Dave Middleton's blog

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, November 29, 2011                                                

Hello families, hope you had a nice break!  A brief newsletter follows.

The kids are excited to be back and seem to be recharged!  We’ll be launching either a “How to” or “All About” books unit and plan to be done before the break.

November Conferences

Thank you for attending your child’s conference.  It was wonderful getting to chat with you about your childJ

Thank you for the Scrounge Art!

Please keep sending in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

Donations Still Needed!!!

We need a few new kick balls, a smaller basketball and a couple of soccer balls for the classroom… used ones are fine too, thank youJ

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  This week’s snack is from Keegan’s family.

Note:  A special request from Ale’s family… They are hoping to switch snack weeks with another family.  The Grynberg’s are scheduled for the week of January 3rd.  Please contact Ruby Grynberg (rubyg@salmonbaylending.com) ASAP if you can switch.  Thank youJ

Mark your calendars:

Saturday, December 10th – Rock fer FOSB at Salmon Bay Eagles 7PM

Friday, December 16th – Lantern Celebration at 8:30 AM in the auditorium

Friday, December 16th - 1 Hour Early Dismissal for Winter Break.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Classroom Library digital inventory specialist– We need a dedicated individual to work out some of the recent kinks Barb Jochum and I discovered with my inventory.  Unfortunately, though we have all the books entered, the quantities and levels got all messed up, and we need someone’s dedicated help to fix it.  If you know Excel, we need you!

More Classroom Library Help- Help developing a better labeling system for our library.  Things like labeling by series, reading level, genre, etc.

Help with a software program called Reading Naturally– this would involve being trained by our reading specialist Kim Post (kdpost@seattleschools.org).  Please email Kim if you can assist (best times for volunteering would be at 8:30 T-Th and/or 11:00 M, T, Th).  You would be helping two to three students with their reading at the computers in our classroom.

Organizing the cabinets under the counter at the back of the room– This has been done once before, but I need to organize the space so the counters can be utilized and for science projects, etc.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave

Room 111

Salmon Bay School

252-1751

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, November 15, 2011                                                 

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

• Please don’t forget this weekend’s Salmon Bay Fall Book Fair at the UW Bookstore.  Even though many of you have purchased books via Scholastic, buying this weekend also benefits all of Salmon Bay.

Art request…

We need only 4 more cleaned and dried ½ gallon paper milk cartons.  Thank you for sending them in.J

Friendship Group

Our friendship group began last week, and we look forward to some of the upcoming role-plays the first group of kids will be bringing to class this Friday.

Math

Second graders continued addition/subtraction fact triangles practice, frames and arrows sequence problems, work on place value, names for numbers, money, in/out number machines, graphing data, and continued playing math games. 3rd graders are continuing their work with multiplication and division in equation form, using arrays and equal groups, and in number stories for understanding.  They are also practicing division games, in/out number machines, problems with multiple addends, graphing data, as well as frames and arrows sequence problems. 

Literacy

The kids have continued handwriting and word sort practice, and taking turns reading aloud to one another in their National Geographic magazines. They have also begun reading their favorite published narrative aloud in class. Thank you for listening to your child read their story aloud to you at home.  The kids also learned about nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and contractions.

• Starting after Thanksgiving, I will be evaluating which students have consistently met or exceeded reading and reading log expectations at home, and will eliminate the reading log so that your child can just get to the business of reading every night.

• Be sure your child is reading a variety of reading materials (not just graphic novels, comic books, etc.)  The more variety and amount of time spent reading will pay off in your child’s ability to comprehend different genres, styles and subject matter.

• Please be aware that I occasionally send home extra work that doesn’t get finished in class.  Please be sure to ask your child if they have any, and if so, what it is, and if they need any assistance with it.  Usually, this work is to complete writing revisions, spelling, word study, handwriting, or math practice.

November Conferences

Please bring your questions and/or concerns to conferences next week.  I look forward to meeting with you and talking about your child.

Thank you for the Scrounge Art!

Please keep sending in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

Donations Still Needed!!!

