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
Thursday, October 13, 2005
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.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Newsletter 5
Room 302—Newsletter 5
September 29, 2005
Dear Families,
Thanks to all who were able to attend. I appreciate the questions I’ve been getting, and I appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback on the meeting. Thanks also for all the kind comments on the blog. I share those with the students. Writers need an audience, and it helps us to know you’re out there. That address again is http://Room302.blogspot.com.
Here is what’s going on this week:
In reading….
When I pass out book orders, we take the time to look through them. We circle and discuss the things we like. I wish you could hear the excitement and enthusiasm run through the room. These kids love books and reading. But it’s not realistic to expect people to order every time, and I tell them that. I also tell them another way to use book orders. They can save them and use them to help locate books when they go to the library. Sometimes the library can be intimidating, with so many choices. But if they go in with a ready-made list, it really helps narrow the choices.
In writing….
Some students are publishing stories, and learning how this routine will work. This is also a great chance for them to reread their work and revise as needed. They have one day in school to illustrate, and if it’s not finished I ask them to use their own time: this could be before school, during recess, or at home.
In math….
A new game we learned with dice is called Collect 15 Together. Partners take turns rolling a die and adding the total until it reaches 15 or more. We’re using counters to keep track so that the amount is easy to see, count, and recount as needed. If you’re playing this at home, you can also modify it by using a higher total or playing with two dice.
Calendar…
Friday, September 30—The Pacific Science Center will be here all day. Our class will tour the exhibit at 2:00, and they’ll be in to do a lesson in the room from 2:30 – 3:05. Join us, if you like.
Wednesday, October 5—Picture Day
Friday, October 14—No School
Friday, October 28—Early Release Day
Friday, November 4—Science Fair, Western Dance
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, September 26, 2005
Week of Monday, September 26
Monday, September 26, 2005
Today is Abby’s birthday. She turned six. She got a crown and birthday cards. At the end of the day we sang to her, and we had chocolate chip cookies. They were super good, fantastic, and yummy.
In math, we learned a new game called Collect 15. To play, you roll a die and whatever you roll is how many cubes you take. Partners take turns rolling the die and putting that many cubes into the pile until the total is 15 or more.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
We had two new things this afternoon. The first one was during lunch. The tables went in different spots. Mr. Stocker and Wendy put them in different places. Now each grade is separate and sits by itself.
The other new thing happened when we got to have class with Mrs. Roessler. We got name tags. She read us a book about feelings called Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis. Some of us talked about when we were lonely. Then it was time to go. We see her again next Tuesday.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Our person of the day in spelling was Donna. We learned that Donna has two brothers that are older than her, and a mom, and a dad, and two cats. We learned how to spell “Donna” and we learned that she has a double letter in her name, five letters altogether, two vowels, and two syllables. Donna is the 16th person we’ve done, but so far she is the only one with a “d” in her name. Tomorrow we’ll pick a boy.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Today was an exciting day because we had a visit from the Pacific Science Center. First we went to an assebly in the gym. They talked about science and math. We learned about probability, perspective, and scale.
After lunch we went to the gym again and we played with a lot of stuff. For example, there was a computer that showed perspective. There was a toy washing machine for us to try to reach in and pick out a matching sock with your eyes closed. There was a tube full of one million beads, but only one black bead, and you had to try to find it.
At the end of the day, 2 teachers came to our room to teach us more about math. We got to figure out problems using a scale, a thermometer, a ruler, and a timer. We had a great day.
Today is Abby’s birthday. She turned six. She got a crown and birthday cards. At the end of the day we sang to her, and we had chocolate chip cookies. They were super good, fantastic, and yummy.
In math, we learned a new game called Collect 15. To play, you roll a die and whatever you roll is how many cubes you take. Partners take turns rolling the die and putting that many cubes into the pile until the total is 15 or more.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
We had two new things this afternoon. The first one was during lunch. The tables went in different spots. Mr. Stocker and Wendy put them in different places. Now each grade is separate and sits by itself.
The other new thing happened when we got to have class with Mrs. Roessler. We got name tags. She read us a book about feelings called Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis. Some of us talked about when we were lonely. Then it was time to go. We see her again next Tuesday.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Our person of the day in spelling was Donna. We learned that Donna has two brothers that are older than her, and a mom, and a dad, and two cats. We learned how to spell “Donna” and we learned that she has a double letter in her name, five letters altogether, two vowels, and two syllables. Donna is the 16th person we’ve done, but so far she is the only one with a “d” in her name. Tomorrow we’ll pick a boy.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Today was an exciting day because we had a visit from the Pacific Science Center. First we went to an assebly in the gym. They talked about science and math. We learned about probability, perspective, and scale.
