Hello Parents,
Happy Monday!
We had our first movie and popcorn on Friday to celebrate all the points we have earned this last month as a reward for behavior and student posture!
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 unnecessarily 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) and uncovering the problems that face our main characters and the life lessons taught in the text. 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: soils, rocks and minerals from FOSS.
Social Studies: the 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:
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, December 12, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
Hello Parents,
As the Holidays rapidly approach, spend this time spreading compassion to yourself and others. It is an exciting yet busy time. With that, things can become somewhat stressful. A good time to remember to breath and enjoy all the gifts we have in our lives.
Holiday Night is December 9th and needs volunteers. If you are available to help, please let Shauna know.
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) and uncovering the problems that face our main characters and the life lessons taught in the text. 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: soils, rocks and minerals from FOSS.
Social Studies: the 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:
Dec. 9--6-8:30 Holiday Night (needs volunteers)
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
As the Holidays rapidly approach, spend this time spreading compassion to yourself and others. It is an exciting yet busy time. With that, things can become somewhat stressful. A good time to remember to breath and enjoy all the gifts we have in our lives.
Holiday Night is December 9th and needs volunteers. If you are available to help, please let Shauna know.
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) and uncovering the problems that face our main characters and the life lessons taught in the text. 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: soils, rocks and minerals from FOSS.
Social Studies: the 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:
Dec. 9--6-8:30 Holiday Night (needs volunteers)
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
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