This year has flown by!
Thank you so much for your patience, support and understanding this year. I feel blessed to have had an opportunity to work with your children and really help them to grow and explore.
And they've grown in many ways! Physically, socially, academically and emotionally. I am so proud! They are deep readers, challenge seekers, competitive, confident students. They trusted me and themselves each day. They are a real credit to you!
If you have a suggestion for how I can improve my program next year or if there is something that you feel I could improve on, please let me know. I appreciate your input and try to do my best for your children.
Remind your students to read, write and practice math daily to keep the gains they have made. They are more than ready for third grade! I hope you have a marvelous summer and enjoy the special days with your children.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
This has been a really hoppy week! Our tadpoles developed into frogs and escaped their habitat! It was quite comical. We'd be in the middle of math or something and one of the kids would shriek, "There's one!" and we'd have to stop everything to catch the little guy. Note to self...keep container covered!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the carnival and who brought your kids to that wonderful event. It was a huge success, thanks to you! Also, 2 of our classmates won raffle baskets. Dominic won our Birthday raffle basket and James won the Arts and Crafts basket!
This week we continued to wrap things up.
Reading: We are reviewing developing and identification of main ideas, as well as continuing comprehension, vocabulary and inference work.
Math: We are reviewing all our main topics. This week was place value, hundreds charts and patterns and facts (using games).
Writing: Poetry is a great unit! We had a visit from Alice's grandparents. Her grandpa read poetry to us and her grandma, a poet herself, helped us with a writing lesson. We also discussed rhyming couplets and odes.
Social Studies: We continued practicing for Flag Day, this week using the microphone. Don't forget...our assembly is June 17th at 2:20. Please have your child wear red, white and blue. We are also continuing to do research on our individual states. I hope to start state posters next week.
Word Work: We are completing our final Priority word testing! Hooray!
We made Father's Day cards. You would never believe that these took over an hour. But they did. Enjoy!
Have a safe and restful weekend. Happy Father's Day!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the carnival and who brought your kids to that wonderful event. It was a huge success, thanks to you! Also, 2 of our classmates won raffle baskets. Dominic won our Birthday raffle basket and James won the Arts and Crafts basket!
This week we continued to wrap things up.
Reading: We are reviewing developing and identification of main ideas, as well as continuing comprehension, vocabulary and inference work.
Math: We are reviewing all our main topics. This week was place value, hundreds charts and patterns and facts (using games).
Writing: Poetry is a great unit! We had a visit from Alice's grandparents. Her grandpa read poetry to us and her grandma, a poet herself, helped us with a writing lesson. We also discussed rhyming couplets and odes.
Social Studies: We continued practicing for Flag Day, this week using the microphone. Don't forget...our assembly is June 17th at 2:20. Please have your child wear red, white and blue. We are also continuing to do research on our individual states. I hope to start state posters next week.
Word Work: We are completing our final Priority word testing! Hooray!
We made Father's Day cards. You would never believe that these took over an hour. But they did. Enjoy!
Have a safe and restful weekend. Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 6, 2014
The End is Near! We have been busily tying up loose ends. We completed our Flag Day posters and are getting ready for our assembly on June 17th at 2:20.
In Reading: The children are independently reading for comprehension and also reading with partners to develop fluency and expression. There have been huge gains since September.
In Math: We took our District Final. I am very proud of the class's results. We also took the final timed fact tests for the year. A vast number of the students are completing these tests in LESS than 5 minutes! I am thrilled with their progress.
In Social Studies: We are beginning work on our state research. Each child chose a state and will be making a poster to show their information.
In Writing: We have been working on poetry. We have gone into a painting", tried "Wordle", and completed acrostic poems with our buddies. I am happy and often surprised by your children's vocabulary and depth of feeling!
I will be at the Cake Walk all night at the Carnival! Please stop by and say hello.
Have a great weekend.
In Reading: The children are independently reading for comprehension and also reading with partners to develop fluency and expression. There have been huge gains since September.
In Math: We took our District Final. I am very proud of the class's results. We also took the final timed fact tests for the year. A vast number of the students are completing these tests in LESS than 5 minutes! I am thrilled with their progress.
In Social Studies: We are beginning work on our state research. Each child chose a state and will be making a poster to show their information.
In Writing: We have been working on poetry. We have gone into a painting", tried "Wordle", and completed acrostic poems with our buddies. I am happy and often surprised by your children's vocabulary and depth of feeling!
