Monday, November 28, 2016

Hello parents,

I hope everyone had a delightful Thanksgiving and break. It's important to rest, regroup and spend time with firends and family. 

New behavior/student posture incentive plan: this trimester we are using a new plan with popsicle sticks in order to earn individual points as well as points for the class for popcorn and a movie.  Each student is given 2 popsicle sticks at the start of every day.  Students who keep their popsicle sticks throughout the day receive points as does the class.  The loss of a popsicle stick or sticks results when a student is disrespectful, talks during instruction, blurts out, doesn't follow directions, disrupts, passes notes, or uses the bathroom uncesessarily to avoid class, for example.  Students who lose 2 sticks in a day are given an "uh oh" sheet filled out by the teacher to inform home of what happened and why. Your parent initial is respectfully requested on these, and they are to be returned the next day by the student.  The hope is to encourage high student posture and to keep communications with home open.  If you are not seeing "uh oh" sheets, your student is on target.  If you have received such a sheet talk to your child to set expectations.  And, please, feel free to contact me as well if you need further explanation. 


ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: By the Great Horn Spoon.  We are working on jots (note taking from the text and elaboration).  In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen and respond to presentations by students and practice writing friendly letters. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.


Mindfulness: best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.


Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.


AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for the second trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level (their latest DRA2 level), and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.

    
Math: we are working on multiplication and division of large numbers. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  POM solving and presentations (problem of the month) continue. A MARS task will be introduced this trimester as well. 

**Keep Practicing: students are expected to have their times tables memorized.  If your child isn't saying times tables in the car on the way to and from school and every night for a 5 minute run through (and driving you a bit crazy), something is amiss.  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts. As your child tests on each one, please check off and initial the checklist sheet and return it to our classroom. Thank you.


Science: new unit on soils, rocks and minerals from FOSS.


Social Studiesthe Native American tribes, their regions and customs.  This historical study will be research for the first personal narrative essay we write. Students will write from the perspective of a Native American youth.  Maps of regions are being completed. Panarama/shadow box art project to follow.


Writing and Grammar: summary writing continues throughout the year. Study of various grammar: prepositions, nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives. Figurative language: simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration, onomatopoeia.


Upcoming Announcements/Events 

Nov. 30--6:30 Parent Club meeting
Dec. 9--6-8:30 Holiday Night 
Dec. 15--7:00 5/6 Play
Dec. 22--11:00 Holiday Sing
Dec. 23 - Jan. 6 Winter Break

Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.


Warmly,


Mrs. Young

Monday, November 21, 2016

Hello parents,

Happy Thanksgiving to all families!

We are using a new behavior/student posture incentive plan this trimester with popsicle sticks in order to earn individual points as well as points for the class for popcorn and a movie.  Each student is given 2 popsicle sticks at the start of every day.  Students who keep their popsicle sticks throughout the day receive points as does the class.  The loss of a popsicle stick or sticks results when a student is disrespectful, talks during instruction, blurts out, doesn't follow directions, disrupts, passes notes, or uses the bathroom uncesessarily to avoid class, for example.  Students who lose 2 sticks in a day are given an "uh oh" sheet filled out by the teacher to inform home of what happened and why. Your parent initial is respectfully requested on these, and they are to be returned the next day by the student.  The hope is to encourage high student posture and to keep communications with home open.  If you are not seeing "uh oh" sheets, your student is on target.  If you have received such a sheet talk to your child to set expectations.  And, please, feel free to contact me as well if you need further explanation. 

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: By the Great Horn Spoon.  We are working on jots (note taking from the text and elaboration).  In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen and respond to presentations by students and practice writing friendly letters. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Mindfulness: best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for the second trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level (their latest DRA2 level), and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: we are working on addition and subtraction of large numbers and will work on multiplication and division as well in the days before Thanksgiving break. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  POM solving and presentations (problem of the month) continue.  

**Keep Practicing: students are expected to have their times tables memorized.  If your child isn't saying times tables in the car on the way to and from school and every night for a 5 minute run through (and driving you a bit crazy), something is amiss.  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts. As your child tests on each one, please check off and initial the checklist sheet and return it to our classroom. Thank you.

Science: post assessment with electricity and magnetism this week. 


Social Studiesthe Native American tribes, their regions and customs.  This historical study will be research for the first personal narrative essay we write. Students will write from the perspective of a Native American youth.


Writing and Grammar: summary writing continues. Study of various grammar: nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives.


Upcoming Announcements/Events 
Nov. 18, 19, 20--Goodwill donation drive
Nov. 23-25--Thanksgiving break
Nov. 30--6:30 Parent Club meeting
Dec. 9--6-8:30 Holiday Night 
Dec. 15--7:00 5/6 Play
Dec. 22--11:00 Holiday Sing

Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.


Warmly,


Mrs. Young

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Hello parents,

Happy November! Gooble, Gobble.  