We need a few new kick balls, a smaller basketball and a couple of soccer balls for the classroom… used ones are fine too, thank youJ

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  This week’s snack is from Anrik’s family.

Mark your calendars:

Friday, 11/18 – Monday, 11-21 – Salmon Bay Fall BookFair at UW Bookstore

Monday-Wednesday, 11/21-11/23November Conferences (final schedule attached)

Thursday-Friday 11/24-11/25Thanksgiving Holiday

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Classroom Library digital inventory specialist– We need a dedicated individual to work out some of the recent kinks Barb Jochum and I discovered with my inventory.  Unfortunately, though we have all the books entered, the quantities and levels got all messed up, and we need someone’s dedicated help to fix it.  If you know Excel, we need you!

Classroom Volunteer Coordinator

Amy Stackhouse has graciously volunteered to become our in-classroom volunteer coordinator.  Amy will be in contact with the families whom have already made themselves available to help out.  Thank you!

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, November 8, 2011                                                  

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

Field Trips

I was unable to secure a spot in a timely fashion at Centro de la Raza’s Dia de los Muertos exhibit… sorry folks, they didn’t get back to me in time to make it work.  However, we will be attending The Steadfast Tin Soldier on December 9th.  I will send home permission slips the week of 11/28.

Please remind your child to bring in a photo, or item from a family member or pet that has passed on.

Because we were unable to attend a Dia de los Muertos exhibit, and because we had done some reading about altars and ofrendas, and what they’re all about, I decided to have the kids bring in a picture of a family member or pet, or item from a family member or pet that will help your child remember them.  We are setting up a small altar on the back table to honor those family members (pets included) that have passed on.

Art request…

Please continue to send in cleaned and dried ½ gallon paper milk cartons which will become the base for our lanterns.  We need 17 more… keep ‘em comin.’J

Friendship Group

We have started a friendship group in class which will happen twice per week.  The first day will be on Thursdays at 10:30 working for about 30 minutes with Nancy Shah in the classroom.  On Fridays, Nancy will take a small group (which all students will rotate through) to the cafeteria or family room to plan role-playing scenarios that those kids will then bring back to class and demonstrate.

Math

Second graders are continued addition/subtraction fact triangles practice, have begun working with money, and have worked on estimation, and continued playing math games. 3rd graders are continuing their work with multiplication and division in equation form and using arrays for understanding.  3rd graders have also learned a new division game. 

Literacy

Word sorts have continued, and the kids generally keep advancing especially with the extra practice being sent home. Handwriting practice has continued and will just into the New Year.  Both handwriting and your child’s current word sort will be coming home for additional practice and which is to be kept at home.  The kids have chosen their favorite narrative to publish, and will soon be sharing it aloud in class.  The kids completed a rigorous self-evaluation to see how well they are actually doing with their work.  Their writing partners also participated.

• Please be aware that I occasionally send home extra work that doesn’t get finished in class.  Please be sure to ask your child if they have any, and if so, what it is, and if they need any assistance with it.  Usually, this work is to complete writing revisions, spelling, etc or for math practice.

Scrounge Art Still Needed!

Please send in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

Donations Still Needed!

We need a few new kick balls, a smaller basketball and a couple of soccer balls for the classroom… used ones are fine too, thank youJ

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  This week’s snack is from Sophia’s family.

Mark your calendars:

Friday, November 11th –No School! Veteran’s Day

Monday-Wednesday, 11/21-11/23November Conferences

Thursday-Friday 11/24-11/25Thanksgiving Holiday

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Auction Coordinator(STILL OPEN) – one-time job (coordination of classroom project created by the kids to sell at our next auction). Anyone??? Bueller???

I will send a separate email to those families whom have expressed interest in volunteering in the classroom.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave

Room 111

Salmon Bay School

252-1751

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, November 1, 2011                                                   

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

November Conferences

Hi folks, thank you for submitting your top 3 days and times for November Conferences.  Believe it or not, conferences are one of my favorite things to do every year.  It’s great talking about your kids with youJ

Field Trip Photos/Halloween photos

Please email any photos from our last field trip and from Halloween and I can post them on our class web page on the SB website.  These will also be useful for the yearbook later this year.

