In brief--Grit: It's what separates the best from the merely good:
'via Blog this'
Monday, October 03, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Student Education Record Parent Request
Student Education Record Parent Request
Parents and guardians of students who were enrolled full time or part time in Washington public schools during state testing may view their child’s Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP) test booklets; which includes the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP), High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE), End-of-Course exams (EOC), Washington Alternate Assessment System Portfolio and the Collection of Evidence (high school only).
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Newsletter 2
Newsletter 2 9/6/2011
Dear Families,
We had a great first day! I hope you hear good things. Thank you for trusting me with your children. I’m looking forward to the next 179 days our class has together. Here is some news and some information:
Snack
Since we don’t eat lunch in the upper grades until 1:00, snack can be pretty important for some of them. I know it is for me. There are two ways we can do snack: Students bring their own snack each day and eat that, or students bring in snack to share. I’m happy either way. Talk to your child about which one you want to do. We’ll make a list and try to keep track. Those who are sending in snack will want to know how many are eating and how often to send. The best things to send are healthy, and easy to distribute evenly.
Specials
We have Physical Education on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Musical Education on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I’m not sure yet when we will have library.
Jackdaw
What is a jackdaw? A jackdaw is a collection of things about a topic. Part of the fun is finding and building the collection to share with others. In this case, the topic will be each student. I have given each student a gallon size Ziploc bag and I’m asking them to make a jackdaw about themselves. It must all fit inside the bag. Here are the guidelines:
Bring in items that represent:
· some of your "gifts"-- things you are good at (maybe a book or a paint brush or a game piece)
· some of your interests - things you are fascinated with and like to spend your time reading about or doing (maybe a catcher's mitt or word puzzle)
· relationships you have with other people (maybe a photo of friends or a souvenir from a family trip)
· ways you already help others (maybe a leash if you walk the dog or spoon if you set the table)
· other things you can think of that will tell us about you
The jackdaws should be brought to school and each child gets to share their collection with the rest of the class. We’ll do other activities with them too, and display them. I’d like the bags done and back by Monday, September 12, but they can come back sooner and we’ll start sharing when they do. This will be a fun way to get to know each other. I can’t wait.
Email
My goal is to be paperless as much as possible this year. Sending newsletters and things like this is so much easier, effective, and timely with email. If you have not sent me your email, please do so when you read this. If it’s easier to write it, just put it in the margin of this newsletter and send it back. Just so I get it. Even if you are just reading newsletters on the blog (room302.blogspot.com) I’d like to have your email.
Calendar
September 6—First Day
Thursday, September 8—PTA Meeting, 3:45
Thursday, September 15—Curriculum Night, 6:30
Thursday, September 29—Pictures
Chapter Book
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to help, and if one person is wondering, others probably are, too.
Sincerely,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Classroom Open
Hi.
As I mentioned in the letter I sent this summer, I like to have some times available for students/families who want to stop by early, say “Hi”, and drop off supplies, look around, ask questions, etc. It has taken me some time, but I finally figured out some times that will work.
I’ll be in the classroom on Thursday, September 1st, from 12:00 to 12:40, and from 4-4:30. If you can make it, great. If not, no big deal. We’ll take care of things on Tuesday, September 6, our first day.
Sorry about the late notice on this. If none of those times work for you but you still want to stop by and drop stuff, that’s fine with me. I’ll be around, getting ready, attending meetings, etc, until 4 on Wednesday, as well as Thursday afternoon.
If you know of other students that will be in our class, please let them know as well, if you get a chance. I haven’t received everybody’s email address yet.
Remember that I’ll also always try to post information at http://room302.blogspot.com/ and http://twitter.com/#!/room302
And of course if you have questions, please let me know.
I’m excited for the new year!
Thanks.
Jeff
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Fwd: Supply List 2011-2012
Hi.
This is what I'd like the students to bring. The only things we'll share will be Sharpies and Kleenex. The rest should have names on it. Please send pencils in already sharpened, if possible.
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1 box 24 ct Crayola crayons
3 large glue sticks
3 dozen #2 pencils (Ticonderoga-avail @ Costco in bulk)
Pencil top erasers
2 Dry Erase Markers (black or blue)
5 wide-ruled spiral notebooks
1 water bottle
2 folders w/sturdy bottom pockets
1 pair Fiskar scissors
1 Supply Box
1 pencil sharpener with shavings box
2 packs sticky notes
colored pencils
markers
2 black Sharpies
Kleenex
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Newsletter 8
Newsletter 8 3/30/2011
Dear Families,
Just a few things as we head into break…
Reading
In fiction we're trying to learn to anticipate the formula of character, what he wants, how he tries to get it, and how he changes. In nonfiction we're learning about features of the text (captions, headings, etc.), noticing when we learn things, and asking questions. In both fiction and nonfiction I want students to stop, think, wonder, react as they read. In both they should read what's not on the page (infer) as well as what is on the page.
Math
Two volunteers recently pulled pages from student Activity Workbooks. These packets will be sent home. Do with them what you please. They are extra pages, or extensions, or things we did in other ways or places. They are from units we've finished and can stay at home. I see them being possible sources of amusement, review, interest, discussion, practice, frustration—perhaps some combination of any of those—for students and families. I trust each family to use them in ways that best suit each child. If your child is still working to memorize multiplication and division facts through 12, perhaps these pages can help.
Writing
We're working to have at least one thing published from each student by the Authors' Fair, here on April 21. We'll also be learning about taking notes and writing animal reports.
Chapter Book
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen—this book has had quite an impact on our class. I find it fascinating to see so many of them checking out the book, and reading ahead because they can't wait, and still huddling together on the carpet to read along with me. It demonstrates the power of stories. If you're looking for your next read-aloud, this is one adults enjoy as well—I've read it several times now and still enjoy it. The recorded version is great, and there are several sequels as well.
MSP Test Dates—3rd Grade
Reading: Monday, May 9
Math: Monday, May 16
Test Practice
After the break we'll spend a few weeks practicing the types of questions the students are likely to see on the upcoming MSP.
Calendar
| April 4-8 No School 14 PTA Meeting, 3:45 21 Young Authors' Fair, 5:00 29 Muffins with Mom | May 9 Reading MSP 12 PTA Meeting, 3:45 16 Math MSP 30 No School |
Sincerely,
Jeff