December 10, 2008
Dear Families,
First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Holiday Fair a success! Endeavor’s pie sale went very well. We earned over $400 for the team! Thank you for your support.
We are taking advantage of a full week this week. Some things we’ve been doing:
Reading – We’ve gotten a good start in our reading groups. The children are learning new vocabulary, we’re discussing the setting and characters, making predictions, and learning the routines of reading group assignments. We will also compare the 4 books and their relation to the theme of Survival.
I’m sure you heard about our first week of Reading Buddies last weekend. The students LOVED it! This week, our first grade friends will be joining us in our classroom!
Writing – this is the last week for working on our Memoirs. Students have been creating artwork to go with them. The finished product is a secret surprise!
Science- We worked together through the steps of the scientific method. I emphasized how specific scientists need to be when creating materials lists, making observations, and when explaining procedures for experiments. Ask your child “Will ice melt faster in water or air?” Then find out if they accepted or rejected their hypothesis.
Math – this week we are studying the patterns in multiplication facts using a multiplication chart. We’re also using lots of great math words like: product, factor, multiple, symmetry, square numbers, and more. Additionally, the students got the opportunity to explore some websites that allow them to practice their multiplication facts and more! Check it out on our website http://www.scsvt.org/TEAMS/ENDEAVOR/index.html
Social Studies – Some children still need to practice their mapping so that they can pass the capitals quiz. This is their 3rd chance. If they’ve passed once, they’ll need to take it again just for practice. Coming up: Our first focus in VT studies will be VT geography. We’ll start after the December vacation. The maps are coming out now!
Other Important dates:
COATS FOR KIDS Dec. 1--19
Please help Shelburne Community School in helping others this winter. Please bring in any used (good condition) coats, snowpants, boots, hats, or mittens/gloves for the “Coats for Kids” program. All items will be cleaned by Gadue’s Dry Cleaning and distributed locally to families in need. Drop-off box is located in SCS front lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Vincent at 985-1549.
• 12/10 School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. CVU
• **12/11 4-5 Chorus concert 7:00 p.m. Cafeteria**
• 12/24-1/2/09 Holiday Break--NO SCHOOL
• 1/15/09 6:00 p.m. Positive Parenting Workshop, “Top Ten Drug and Alcohol Parent Traps” with Margo Austin. Read more
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
December 3
December 3, 2008
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy December! I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. We are right back at it this week. Here are some of the things that we’re doing:
Reading - Students will start their first official reading groups this week. All groups will be reading a book that is somehow related to the theme of survival. Each reading group will meet with me anywhere from 2- 5 times a week. The children will be clear about the expectations and assignments for their group. Children will be expected to come to group with their assignments complete and contribute to our discussions. Groups will start Thursday. Please ask your child about the book they are reading.
**Exciting new reading news** - This week, our class will also start reading with 1st graders on the Journey team. They will be our “Reading Buddies” for the remainder of the school year! We will be meeting with them each Friday at 12:30 to read together. This is a wonderful experience for both the older students and the younger as the older students get to be reading mentors to the 1st graders (and it is great fluency practice!) It is always a delight to see the students work together and help each other.
Math - Students completed the assessment for our 2nd major unit in math- Data. Additionally, they are working on finishing up their data projects and getting a good start on multiplication facts. The next unit we will be focusing on is multiplication. Facts practice HW will be coming home in addition to/as part of the nightly math HW. Please help your child memorize his or her times tables.
Writing - Students are working on creating a solid ending for their memoirs and going over the editing checklist. I am hoping that students will finish up their writing pieces by the end of next week.
Science - Students did a wonderful job on their “Body Projects!” All students have presented their hard work, completed a self-assessment, and received my assessment. All projects (and the assessment sheets) should be brought home by now. Additionally, students took a Human Body assessment this week. For the remainder of the month, we will be learning about the SCIENTIFIC METHOD. We will learn about the steps and have a few opportunities to practice following the scientific method.