I am still working on putting together a field trip in November to attend the Dia de Los Muertos Exhibit during the week of the 14th and have yet to hear back from the organization.  I will get back to you on this ASAP.

Art request…

Please send in cleaned and dried ½ gallon paper milk cartons which will become the base for our lanterns.  We have only 2 so far.

Math

Second graders are continuing addition/subtraction fact triangles practice with supplementary work with math games. 3rd graders are continuing their work with multiplication and arrays (pre-geometry).  As a class we will continue working on multi-digit subtraction strategies.

• Please remember to have your child practice EveryDay Math Games online, along with additional games from the added websites I sent along in my post Curriculum Night email.

Explorations in Math is bringing MathFest to Seattle!

Join 1,000 students, teachers, parents and community members for Seattle MathFest 2011! This is a one-of-a kind event where first through fifth graders and their siblings venture from game to game – playing in a fully emersive math environment. While playing, students build their confidence in and enthusiasm for math, and see that the community supports their achievements.

What: MathFest – A city-wide celebration of elementary students and mathematics

When: November 3, 2011 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Rainier Community Center 4600 38th Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98118

Literacy

The kids have really begun to excel in their word sorts, and have been practicing blind sorts with a partner in class. Handwriting practice has continued and will just into the New Year.  Both handwriting and your child’s current word sort will be coming home for additional practice and which is to be kept at home.  We will be choosing our favorite narrative to publish, and once we do, the kids will be doing a rigorous self-evaluation to see how well they are actually doing with their work.

Scrounge Art Still NeededJ

Please send in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

Donations Needed!!

We need a few new kick balls, a smaller basketball and a couple of soccer balls for the classroom… used ones are fine too, thank youJ

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  This week’s snack is from Tula’s family.

Mark your calendars:

Friday, November 11th –No School! Veteran’s Day

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!

• Auction Coordinator(STILL OPEN) – one-time job (coordination of classroom project created by the kids to sell at our next auction).

I will be putting together a group of general volunteers on different days of the week.  The key for me is making sure I have work for you to do either with the kids, or for me.  I will contact the people whom have already offered up days hopefully by the end of the weekJ

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave

Room 111

Salmon Bay School

252-1751

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, October 25, 2011                                                     

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

November Conferences

Hi folks, so far I have received conference dates/times from 16 families.  In the interest of those whom have already submitted their top three choices and are awaiting confirmation of times/dates, I would appreciate if the remaining families could do so ASAP. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Field Trip

Thank you to the drivers/chaperones for helping out yesterday! We had a great time at The Farm at Swan Trail in Snohomish.  Please send along any photos and I can post them provided we have the permission on our class web page on the SB website.

I am working on putting together a field trip in November to attend the Dia de Los Muertos Exhibit at center house during the week of the 14th.  I will get back to you on this ASAP.

Art

Barb Leuty is asking for some cleaned and dried ½ gallon paper milk cartons to be sent in to class as the base for our lanterns we will be making. Please send in with your child.

Math

We have continued working on patterns in number, and are beginning practice with single and multi-digit addition using numerals and Base-10 blocks, and continue working with place value.  We are beginning to practice addition math facts in second grade and multiplication math facts in third grade.  We will begin working on multi-digit subtraction strategies, multiplication and division.

• Please remember to have your child practice EveryDay Math Games online, along with additional games from the added websites I sent along in my post Curriculum Night email.

Literacy

We are continuing work on our word sorts practicing our word patterns.  Some handwriting practice homework will go home, and word sorts have come home for students needing extra practice with them.  I may end up sending home sorts for the week for additional practice at night so the kids can really nail down their sorts (I haven’t decided on this yet, however).  The kids are soon going to be choosing a narrative for publishing, and this is where the hard work of editing, and revising will pay offJ

Scrounge Art NeededJ

Please send in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

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

Mark your calendars:

Wednesday, October 26th –2 Hour Early Dismissal

Monday, October 31st –Elementary Halloween Costume Parade

Friday, November 11th –No School! Veteran’s Day

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!

