October Luncheon

I've decided to make our luncheons a monthly tradition in room 70! We'll have our second luncheon THIS FRIDAY, at 1:00 PM! Parents and family are welcomed to come and join us for pizza once again! If the weather permits, we'll try to do the luncheon out on the picnic tables. Also, if someone would like to send or bring in either chips or cookies, that would be much appreciated!

We still have drinks left over from last time. BIG THANKS to Mrs. Flaherty for volunteering to pick up the pizzas, so that we have no snafus with delivery this time!

One final note - Our monthly luncheons will be a PRIVILEGE in room 70, and they will usually be the Friday AFTER Pay Day. That means that students who cannot afford to pay their rent on any given month will not be able to participate in the luncheon. Students can earn always earn more money by doing extra credit or taking Accelerated Reader tests!

I hope to see you all on Friday!

Tall Tales - Two Week Study

Over the next two weeks, we'll be doing a Genre Study on Tall Tales. Students will be reading a variety of tall tales about such legends as Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind.

Because of this genre study, we will not have our weekly Reading/Vocab test this week. We will use our time to read, discuss, and compare several different Tall Tales. Students will take their Reading/Vocab test next Wednesday instead. There will, however, be a spelling test this week, as well as next week. Next week's spelling test will include vocabulary words from science, social studies, math, and art.

Also, these next two weeks, students will be writing their own Tall Tales, inspired by the legendary Tall Tales they'll be reading and also by the stories of natural disasters that they have read over the past several weeks.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports will be coming home tomorrow in the Friday Folders. Be sure to review your child's grades and sign the bottom of the page. Send the signed progress report back to school with your child on Monday.

Reading and Language grades reflect the assessments given during the past three weeks of school, combined with the student's progress towards their reading goal. As it is nearly half way through the first nine weeks, each student should have AT LEAST 3 books read towards their 25 book goal.

Due to a hectic schedule involving many hours of mandatory district-wide testing, it has been difficult to give many formal assessments for math, science, and social studies. The grades for these subjects are based mainly on informal assessments, including observations, conferences, and in-class student work, along with participation. Formal assessments, particularly in math, will occur more regularly in the second half of the first nine weeks.

Extra Credit

With Pay Day coming up next week, I decided to add some additional ways for students to make money. Near the bottom of the blog, you will find a box with extra credit math problems. Follow the directions at the top of the page to earn extra credit points. New extra credit problems will be added to the blog each week.

Scholastic Book Fair and Read & Feed

This week, the Scholastic Book Fair is open for business! Starting Thursday, students can bring money into school to buy books at the book fair. Come and help support your school by bringing your child to the Book Fair on Thursday night!

We're also having a Read & Feed that same night! You and your family can enjoy a wonderful meal from Olive Garden in the cafeteria and then go and check out the book fair! If you need another copy of the Read & Feed order form, let your child know to pick one up at school!

I hope to see you at the book fair!

Some Changes to the Weekly Test Schedule

The Open House packet stated that reading/vocab and spelling tests would be on Fridays each week. I've decided to change these to Thursdays. The reason for the change is that I want to be able to send the tests home on Fridays. I would not have time to grade the tests by the end of the day if I were to give them on Fridays. Students will still have until Friday to complete spelling homework.

Each Friday, I will pass out the new spelling/vocab list and we will spend some time discussing the spelling pattern and the meanings of the spelling words. That will give them all week, including the weekends to learn the words. We will read and discuss the selection(s) for the week on Monday-Wednesday. Then, the tests will be on Friday.

One final note - When the tests come home, you will get the spelling and vocabulary tests, but not the reading selection tests. Those have to stay in the books, so that if a child changes schools, the book can go with them and their teacher can see their progress so far. But I will be sending home progress reports APPROXIMATELY every three weeks. Look for the first one in the Friday Folders in a couple weeks.

Reading Kick-Off!

Today was our kick-off for our 25 Book Reading Campaign. Several students have already started reaching towards the 25 Book goal. Remember, students, after you've read a book, put it in your reading log and let me know so I can give you credit!

It's as simple as that! Here are some pictures from the Reading Kick-Off:

Picture Day!

Get ready to smile and look your best! Picture Day is tomorrow