Mapping - Many students have passed Map 3 - State Capitals. If not, they still have 2 more chances.
A few more things:
This Saturday - December 6th- is the annual PTO Holiday Fair.
If you have signed up to help out and are unclear about anything, PLEASE contact me. If not, we hope to see you there!!
If you have a few extra plastic bags, we would love to have them for the Pie Sale. We’ll need them to put pies in for our customers. Please send them in by Friday.
If you know that your child will be absent, please contact Cheryl in THE OFFICE. I also appreciate knowing, but she needs to hear it from you. Thank You.
Cara
Dear Families,
Hello and Happy December! I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. We are right back at it this week. Here are some of the things that we’re doing:
Reading - Students will start their first official reading groups this week. All groups will be reading a book that is somehow related to the theme of survival. Each reading group will meet with me anywhere from 2- 5 times a week. The children will be clear about the expectations and assignments for their group. Children will be expected to come to group with their assignments complete and contribute to our discussions. Groups will start Thursday. Please ask your child about the book they are reading.
**Exciting new reading news** - This week, our class will also start reading with 1st graders on the Journey team. They will be our “Reading Buddies” for the remainder of the school year! We will be meeting with them each Friday at 12:30 to read together. This is a wonderful experience for both the older students and the younger as the older students get to be reading mentors to the 1st graders (and it is great fluency practice!) It is always a delight to see the students work together and help each other.
Math - Students completed the assessment for our 2nd major unit in math- Data. Additionally, they are working on finishing up their data projects and getting a good start on multiplication facts. The next unit we will be focusing on is multiplication. Facts practice HW will be coming home in addition to/as part of the nightly math HW. Please help your child memorize his or her times tables.
Writing - Students are working on creating a solid ending for their memoirs and going over the editing checklist. I am hoping that students will finish up their writing pieces by the end of next week.
Science - Students did a wonderful job on their “Body Projects!” All students have presented their hard work, completed a self-assessment, and received my assessment. All projects (and the assessment sheets) should be brought home by now. Additionally, students took a Human Body assessment this week. For the remainder of the month, we will be learning about the SCIENTIFIC METHOD. We will learn about the steps and have a few opportunities to practice following the scientific method.
Mapping - Many students have passed Map 3 - State Capitals. If not, they still have 2 more chances.
A few more things:
This Saturday - December 6th- is the annual PTO Holiday Fair.
If you have signed up to help out and are unclear about anything, PLEASE contact me. If not, we hope to see you there!!
If you have a few extra plastic bags, we would love to have them for the Pie Sale. We’ll need them to put pies in for our customers. Please send them in by Friday.
If you know that your child will be absent, please contact Cheryl in THE OFFICE. I also appreciate knowing, but she needs to hear it from you. Thank You.
Cara
Monday, November 10, 2008
11/6/08
Dear Families
Hello and Happy Election Week! Im sure you've heard about the voting that we've done here at SCS. It was fun to hear the results. Our class was extra lucky because we also got to hear the nationwide results from all of the schools in the nation that participated in online voting with mockelection.org.
The next patriotic thing that we have been discussing is Veteran's Day. Im sure your child has come home asking you about any Veterans in the family. We've been discussing the history of this holiday and why it is important to acknowledge and appreciate those who've served our country. We'll be writing letters of appreciation to Vets at the VA hospital in White River Junction. I hope to get them sent out just in time - by next Monday.
I am going to try something slightly simpler this week. As you (hopefully) saw last week, the students brought home a "Week in Review" sheet that is similar to a "goals" sheet. I've decided to let your child tell you what we've been doing each week. I'll sign it and fill in any blanks or additional comments. Please spend some time to READ THIS WITH YOUR CHILD. It's a great way to start discussion about school.
Also, a few reminders:
* Monday is the deadline for student table sign-up for the holiday fair. IF your child wants to participate, make sure they've turned in their paperwork.
