December 21, 2012-January 8, 2013
First of all…WELCOME! I’m so excited to have an alternative to Edline. Edline is teriffic but I feel Weebly will give us a greater set of tools to work with. It also allows my students to have their very own sites! I LOVE bringing out the creativity in my kids (aka students) and this is one of the best ways to do it.
While I write this students and teachers are enjoying Winter Break. Just before break my class made personal gifts for their parents as well as cards (I helped a little. :) ) When everyone returns in January it will be "back to work" again! Until then, have a great day!
While I write this students and teachers are enjoying Winter Break. Just before break my class made personal gifts for their parents as well as cards (I helped a little. :) ) When everyone returns in January it will be "back to work" again! Until then, have a great day!
January 8-11, 2013~The Wrap-up. January 14-18, 2013~Here We Come!
Last week flew by! Sadly one student moved out of our gifted unit but we are now the classroom for two new students. Our population is now made up of four boys and four girls.
We were able to move back into Science: living and non-living things. Your little ones did homework based on plants. At the end of the week they took an assessment for shapes, 2 dimensional. This week I will be using compacting to see weaknesses any student might have for 3D shapes. What is compacting? Look here. :)
This week's Wacky Wednesday will be Silly Socks. To participate a student needs to wear, what else? SILLY SOCKS! :) A $1.00 DONATION is also to be made to 4th grade for this privilege.
We were able to move back into Science: living and non-living things. Your little ones did homework based on plants. At the end of the week they took an assessment for shapes, 2 dimensional. This week I will be using compacting to see weaknesses any student might have for 3D shapes. What is compacting? Look here. :)
This week's Wacky Wednesday will be Silly Socks. To participate a student needs to wear, what else? SILLY SOCKS! :) A $1.00 DONATION is also to be made to 4th grade for this privilege.
January 15, 2013
What a fun and productive week we've had in Room 139! Rather than teach the entire chapter we used compacting to see who fully understood the concept and who needed to have instru ction
January 28-February 1, 2013
Wow! I just noticed that last week's information didn't make it to my Weebly site! I'm very sorry for that. :( I guess Weebly was weeble-wobbling the day I tried to upload it. (Just a note: It wasn't even saved in the editing department either so I'm gathering Weebly had problems with their servers.)
We're growing...and shrinking. One of our students is saying good-bye and we have said "Hello" to another student. We will be getting another new student in the near future. He's from North Grade and is an outstanding child.
The latest "batch" of literacy assessments were completed and all I can say is "WOW!" I've been giving these assessments for over 10 years and I've never seen overall gains like I saw with my little family in room 139. I will personally email you with the new reading level. I'll create a new page on this site and put different books you can download, print out and use as resources for your child. It will take a little time to build so please be patient. I'll also add other READING materials for your assistance. It WILL be password protected for copyright reasons. Please make one copy for your child only to protect copyright laws. The page will be called READING Round-Up. :) Speaking of reading...
This Thursday is Literacy Night from 5-7 and I urge you to attend. I will be attending part of it but it will be a fantastic event! The book fair is open which is a huge plus. I'll be sure to have your child's new reading level to you by then ALONG with another copy of a conversion chart so you can make better purchasing decisions.
In math we are about to finish the kindergarten book. Where do we go from there? Deeper into the core curriculum AND into the 1st/2nd grade curriculum as I see fit. In science we're moving from animals to plants and right now social studies is being taught as needed (Martin Luther King, Jr., President's Day, Black History Month, etc...). If your child is the first one in the school system, switching between science and s.s. is very normal.
There have been concerns about recess I'd like to address. As stated during Open House we are given two days to go outside to have recess. There are times we get so involved in our lessons that we overlook our normal recess time (indoors) but your child does get something everyday on an overall basis. We do NOT go outside on early release days and last Thursday just happened to be our recess day as well as an early release day.
Thank you for taking the time to read this weeks anthology. Have a great week! Thank you.
We're growing...and shrinking. One of our students is saying good-bye and we have said "Hello" to another student. We will be getting another new student in the near future. He's from North Grade and is an outstanding child.
