Dear Families,
This Friday is the big day. The kids have been working diligently to complete their piece of “The Haunted Hill House”. The students will write scripts this week and put on the finishing touches on their displays. Keep in mind that we will have a parent showing for anyone who is not able to stay for whole morning. It is most likely that we will have a practice Thursday afternoon at 3:00 and again on Friday morning at 8:30 that you are all welcome to attend. The big event then begins at 9:00 and runs until 11:00. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help in the room and/or bring in food for our Halloween lunch at 11:30 on Friday after the performance.
This planning will be the majority of work for the week and guarantees to make for some interesting learning experiences. At this point the children still have to learn a new song, create skits, finish their areas and put it all together. It will be a serious exercise in time management and focus. Please be sure to stop in on occasion and see for yourself.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 7 October 16
Thanks for the great conferences. Now that you have had a chance to reflect on the discussions
please let us know if there is anything else you need to discuss.
We will be dedicating much of our Social Studies/community time to the construction of Halloween Extravaganza. Tomorrow the kids will be deciding on what they want the room to look like. Be sure to ask them what they are doing for their part. It is important to remember that the kids need to create their project, not buy it from a store. We will find a way to build what they need. They may ask for some supplies from home, but please do not spend money on this. The look and feel is much more organic and satisfying if they create it on their own. If you are able to come to school next Friday morning please know that you are invited. The students will be presenting their room four times over the course of the morning as well as visiting the other rooms. This is well worth a visit. Remember it is the morning of Friday October 29. We will follow the event with a quick clean up and a classroom lunch.
To aid in the creation of the room we will be visiting Arts and Scraps on Wednesday morning as a class. We will be taking the bus from school along with Mary and Matresa's class returning to Roeper in time for lunch. This trip will help the students to collect recycled for their use. We will be keeping and organizing any left over items for future use.
We will continue with Math and spelling throughout the week, please remember that a spelling assessment will be held on Friday morning. Please also watch for a homework to come home tomorrow that is not math related. The second sign up begins tomorrow and new schedules will come home in backpacks.
Tuesday Morning - Library 8:30
Wednesday - Field Trip to Arts and Scraps
Thurs Evening, Oct 21 - Empty Bowls/Watch for details
Friday, October 22 - Spelling assessment
Saturday October 23 - Stewardship Day 9-12
Fri Morning, Oct 29th - Halloween Extravaganza
Sat, Nov 6 - Chili Cookoff/Adults Only/5 p.m. in Community Ctr (A way fun Night!)
Tues, Nov 16 - LATE START MORNING/School begins at 9 a.m.
Wed, Nov 24, Thurs, Nov 25, Fri, Nov 26 - NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break
please let us know if there is anything else you need to discuss.
We will be dedicating much of our Social Studies/community time to the construction of Halloween Extravaganza. Tomorrow the kids will be deciding on what they want the room to look like. Be sure to ask them what they are doing for their part. It is important to remember that the kids need to create their project, not buy it from a store. We will find a way to build what they need. They may ask for some supplies from home, but please do not spend money on this. The look and feel is much more organic and satisfying if they create it on their own. If you are able to come to school next Friday morning please know that you are invited. The students will be presenting their room four times over the course of the morning as well as visiting the other rooms. This is well worth a visit. Remember it is the morning of Friday October 29. We will follow the event with a quick clean up and a classroom lunch.
To aid in the creation of the room we will be visiting Arts and Scraps on Wednesday morning as a class. We will be taking the bus from school along with Mary and Matresa's class returning to Roeper in time for lunch. This trip will help the students to collect recycled for their use. We will be keeping and organizing any left over items for future use.
We will continue with Math and spelling throughout the week, please remember that a spelling assessment will be held on Friday morning. Please also watch for a homework to come home tomorrow that is not math related. The second sign up begins tomorrow and new schedules will come home in backpacks.
