Weekly Update
This week we will be not only working more on our testing for Literacy and Math placements, but also learning what are the important traits of being a friend. Students have done great settling into our daily routine and have earned many marbles for our classroom marble jar. This week second graders will also be taking the ERB test (Education Records Bureau). We use this test as part of our accreditation report for the state and the district. Our students always do very, very well on this test, so no need to fret. We only request that all second graders be here on the days we take it (Tuesday and Thursday) of this week) so we don't have to do make ups.
Throughout these days of testing we make sure to find time to have lots of fun so the kids don't feel bogged down. We start off the day with an easy activity at our desk to get us ready for the day, followed by a story that ties into our lesson for the day. Today we read The Little Red Hen, for we were talking about how a good friend is helpful! We then do a test in the morning followed by quiet reading or time to finish any unfinished work. Then of course there is snack recess! Every day this week we will be taking a test during Math time (ERB or math test) and then in the afternoon playing with another first and second grade class to get to know our neighbors and possible future classmates for Literacy and Math. We also have specials every day as well as lunch and recess. This mix of fun and testing seems to be the best for success and happiness! Stay tuned for next week's news.... I am hoping to have almost all our testing done so we can just learn and have fun!!!
Weekly Newsletter is Where???
Wondering where to find the weekly news every week? You can pop online at www.stargateschool.org and look for the 1/2 team under the Teams button towards the top of the page. After you click on that, my classroom web page is just a click away just under Heidi Huey. Click on 'Click Here for My Web Page' to get you there under the Home tab. Want to have my newsletter email to you weekly? To sign up go to www.stargateschool.org and click on the Parents link towards the top. Click on Newsletter Management and click as many newsletters you want (your childrens different teachers, The Gate and The Star News) and input your email and name. If you already subscribed, just log in and click on the ones you want. You can change your selections or add more whenever you want. I submit my newsletter every week, on the first day of the school week, in the afternoon. Check my calendar (on my web page) for any upcoming events!
Curriculum Night
Hopefully you all saw that Curriculum Night is on September 9th at 6:30 p.m. The evening will start out in the Cafeteria going over the school web site and PowerSchool (online grade book :) After that you will be going to your child's homeroom class and then you will get to meet your child's Literacy and Math teachers. On that night we will go over classroom expecations for behavior, classwork and homework. We will also go over the units we will cover in each class and anything that is unique to our class. At the end of each session you will get a chance to ask general questions. At the end of the night you can go back to any of the teachers to ask them specific questions that pertain to you. Don't forget we will be having our first parent/teacher conference in October to ask all those really pressing questions : )
Weekly Share
Every Tuesday and Thursday the students in my class get to share something about themselves. Students whose last name start with A-Kemp share on Tuesday. On Thursday, students with last names that start with Korb-Z share. Students can not bring toys or electronics. Again, this is a chance for students to share about themselves and their interests. Good ideas are their favorite book, pictures of something interesting they did, perhaps a flyer of a place they visited. Be creative!!!! Students can only share on their share day, unless they were absent on their day. I will be starting Share, tomorrow, Tuesday, August 26th. Don't forget : )
Water Bottles and Sunscreen
It is still officially summer and thus still really hot out there! Students are welcome to bring in a water bottle and their own personal sunscreen. Students should not be sharing either. Students are responsible to remember to put their own sun screen on before recess and to do it themselves. This way we can stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
EBooks
Today you will see that your child had a white envelope in their back pack with a book in it. This is their Entertainment book and we had an assembly about it this afternoon. You have three choices on what to do with it: 1) sell it or buy it; 2) sell it and take orders for others 3)return it. If your child decides to sell the ebooks, please remind them to only to sell to people they know. We don't want them going door to door and talking with strangers (unless you ok this and are with them : ). If you decide you don't want them selling the E-books, please return it a.s.a.p. so I can keep track of who returns them. All E-books (unless you sold it) and/or order forms are due back September 9th.
Weekly Folders
In the back pack you will see a white folder. This is the Weekly folder. We will put some general information (that is not online) and all graded work. After you look and remove the contents sign the attached sheet and write me a little note if you need to. This week some of you will have an information card and a volunteering student confidentiality form to sign (one for each parent-titled Family Education Right to Privacy Act). Each parent needs to sign and return this. It is for respecting the children's confidentiality while you are volunteering this year in the class, at school or on field trips. All volunteers must sign this if they want to help out this year. I expect the Weekly Folders returned the next day (Tuesday)! Please help your child be successful and return it! If you noticed ungraded or unchecked work (stamp, check mark, grade or sticker) please return with a note just to make sure we got it : )
Final Thoughts
I had such a great time with the kids last week! I am so looking forward to working with them this year! I hope you all have a great week and enjoy this great weather : )