Dear Parents,
We have had a very busy few weeks. The students are working very hard and we are beginning to get in to some more difficult objectives. Here is a run-down of what we will be doing in the next few weeks.
Math: We will start working on decimals this week. This is the year that we introduce decimals, so students will be focusing on place value, comparing and ordering, and adding and subtracting decimals to begin with.
Social Studies: We are focusing on learning the steps for research based on the IIM method that our school adopted last year. The students are researching one of their favorite authors. They are working alone or with a partner, the choice was theirs. They are then choosing a method for presenting their information to the class. They can do a power point presentation, an interview, a song, a report, or a poster board. The due date will be set based on how much class time students have this week to research.
Reading/Writing: This week students will go to LDC. We will be focusing on Writer’s Workshop. Students will be learning the steps of the writing process as well as many tools that will help them become powerful writers. In class we will continue to work on poetry for the next week or so along with hitting various reading skills.
Science: Next week we will start our planner that focuses primarily on matter and the scientific process. There will be many exciting experiments as we study the states of matter, volume, density, buoyancy, etc.
Reading Buddies:
Each week we go to Mrs. Jackson’s first grade classroom. We read to her students, listen to them read, help them with projects, and teach them new skills. So far the students seem to really be enjoying their time with their first grade buddies.
Time for Kids:
I will be placing the order this week for Time for Kids magazine. Thank you so much for making a donation for your child’s magazine. I hope that you will find that the student’s learn a great deal and really enjoy the current events found in this magazine.
Supplies:
I cannot thank you all enough for all of the extra supplies that you have donated to the classroom. Those things really help me to plan some exciting and creative activities that the students always seem to enjoy. I know there are many demands on parents and I truly appreciate your generosity.
Progress Reports:
Progress Reports went home September 20th. Thank you to everyone that signed the progress report and returned them to me. If you still have your child’s progress report please sign it and send it back to school. I am required to turn these into the office and it helps me to know that everyone received their child’s progress report. If you would like me to send home a copy please make a note or send me and e-mail and I would be happy to do that for you. On the progress reports that handwriting grade was listed as a numerical grade. To clarify I entered all grades as letter grades. An E = 95, S=85, N=75, and U=65. On the report card the grades will be letter grades and do not affect a student having all A’s or B’s.
Student Led Conferences:
Please put November 16th on your calendar. That is the date for Student Led Conferences in which students have the opportunity to show you some of the work they have been doing in class. They will walk you through their portfolio as well as show you their Writer’s Notebooks and any other work they would like to share with you. These conferences can be scheduled at 3:00, 3:30, or 4:00.
Important Upcoming Dates:
September 26th: LDC begins 8am-9am: Students will meet in LDC in the morning
September 29th: School Holiday
October 4: PTO Meeting
October 11th: Class Party
October 12th: Early Dismissal, 12:30
October 22nd: Spooky Spaghetti 4-8pm
November 1st: PTO Meeting 6:30
November 4th: Dad’s Club Campout
November 9th: Early Dismissal, 12:30
November 10th: Tentative Date for Field Trip to Glassel/Sculpture Garden
November 16th: Student Led Conferences 3:00 – 4:30pm
November 19th: Twain Soccer Tournament 1-5pm
November 23-25: Thanksgiving Holiday
As always, thank you for your continued support!
Rebecca Zirczy
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A Great Start!
Dear Parents,
What a wonderful start to the school year we have had! Your children came into the classroom energetic, enthusiastic, and excited about learning. I have really been enjoying my time with them. I just wanted to send out a few explanations of procedures and daily happenings. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me at rzirczy@houstonisd.org.
Daily Schedule: I placed a schedule in the packet that was sent home the first day. I am also going to post our daily schedule here so you can access it at your convenience. At any time you can return to the blog and look over past posts.
Mrs. Zirczy’s Daily Schedule 2011 - 2012
8:00 – 8:15 Announcements
8:15 – 8:30 Morning Work
8:15 – 9:50 Reading/Writing/Language Arts
9:55 – 10:40 Ancillary
10:40 – 10:55 Restroom Break and Snack Time
10:55 – 12:15 Math
12:18 – 12:48 Lunch
12:48 – 1:18 Recess/ Restroom Break
1:18 – 2:50 Inquiry
2:50 – 3:00 Pack Up/Dismissal
*GT – Friday Mornings 8:30 – 9:50 and 10:55 – 11:30
Mornings: It would help me tremendously if the students were in the classroom by 8:00 each day. We try and hit the ground running as the mornings seem to be our most productive time. The students come in each day, show me their agendas and get started on their morning work.
Agendas: Every day when the students come in I have a homework reminder and sometimes an announcement written on the board that they are supposed to copy into their agendas. I ask that you look at their agendas each night, make sure they have copied what they did for homework that evening into their agendas, and sign the agenda for that day. That helps me know that you are getting information from the classroom. I hold the students accountable for their agendas. It is their responsibility to ask you to sign their agendas each day.
Homework: Students will have homework Monday-Thursday. They may occasionally have weekend homework from LDC, if they were absent, if they have unfinished work, or if we are working on a project. I send homework for the week on Monday. The daily homework assignments include spelling, reading/writing, and math. The students are not required to do homework each night, but they must have all of the #1 assignments completed and turned in by Friday. If they choose to do assignments that are labeled #2 or #3 they will receive extra tickets as a reward for doing extra work. I encourage all students to work toward doing at least a few #2s and #3s a week. I collect homework packets on Fridays. Students may turn in packets early if they are finished. Spelling words will be typed on the packet. I know this is a confusing system at first, but I like that the students have to make choices each day about what they will work on and plan for the rest of the week. I also understand that your children have lots of after school activities, so I hope this helps by alleviated homework stress on their busiest days.