Tuesday Morning - Library 8:30
Wednesday - Field Trip to Arts and Scraps
Thurs Evening, Oct 21 - Empty Bowls/Watch for details
Friday, October 22 - Spelling assessment
Saturday October 23 - Stewardship Day 9-12
Fri Morning, Oct 29th - Halloween Extravaganza
Sat, Nov 6 - Chili Cookoff/Adults Only/5 p.m. in Community Ctr (A way fun Night!)
Tues, Nov 16 - LATE START MORNING/School begins at 9 a.m.
Wed, Nov 24, Thurs, Nov 25, Fri, Nov 26 - NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Week of 10-10-10
Dear Families,
We were so impressed with the turnout for our Sukkot activity on Friday. The kids worked really hard all week learning about the meaning of Sukkot and preparing for the event. It was truly special to see how excited those students who observe the Jewish faith were to share their holiday traditions with us this week. Many eyes were opened to a fantastic cultural observation and it was exciting to see everyone come together. Lessons like this teach the kids much more than just information. It was an opportunity to come together as a group, create and direct their own teaching, and feel how great it is be successful in a team activity. We plan many units like this throughout the year and hope that if families have traditions of their own to share you will let us know.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to Sukkot in any way, with special thanks to the Eugenie Gedwill and Debbie Oestreich. Eugenie and Debbie organized all the wonderful food you brought in and Debbie arrived at 1:30 to help organize it all.
The next big group event will be the planning of the Halloween Extravaganza. This is quite an event in stage III and is something we will incorporate into our social studies/community building curriculum. What you see on Halloween will be created by the students and worth a trip in to see. We will be asking for some help as the day gets closer especially the hanging of the black plastic around the room. The room reps will be hounding you soon if not already.
This will be another short week for school, with no school on Thursday or Friday. We will see you all at Parent Teacher Conferences. As we prepare for conferences, please keep in mind a few things: Our conferences are mostly ‘back to back’ with many siblings, so we will be running on time. If it is your time, please just knock (Never be bashful about this). Also, be sure to have a conversation with your children before and after you come in to conference, it is important to include them in the process.
Some things to think about as conferences approach:Is there anything that needs clarification?
Is there anything that you want us to know so that we can better understand your child?
How can we support making this a successful school year for your child?
Are there any needs or concerns that should be addressed?
Creating a strong, communicative partnership between school and home is very important to us. We can’t wait for these important moments to celebrate each child with you.
Important upcoming dates:
Monday - Spelling words come home
Tuesday Music Morning
Wed Evening, Oct 13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thurs, Oct 14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Fri, Oct 15 - NO SCHOOL
Mon, Oct 18 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Professional Development For Staff
Thurs Oct 21 - Empty Bowls/Evening/Watch For Details
Fri, Oct 29 - Halloween Extravaganza
Tues, Nov 16 - Late Start Morning/School Begins At 9:00 a.m.
Wed, Nov 24, Thurs, Nov 25, Fri, Nov 26 - NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break
We were so impressed with the turnout for our Sukkot activity on Friday. The kids worked really hard all week learning about the meaning of Sukkot and preparing for the event. It was truly special to see how excited those students who observe the Jewish faith were to share their holiday traditions with us this week. Many eyes were opened to a fantastic cultural observation and it was exciting to see everyone come together. Lessons like this teach the kids much more than just information. It was an opportunity to come together as a group, create and direct their own teaching, and feel how great it is be successful in a team activity. We plan many units like this throughout the year and hope that if families have traditions of their own to share you will let us know.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to Sukkot in any way, with special thanks to the Eugenie Gedwill and Debbie Oestreich. Eugenie and Debbie organized all the wonderful food you brought in and Debbie arrived at 1:30 to help organize it all.
The next big group event will be the planning of the Halloween Extravaganza. This is quite an event in stage III and is something we will incorporate into our social studies/community building curriculum. What you see on Halloween will be created by the students and worth a trip in to see. We will be asking for some help as the day gets closer especially the hanging of the black plastic around the room. The room reps will be hounding you soon if not already.
