Ms. Huey's Blog

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 5-5-08

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:42:22 GMT

Weekly Theme Update

Last week the students did great giving their presentations on their insects! Look for how they did on their projects in next week's Weekly Folder!

This week we will be starting our last unit this year on DINOSAURS!!!!! During this unit we will be learning about the different types of dinosaurs, what they ate and did as well as when they lived and the fossils they left behind for us. On Saturday afternoon, May 18th, I would love for all of us (families and students alike) to meet at the Museum of Nature and Science and explore the museum for all the information about Dinosaurs. I think it would be a great learning opportunity, but completely voluntary and not school sponsored : ) There will be a short test on Dinosaurs at the end of this unit on Monday, June 2nd.

District Art Show-Check it out!

At the Front Range Community College Hill Library (between Sheridan and Federal south of 120th) is the District Art Show from May 15th-28th for the Elementary Grades. Come and check out all the great art work and visit a really great Library!

Items Needed

I only need a few more boxes, but if anyone can send in some more pencils and some kleenex to tide us over till the end of the year. With allergy season we blew, I mean flew through our tissues : ) Pencils just seem to disappear... I think the children are eating them. Not really : ) Thank you for these donations : 0

Important Dates

Last Day of Literacy and Math-May 23rd-the last two weeks will be in Homeroom class all day : )

Memorial Day: Monday May 26th-No School!

Last Fun Friday-Friday May 30th

End of year party: Tuesday June 3rd-picnic at nearby park (tentative) and fun filled activities in the afternoon after specials. Please let me know if you can help out!

Field Day-Wednesday June 4th-all day event!-make sure to bring a sack lunch, sunscreen and lots of water : )

Last Day of School-Thursday June 5th-early, early release day of 11:30!!!!!!

Hope you all have a spectacular week and that the weather is super nice for us all !!!!!!

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 4-28-08

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:38:43 GMT

Projects Due

Don't forget that papers, models and posters were due today for Theme. Students will be spending all week during Theme sharing their insect. Don't forget to practice at home. I will let them know in class today who is going when.

Marble Party on Friday

We filled our Marble Jar again! We will have a movie/pajama day on Friday during lunch/recess and theme. Good job eveyone in being such good students : )

Chick-Fil-A Night

On Thursday night, May 1st there will be a Chick-Fil-A night. Take a night off from cooking and help raise some money for Stargate. The event starts at 5 and goes till 8. Hope to see you there : )

Last Unit for Theme

Next week we will be starting our last unit for Theme-Dinosaurs!!!!!! If any of you have books, movies, toys or games about dinosaurs, bring them in next week (with your name on them).

Hope to see you all at the big Stargate Town Hall meeting this Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. I will be there with bells on : ) Have a great week!!!!!!

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 4-21-08

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:20:41 GMT

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!

Thank you to all the parents who helped make Friday's Overnight (day and night) activities a huge success. All parents jumped right in and did most anything that was needed: from helping out on the field trip, to getting dinner and desert ready, to serving us and cleaning up after us, for helping us plant and paint our pots, to watching us while we ate and play, for getting the room ready for sleeping in and setting it back up and for making sure we didn't loose anything or anyone, as well as taking care of me so I can take care of the munchkins. Thank you all for all you did and the extent you did! Without you there would be no overnight! Thank you!!!!!!

Theme and Projects Update

This week we are finishing up our Insect Unit with our test on Thursday (Fun Friday on Friday). I will be posting a review sheet for the test at the end of the day today. Last week we worked exclusively on putting our information down from our resources that we had all last week. This week we will also be working on our papers and taking home what we have done by Wednesday. We will not have any other time to work on them in class due to the Insect Test on Thursday and Fun Friday on Friday.

Spelling Bee Finals

On Wednesday our top 9 first grade spellers and our top 9 second grade spellers will be going to the 1st/2nd grade Spelling Bee finals here at Stargate during Literacy. Tanvi was able to progress through the semi finals to the finals in our homeroom. Congradulations Tanvi and good luck on Wednesday!