After lunch we went to the gym again and we played with a lot of stuff. For example, there was a computer that showed perspective. There was a toy washing machine for us to try to reach in and pick out a matching sock with your eyes closed. There was a tube full of one million beads, but only one black bead, and you had to try to find it.
At the end of the day, 2 teachers came to our room to teach us more about math. We got to figure out problems using a scale, a thermometer, a ruler, and a timer. We had a great day.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Newsletter 4
Room 302—Newsletter 4
September 22, 2005
Dear Families,
Our Curriculum Night / Open House is tonight. We’ll meet first in the gym at 6:30, and then come to the room, where I’ll talk about what I do and why. I hope to see you. In other news….
In reading….
Look for a checklist in each book box. Those are to help students remember the reading expectations. Right now we’re working on having books we can read, reading quietly, and reading fluently.
In writing….
We finished our wall story, I Like. Look for it hanging up in front of the windows. We’re also still working on routines, like starting with the date each time before we write. It’s something you can look for in your child’s journal tonight.
In math….
We’ve been doing patterns. This is so important, since math is all based on patterns. Perhaps during the Open House your student could share and explain a pattern he or she made.
New….
Art Project
We’re collecting empty cereal boxes for an art project. We need them by next Thursday. We’ll be using the cardboard inside, so they have to be blank.
Counselor
Our class will have the chance to meet with our counselor once a week beginning September 27. This will be 30 minutes on Tuesdays, right before library. Which reminds me, bringing library books back on Tuesdays is another one of those routines they still need help with.
Field Trip
As I told the students, we do plan to to see a play in May. I’ll have a chaperone sign-up tonight, and I’ll send more info. when we get closer.
Some things worth repeating….
Snacks
If you plan to bring in something for a birthday treat, please give me some notice so we can plan the best day and time.
Volunteers
I welcome volunteers in the classroom, and hope to start soon. If you’re interested, let me know. You can also sign up tonight. I have a sign-up sheet with times that I need people, and I’ll also have the necessary (ESD required) forms for you to get when you come tonight.
Email List
I have eleven families on my list so far. If you wrote to me and didn’t hear back, please write again. I’ll respond to your message if I get it. If you’d like to be on the list, please send me an email. Include your name and your child’s name so I can identify you.
Classroom Visits
Any time you’d like to visit, you’re welcome to do so. Just make sure to stop in at the office to sign in and get a Visitor sticker.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Monday, September 19, 2005
Week of Monday, September 19
Monday, September 19, 2005
In reading we shared our connections. First we read books. When we read, we thought about things the books reminded us of. Kaelyn read Ben’s Red Car and she had a connection to her grandma’s red car. Donna read Space Cat and it reminded her of a cat she had. Then we sat in a circle and shared some of our connections.
Most of us also got new jobs today. Some of do the same jobs as last week. Some of the class jobs are shelf cleaning, writing center, lunch, floor cleaner, caboose, pencils, snack, books, and calendar.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
We had library today! Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Yonkers let us check out two books. But some of us only wanted to check out one book.
And some of us didn’t check out any because we forgot to bring our other books back. But we still picked books and Mrs. Sullivan saved them for us, and put our names on them with a sticky note, and put them on a special shelf. We’ll get those books tomorrow when we bring our old ones back.
Mrs. Sullivan read us a book called Book, Book, Book and we also did a poem we know called “Good Books, Good Times” by Lee Bennet Hopkins.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Today is the first day of Autumn. In writing, some people made birthday cards for Ashley because it’s her birthday today, and birthday cards for Abby because it’s her birthday on Monday. The rest of us will make their cards on other days.
Ashley brought cookies for us, too. They were really good!
In reading we shared our connections. First we read books. When we read, we thought about things the books reminded us of. Kaelyn read Ben’s Red Car and she had a connection to her grandma’s red car. Donna read Space Cat and it reminded her of a cat she had. Then we sat in a circle and shared some of our connections.
Most of us also got new jobs today. Some of do the same jobs as last week. Some of the class jobs are shelf cleaning, writing center, lunch, floor cleaner, caboose, pencils, snack, books, and calendar.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
We had library today! Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Yonkers let us check out two books. But some of us only wanted to check out one book.
And some of us didn’t check out any because we forgot to bring our other books back. But we still picked books and Mrs. Sullivan saved them for us, and put our names on them with a sticky note, and put them on a special shelf. We’ll get those books tomorrow when we bring our old ones back.