This will be another short week for school, with no school on Thursday or Friday. We will see you all at Parent Teacher Conferences. As we prepare for conferences, please keep in mind a few things: Our conferences are mostly ‘back to back’ with many siblings, so we will be running on time. If it is your time, please just knock (Never be bashful about this). Also, be sure to have a conversation with your children before and after you come in to conference, it is important to include them in the process.
Some things to think about as conferences approach:Is there anything that needs clarification?
Is there anything that you want us to know so that we can better understand your child?
How can we support making this a successful school year for your child?
Are there any needs or concerns that should be addressed?
Creating a strong, communicative partnership between school and home is very important to us. We can’t wait for these important moments to celebrate each child with you.
Important upcoming dates:
Monday - Spelling words come home
Tuesday Music Morning
Wed Evening, Oct 13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thurs, Oct 14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Fri, Oct 15 - NO SCHOOL
Mon, Oct 18 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Professional Development For Staff
Thurs Oct 21 - Empty Bowls/Evening/Watch For Details
Fri, Oct 29 - Halloween Extravaganza
Tues, Nov 16 - Late Start Morning/School Begins At 9:00 a.m.
Wed, Nov 24, Thurs, Nov 25, Fri, Nov 26 - NO SCHOOL/Thanksgiving Break
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Week 5 10-2
Thank you to those of you who were able join us on our trip to Harsens Island. What a great time. It is always so nice to spend time as a group in such a gorgeous setting.
During Social Studies this week we will turn our attention to Sukkoth. We are beginning a quick week of looking at a wonderful holiday celebrated by the Jewish faith called Sukkoth, pronounced with a hard t at the end. (It is spelled many ways so you may see different variations of this.) Sukkoth is a celebration of the fall harvest and has many deep and wonderful connections to both nature and giving thanks. We will not be digging into the religious meaning of the holiday except for the history behind its origins. It is a very moving celebration of how grateful we are for the blessings in our life. Karen Cohen will be in on Wednesday morning to share some of the meaning with us and we look forward to hearing from her. This is becoming a tradition in our classroom and it was wonderful today to see the excited looks on the faces of the students who participated last year. While we could go into more detail about the history and meaning of Sukkoth it is best that you hear it from your children. They will be able to tell you in words that we could never put together. So please be sure to ask lots of questions this week.
This event is not just a chance to party but a way to come together as a class. We will be asking the students to build and decorate the Sukkoth, not an easy task, reinforcing the group work skills we try so hard to foster.
We open this celebration to anyone who would like to attend. We will be in the Sukkah on Friday at 3:00 singing and giving celebration. We will also have soup and bread as a little late day treat. Please feel free to join our family in celebration, but as always, we respect the fact that many of you have to work and can not join us, and hope that you do not feel obligated.
We could use some help gathering things to represent the fall harvest and your kids may come home asking. If you are interesting in helping, we could use gourds, corn stalks, pumpkins, Indian corn, popcorn strings, or anything you think may make the Sukkoth interesting. (we try to keep it natural)
We will also begin word study this week and continue with math and creative writing.
During Social Studies this week we will turn our attention to Sukkoth. We are beginning a quick week of looking at a wonderful holiday celebrated by the Jewish faith called Sukkoth, pronounced with a hard t at the end. (It is spelled many ways so you may see different variations of this.) Sukkoth is a celebration of the fall harvest and has many deep and wonderful connections to both nature and giving thanks. We will not be digging into the religious meaning of the holiday except for the history behind its origins. It is a very moving celebration of how grateful we are for the blessings in our life. Karen Cohen will be in on Wednesday morning to share some of the meaning with us and we look forward to hearing from her. This is becoming a tradition in our classroom and it was wonderful today to see the excited looks on the faces of the students who participated last year. While we could go into more detail about the history and meaning of Sukkoth it is best that you hear it from your children. They will be able to tell you in words that we could never put together. So please be sure to ask lots of questions this week.