Fun Friday

This Friday is our next Fun Friday. Look in today's white Weekly Folder to see how your child did in collecting their stars.

New Specials

Today starts our last six weeks of school and our last round of specials. This week we have Computer on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday of this week we have Spanish. Remember we alternate daily.

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 4-14-08

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:16:39 GMT

Overnight Update

Forms (field trip/movie) and money for the 'Overnight' (day and night) activities are due by tomorrow please!!!!! I am still needing two more chaperones for the field trip up to dinner time. Please email me or call me if you can come. We are all set for helpers for all other shifts. If you are here for the Field Trip, you need to be here by 11:30. You will be able to take off after we return from the field trip (about 4:30)unless you want to stay for dinner. If you will be helping out for the dinner shift, you need to be here at 4 to help set up and get cooking : ) Mr. Carlson will be bringing his grill. Dinner crew shift will end after dinner is all done and cleaned up (about 7:00???). Overnight crew can come as early as they want, depending if you want dinner or not. Dinner will be served at about 5. We won't need you until 6:30 when dinner is over and the activities begin : ) If you are spending the night (adults only) you can bring an air mattress. The concrete floor is not kind to our older backs : ) Morning shift will need to be here by 7 am. Be ready to jump in for we will be a wee bit tired : ) All parents need to be here and ready to pick up their child by 8 am on Saturday morning. If you are late we will need a coffee in exchange for your child : ) Just kidding : ) Please try to be on time though :)

When packing, remember to have your child only bring what they can carry. Remember to stick to the list on what to bring. The following are not allowed for the overnight: toys, money, candy or snacks, radio or other electronics (game boys etc.). A snuggly friend is ok to bring, not the zoo : )

For Friday's adventures, bring a sack lunch. We will be eating here before we leave in our rooms, earlier than our normal scheduled time, in order to be ready for our 12 o'clock departure. You may also bring a small snack (no peanut products please : ). It is springtime in Colorado so be ready for any weather and wear comfortable shoes. The forcast does predict a nice day in the 60's. Layers are always best and long pants-not summer just yet : ) A water bottle (disposable) would be great too.

I think that is it for now. Please shoot me an email if I forgot anything or if you have further questions or concerns. Anyone not spending the night can be picked up at 8:30 p.m. through the front doors.

Project Update

This week we will be working on getting information on our specific insect. I saw many students remembered to bring in their books on their critter today. Last week we wrote down what information we should include in our projects and papers. I will be sending home the outline of information I typed up so that everyone can start working on their posters this week at home. This week we are finding the information on our critters and starting our papers by the end of this week, if not definately next week. I will be sending home their rough draft papers by Friday the 25th to type up over the weekend. Remember, projects (poster, model and papers) are due on Monday the 28th. We will be presenting our projects the week of the 28th.

Weekly Theme Update

This week we will be covering the life cycle of insects as well as discussing what is a food chain, predator and prey. Next week we will be finishing up our unit on insects with our unit test on the 25th.

Mid Trimester: New Specials, Fun Friday, Missing Work Concerns

Next Monday we will be starting our new round of specials: Computers and Spanish for the last 6 weeks of school! Yikes can you believe it already! We will be having Fun Friday on the 25th, so look in Next Monday's Weekly Folder on how they did this round earning stars. Next Monday, if your child is missing more than 4 items in any class for this trimester you will be getting a note home.

End of Year Party

I have two more spots open for the End of Year party. If you can help out, please let me know a.s.a.p. The tentative plan for the party is to have it on the Tuesday of the last week of school (June 3rd). We are hoping to have lunch at the park down Cottonwood Lakes Boulevard and then an afternoon of fun and games after specials in the school field. That Wednesday (4th) we will be having Field Day all day and Thursday of that week is an early release of 11:30. That week we will be doing last week activities and cleaning our desks and room. It will be here before we know it.