* Endeavor is hosting a PIE SALE during the holiday fair. PLEASE support the team by offering to bake pies or help run the table on the 6th. A sign up sheet came home last week. LEt me know if you need another.
*PTO meeting next Tuesday the 11th at 6 pm.
* Next Wed., the 12th is a half day.
* Conferences are the week of the 17th. All parents are signed up. IF YOUR CHILD HAS NOT RETURNED THE FORM TO YOU (OR ITS SIMPLY BEEN MISPLACED), PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR TIME.
Thanks! Have a great weekend and any feedback you have on the "Week in review" sheet is appreciated.!!
Cara :)
Hello and Happy Election Week! Im sure you've heard about the voting that we've done here at SCS. It was fun to hear the results. Our class was extra lucky because we also got to hear the nationwide results from all of the schools in the nation that participated in online voting with mockelection.org.
The next patriotic thing that we have been discussing is Veteran's Day. Im sure your child has come home asking you about any Veterans in the family. We've been discussing the history of this holiday and why it is important to acknowledge and appreciate those who've served our country. We'll be writing letters of appreciation to Vets at the VA hospital in White River Junction. I hope to get them sent out just in time - by next Monday.
I am going to try something slightly simpler this week. As you (hopefully) saw last week, the students brought home a "Week in Review" sheet that is similar to a "goals" sheet. I've decided to let your child tell you what we've been doing each week. I'll sign it and fill in any blanks or additional comments. Please spend some time to READ THIS WITH YOUR CHILD. It's a great way to start discussion about school.
Also, a few reminders:
* Monday is the deadline for student table sign-up for the holiday fair. IF your child wants to participate, make sure they've turned in their paperwork.
* Endeavor is hosting a PIE SALE during the holiday fair. PLEASE support the team by offering to bake pies or help run the table on the 6th. A sign up sheet came home last week. LEt me know if you need another.
*PTO meeting next Tuesday the 11th at 6 pm.
* Next Wed., the 12th is a half day.
* Conferences are the week of the 17th. All parents are signed up. IF YOUR CHILD HAS NOT RETURNED THE FORM TO YOU (OR ITS SIMPLY BEEN MISPLACED), PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR TIME.
Thanks! Have a great weekend and any feedback you have on the "Week in review" sheet is appreciated.!!
Cara :)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
October 29, 2008
Dear Families,
Can you believe that we are at the end of October already? Wow! This week felt like a very busy week, this is what we’ve been doing all week.
Reading – We started our focus on Comprehension strategies for reading. Students are writing about “Imaginings” they had while reading in their response journals. We are learning about how visualizing helps us to understand what we read (especially in Non-fiction reading). And we will be talking about making connections. The three kinds of connections we make as readers are: Text to text, text to self, and text to world.
Math – students have been focusing on perimeter and area this week. They used a math tool called “tangrams” to help them explore area.
Science – we are continuing to use the Discovery Education website to learn about the human body. Additionally, we have two more visits from the SMILE DOCS and will soon be working on a culminating project. Please, ask your child what they are learning about the body from the medical students.
Writing – Sudents continue to put thoughtful work into their memoirs. We’ve written new beginnings, developed the setting of our stories, and have added some great detail. I am impressed with the effort they are putting into their work.
S.S – Map 2 (50 States) quiz 2 this week (on Halloween!) All students will take the quiz this week. Because this quiz involves so much memorization, I ask them to do it twice – the 2nd time just for practice.
Other important events coming up:
Trick or Treat for UNICEF – students brought home their boxes Tuesday. The school would really like to beat our record for last year. Please help the children who benefit from our collection by allowing your child to participate or by donating to UNICEF yourself.
Picture make-up day/class picture – Thursday, October 30th
Wrapping paper pick up – Thursday, October 30 from 2:30 - 6 PM, in the back gym.
Halloween – We will not formally be celebrating Halloween. (No Costumes PLEASE) What I plan to do is “expand” our snack for TFK and then do some small crafts (Horrogami and skeletons with pipecleaners). Parents are welcome to come in and join us. I’ll probably need some help making skeletons and horrogami. (oh, it’s a surprise, don’t tell….) Just let me know if you’d like to join us. THANKS!