• Auction Coordinator(STILL OPEN) – one-time job (coordination of classroom project created by the kids to sell at our next auction).

I am finally looking at including general volunteers.  The key for me is making sure I have work for you to do either with the kids, or for me.  I have a list of folks from curriculum night and from the first day of school.  I will be in touch with those people.  Thank you to those whom have already contacted meJ

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Dave

Room 111

Salmon Bay School

252-1751

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, October 18, 2011                                                     

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

Curriculum Night

Thank you to all the families that could make it to curriculum night.  I hope you found it informative.  Please don’t hesitate to email me should you have any additional questions.

November Conferences

Hi folks, so far I have received conference dates/times from 14 families.  If you have not already submitted one, please do so as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Field Trip

Driver/chaperones for Monday, October 24th Field Trip will be:  Robin Lofstrom, Amy Stackhouse, Traci Mangan, Dan Peters, Michelle Pearson, Amy Sheehy, Barb Jochum.  Please let me know if you cannot make it, as we have more drivers if necessaryJ

Math

We have continued working on patterns in number, and are beginning practice with single and multi-digit addition using numerals and Base-10 blocks.

• I have attached a password and login to your child’s blue folder so that they can get extra math practice using everydaymathonline.  I have attached directions on how to go about logging on from home.

Literacy

We are continuing work on our word sorts practicing our word patterns.  Some handwriting practice homework will go home, and word sorts have come home for students needing extra practice with them.  The kids have also edited, revised, and begun new personal narratives.

Scrounge Art

I would like families to send in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

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

Mark your calendars:

                Friday, October 21st – Nancy Losvar will guest teaching for us

                Monday, October 25th – Picture Day!

Wednesday, October 26th –2 Hour Early Dismissal

Monday, October 31st –Elementary Halloween Costume Parade

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!

• Auction Coordinator(STILL OPEN) – one-time job (coordination of classroom project created by the kids to sell at our next auction).
• No Adult Buddy Readers will be needed for our class this year (However, if you would be willing to be a buddy reader for another class, please contact Kim Post at kdpost@seattleschools.org to let her know, as she may need you)
• NEW!  Field Trip chaperone/driver coordinator (STILL OPEN)- This job is ongoing, as we have multiple field trips planned.  The individual will be in charge of arranging the chaperones which are also usually the drivers with enough seating for a total of 26 kids and an extra adult or two for each field trip.  You will also be responsible for setting up car groups for the kids, and making sure the driver background checks have been submitted and approved. (Megan Ratcliffe is your contact for this).

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

Room 111 Newsletter

Monday, October 10, 2011                                                    

Hello families!

Below are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.

If you have not yet completed the driver/background checks information, we will need this complete prior to our 10/24 Field Trip.  Permission slips for this field trip are due this Thursday, October 13th.

Math

We have continued working on patterns in number and shape and color, sequence, counting up and back by 5s, 10s, 100s, and playing Addition Top-It, and The Number Grid Game.

Literacy

We are continuing to work on our word sorts practicing our word patterns.  Some handwriting practice homework has gone home, and soon some word sorts will be coming home for students needing extra practice with them.  The kids have continued writing their personal narratives.  We are beginning to focus in on small moments, rather than long, in-depth stories from morning ‘til night.  We have also begun buddy reading using our National Geographic Explorer magazines, and monitoring for comprehension.

Social Curriculum

Anthony completed his fourth lesson about rating your feelings from 1-5 (1 being worst, to 5 best).  Additionally, he talked about “Bugs and Wishes” to help kids frame their problems to a friend by saying “It bugs me when….”, “I wish you would…”

Field Trips (change in Frog and Toad time)

We are headed to The Farm at Swan’s Trail in Snohomish on Monday, October 24th (Bill’s class will also be going that day). As mentioned in my last newsletter, we will be heading to Seattle Children’s Theater for The Adventures of Frog and Toad 1/11/12 at 10:00 AM (change from 12:30). I am planning to take the kids to Seattle Center for a free trip to see the Dia de los Muertos ofrendas sometime before conferences in November.