Spelling Bee Update

This Wednesday we will have the Spelling Bee semi finals (by grade). For the Semi Finals we have been getting the first graders and second graders together with our partner class (Ms. Simmons). The top three first graders and top three second graders from the combined classes will go to the finals (total of nine first graders and nine second graders from the whole first/second grade classes). Finals will be held on the 23rd during Literacy. Stay tuned next Monday for the invites and who made it to the Finals!

Hope you all have a spectacular week. Enjoy the warmer weather and the night off Friday : )

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 4-7-08

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:35:43 GMT

Weekly Theme Update

This week we will be learning about butterflies and life cycles this week. We will also be starting on our research projects. Today I sent home an information packet on the insect project. Tonight they need to pick their top three choices of the insect they would want to do and bring them in tomorrow. In class tomorrow we will go through and make sure everyone gets one of their top three choices and that no one is doing the same insect. In class this week we will be coming up with our questions that we need to answer when we research our insect. We will also be practicing how to gather information (researching and highlighting) and then writing our information down. This week students need to find at least one book on their insect to bring into class a week from today (Monday the 14th).

We will be writing our papers in class next week and the following week. We will then bring them home on the 25th to type over the weekend. Final projects: paper, poster and model, are due on Monday the 28th. We will be presenting our projects the week of the 28th. Every week I will give you an update on what we are doing in class and what you need to work on at home. This week is looking for a book (due next monday) on your insect, and start creating poster or model of insect (home activities).

Overnight Update

Today the packets are coming home with permission slips for field trip and movie, general schdule and packing list for the day, medical letter and a letter from me. I still need chaperones for the day (field trip), dinner shift and breakfast shift (sleep over spots are filled). I have one tent. If you have a self standing tent (4-6 people size) and can send it in for the overnight please let me know : )

Short Week!

Don't forget this is only a four day week and that we have an inservice day on Friday. Enjoy your three day weekend!

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 3-31-08

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:46:32 GMT

Up and Coming

-Spirit Day! Wear your school colors! Pep Rally assembly during Theme on Wednesday

-Class Picture Day is this Friday, April 4th-don't forget to dress nice : )

New Unit In Theme

This week we will be starting our next unit on Insects. During this unit we will learning about what is an insect (arthropods), several different kinds, their life cycles, their characteristics and to know the different parts of their body. We will also get to watch an insect go through most of it's life cycle in class (after they arrive). This week we will be learning about what is living, non living and what are the characteristics of a living thing. We will be learning what are arthropods and their characteristics. We will get to learn what is a vertebrate and an invertebrate. This week we will also start to learn about the anatomy of some insects as well. This unit is approximately 3-4 weeks long. There will be a project for this unit, where students will get to pick an insect to learn about and do a project and a brief written report on. I will send project information home next week.

Overnight Update

Our overnight is fast approaching (Friday, April 18th). Today we are working out the final details of our overnight and will be sending home the overnight packet tomorrow. The overnight packet will include: a detailed schedule of the days events, a permission form for the field trip and the movie, a health release form (for emergencies and medicine) and a letter from us on what to expect and pack.

Currently I am looking for any chaperones who would like to (pick one): go on the field trip, help with dinner, spend the night, or help cleanup and serve breakfast the next morning. I can only have 2 per shift (one dad, one mom) except for the field trip which is 3 chaperones. If you spent the night last year, please let a different parent have a turn this year. I will first be selecting people who have not had a chance to play with us this year and then filling in the rest with people who have. Please let me know by the end of this week if you want to help out and for what shift. Thank you!

In my room, for the overnight, I like to have a 'camp out' theme in the classroom. Last year we had several students bring in self standing, 4 person tents to add to the fun of the overnight. If you are able to send in a small (4 person or less) self standing tent, please let me know.