Mrs. Sullivan read us a book called Book, Book, Book and we also did a poem we know called “Good Books, Good Times” by Lee Bennet Hopkins.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Today is the first day of Autumn. In writing, some people made birthday cards for Ashley because it’s her birthday today, and birthday cards for Abby because it’s her birthday on Monday. The rest of us will make their cards on other days.
Ashley brought cookies for us, too. They were really good!
Friday, September 16, 2005
Newsletter 3
2005-2006 Room 302—Newsletter 3
September 16, 2005
Dear Families,
I hope you’re hearing good things about school. Our days are packed, and they seem to go by quickly.
In reading….
We’re learning how reading time should sound (pretty quiet) and look (people reading, or looking for books). We’re trying to read a variety of fiction and nonfiction every day. One thing effective readers do is make connections between their lives and what they read, and today we read awhile and then shared a connection we’d made. That will be something we’ll continue to do throughout the year.
In writing….
We’re working here, also, on what it should look like and sound like at writing time. For special project we all wrote birthday cards for Jordan L. and now each child is making a page in our class book called I Like Myself.
In math….
We learned a new game called Compare, and a similar game called Double Compare. The games are similar to War. Each player has a pile of cards (like playing cards), and they turn over one (Compare) or two (Double Compare) at a time. The player with the highest card (or highest total in Double Compare) says “Me” and then another round is played. The difference from War is that there is no winner—each player keeps his own cards. If you have a deck of playing cards, you could play these at home.
Some things worth repeating….
Snacks
Thanks to those who have sent them so far. If you haven’t, we’ve now got enough to last about a week, so you’ve got some time. I’ll let you know here if we get low again.
Volunteers
I welcome volunteers in the classroom, but we haven’t started yet. If you’re interested, let me know, either when you stop by, or by email, or call, or send a note. You can also sign up at Curriculum night. I have a sign-up sheet with times that I need people, and I’ll also have the necessary forms for you to fill out when you come to Curriculum Night.
Curriculum night / Back-to-School Night
On Thursday, September 22, 2005 we’ll have our annual night for Kindergarten, First, and Second grade parents and kids to meet at school, hear from teachers, and look around. We’ll all start together in the gym at 6:30. Your time with me will be about 30 minutes, so we really won’t have time to discuss individual students that night, but I’d love to talk with you any other time if you have questions about your child.
Email List
I have about ten families on my list so far. If you wrote to me and didn’t hear back, please write again. I’ll respond to your message if I get it. If you’d like to be on the list, please send me an email. Include your name and your child’s name so I can identify you.
Classroom Visits
Any time you’d like to visit, you’re welcome to do so. Just make sure to stop in at the office to sign in and get a Visitor sticker.
Take-home Folders
We have new folders this year. They’re red, and they’ll come home every Thursday (and back every Friday). We had 22 out of 23 back this week—I appreciate your help on this.
September 16, 2005
Dear Families,
I hope you’re hearing good things about school. Our days are packed, and they seem to go by quickly.
In reading….
We’re learning how reading time should sound (pretty quiet) and look (people reading, or looking for books). We’re trying to read a variety of fiction and nonfiction every day. One thing effective readers do is make connections between their lives and what they read, and today we read awhile and then shared a connection we’d made. That will be something we’ll continue to do throughout the year.
In writing….
We’re working here, also, on what it should look like and sound like at writing time. For special project we all wrote birthday cards for Jordan L. and now each child is making a page in our class book called I Like Myself.
In math….
We learned a new game called Compare, and a similar game called Double Compare. The games are similar to War. Each player has a pile of cards (like playing cards), and they turn over one (Compare) or two (Double Compare) at a time. The player with the highest card (or highest total in Double Compare) says “Me” and then another round is played. The difference from War is that there is no winner—each player keeps his own cards. If you have a deck of playing cards, you could play these at home.
Some things worth repeating….
Snacks
Thanks to those who have sent them so far. If you haven’t, we’ve now got enough to last about a week, so you’ve got some time. I’ll let you know here if we get low again.
Volunteers
I welcome volunteers in the classroom, but we haven’t started yet. If you’re interested, let me know, either when you stop by, or by email, or call, or send a note. You can also sign up at Curriculum night. I have a sign-up sheet with times that I need people, and I’ll also have the necessary forms for you to fill out when you come to Curriculum Night.
Curriculum night / Back-to-School Night
On Thursday, September 22, 2005 we’ll have our annual night for Kindergarten, First, and Second grade parents and kids to meet at school, hear from teachers, and look around. We’ll all start together in the gym at 6:30. Your time with me will be about 30 minutes, so we really won’t have time to discuss individual students that night, but I’d love to talk with you any other time if you have questions about your child.