I will be at the Cake Walk all night at the Carnival! Please stop by and say hello.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 30, 2014
This has been a week of tests and I am sorry to say that next week will be the same!
This week your children completed both the fluency and comprehension reading tests for the year. We also completed the state sponsored math tests for computation and application of skills. I do not score these tests, they are sent to a neutral party but I think our kids did well!
Next week, I will be giving the 5 minute times fact tests for the last time. Please have your child give it one more push! I will also be administering the District year end math test and starting the final Priority word testing.
Other than that...
Reading: We are continuing to work on independently reading upper level comprehension passages and answering factual and inferential questions.
Math: We are completing reviews of regrouping, word problems, time and money.
Writing: We are beginning a very relaxed poetry unit. I love to watch the children let their ideas go!
Social Studies: We have completed our Flag Day posters and have begun coloring. The performance will be Tuesday, June 17th at 2:20. Next week, we will begin researching individual states!
As you know, I'm sure, there will be NO MORE formal homework this year. Children are still expected to practice spelling words, reading and facts. Spelling tests WILL continue.
Have a great weekend.
This week your children completed both the fluency and comprehension reading tests for the year. We also completed the state sponsored math tests for computation and application of skills. I do not score these tests, they are sent to a neutral party but I think our kids did well!
Next week, I will be giving the 5 minute times fact tests for the last time. Please have your child give it one more push! I will also be administering the District year end math test and starting the final Priority word testing.
Other than that...
Reading: We are continuing to work on independently reading upper level comprehension passages and answering factual and inferential questions.
Math: We are completing reviews of regrouping, word problems, time and money.
Writing: We are beginning a very relaxed poetry unit. I love to watch the children let their ideas go!
Social Studies: We have completed our Flag Day posters and have begun coloring. The performance will be Tuesday, June 17th at 2:20. Next week, we will begin researching individual states!
As you know, I'm sure, there will be NO MORE formal homework this year. Children are still expected to practice spelling words, reading and facts. Spelling tests WILL continue.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, May 23, 2014
We are beginning our year end reviews! The students are more than ready for third grade. I can't believe how fast this year has flown!
In reading: I am individually screening for comprehension and expression. We are also continuing to practice to increase our speed, write main ideas and answer inferential and text based comprehension questions.
In math: We are continuing to read and solve complex word problems, practice regrouping skills, and review money and measurement procedures.
In social studies: We have begun making our Flag Day posters for the assembly that we will be putting on in June (Friday, June 13th at about 2:20).
In writing: We completed our persuasive writing unit by writing 2 "on demand" pieces. We wrote to Mrs. Collen explaining why a series of books by an old author SHOULD be kept in the library. We also wrote to Mrs. Bonacquist explaining why snacks SHOULD be sold in the cafeteria. The children have mastered the format and continue to work on adding good, detailed reasons and explanations.
We had a visit from Dr. Mike who spoke about his job with the US Geological Society. He brought some fabulous slides and all his tools. The kids were very exciting to find that someone could actually have a job playing in the dirt!
The used book sale will be Thursday next week. Your child is asked to bring in 50 cents or more to purchase donated books. The funds will go to the PTO.
The winner of the Kids Vote Too vote was Field Equipment by over 100 votes! Our class was particularly pleased. Thank you for including them in this process.
FINALLY: This is the last week of formal homework for the year (IF they bring it in complete and on time.) ! However, your child will still be having regular spelling tests and will still be expected to read and practice facts daily. There will be assessments continuing!
In reading: I am individually screening for comprehension and expression. We are also continuing to practice to increase our speed, write main ideas and answer inferential and text based comprehension questions.
In math: We are continuing to read and solve complex word problems, practice regrouping skills, and review money and measurement procedures.
In social studies: We have begun making our Flag Day posters for the assembly that we will be putting on in June (Friday, June 13th at about 2:20).
In writing: We completed our persuasive writing unit by writing 2 "on demand" pieces. We wrote to Mrs. Collen explaining why a series of books by an old author SHOULD be kept in the library. We also wrote to Mrs. Bonacquist explaining why snacks SHOULD be sold in the cafeteria. The children have mastered the format and continue to work on adding good, detailed reasons and explanations.
We had a visit from Dr. Mike who spoke about his job with the US Geological Society. He brought some fabulous slides and all his tools. The kids were very exciting to find that someone could actually have a job playing in the dirt!
