s. “Godfather’s pizza is good!” said Justyn and Jesse.
Kaelyn said, “There will be cake at my party, and we get to play outside on the sidewalk, so we don’t get run over in the parking lot.”
Everyone in the class is invited.
Yesterday was Donna’s birthday. She turned seven years old. We’re making cards for her.
In math we finished our charcoal drawing of a pumpkin patch. We stapled them to black paper. Then we sprayed them with hairspray so they wouldn’t smear when we touched them. Then we took them home.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
We got a new poem. It’s called “Hickory Dickory Dock.” It’s about a mouse who climbs up a clock, but then gets scared when the clock strikes one o’clock, so he runs down. We don’t know what the mouse does after that.
Another poem we’re learning is “October” by Maurice Sendak. It’s a scary poem that has a witch, and a goblin, and a ghost in it. When we read it out loud, we practiced using our scary voices.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The kid in the orange shirt, Kyle, came and let us know they were ready for us. We lined up and left our room. We went to the stage, but we had to wait for the second graders to get done. The adults kept telling us to be quiet because it was really noisy in there. But it wasn’t just us making the noise, it was the second graders, too, and the kids at P.E.
Finally, it was our turn. One by one, we sat on the stool in front of the camera. The lady behind the camera put a square piece of film into the camera. It had our names on it so she’d know who was who. Then she told us to say different words, like “pretty,” or “recess,” or “daisy,” or “pickle,” or “pumpkin,” or “princess.” When we said the word we smiled and she pressed the button and snuck our picture. Everyone had fun.
After that, we came back to our classroom for writing.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Mckayla came back today. She was gone for three days. She was visiting her grandma and grandpa. We missed her and we’re glad to have her back. She got back just in time for Taylor’s birthday.
Taylor turned 7 years old today. She got a hamster for her birthday, and her dad came and brought McDonald’s for her lunch. He even brought French fries for Mr. Kurtz! Later, her mom came and brought tiny chocolate spider cupcakes with webs on them. They brought juice, too. They were great.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Hooray!
Hooray!
It’s Kaelyn’s birthday today!
She turned 7. Mr. Kurtz made her a crown. Kaelyn brought cupcakes and we ate them outside while we looked at the pictures we made for Kayla. We made pictures for Kayla because we learned her name in spelling today.
Tomorrow is Kaelyn’s party from 2-4 at Godfather’s. “Godfather’s pizza is good!” said Justyn and Jesse.
Kaelyn said, “There will be cake at my party, and we get to play outside on the sidewalk, so we don’t get run over in the parking lot.”
Everyone in the class is invited.