Endeavor will be hosting a pie-sale for the Holiday Fair (Saturday, December 6). Flyers will come home this week with sign ups for help.
Conferences (and school half days) on November 19th, 20th, and 21st, the sign up sheet went home this week.
Dear Families,
Can you believe that we are at the end of October already? Wow! This week felt like a very busy week, this is what we’ve been doing all week.
Reading – We started our focus on Comprehension strategies for reading. Students are writing about “Imaginings” they had while reading in their response journals. We are learning about how visualizing helps us to understand what we read (especially in Non-fiction reading). And we will be talking about making connections. The three kinds of connections we make as readers are: Text to text, text to self, and text to world.
Math – students have been focusing on perimeter and area this week. They used a math tool called “tangrams” to help them explore area.
Science – we are continuing to use the Discovery Education website to learn about the human body. Additionally, we have two more visits from the SMILE DOCS and will soon be working on a culminating project. Please, ask your child what they are learning about the body from the medical students.
Writing – Sudents continue to put thoughtful work into their memoirs. We’ve written new beginnings, developed the setting of our stories, and have added some great detail. I am impressed with the effort they are putting into their work.
S.S – Map 2 (50 States) quiz 2 this week (on Halloween!) All students will take the quiz this week. Because this quiz involves so much memorization, I ask them to do it twice – the 2nd time just for practice.
Other important events coming up:
Trick or Treat for UNICEF – students brought home their boxes Tuesday. The school would really like to beat our record for last year. Please help the children who benefit from our collection by allowing your child to participate or by donating to UNICEF yourself.
Picture make-up day/class picture – Thursday, October 30th
Wrapping paper pick up – Thursday, October 30 from 2:30 - 6 PM, in the back gym.
Halloween – We will not formally be celebrating Halloween. (No Costumes PLEASE) What I plan to do is “expand” our snack for TFK and then do some small crafts (Horrogami and skeletons with pipecleaners). Parents are welcome to come in and join us. I’ll probably need some help making skeletons and horrogami. (oh, it’s a surprise, don’t tell….) Just let me know if you’d like to join us. THANKS!
Endeavor will be hosting a pie-sale for the Holiday Fair (Saturday, December 6). Flyers will come home this week with sign ups for help.
Conferences (and school half days) on November 19th, 20th, and 21st, the sign up sheet went home this week.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Short week!!
October 22, 2008
Dear Families,
Hello and I sure hope you are getting this!! I’ve been informed that my weekly newsletters have not been making it home lately. I apologize – I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong with my email list, but I’ll get it worked out….
So, this week included many special events:
1. The class did some election research in the computer lab so that they are informed for voting. We voted online today using mockelection.com, and we will also participate in the school’s election on November 4th. A few middle school students stopped by today to register us to vote. Students even took a “Freeman’s oath.” This year, students may ALSO vote at town hall when you vote!!
2. Vermont children’s author Natalie Kinsey Warnock visited our school this week! What a treat for the students. Natalie was raised on a VT farm and continues to live in the NE kingdom. She writes stories that are related to her experiences as a child or that come from family stories. Her presentations were great! Ask your child about them.
3. Students were able to practice using a compass today in math. This can be a very challenging and frustrating task. Ask your child if they were successful!
4. We are doing great work in writing. This week we studied our mentor texts for patterns in structure. We also examined how authors write effective beginnings. Then, students wrote 3 possible beginnings for their memoirs. Many students came up with great ideas. Some students will be completing this task at home over the long weekend.
Next week we will start to study and practice a variety of specific comprehension strategies for reading. We will complete our geometry unit and we will start a new session of “Team time.”
** We will not be dressing up for Halloween. Students may bring in extra special Halloween treats for our TFK time on Friday. That will be our harvest celebration!