Don't miss the supermoon! It will look 30% larger and should be beautiful!! Be sure you spy it.  NASA has said the best time to see it is early Monday morning before sunrise as the moon is closest to earth at 6:22 am, EST.  However, Sunday and/or Monday night are also really good times to see this phenomenon.

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: By the Great Horn Spoon.  We are working on jots (note taking from the text and elaboration).  In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen and respond to presentations by students and practice writing friendly letters. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Mindfulness: best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for the second trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester. That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level (their latest DRA2 level), and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: we are working on addition and subtraction of large numbers and will work on multiplication and division as well in the days before Thanksgiving break. Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  POM solving and presentations (problem of the month) continue.  

**Keep Practicing: students are expected to have their times tables memorized.  If your child isn't saying times tables in the car on the way to and from school and every night for a 5 minute run through (and driving you a bit crazy), something is amiss.  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts. As your child tests on each one, please check off and initial the checklist sheet and return it to our classroom. Thank you.

Science: experiments with electricity wrap up this week and we will begin our study of solid earth.


Social Studiesthe Native American tribes.  This historical study will be research for the first personal narrative essay we write. Students will write from the perspective of a Native American youth.


Writing and Grammar: summary writing continues. Study of various grammar: nouns, verbs, adverbs.


Upcoming Announcements/Events
Nov. 18--Jog-A-Thon 
Nov. 18, 19, 20--Goodwill donation drive
Nov. 23-25--Thanksgiving break
Nov. 30--6:30 Parent Club meeting

Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.


Warmly,


Mrs. Young

Monday, November 7, 2016

Hello Parents,

Happy November! Gooble, Gobble.

Early Dismissal All Week: Due to parent teacher student conferences, students are dissmissed from school at 12:30 M-TH this week. There is no school Fri. Nov. 11.

Report Cards: will be given out at your conference time and gone over at that time. Have a great week.

Conferences: Thank you for signing up for a conference with your child.  My goal with conferences is to keep it positive and shine the light on all the wonderful things about your child, of which there are many! Then, if need be, we will look at areas that need improvement and steps to take to do so.  Every child should be able to leave this conference with their head held high feeling good about themselves and knowing more about their learning style and how to work with their unique gifts and challenges. 

ELA: we are reading/analyzing our literature book: By the Great Horn Spoon. In addition, we continue to honor our VIP each week and listen to presentations by students and practice writing friendly letters. 

SC Symphony: daily musical compositions are introduced and enjoyed every morning.

Mindfulness: Best practices in mindfulness are being incorporated in our classroom this year.

Harmony: best practices school-wide curriculum for building a strong social-emotional community within our classrooms.

AR Reading: Accelerated Reader continues to be an important part of our reading program.  Students are reading appropriate AR books found through the AR book find link and then quizzing on them within 24 hours of finishing their book.  It is critical to support your child in book selection (most books are in our school and classroom libraries) and to remind them to read, read, read whenever the opportunity arises--in the car, while waiting for an appt., to and from school, before bed time, on a Sunday in your jammies, etc.  These books should travel to and from the classroom in a daily fashion for classroom DEAR (drop everything and read) sessions as well as nightly reading homework and beyond.  Students have a goal of 14 points for this first trimester.  Each book has a certain amount of points it is worth.  This information is listed with reading level and appropriateness (grade school, middle school, high school, for example).  Points per book range from 3 to 5, generally, with longer books being worth more points.  On an average this is going to mean your child is reading anywhere from 3-5 books a Trimester.That said, help your child select books that are on their reading level, and have high interest for them.  This will allow them to accomplish reading books from start to finish successfully.
    
Math: mental math strategies classwork and homework this week as we prepare for our test on this unit this Friday.  Please check your child's planner for specific page numbers. We will continue to review these concepts.  We have started a new POM (problem of the month).  

**Keep Practicing: students are expected to have their times tables memorized.  If your child isn't saying times tables in the car on the way to and from school and every night for a 5 minute run through (and driving you a bit crazy), something is amiss.  These are goals that were set in early September.  In order for your child to be successful with the math in this grade level, it is important to have these skills down.  Please have some fun with these and have your child rehearse daily so that they can test on these math facts. As your child tests on each one, please check off and initial the checklist sheet and return it to our classroom. Thank you.

Science: experiments with electricity.


Social Studies: the Native American tribes.  This historical study will be research for the first personal narrative essay we write. Students will write from the perspective of a Native American youth.


Writing and Grammar: summary writing continues.


Upcoming Announcements/Events
Nov. 7--report cards go home
Nov. 7 - 10--parent Teacher conferences
Nov. 9--board meeting
Nov. 11--Veteran's Day, no school
Nov. 18--Jog-A-Thon 
Nov. 18, 19, 20--Goodwill donation drive
Nov. 23-25--Thanksgiving break

Thank you for supporting me and the growth of your child in every way.


Warmly,


Mrs. Young