Email List
I have about ten families on my list so far. If you wrote to me and didn’t hear back, please write again. I’ll respond to your message if I get it. If you’d like to be on the list, please send me an email. Include your name and your child’s name so I can identify you.
Classroom Visits
Any time you’d like to visit, you’re welcome to do so. Just make sure to stop in at the office to sign in and get a Visitor sticker.
Take-home Folders
We have new folders this year. They’re red, and they’ll come home every Thursday (and back every Friday). We had 22 out of 23 back this week—I appreciate your help on this.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Week of Monday September 12
Monday, September 12, 2005
We went to music and sang:
B-B-Bumblebee
Stung a man upon his knee
Stung a pig upon his snout
I declare that you are out
And whoever the bee landed on got stung and had to sit down.
We had an assembly with Eric Ode. He sang funny songs and one was about a skunk. And the skunk came out and went across the stage. It surprised us. It was funny. It was great!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
We got the Vowel Song poem. We colored it and put it in our binders.
We had a fire drill at lunch time. The alarm went off and we had to go outside to the baseball field. Then we went back in and finished lunch, and we didn’t get very much time for eating.
We went to the library and got books to take home until next Monday. Mrs. Yonkers read us a book called Don’t Spit on Your Shoes.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
We had Physical Education today. First we did sit-ups. Then we jogged around the gym in a big rectangle, and when the music stopped we had to stop where we were. Then we felt our necks to feel our pulse and it was beating really fast because our hearts were pumping really hard.
Later we tossed glow-in-the-dark balls to each other, and Mrs. Smith said that if we ever lose power, we could use those balls for light.
Then we got drinks and came back to class. We felt tired and hot and happy.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
We wrote in our journals. We each wrote different things, except for the special project people at Table 1. They made some beautiful pink pages of a book we’re making together called I Like Me.
At reading, we got out our book boxes and read. Then we sat in a circle and shared what we read.
Later we sat down by the calendar and we did calendar. We counted the money. We wrote on the number line and the tally chart to count the days of school. We sang the song of the days and the song of the months.
Friday, September 16, 2005
“I ran around outside on the gravel when it was recess time,” said Kayla. So did Donna, Shelby, Rien, Justyn, Jesse, Lukas, Savannah, Ashley, Cameron, Mckayla, and Travis.
“I played on the rings with Katie,” said Abby.
“Taylor and I played Freeze Tag,” said Taylor.
“I made a nest for the birds with Aubree,” said Jamie.
“I went to the library with Jasen and Jordan, and we listened to a book on tape with some other kids,” said Kaelyn.
At the end of the day, Noah lost his tooth!!!
We went to music and sang:
B-B-Bumblebee
Stung a man upon his knee
Stung a pig upon his snout
I declare that you are out
And whoever the bee landed on got stung and had to sit down.
We had an assembly with Eric Ode. He sang funny songs and one was about a skunk. And the skunk came out and went across the stage. It surprised us. It was funny. It was great!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
We got the Vowel Song poem. We colored it and put it in our binders.
We had a fire drill at lunch time. The alarm went off and we had to go outside to the baseball field. Then we went back in and finished lunch, and we didn’t get very much time for eating.
We went to the library and got books to take home until next Monday. Mrs. Yonkers read us a book called Don’t Spit on Your Shoes.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
We had Physical Education today. First we did sit-ups. Then we jogged around the gym in a big rectangle, and when the music stopped we had to stop where we were. Then we felt our necks to feel our pulse and it was beating really fast because our hearts were pumping really hard.
Later we tossed glow-in-the-dark balls to each other, and Mrs. Smith said that if we ever lose power, we could use those balls for light.
Then we got drinks and came back to class. We felt tired and hot and happy.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
We wrote in our journals. We each wrote different things, except for the special project people at Table 1. They made some beautiful pink pages of a book we’re making together called I Like Me.
At reading, we got out our book boxes and read. Then we sat in a circle and shared what we read.
Later we sat down by the calendar and we did calendar. We counted the money. We wrote on the number line and the tally chart to count the days of school. We sang the song of the days and the song of the months.
Friday, September 16, 2005
“I ran around outside on the gravel when it was recess time,” said Kayla. So did Donna, Shelby, Rien, Justyn, Jesse, Lukas, Savannah, Ashley, Cameron, Mckayla, and Travis.
“I played on the rings with Katie,” said Abby.
“Taylor and I played Freeze Tag,” said Taylor.
“I made a nest for the birds with Aubree,” said Jamie.
“I went to the library with Jasen and Jordan, and we listened to a book on tape with some other kids,” said Kaelyn.
At the end of the day, Noah lost his tooth!!!