The used book sale will be Thursday next week. Your child is asked to bring in 50 cents or more to purchase donated books. The funds will go to the PTO.
The winner of the Kids Vote Too vote was Field Equipment by over 100 votes! Our class was particularly pleased. Thank you for including them in this process.
FINALLY: This is the last week of formal homework for the year (IF they bring it in complete and on time.) ! However, your child will still be having regular spelling tests and will still be expected to read and practice facts daily. There will be assessments continuing!
Friday, May 16, 2014
We are beginning to pick up steam as we head toward the end of the year! You'll be seeing a lot of review work coming home as I begin assessing for report cards.
Math: We are reviewing geometry (plane and solid shapes and their attributes). We are also reviewing making, reading and answering questions about bar graphs.
Reading: We are continuing to work on using textual evidence to answer comprehension questions. We are also practicing writing main ideas and reading responses.
Social Studies: We have our lines for the Flag Day presentation on June 13th at 2:15. The children have begun sketching out ideas for the posters they will carry to illustrate their information. We also made Carnival posters and designed Field Day T shirts. We also scoured the Art Show looking for our pieces!
Writing: We have taken an old series of books from the library (30 years) and are reading them. The class has to decide if they are worth keeping in the library or if they should be donated to a private classroom. After reading and discussing, we will be writing persuasive letters to Mrs. Collen expressing our opinions. We are almost at the end of our Persuasive Writing unit.
The budget vote is next Tuesday, May 20 from 4-8 at the High School. Your child can vote, too. We are asking children to participate in the Democratic process by voting for which playground equipment they would like to see purchased for our schools. I encourage you to bring your child with you when you vote so that his/her voice can also be heard.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Math: We are reviewing geometry (plane and solid shapes and their attributes). We are also reviewing making, reading and answering questions about bar graphs.
Reading: We are continuing to work on using textual evidence to answer comprehension questions. We are also practicing writing main ideas and reading responses.
Social Studies: We have our lines for the Flag Day presentation on June 13th at 2:15. The children have begun sketching out ideas for the posters they will carry to illustrate their information. We also made Carnival posters and designed Field Day T shirts. We also scoured the Art Show looking for our pieces!
Writing: We have taken an old series of books from the library (30 years) and are reading them. The class has to decide if they are worth keeping in the library or if they should be donated to a private classroom. After reading and discussing, we will be writing persuasive letters to Mrs. Collen expressing our opinions. We are almost at the end of our Persuasive Writing unit.
The budget vote is next Tuesday, May 20 from 4-8 at the High School. Your child can vote, too. We are asking children to participate in the Democratic process by voting for which playground equipment they would like to see purchased for our schools. I encourage you to bring your child with you when you vote so that his/her voice can also be heard.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Finally...Spring!!!
This week has been absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much to all of you who made Teacher Appreciation Day so special. I loved my flowers and all the great cards.
Math: We completed the meat of our math units this week(advanced regrouping)! We will now get into completing money, time, geometry, measurement and word problems. These are all topics that have been ongoing throughout the year.
Reading: We are back to individualized reading comprehension and answering questions using textual evidence. By now, it is easy to notice the increasing complexity of the questions and text but also to see how your children have risen to the challenge.
Writing: We are continuing on in our Persuasive Writing unit. The children have begun to develop pieces that follow our OREO rules without reminders! We wrote about the Diary of a Worm and made our own Pigeon books.
Social Studies: We have assigned parts for our Flag Day presentation but will begin the posters next week. We also made special Mother's Day cards and gifts.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Enjoy your special children.
This week has been absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much to all of you who made Teacher Appreciation Day so special. I loved my flowers and all the great cards.
Math: We completed the meat of our math units this week(advanced regrouping)! We will now get into completing money, time, geometry, measurement and word problems. These are all topics that have been ongoing throughout the year.
Reading: We are back to individualized reading comprehension and answering questions using textual evidence. By now, it is easy to notice the increasing complexity of the questions and text but also to see how your children have risen to the challenge.
Writing: We are continuing on in our Persuasive Writing unit. The children have begun to develop pieces that follow our OREO rules without reminders! We wrote about the Diary of a Worm and made our own Pigeon books.
Social Studies: We have assigned parts for our Flag Day presentation but will begin the posters next week. We also made special Mother's Day cards and gifts.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Enjoy your special children.
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