Thanks
Cara
Dear Families,
Hello and I sure hope you are getting this!! I’ve been informed that my weekly newsletters have not been making it home lately. I apologize – I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong with my email list, but I’ll get it worked out….
So, this week included many special events:
1. The class did some election research in the computer lab so that they are informed for voting. We voted online today using mockelection.com, and we will also participate in the school’s election on November 4th. A few middle school students stopped by today to register us to vote. Students even took a “Freeman’s oath.” This year, students may ALSO vote at town hall when you vote!!
2. Vermont children’s author Natalie Kinsey Warnock visited our school this week! What a treat for the students. Natalie was raised on a VT farm and continues to live in the NE kingdom. She writes stories that are related to her experiences as a child or that come from family stories. Her presentations were great! Ask your child about them.
3. Students were able to practice using a compass today in math. This can be a very challenging and frustrating task. Ask your child if they were successful!
4. We are doing great work in writing. This week we studied our mentor texts for patterns in structure. We also examined how authors write effective beginnings. Then, students wrote 3 possible beginnings for their memoirs. Many students came up with great ideas. Some students will be completing this task at home over the long weekend.
Next week we will start to study and practice a variety of specific comprehension strategies for reading. We will complete our geometry unit and we will start a new session of “Team time.”
** We will not be dressing up for Halloween. Students may bring in extra special Halloween treats for our TFK time on Friday. That will be our harvest celebration!
Thanks
Cara
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October 16th weekly news
Dear Families,
Good Afternoon. This week has flown by just as the others have…The quick version of some of the good learning we’ve done this week:
Students practiced and performed their reader’s theater skits this week. Each skit had a message about character education. The students enjoyed the reading exercise and the performance aspect of it. We will practice and perform reader’s theater many more times throughout the year. It really makes reading fun and helps students to learn how to read fluently and with expression.
In math we’ve been exploring geometry. Students are learning about and drawing and labeling lines, polygons, rays, angles, and lots more. We will continue learning about geometry, polygons, circles, and even some measurement through the end of October. Additionally, Mrs. Kloeckner will be coming in to teach students about saving money! Considering what’s going on in current events, this is a very appropriate time for such a discussion.
Speaking of current events, next week we will be focusing on the election process. The students will be learning the 4th grade version of politics through read-alouds, TFK, and some interactive games and activities. Additionally, we will be participating in 2 mock elections. Next week the students will be logging onto www.nationalmockelection.org to learn about the voting process and will then get to vote online. Parents may participate too! If you would like to come in and vote with us, we’ll be voting early – Next Wednesday between 12-1:00 in the library. Let me know if you plan to attend so we’ll know how many people will be voting.
This week we continued to use Discovery Education Science to help us learn about the Human Body. We’ve also started studying the skeletal system. Thank you to Alice Brown for coming in to support us in the computer lab! If your child would like to explore DE science at home, they can access the link via the school’s website. Here’s the link - http://www.scsvt.org/LIBRARY/Cooltool.htm#Online-Sub
And finally, we’re just getting a roll on our first official writing piece. Students worked on the first draft of their memoirs at home this week. We’ll be editing and improving them over the next few weeks. We are using 3 picture books as “mentor texts.” Each student chose one to be their individual example. They will study it to emulate the author’s effective and descriptive writing. I look forward to the final pieces. We have some great writers in here!
Reminder: Next week is a short week. There will be no spelling and a slightly different schedule because of our election studies.
This weekend a friend of mine will host “John Dewey Day” in Burlington. (John Dewey is a famous educator and philosopher that was from Vermont.) We start at the Fletcher Free library in Burlington with mask making. Afterwards, we wear our masks and join in a parade on Church Street with a giant puppet resembling John Dewey. Here is the blurb from the library website:
John Dewey Day. Saturday, October 18th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 (parade starts at noon). Join artist-educator Frank Gonzalez and his friends for paper mask making and a parade down Church Street at noon to celebrate the birth (in Burlington in 1859) of educator and philosopher John Dewey. Free. All ages. No preregistration needed.
