Clinton's photographs taken the first week of school!

George is all smiles!

Thumbs Up, Joseph!

Zoe is showing off her cool writing journal!

Week of August 31-September 4

We are only in our third week of school, but have already accomplished so much! We know how to do calendar work independently, work cooperatively in math and literacy centers, and have several wonderful stories already written in our writing journals!! I am so excited about all the progress we are already making in our class! This week we will incorporate science into our weekly schedule. We will talk about soil properties, composting, and planning our garden for the fall season.

Weekly Homework:
Math- "Keeping the Skills Sharp" (please assist your child until they become independent)
Reading- read and sign reading record nightly (there should be at least 4 entries per week)
Spelling- memorize spelling words (a test will be given on Friday)
**all homework is due on Friday**

Upcoming Events:
Sept. 7 - no school for Labor Day
Sept. 8 - ImaginOn
Sept. 9 - First day of ecology study at Freedom Park
Sept. 11 - early dismissal is at 1:00
Sept. 14-18 spirit week (flyer to go home later to explain)

Week of August 24-28

Welcome to our second week of school! Last week was a great week of getting to know each other and learning how our class will run. This week we will try to get into our daily routines.

Class Schedule:

8:00- 9:00 Morning/Calendar work
9:00-10:00 Math/ Centers (Wed-Art Collaboration; Thurs-Music Collaboration)
10:00-10:30 Break/Snack(Mon-Dance)
10:30- 11:45 Literacy/Centers(Fri-Drama)
11:45-12:15 Lunch
12:15-12:45 Recess
1:00-2:00 Writer's Workshop
2:00-3:00 Specials (Mon-Art; Tues-Music; Wed-P.E.; Thurs-Guidance; Fri-Science/Garden?)
**We will rotate on Tuesdays between Science Ecology study and ImaginOn
**Social Studies will be incorporated into Literacy/Centers/Guidance
**This schedule is a flexible working schedule!

Homework:

Homework is assigned on Mondays and turned in on Fridays. Students will record homework in their agendas. Agendas need to be brought back to school every day just in case we need to communicate a change in our schedule or assignments. It is a great help for parents to give as much support as needed in this area until students are able to work more independently at home.

Typical Homework:

-Math-Keeping the Skill Sharp sheet (usually contains 10 or so previously taught skills and a word problem)
-Reading- Read every night from a book that is on your child's reading level. I will be sending home a sheet that helps find "just right" books for kids. Also, we will be going to ImaginOn this week and I will show students how to find these books for themselves.
-Writing-vary depending on our unit; assignments will be given during writer's workshop.
-Spelling-10 words specific to student level

Parent Involvement:

Thanks for checking in with me about how you can help our class! A list of ways to be involved during the school day is posted. If you would rather help during field trips or for items that can be done at home, just let me know and when an opportunity arises, I will contact you.

Thanks for your support!

Miss Alex

Class Newsletter August 17, 2009

Dear Parents,

It is so good to be back in school! We had a wonderful first day! I wanted to pass on a couple of things until the students get the hang of writing information for you in their agendas.

Supplies:

Thanks for all the supplies and snacks that you brought in! Don’t forget to pay your child’s $15 school activity fee. We have some great opportunities to give our kids hands-on experiences in and out of our school. We will be participating in an ongoing outdoor ecology unit with some help from the educators at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve. We will also begin planting this fall and will go to the Farmers’ Market. Activity fees will also cover all Children’s Theater performances.

Homework:

Homework will be written in student agendas every Monday morning. Homework will look the same most weeks. But for the first week of school, we need to get parent information forms filled out. I would also love to get parents to fill out a Multiple Intelligences survey for their child (this will go home soon). We are already learning how we are smart in our class! This week, students will also need to learn how to spell their classmates names (see below), and find a good place to read at home(assignment will be sent home).

ImaginOn:

We will be going to ImaginOn next Tuesday, August 24. We will be trying to find books that are “just right” for us. Please send library cards with your kids and comfortable clothes and shoes that day. We will be going to ImaginOn every other Tuesday this year.

Parent Involvement:

I am working on a list of ways that parents can donate their time in and out of our class.

Class Blog:

We will be blogging about our year soon! Stay tuned!

Thanks for entrusting your children to me this year!

Miss Alex

2^nd grade student names(for week 1 spelling homework):

Jeremiah Nyzha Kaylyn Killian

Raven Sebastian Isaiah Zyasia

James Amberly Arianna Joneisha

George