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