Scrounge Art

I would like families to send in clean and dried recyclable items for scrounge art on Fridays for Choice Time.  These things can be stored in one of the lower cabinets in the back of the classroom.

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 The remaining unfilled snack weeks are located on the attached snack sign-up document. Reminder to Owen’s family that it is their snack week. Thank youJ

Mark your calendars:

Thursday, October 13th –Curriculum night 7:00 PM – please bring your questions

Friday, October 14th –No School, teacher professional development

Wednesday, October 26th –2 Hour Early Dismissal

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.
• NEW!  Field Trip chaperone/driver coordinator.  This job is ongoing, as we have multiple field trips planned.  The individual will be in charge of arranging the chaperones which are also usually the drivers with enough seating for a total of 26 kids and an extra adult or two for each field trip.  You will also be responsible for setting up car groups for the kids, and making sure the driver background checks have been submitted and approved. (Megan Ratcliffe is your contact for this).

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

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

Room 111 Newsletter

Tuesday, September 27, 2011                                                 

Hello families!

We had a great second full week of school last week.  Below again are some reminders, as well as updates on what’s been going on in class.  The kids have been really getting into the groove of thingsJ

Please remember to complete the First Day Packet and return it to school, as the office needs these in case of an emergency.

Also, please 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.

Late Arrivals and how your child gets home from school

Please make sure that your home routines facilitate getting your child fed and to class on time by 8:30.  I believe it is essential for every child to begin the day at the same time as their classmates to help them feel more a part of the community, and to start the day on the right foot.

Also, please make sure your child knows specifically how they will be getting home prior to getting to school whenever possible (bus, red zone, office, classroom).  If you will be picking up your child after school in the hallway outside the classroom and you are later than the 2:35 dismissal time, your child will be asked to wait in the office for you, as I may not always be nearby after the bell rings.

Homework

Homework will usually come home on a Tuesday, to be turned in that Friday.  Your child’s first reading home reading log went home.  Last year I decided to add a grading component to help families understand the importance of nightly reading.  Weekly reading logs (20-30 minutes per night) will be given on Thursdays, due the following Friday with any and all other homework.  Please make sure your child fills in the reading log 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.

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 with number sequence and patterns in number, and have begun playing math games like addition top-it, number grid game, number grid difference game, and roll to one hundred.

Literacy

I have now determined which word sorts the kids will use for about the next week.  I hope to begin sending home some word sort homework in the near future.  I may also begin sending home a packet of the handwriting pages we have been working on. The kids have been working on their silent reading from 8:30 to 9:00 Tuesday through Thursday and periodically just prior to lunch during readers workshop. Additionally, the kids have begun generating ideas for our personal narrative writing unit.

Social Curriculum

Anthony completed his second lesson from the Connected and Respected curriculum around learning about different classmates by surveying them on specific questions.

Field Trips

I am beginning to get more field trips lined up (including at least one to Seattle Children’s Theater… The Adventures of Frog and Toad), but would welcome recommendations/ suggestions if anything strikes you.  We will most likely take a trip or two to Thistle Theater, and I am also hoping to take the kids to Seattle Center for Dia de los Muertos.

I welcome adults with special talents 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.

Contacting Me

If you would like to contact me, I am available by work phone (252-1751) or email (drmiddleton@seattleschools.org), and will get back to you within 24 hours, usually much sooner.  If you have an urgent message, please drop me a written note, or contact the office directly, as I am generally unable to answer calls and check email during the regular school day. 

• Also, though it may seem convenient to have an impromptu conversation about a subject of concern during the school day, or even immediately before or after school, please know that this is not the case.  Should you urgently need to speak with me, you can email me, write me a note, or leave me a phone message, and we can schedule a phone meeting, or a personal meeting as necessary, and I will be happy to assist you.  Thank youJ

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.

AM/PM Student Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups

This is a reminder to please be as efficient and safe as possible with this.