Enjoy your weekend!!
Cara :)
Good Afternoon. This week has flown by just as the others have…The quick version of some of the good learning we’ve done this week:
Students practiced and performed their reader’s theater skits this week. Each skit had a message about character education. The students enjoyed the reading exercise and the performance aspect of it. We will practice and perform reader’s theater many more times throughout the year. It really makes reading fun and helps students to learn how to read fluently and with expression.
In math we’ve been exploring geometry. Students are learning about and drawing and labeling lines, polygons, rays, angles, and lots more. We will continue learning about geometry, polygons, circles, and even some measurement through the end of October. Additionally, Mrs. Kloeckner will be coming in to teach students about saving money! Considering what’s going on in current events, this is a very appropriate time for such a discussion.
Speaking of current events, next week we will be focusing on the election process. The students will be learning the 4th grade version of politics through read-alouds, TFK, and some interactive games and activities. Additionally, we will be participating in 2 mock elections. Next week the students will be logging onto www.nationalmockelection.org to learn about the voting process and will then get to vote online. Parents may participate too! If you would like to come in and vote with us, we’ll be voting early – Next Wednesday between 12-1:00 in the library. Let me know if you plan to attend so we’ll know how many people will be voting.
This week we continued to use Discovery Education Science to help us learn about the Human Body. We’ve also started studying the skeletal system. Thank you to Alice Brown for coming in to support us in the computer lab! If your child would like to explore DE science at home, they can access the link via the school’s website. Here’s the link - http://www.scsvt.org/LIBRARY/Cooltool.htm#Online-Sub
And finally, we’re just getting a roll on our first official writing piece. Students worked on the first draft of their memoirs at home this week. We’ll be editing and improving them over the next few weeks. We are using 3 picture books as “mentor texts.” Each student chose one to be their individual example. They will study it to emulate the author’s effective and descriptive writing. I look forward to the final pieces. We have some great writers in here!
Reminder: Next week is a short week. There will be no spelling and a slightly different schedule because of our election studies.
This weekend a friend of mine will host “John Dewey Day” in Burlington. (John Dewey is a famous educator and philosopher that was from Vermont.) We start at the Fletcher Free library in Burlington with mask making. Afterwards, we wear our masks and join in a parade on Church Street with a giant puppet resembling John Dewey. Here is the blurb from the library website:
John Dewey Day. Saturday, October 18th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 (parade starts at noon). Join artist-educator Frank Gonzalez and his friends for paper mask making and a parade down Church Street at noon to celebrate the birth (in Burlington in 1859) of educator and philosopher John Dewey. Free. All ages. No preregistration needed.
Enjoy your weekend!!
Cara :)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Weekly news
Dear Families,
My greeting for the students today: Good morning great students and HAPPY NO TESTING!
We are finally finished with NECAP testing (excluding students who have sessions to make up) so things can get back to normal.
Fortunately, we’ve had the chance to do some fun learning too. We have had another visit from the SMILEDOCS, we’ve been working hard on completing our current teamtime project, and we’ve done some great reading. Students are enjoying the reader’s theater skits that they’ve been working on. Ask them about their group, what the “Big Idea” of their skit is, and how they practice it.
Additionally, you may have heard your child come home and talk about the Discovery Education Science website that we attempted to log on to this week. We all are excited to do some of our Human Body learning using this great website. Students may also log on at home. Here is the link: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm
Reminder: This week is the last chance for students who haven’t yet passed map quiz one to pass. Next week, we will start studying map 2 which is memorizing and labeling the 50 states!!
v One more attempt: We are in need of nice (soft) tissues and liquid hand soap. If you would like to donate either/both of these to our classroom, we would greatly appreciate it. THANKS!!
Again, please don’t hesitate to call or email with any questions or comments.
Cara
Question this week: Would you like for your child to have homework that is completed on the computer? IS this even possible in your house?
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