The latest "batch" of literacy assessments were completed and all I can say is "WOW!" I've been giving these assessments for over 10 years and I've never seen overall gains like I saw with my little family in room 139. I will personally email you with the new reading level. I'll create a new page on this site and put different books you can download, print out and use as resources for your child. It will take a little time to build so please be patient. I'll also add other READING materials for your assistance. It WILL be password protected for copyright reasons. Please make one copy for your child only to protect copyright laws. The page will be called READING Round-Up. :) Speaking of reading...
This Thursday is Literacy Night from 5-7 and I urge you to attend. I will be attending part of it but it will be a fantastic event! The book fair is open which is a huge plus. I'll be sure to have your child's new reading level to you by then ALONG with another copy of a conversion chart so you can make better purchasing decisions.
In math we are about to finish the kindergarten book. Where do we go from there? Deeper into the core curriculum AND into the 1st/2nd grade curriculum as I see fit. In science we're moving from animals to plants and right now social studies is being taught as needed (Martin Luther King, Jr., President's Day, Black History Month, etc...). If your child is the first one in the school system, switching between science and s.s. is very normal.
There have been concerns about recess I'd like to address. As stated during Open House we are given two days to go outside to have recess. There are times we get so involved in our lessons that we overlook our normal recess time (indoors) but your child does get something everyday on an overall basis. We do NOT go outside on early release days and last Thursday just happened to be our recess day as well as an early release day.
Thank you for taking the time to read this weeks anthology. Have a great week! Thank you.
February 4-8, 2013
- This was a very productive week and my class enjoyed many extra activities. As many of you know we started out the week in our "sister" classroom, Ms. Martelli's room. (We sometimes do activities with her students in case you were wondering what is meant by a "sister" classroom.) We did that because something caused our A/C to fill up with smoke-there was no fire and no child was ever in harm's way. We ended the week with activities that were all about Groundhog's Day. Will there be more "bad" weather? Only time will tell!
- I'm going to be uploading some items to help you with different subjects. Feel free to check them out. One great item is a small poster on how to help your child with reading strategies.
- New reading logs go home. Wow! Where did January go?
- I'm addressing an earlier post about "moving back into science": As you can tell by our schedule, we have 30 minutes for Science OR Social Studies. Teachers vary on how they handle teaching both subjects: flip-flopping both within the same week, covering a unit in one subject then going to the other subject and doing a unit there, etc..., doing the latter method and covering topics as needed in the other subject when something needs to be covered (for example, we're in Science mode and I went into SS to cover Groundhog Day on Friday), and many more. I do the method of covering a unit or two in one subject and then move into the other subject for a unit or two. Why? It's much less confusing for the student to stick with one topic. I also cover topics in the other subject as needed like I did with Groundhog's day. I want YOU to understand WHY I make the choices I do. As long as I cover the required state standards your child will get his/her full education. Thank you for understanding this.
- Please remember to send in water and crackers. I have a feeling a code red practice is just around the corner but we will NOT be using our resources for any practices so they can be ready for any real lockdowns.
- Our day for the bookfair is this Monday, February 4th. Please send in money!
- Homework is due on Tuesday. Thank you for accommodating to our new schedule.
- Always remember to email me with questions, concerns and comments. I will do my best to assist you. Thank you and have a great week!
- This Wednesday we will celebrate our 100th day of school. Our class, along with Ms. Howard's class, will rotate with two other classes to complete learning activities based on the 100 days theme. In addition I'll be assigning activities throughout the week and for homework.
February 11-15, 2013
Our class had a fantastic, educational, exciting time last week because of the "100th Day Celebration." Even though it was on Wednesday, we stretched it out for the entire week! We did keep up with our other lessons: spelling, reading, math, science, etc..., but we moved in the theme of 100 somehow. I did notice that counting by 2's, 5's (and sometimes 1's) brought a little challenge to some students so I'm asking parents to go over it with their little ones. I sent the activities home on Friday and am asking that they be returned by Tuesday, if possible.
This week we have another couple of events: Ms. Menge's birthday on February 10th and Valentine's Day on February 14th. Ms. Menge will bring in goodies on the 14th for the students to celebrate with. If your child is unable to eat or doesn't like cupcakes or goodies like that please send in something on that day (unless we already have made arrangements).