This event is not just a chance to party but a way to come together as a class. We will be asking the students to build and decorate the Sukkoth, not an easy task, reinforcing the group work skills we try so hard to foster.
We open this celebration to anyone who would like to attend. We will be in the Sukkah on Friday at 3:00 singing and giving celebration. We will also have soup and bread as a little late day treat. Please feel free to join our family in celebration, but as always, we respect the fact that many of you have to work and can not join us, and hope that you do not feel obligated.
We could use some help gathering things to represent the fall harvest and your kids may come home asking. If you are interesting in helping, we could use gourds, corn stalks, pumpkins, Indian corn, popcorn strings, or anything you think may make the Sukkoth interesting. (we try to keep it natural)
We will also begin word study this week and continue with math and creative writing.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Week Four 9-26
Thanks to everyone for understanding the decision to postpone the Harsens Island trip. It was evident by 10 AM that the right decision was made by Bob Williams. The postponed trip will take place this Friday. We will be mixing cars with busses, if you would like to come and can drive children please let us know.
Math groups are underway and will take place each day at 10:40 in the morning. Homework will come home each night Monday thru Thursday on most days. You will be contacted regularly by your child's math teacher. If you notice anxiety or other issues at home please let us know right away. There are times when adjustments need to be made.
The students have been working on questions to ask each other for student to student interviews this week. The students will be in charge of interviewing a classmate, recording the information, and presenting what they found to the class. It should be interesting to see what we learn about each other.
On Thursday we will be enjoying a day of library appreciation. We are going to spend the morning working around the stage on different projects, including, creating a story, decorating a reading pillow, making bookmarks and much more. The morning will culminate with an assembly in the CCB and a story from Dan Jacobs. Each student has been asked to bring a used book for donation to the book sale if possible. Please do not feel obligated.
Some clarification is needed on the Sukkoth celebration in October. We have come to see this as a sort of pot luck over the years but completely understand that many of you work and can not come to school at 3:00. Please know that school will end that the normal time for children who can not stay and we will make sure they get to the appropriate places. We always make sure that students who can't stay a little later are allowed a chance to participate in a way which lets them know they are included. We will be sure to discuss this with the children before the event.
Thank you and enjoy the week,
Scott and Dee
Math groups are underway and will take place each day at 10:40 in the morning. Homework will come home each night Monday thru Thursday on most days. You will be contacted regularly by your child's math teacher. If you notice anxiety or other issues at home please let us know right away. There are times when adjustments need to be made.
The students have been working on questions to ask each other for student to student interviews this week. The students will be in charge of interviewing a classmate, recording the information, and presenting what they found to the class. It should be interesting to see what we learn about each other.
On Thursday we will be enjoying a day of library appreciation. We are going to spend the morning working around the stage on different projects, including, creating a story, decorating a reading pillow, making bookmarks and much more. The morning will culminate with an assembly in the CCB and a story from Dan Jacobs. Each student has been asked to bring a used book for donation to the book sale if possible. Please do not feel obligated.
Some clarification is needed on the Sukkoth celebration in October. We have come to see this as a sort of pot luck over the years but completely understand that many of you work and can not come to school at 3:00. Please know that school will end that the normal time for children who can not stay and we will make sure they get to the appropriate places. We always make sure that students who can't stay a little later are allowed a chance to participate in a way which lets them know they are included. We will be sure to discuss this with the children before the event.
Thank you and enjoy the week,
Scott and Dee
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekly Email 3
Dear Families,
We are having a great time in the classroom. We are really forming nicely as a community and it is a pleasure to watch the students grow and mature so quickly into the year. We have a few things to watch for this week.
Math Groups will begin this week and we are completing the assessment of our students and finalizing their placement in a math group which will best suit their needs as a mathematician. We are working together again this year with Mary and Matresa to create groups as differentiated as possible. This means that your student may have one of the four of us as a math teacher. You will be contacted soon by your child’s math teacher. We use the Singapore Math program as the basis of our math curriculum. We will explain this in more detail on Back to School night. Remember, homework will vary at times as to its difficulty. It is never our intention to frustrate a child with homework but to reinforce what has been explored in class. If your child’s homework is easy that is a good thing, if it is too difficult and you find that you have to help a great deal, then you must let us know. We are excited to have math groups up and running and look forward to the growth of our students as mathematicians.
