Dave's Newsletter
Room 111 Newsletter
Monday, October 3, 2011
Hello families!
We had another great week of school last week. Below again are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.
Again, please remember to complete the driver/background checks information as soon as possible. This way, we won’t have to worry come time for field trips and driver/chaperones.
Blue Folder
Please help your child keep track of their blue folder and its contents (keep it in their backpack when not in use, put it in the same spot every night before bed, etc). This is the most important tool for my correspondence with families, and it helps the children practice personal responsibility and accountability for their work.
Homework (change in reading log due day)
Homework will usually come home on a Tuesday, to be turned in that Friday. Weekly reading logs (20-30 minutes per night) will be given on Thursdays, due the following Thursday(not Friday as mentioned previously). Please make sure your child fills in the reading log independently as a part of their homework responsibility. The reading log grading is simply a way for students to demonstrate good work habits and self-responsibility. Also, please note that I do not expect the reading logs to be turned in on time or filled out as normal should your child be ill, out of town, etc.
Library before School Starts
At 7:55, your child may go to the library as an alternative to AM recess before school. Please remind them that this is the case. They must remain there however for the duration until the last AM bell rings.
Math
We have continued working on number sequence. We also worked on using Base-10 blocks (cubes = 1, longs = 10, flats = 100) to understand place value, and converted those numbers into numeric form, and vice versa.
Literacy
We have worked through our first word sorts, and many students are moving on to the next one. I will be sending home handwriting practice homework and word sorts only for students needing extra practice with them. The kids have been writing their first full-fledged personal narratives, having learned about beginning, middle, and end, as well as IADD (Inner Thinking, Action, Dialogue, and Description). We also divided our writing and reading/word study notebooks into specific sections for use in class.
Social Curriculum
Anthony completed his third lesson from the Connected and Respected curriculum around learning about being a caring being (nice things you can say and do, vs. hurtful or mean things kids can do to another person).
Adults sharing their talents in the class
I welcome adults with special talents (job-related, or not) that you can bring into the classroom and demonstrate to the kids. This helps us better understand the outside community, and builds on our own classroom community. Please let me know if this is something of interest to you.
Snack Sign-up: Thank you to all whom have signed up for snack, and are remembering to bring it in on your assigned weeks… it is really helpfulJ For those whom have not signed up, please do so for a week or two. You may also email me to let me know what will work for you. A reminder to Ducky’s family that it is their snack week this week.
Mark your calendars:
Thursday, October 13th –Curriculum night 7:00 PM – please bring your questions
Friday, October 14th –No School, teacher professional development.
Monday, October 31st –Elementary Halloween Costume Parade
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!
- Auction Coordinator– one-time job (coordination of classroom project created by the kids to sell at our next auction).
- Adult Buddy Readers (TBD based on reading assessments) - ongoing job once to twice per week with a developing reader (at 8:30 AM until 9:00AM) except Fridays. Once our reading assessments are complete, I will get this program started.
There will be other one-time and ongoing jobs as well. Please email me your availability should you like to take on one or more of them.
Thank you!
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!
Sincerely,
Dave
Room 111
Salmon Bay School
252-1751