Change for Change

We have some pretty motivated and creative students here! One student in Jr. High is willing to shave his head if our school collects over $500 worth of change for the Invisible Children Campaign and for Children's Hospital. Please send in any change you can with your child by Wednesday, for he is shaving off his hair during the pep rally if we meet the $500 goal. His parents thank you for helping him get a hair cut for a good cause : )

Weekly Closing!

I hope you all had a great break that was rejuvinating and envigorating for the mind and spirit. The California coast did wonders for me : ) Have a great week!

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 3-17-08

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:52:44 GMT

Theme Update

This week we are finishing up the unit on Plants and Soil. Today we are wrapping up the unit and reviewing for the test tomorrow and Wednesday. The actual test will be on Thursday during Theme. Look on my home page for a review sheet if you want to get started today. They have a short homework assignment on soil this week titled: Soil Study. Homework is due on Friday!

Book Fair This Week

Tomorrow, during morning homeroom we will be going to the Book Fair to make 'Wish Lists' or shop till we drop (in 20 minutes : ). Students are welcome to bring money in tomorrow to shop or you can come in with your child after school to shop with them. There are lots of great books to look at. Don't forget those birthdays coming up this Spring for the one's you love : )

Chick Fil A Friday

Wow, four times in a year! Our class had the most students at the latest Chick-Fil-A Spirit night and have won a party. We will be having a Chick-Fil-A Nuggets party on Friday during theme. I am really psyhed at what great families we have to take the time to help fundraise for our school. Go Class!!!!

Last CSAP Week

On Tuesday and Thursday of this week will be our last wacky schedule change due to CSAP testing in other grades. By switching around our schedule, we give other grade levels the opportunity to have the best learning time in the day-the morning. This mostly means we have specials first thing in the morning and math in the afternoon. See my home web page under documents for the detailed schedule.

Spelling Bee Schedule

This Wednesday, before lunch, we will have our first practice session to learn about what a spelling bee is. For the next three Wednesday's we will have more Spelling Bee practices with our final Spelling Bee will be on April 23rd. The last two practices we will be spliting up by grade levels.

Report Cards

Report Cards will be sent out in the mail by the end of the week.

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 3-10-08

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:20:51 GMT

CSAP Weeks for Other Grades

Starting this week there will be CSAP testing for some of the older grades. Our grade level does not take CSAP's but we do change our schedule around to accomodate the other grades that do. Attached to my home web page, under documents, is the modified schedule for CSAP days for the next two Tuesdays and Thursdays (March 11th, 13th, 18th, 21st). The main change is that the specials time and math will be flipped around for those days. Seeing as we have specials first thing in the morning, please remember to be in line in time before the bell rings in the morning outside. Thank you for your help in this temporary change in schedule : )

Scholastic

Don't forget Scholastic book orders are due tomorrow. Make sure to send orders in an envelope with check/money enclosed made out to Scholastic. Thank you for helping our classroom be well stocked with plenty of reading material : )

Book Fair Coming

Next week is the Spring Scholastic Book Fair. Our class will be going next Tuesday at the end of Theme time. If you would like to send money, at that time for them to spend, you can. Those without money will be window shopping and making 'wish lists'. There are lots of times after school next week that the Book Fair will be open as well so that you can go with your child. It is a great place to get books for your family or gifts for upcoming birthdays. All profit goes back into the Library : )

Weekly Theme Update

The students were so excited to see that they had little sprouts already popping up in their pots that they planted last week. This week we will be finishing up lessons on the layers of soil, erosion and how soil is made. Next week will be our final week for this unit with our post test at the end of the week. A review sheet will be posted next week on what to study for the test.

Spelling Bee in First/Second Grade

On Wednesday's, starting March 19th through April 16th we will be practicing for our Spelling Bee for our grade levels. We will be splitting the kids up by grade level for this activity. This is an extra curricular activity we do every year. This year we will be holding the Spelling Bee Finals on April 23d. We will be sending out invites for the event as we get closer to it.