This week we have another couple of events: Ms. Menge's birthday on February 10th and Valentine's Day on February 14th. Ms. Menge will bring in goodies on the 14th for the students to celebrate with. If your child is unable to eat or doesn't like cupcakes or goodies like that please send in something on that day (unless we already have made arrangements).
March 2013
Spring Break is almost here! This month is very busy. Normally we have pictures taken but at this writing I haven't heard anything yet. I'll let you know as soon as I get the information.
We'll be finishing up the math series this month which is a great accomplishment-something I've never done in 18 years of teaching. However, your children grasped content in such a way that made me so proud of them!
We will have science and math fair this month. When I find out the rules I'll let you know. Usually Kindergartners do a class project. Here is a link to the district's information about the science/math fair: Look here. We will be doing one as a class.
With Spring Break comes T.A.P. Day. T.A.P. Day stands for Tigers At Play and is North Grade's version of Field Day. Information will be sent home but the most important thing to remember is to put sunscreen on your child, send in a bottle of water (with his/her name on it), put good tennis shoes on your little one and expect a tired, but happy child at the end of the day. There will be indoor and outdoor activities ranging from the Egg Race to dancing to the Limbo. If you would like to chaperon this exciting event, please let me know. (Please remember that you have to be cleared as a volunteer in order to do this.) Thank you and Happy St. Patricks Day!
We'll be finishing up the math series this month which is a great accomplishment-something I've never done in 18 years of teaching. However, your children grasped content in such a way that made me so proud of them!
We will have science and math fair this month. When I find out the rules I'll let you know. Usually Kindergartners do a class project. Here is a link to the district's information about the science/math fair: Look here. We will be doing one as a class.
With Spring Break comes T.A.P. Day. T.A.P. Day stands for Tigers At Play and is North Grade's version of Field Day. Information will be sent home but the most important thing to remember is to put sunscreen on your child, send in a bottle of water (with his/her name on it), put good tennis shoes on your little one and expect a tired, but happy child at the end of the day. There will be indoor and outdoor activities ranging from the Egg Race to dancing to the Limbo. If you would like to chaperon this exciting event, please let me know. (Please remember that you have to be cleared as a volunteer in order to do this.) Thank you and Happy St. Patricks Day!
April, 2013
Where has the time gone? The last time I looked we were starting school. However, that's for my blog.
With April, we have FCAT. With FCAT, we have changes. At the time of this writing I haven't heard anything about schedules. In the past fine arts/specials, recess and any movement couldn't take place. The halls become a ghost town! When I get more information, I'll pass it on to you.
As you know, we have finished the kindergarten math book! Hug your child for a job well done! What's next??? I'll be moving into the first grade curriculum. I have to see how each child acclimates to it.
As things happen I'll email you the information or have you look on our site. Have a great April!
UPDATE: We will be going to the Armory Arts on 4/22 and Sandoway House on 4/23. Please sign the permission slip forms and send in the money. We apologize for this being the last minute but both trips will be exciting! A huge THANK YOU to Ms. Westbrook for organizing the ENTIRE EVENT. Another huge Thank You to Mrs. Pollard for agreeing to drive and chaperon the event. We can't do it without you. The armory is free of charge and the Sandoway House is $5.00. Students will get to see paintings and other artwork at the museum and observe a shark feeding at the Sandoway House. Thank you for support!
With April, we have FCAT. With FCAT, we have changes. At the time of this writing I haven't heard anything about schedules. In the past fine arts/specials, recess and any movement couldn't take place. The halls become a ghost town! When I get more information, I'll pass it on to you.
As you know, we have finished the kindergarten math book! Hug your child for a job well done! What's next??? I'll be moving into the first grade curriculum. I have to see how each child acclimates to it.
As things happen I'll email you the information or have you look on our site. Have a great April!
UPDATE: We will be going to the Armory Arts on 4/22 and Sandoway House on 4/23. Please sign the permission slip forms and send in the money. We apologize for this being the last minute but both trips will be exciting! A huge THANK YOU to Ms. Westbrook for organizing the ENTIRE EVENT. Another huge Thank You to Mrs. Pollard for agreeing to drive and chaperon the event. We can't do it without you. The armory is free of charge and the Sandoway House is $5.00. Students will get to see paintings and other artwork at the museum and observe a shark feeding at the Sandoway House. Thank you for support!