• Children may be dropped off no earlier than 7:55 AM, as we DO NOT HAVE ANY adult supervision before that time.
• All drop-offs and pickups are on 18th Ave NW ONLY.  Please ENTER FROM THE NORTHso that your child exits your automobile on the west side of the street, avoiding the need to cross the street with lots of traffic.

Mark your calendars:

Wednesday, September 28th (tomorrow) –2-hour early dismissal!!

Thursday, October 13th –Curriculum night 7:00 PM – please bring your questions

Monday, October 31st –Elementary Halloween Costume Parade

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!

• Auction Coordinator– one-time job
• 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

Room 111 Newsletter

Monday, September 19, 2011                                                

Hello families!

It was great hearing your kids tell us about their summer souvenir, and it was nice to see them feel comfortable enough to talk to the whole group… a great ice-breaking first homework assignment and presentation.  Our routines are still coming together, and the kids are really getting in the swing of things.

We practiced our lockdown and shelter-in-place drill procedures, as well as more classroom routines (how to use our supplies, folders, notebooks, etc.).

Thanks to all the families who completed filling out the First Day Packet and returned it to school. If you have not yet had a chance to fill out the important forms in that packet, please take some time to do so soon, as the office needs these in case of an emergency.

Also, please 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.

Late Arrivals and how your child gets home from school

Please make sure that your home routines facilitate getting your child fed and to class on time by 8:30.  I believe it is essential for every child to begin the day at the same time as their classmates to help them feel more a part of the community, and to start the day on the right foot.

Also, please make sure your child knows specifically how they will be getting home prior to getting to school whenever possible (bus, red zone, office, classroom).  If you will be picking up your child after school in the hallway outside the classroom and you are later than the 2:35 dismissal time, your child will be asked to wait in the office for you, as I may not always be nearby after the bell rings.

Homework

Homework will usually come home on a Tuesday, to be turned in that Friday.  Your child’s first reading home reading log went home.  Last year I decided to add a grading component to help families understand the importance of nightly reading.  Weekly reading logs (20-30 minutes per night) will be given on Thursdays, due the following Friday with any and all other homework.  Please make sure your child fills in the reading log 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.

Art and Math

The kids their first art classes with Barb and worked on line drawings.  These are now posted on the bulletin boards outside the classroom.  We have also begun learning about number sequence and patterns in number in math class.

Music

Music began last Wednesday with Mary K. at 11:00 AM.

Literacy

From last week’s spelling test I will be setting up word sorts based on the results of last week’s spelling test.  Groupings of kids will be working on their word sorts/ word patterns from the Words Their Way curriculum on a weekly basis.  There may be a homework component of this as well.

Social Curriculum

Anthony completed his first lesson from the Connected and Respected curriculum.

Contacting Me

If you would like to contact me, I am available by work phone (252-1751) or email (drmiddleton@seattleschools.org), and will get back to you within 24 hours, usually much sooner.  If you have an urgent message, please drop me a written note, or contact the office directly, as I am generally unable to answer calls and check email during the regular school day. 

• Also, though it may seem convenient to have an impromptu conversation about a subject of concern during the school day, or even immediately before or after school, please know that this is not the case.  Should you urgently need to speak with me, you can email me, write me a note, or leave me a phone message, and we can schedule a phone meeting, or a personal meeting as necessary, and I will be happy to assist you.  Thank youJ

Snack Sign-up:  I have put up a snack sign-up sheet on the wall outside our door for families to sign up for snack.  Please drop by and put your name down for a week or two.  I have attached the snack sign-up sheet with remaining dates.  You may also email me to let me know what will work for you.

AM/PM Student Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups

This is a reminder to please be as efficient and safe as possible with this.

• Children may be dropped off no earlier than 7:55 AM, as we DO NOT HAVE ANY adult supervision before that time.
• All drop-offs and pickups are on 18th Ave NW ONLY.  Please ENTER FROM THE NORTHso that your child exits your automobile on the west side of the street, avoiding the need to cross the street with lots of traffic.

Mark your calendars:

Wednesday, September 28th –2-hour early dismissal!!

IMMEDIATE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!

• Auction Coordinator– one-time job
• 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.

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