Overnight Coming Next Month

The end of the year is fast approaching. Every year we have our overnight that is tied to our curriculum. This year we will be spending April 19th on field trips about plants and ending our day here at school to spend the night. Last year we threw up some self standing tents in the room and 'camped out' in the classroom. It was great fun! What I need is for you to let me know if your child might have trouble spending the night due to extenuating circumstances at night in order to make this more enjoyable for them (never spent the night away from home before, sleep walks, anxiety when away from home at night, etc.). We can talk specifics and figure out what we can do to make this possible. This is a great experience for the kids. It would be a bummer for any of them to miss out. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Interested in helping out for the field trip or the overnight? Parents will have three areas they can choose from to sign up for: the day festivities, dinner/overnight, and breakfast/cleanup. I try to get as many parents signed up as possible. When I know how many we can have for each shift, I will post that in my weekly news. Until then hold tight : )

Fun Fridays

Last Friday everyone got to go to Fun Friday!!!!! Way to go class! Our next Fun Friday will be on April 25. We will be collecting stars everyday for good behavior and for turning in our work for all our classes on Fridays. Our final Fun Friday will be May 30th. Keep up the good work everyone!!!!

I hope you all have a spectacular week. Enjoy the extra day light hours in the evening : )

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 3-3-08

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:17:10 GMT

Weekly Theme Update

Last week we learned about the different parts of plants and what their jobs are for the plant. We disected flowers, planted seeds in baggies, and saw how plants suck up water with our cut celery pieces. We also learned about the life cycle of plants as well as different kinds of seeds and why they are different. This week we will be observing our seeds daily as well as learning about soil and it 's important layers.

Box Top Results

Wow!!!! If you look in the Star News you will see that we placed 2nd in the school for our Box Tops collecting in our Classroom. We collected over a thousand boxtops and thus over a thousand dollars that our classroom collected for our school in free money!!!!! Way to go class... nice job!!!!! Don't forget you can still send in any box tops from now till the end of the year even though the competition is over. Our school still sends them in to get money periodically!

New Round of Specials

Today we started a new round of specials: Art and Instrumental Music. This week we have Art on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday we have Instrumental Music.

Chick Fil A Night

This Thursday night is Chick-Fil-A Spirit night from 5-8 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Scholastic Book Orders

Today in the Weekly Folders you will see a new batch of Scholastic Book Order Forms. Take the time to look this over. Every item that is bought earns free points books for the classroom. Orders are due back on Tuesday, March 11th.

Hope you all had a great weekend! Enjoy your week!!!!

Mrs. Huey's Weekly Homeroom Newsletter Blog 2-25-08

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:51:50 GMT

Theme Update

Last week we finished up our Economic Unit. Look on Power School by the end of the week to see how your child did on the test. This week we are starting our plants and soil unit learning about the seed, it's purpose, and it's parts. We will also be learning about the parts of a flower, plant and tree as well as what they do. We will be doing lots of hands on experiments to learn about the different parts of plants. We will also be growing plants in the room to observe as they grow. This unit is a four week unit.

Music Concert Tuesday Night!!!

This Tuesday night is our homeroom's music concert. Students need to make sure they are here, no later than 6:15, Tuesday night. We will be gathering in our homeroom classes first to take attendance. Last week Mr. O sent home the information on what to wear. Boys can wear over-the-calf white socks (no stripes), dark shoes, football pants or solid colored pants rolled up (and pinned). Girls can wear long dresses (preferable old-fashioned looking). If you don't have any of the above, just dress nicely. See you there!

End of Trimester

This Friday is the end of our second trimester. That means next week is the start of the last trimester for the year and a new round of specials. Next week we will be having Art and Instrumental Music (Art starts on Monday). Report cards are tentatively scheduled to come out March 14th. During this time we will be finalizing our grades in the grade book and putting the student's grades into their report.

Box Tops

Nice job everyone on getting all those box tops in. Our classs collected 771 box tops!!!!!! Way to go team!!! What a great way to earn free money for the school. Thank you for all your help with this.

Hope you all have a fantastic week!!!!!