G. L. Tweet

At SSR I read a book called "How to Make a Pizza Face". It shows you how to make a pizza face, like a tomato for the nose. I also read the snow. All it said was some boys were on a sled but I don't know their names and they fell off. G.L.

J.H. tweet

At SSR we read books and we weren't allowed to walk around because Mr. Kurtz wanted us to concentrate on the books. He wanted us to learn how to read if some people didn't know how. J.H.

A.C. Tweet

In math we are doing clocks. And we draw the numbers on the clock like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. And we sit at the carpet and Mr. Kurtz says point your little hand to the number 3 or 5. Then we have partners and we show our partner. Then we turn back. And also we have little clocks. And Preston got to wrote on the white board. And we have to listen. And now Luke just talked, and now we are on page 267. Mr. Kurtz is talking. A.M.C.

Alex Tweet

At recess I played the chicken game with Tristen and Zane. But before we did that we went to the climbing wall. Then we did the game. I had to be the chicken first. I tagged Zane twice. Then Zane was the chicken this time. Tristen has to be the chicken next recess. A.D.B.

H.S. Tweet

At assembly we did the Hand Jive. The Hand Jive is motions. You tap your lap and then you wave your hands side to side but your hands got to be straight and your right hand has to be on top. Then put your fist up and your other one up and put one on top and then the other one up. Then we did this song that was "America the Beautiful". Then we did the "Rain Forest" song and then we left but before that, Mrs. Garton talked. H.S.

Z.E. Tweet

At recess we played "Funny Home Videos". This is how we play it. First we get a camera man and a person who says "Go" and "Cut". "Go" means turn on the camera and "Cut" means stop and there are two people who do a funny thing. Z.E.

Raising an emotionally intelligent child - Google Books

Raising an emotionally intelligent child - Google Books

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Pathways Lecture Series (Seattle) - ParentMap

Pathways Lecture Series (Seattle) - ParentMap

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Family events calendar, directory and information for parents and kids in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue, Washington. - ParentMap

Family events calendar, directory and information for parents and kids in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue, Washington. - ParentMap

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Newsletter 8

Newsletter 8                                                                                            2/8/2010

 

Dear Families,

 

Our days are busy, and productive.  I hope you are able to use one of the three links at the top of this newsletter:

            http://twitter.com/room302

            http://room302.blogspot.com

            http://swift.enumclaw.wednet.edu/bde/jkurtz/index.php

 to follow what we're doing in class. All three have our daily tweets, which are written by the kids. The students take the photographs, too, and it's been fun helping them learn about using the camera (in the midst of all the other stuff going on.)

Writing

We are well along in writing Valentines for each classmate. They are beginning to memorize some of the words they write each day, and are learning to use multiple sources to help them spell other words they don't know. This is a perfect way to work on adding periods to the ends of sentences. Most cards only have one or two sentences, but you might be surprised how often I have to remind them to go back and add periods to cards they thought were "done". This is also a perfect place to practice using capital letters on things like beginning of sentences, names, and the word "I".

Due to students being absent, etc. some of them may be a bit behind on getting cards done. The goal is to have written on for each classmate by our party on Feb. 12. I'll be helping students go through lists, and you may see some cards coming home if anyone needs extra time. They also have some time before school and during recess.

On Friday, February 12, from 11:30-12:30, we'll exchange the cards we've made for each other, and enjoy some treats. I've had a couple of people volunteer to send some things in. We welcome any contributions, and whatever we don't eat, we can save for snacks.

One drawback I've found in doing these every year is that families often don't get to see some of the best work their own children have done. If you'd like to see the cards before they get passed out, you're always welcome to stop by at writing time (11:30-12:30) or any time. You're also welcome to join us for the Valentine Party, as long as you bring valentines for everyone. (Just kidding, of course. Please just come to hang out, if you can.)

Reading

We have done a lot of thinking about "connections". Connections are things we're reminded of when we read. Connections are what make the reading meaningful. If a reader makes no connections, the text is meaningless, even if he knows all the words.

Text-to-self connections mean the story reminds you of something you've done. Text-to-text connections mean the story reminds you of something else you've read. Text-to-world connections remind you of something you know about in some other way.

Connections come from the things in our lives. Students who lead rich lives, full of variety, have more background to connect to.  When you take them places, talk to them, and read to them, you're building knowledge and experience that serve to anchor them and provide meaning when they are reading.

Math

Wednesday, February 12 will be the 100^th day of school. I've asked students to collect 100 small things to share with the class. This should be something easy for the kids to talk about, share, transport, etc.

Chapter Book

Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark  by Mary Pope Osborn.

Calendar

Wednesday, February 10—100^th Day

Thursday, February 11—Izek's birthday

Friday, February 12—Valentine party

Wednesday, February 17—Emily's birthday

February 15-19—No school