Back to School night is Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM. An important note is that as Stage III parents you will have an opportunity to meet with special teachers after coming to the room. Please use this time to visit with special teachers, these teachers have incredible curriculums and it will be well worth your time to see what they are offering. One thing we do ask is that if you have questions about something pertaining to only your child you make an appointment with us for a discussion. Back to School night is best facilitated when we keep the conversation about the group as a whole.
On that note, if you have a topic you would like to have discussed at Back to School night please email Scott so that we can be sure to cover everything that needs to be covered. You can find a link to our classroom curriculum goals at the bottom of the classroom blog. Watch for a link to the blog at the end of this email.
Have you notice more pep in your kids? Dee has been leading the kids each day in a few minutes of Physical Exercise. We practice yoga, play games, work as partners, circuit train, and even run a kilometer every Friday.
Need an opportunity to advertise? Dee is selling ad space in this years year book. Why buy an ad? Advertising, a special well wish for a student, and most importantly supporting the year book program. There are many different packages to choose from so please see Dee with information on how to purchase your Ad.
Check this email out in Blog form at http://scottanddees.blogspot.com/.
Thanks and have a great week,
Scott and DeeQuestions to ask you kids:
How fast were you able to run your kilometer?
Did I pack you a good lunch?
Who did you play on the playground with this week?
What is your creative writing story about?
What was George like?Dates To Remember:Tues, Sept 21 = Back To School Night/7:00 p.m. (no childcare)Friday, Sept 24 = Harsens Island Field TripTues, Sept 28th = Late Start Morning/School Begins at 9:00 a.m./Watch for DetailsSun, Oct 3rd = All School Picnic/Noon-4:00/Bloomfield Hills CampusFriday, Oct 8th - Sukkoth celebration - all families invited at 3:00
Wed, Oct 13 = Parent/Teacher Conferences in the EveningThurs, Oct 14 = NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Parent-Teacher ConferencesFri, Oct 15 = NO SCHOOLMon, Oct 18th = NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Professional Development forStaffFri, Oct 29th = Halloween Extravaganza
We are having a great time in the classroom. We are really forming nicely as a community and it is a pleasure to watch the students grow and mature so quickly into the year. We have a few things to watch for this week.
Math Groups will begin this week and we are completing the assessment of our students and finalizing their placement in a math group which will best suit their needs as a mathematician. We are working together again this year with Mary and Matresa to create groups as differentiated as possible. This means that your student may have one of the four of us as a math teacher. You will be contacted soon by your child’s math teacher. We use the Singapore Math program as the basis of our math curriculum. We will explain this in more detail on Back to School night. Remember, homework will vary at times as to its difficulty. It is never our intention to frustrate a child with homework but to reinforce what has been explored in class. If your child’s homework is easy that is a good thing, if it is too difficult and you find that you have to help a great deal, then you must let us know. We are excited to have math groups up and running and look forward to the growth of our students as mathematicians.
Back to School night is Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM. An important note is that as Stage III parents you will have an opportunity to meet with special teachers after coming to the room. Please use this time to visit with special teachers, these teachers have incredible curriculums and it will be well worth your time to see what they are offering. One thing we do ask is that if you have questions about something pertaining to only your child you make an appointment with us for a discussion. Back to School night is best facilitated when we keep the conversation about the group as a whole.
On that note, if you have a topic you would like to have discussed at Back to School night please email Scott so that we can be sure to cover everything that needs to be covered. You can find a link to our classroom curriculum goals at the bottom of the classroom blog. Watch for a link to the blog at the end of this email.
Have you notice more pep in your kids? Dee has been leading the kids each day in a few minutes of Physical Exercise. We practice yoga, play games, work as partners, circuit train, and even run a kilometer every Friday.