Snacks: I allow students to bring a healthy snack to school each day. We have our snack following ancillary. Please do not feel obligated to send a snack for your child, but if you would like to that would be fine. I have told the students no sweets or chips to try and set a good example. Snack time usually last 5-10 minutes.
Birthdays: Please feel free to send treats on your child’s birthday or half birthday (for those who have birthdays in the summer). You may send them with your child in the morning, bring them by school and leave them in the office, or bring them around 12:45 and meet us for recess. We have to eat sweet treats after lunch, so we usually take them out to recess with us. There are 21 students in the classroom at this time.
Open House: Open House will be on September 13th. The fourth grade portion starts at 7:00. I will be in my room at 7:00 to give you a brief overview of what the year will look like and also review daily procedures, etc. There will be ancillary and GT teachers giving presentations from 6:30 – 7:00 as well.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Labor Day – September 5th, No School
Open House – September 13th, 7:00pm
International Pot Luck – September 19th, 5:30pm
Fall Holiday – September 29th, No School
LDC – September 26th - October 7th, 8-9am each day
Early Dismissal - October 12th, 12:30
October 22nd - Spooky Spaghetti, 4-8pm
I am sure that you have many more questions that I have not answered, so again feel free to stop by the classroom or e-mail me at any time. I am available before school, after school (except Wed.), and during ancillary (except Thurs.). Please let me know if you are planning to stop by so that I make sure that I am in my room and not lost somewhere in the copy room J
Thank you for your support and for sharing your wonderful children with me each day!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Zirczy
What a wonderful start to the school year we have had! Your children came into the classroom energetic, enthusiastic, and excited about learning. I have really been enjoying my time with them. I just wanted to send out a few explanations of procedures and daily happenings. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me at rzirczy@houstonisd.org.
Daily Schedule: I placed a schedule in the packet that was sent home the first day. I am also going to post our daily schedule here so you can access it at your convenience. At any time you can return to the blog and look over past posts.
Mrs. Zirczy’s Daily Schedule 2011 - 2012
8:00 – 8:15 Announcements
8:15 – 8:30 Morning Work
8:15 – 9:50 Reading/Writing/Language Arts
9:55 – 10:40 Ancillary
10:40 – 10:55 Restroom Break and Snack Time
10:55 – 12:15 Math
12:18 – 12:48 Lunch
12:48 – 1:18 Recess/ Restroom Break
1:18 – 2:50 Inquiry
2:50 – 3:00 Pack Up/Dismissal
*GT – Friday Mornings 8:30 – 9:50 and 10:55 – 11:30
Mornings: It would help me tremendously if the students were in the classroom by 8:00 each day. We try and hit the ground running as the mornings seem to be our most productive time. The students come in each day, show me their agendas and get started on their morning work.
Agendas: Every day when the students come in I have a homework reminder and sometimes an announcement written on the board that they are supposed to copy into their agendas. I ask that you look at their agendas each night, make sure they have copied what they did for homework that evening into their agendas, and sign the agenda for that day. That helps me know that you are getting information from the classroom. I hold the students accountable for their agendas. It is their responsibility to ask you to sign their agendas each day.
Homework: Students will have homework Monday-Thursday. They may occasionally have weekend homework from LDC, if they were absent, if they have unfinished work, or if we are working on a project. I send homework for the week on Monday. The daily homework assignments include spelling, reading/writing, and math. The students are not required to do homework each night, but they must have all of the #1 assignments completed and turned in by Friday. If they choose to do assignments that are labeled #2 or #3 they will receive extra tickets as a reward for doing extra work. I encourage all students to work toward doing at least a few #2s and #3s a week. I collect homework packets on Fridays. Students may turn in packets early if they are finished. Spelling words will be typed on the packet. I know this is a confusing system at first, but I like that the students have to make choices each day about what they will work on and plan for the rest of the week. I also understand that your children have lots of after school activities, so I hope this helps by alleviated homework stress on their busiest days.
Snacks: I allow students to bring a healthy snack to school each day. We have our snack following ancillary. Please do not feel obligated to send a snack for your child, but if you would like to that would be fine. I have told the students no sweets or chips to try and set a good example. Snack time usually last 5-10 minutes.
Birthdays: Please feel free to send treats on your child’s birthday or half birthday (for those who have birthdays in the summer). You may send them with your child in the morning, bring them by school and leave them in the office, or bring them around 12:45 and meet us for recess. We have to eat sweet treats after lunch, so we usually take them out to recess with us. There are 21 students in the classroom at this time.
Open House: Open House will be on September 13th. The fourth grade portion starts at 7:00. I will be in my room at 7:00 to give you a brief overview of what the year will look like and also review daily procedures, etc. There will be ancillary and GT teachers giving presentations from 6:30 – 7:00 as well.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Labor Day – September 5th, No School
Open House – September 13th, 7:00pm
International Pot Luck – September 19th, 5:30pm
Fall Holiday – September 29th, No School
LDC – September 26th - October 7th, 8-9am each day
Early Dismissal - October 12th, 12:30
October 22nd - Spooky Spaghetti, 4-8pm
I am sure that you have many more questions that I have not answered, so again feel free to stop by the classroom or e-mail me at any time. I am available before school, after school (except Wed.), and during ancillary (except Thurs.). Please let me know if you are planning to stop by so that I make sure that I am in my room and not lost somewhere in the copy room J
Thank you for your support and for sharing your wonderful children with me each day!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Zirczy
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