Need an opportunity to advertise? Dee is selling ad space in this years year book. Why buy an ad? Advertising, a special well wish for a student, and most importantly supporting the year book program. There are many different packages to choose from so please see Dee with information on how to purchase your Ad.
Check this email out in Blog form at http://scottanddees.blogspot.com/.
Thanks and have a great week,
Scott and DeeQuestions to ask you kids:
How fast were you able to run your kilometer?
Did I pack you a good lunch?
Who did you play on the playground with this week?
What is your creative writing story about?
What was George like?Dates To Remember:Tues, Sept 21 = Back To School Night/7:00 p.m. (no childcare)Friday, Sept 24 = Harsens Island Field TripTues, Sept 28th = Late Start Morning/School Begins at 9:00 a.m./Watch for DetailsSun, Oct 3rd = All School Picnic/Noon-4:00/Bloomfield Hills CampusFriday, Oct 8th - Sukkoth celebration - all families invited at 3:00
Wed, Oct 13 = Parent/Teacher Conferences in the EveningThurs, Oct 14 = NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Parent-Teacher ConferencesFri, Oct 15 = NO SCHOOLMon, Oct 18th = NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/Professional Development forStaffFri, Oct 29th = Halloween Extravaganza
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Week 2 9-12
This will be our first full week of school and the beginning of our first sign up. Hopefully at this point you will have seen your child's individual schedule which came home in back packs this weekend. It is very likely that there will be some changes in the next couple of days so stay tuned. As the first sign up begins afternoon for the students will begin to look different. They will no longer travel as a class to special classes but as individuals. This would be a great time to have a conversation about appropriate travel behavior on campus. We ask the students NEVER to travel alone and always go directly from point A to B.
Picture Day is tomorrow! Please note that we are scheduled for pictures at 10:30 in the morning, however this is a very loose appointment. If the weather rains us out we will have a make up day. We do not know when the pictures will be ready and will let you know as soon as we do. If you would like to send a change of clothes that may be a great idea.
Reading groups which are often referred to as book clubs in our room will begin tomorrow. We have put a great deal of thought in to the placement of the students and will be happy to discuss the groupings. Groups will meet in the afternoons and are quite personal. Reading groups take on different looks throughout the year from adult like book clubs to nitty gritty phonics work. We will keep you posted with what your child is reading and doing in their groups.
Math will continue with measurement in small groups then we will end the week putting what we learned into application. It has been a lot of fun moving the kids through all the teachers and we have enjoyed getting to know them. This approach to beginning the year is sure to aid in the assessment and placement process of each child as we move to fixed math groups.
We wanted to share a great website with all of you pertaining to our featured author. Please take a minute to check it out with your kids, they can probably teach some things about the amazing author Patricia Polacco.
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/junkyard/index2.html
Thanks and have a great week,
Scott and Dee
Picture Day is tomorrow! Please note that we are scheduled for pictures at 10:30 in the morning, however this is a very loose appointment. If the weather rains us out we will have a make up day. We do not know when the pictures will be ready and will let you know as soon as we do. If you would like to send a change of clothes that may be a great idea.
Reading groups which are often referred to as book clubs in our room will begin tomorrow. We have put a great deal of thought in to the placement of the students and will be happy to discuss the groupings. Groups will meet in the afternoons and are quite personal. Reading groups take on different looks throughout the year from adult like book clubs to nitty gritty phonics work. We will keep you posted with what your child is reading and doing in their groups.
Math will continue with measurement in small groups then we will end the week putting what we learned into application. It has been a lot of fun moving the kids through all the teachers and we have enjoyed getting to know them. This approach to beginning the year is sure to aid in the assessment and placement process of each child as we move to fixed math groups.
We wanted to share a great website with all of you pertaining to our featured author. Please take a minute to check it out with your kids, they can probably teach some things about the amazing author Patricia Polacco.
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/junkyard/index2.html
Thanks and have a great week,
Scott and Dee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)