This quick note is just to remind everyone that our sock fundraiser orders are due on Monday. Originally they were due tomorrow, but as it is hike day, we are moving the deadline to Monday. If your student(s) have sock fundraising forms please return them on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend, and our hike tomorrow if you can join us.
Dave
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
We are hitting our stride!
As we exit this week we are really starting to gel as a community. We are working together in academic areas, sharing our work, and getting excited about things to come. As usual the students have reflected this week, and our "paper blog," follows a few themes. Students are getting really excited about many of our specials, their sports, and meeting up with old teachers.
Many students are really stoked about P.E. This week the weather was nice enough to be able to go outside and play capture the flag. This is such a valuable game for building teamwork and patience, and the students love it!
Students are also getting excited about band. We have 12 students who will be participating in band this year, and we are looking forward to hearing them soon. As for the students who are opting out of band, we will be working on some alternative music themed investigations, more to come on this soon.
Also next Friday is our all school hike! If any of you are planning to attend, please be certain that all forms have been submitted to the office for a clean launch Friday morning.
As always, I hope this finds you well and that you have a relaxing and restful weekend.
Many students are really stoked about P.E. This week the weather was nice enough to be able to go outside and play capture the flag. This is such a valuable game for building teamwork and patience, and the students love it!
Students are also getting excited about band. We have 12 students who will be participating in band this year, and we are looking forward to hearing them soon. As for the students who are opting out of band, we will be working on some alternative music themed investigations, more to come on this soon.
Also next Friday is our all school hike! If any of you are planning to attend, please be certain that all forms have been submitted to the office for a clean launch Friday morning.
As always, I hope this finds you well and that you have a relaxing and restful weekend.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Week three!
This week, like all others, saw a lot of excitement, hard work, and fun in our room. This week's reflections have some common threads which are special classes, bus-action, and read aloud engagement.
In read aloud we finished our first book of the year. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, is one of my favorite books and I share it with every class during our first few weeks together. Throughout the course of the book Edward learns to accept and engage in love. Though he is only a china rabbit he goes through some strong emotions and learns some valuable lessons.
A few of the students reflected on some lessons they have learned on the bus. Our bus drivers are embracing the PBIS model, and have been working hard to use this approach to keep our buses safe and sound.
Students are also getting very excited about band. Yesterday many students picked up their instruments last night. Please remind them to bring their instruments on Tuesday as that is the first day of band, and even though they may not meet in band on Tuesday, it will be helpful to have their instruments here at school to be certain they are ready for Thursday.
Finally, today we did a timed subtraction assessment. For this assessment are checking students knowledge with the "foundation" facts in subtraction. That is to say all of the subtraction facts with numbers 10 or less (9-6, 5-4, 7-3...). A score of 40 or more on this assessment means your student is meeting the criteria for fourth grade at this time. A score of 40 or less means they could use some more practice. Please try to work this practice into some of your evening and or weekend routines. This practice can take the form of oral practice of subtraction facts, written practice, card games (difference "war" is a good one, they all know how to play this), or your favorite practice method from childhood.
As always I hope this communique finds you well and you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend.
-Dave
In read aloud we finished our first book of the year. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, is one of my favorite books and I share it with every class during our first few weeks together. Throughout the course of the book Edward learns to accept and engage in love. Though he is only a china rabbit he goes through some strong emotions and learns some valuable lessons.
A few of the students reflected on some lessons they have learned on the bus. Our bus drivers are embracing the PBIS model, and have been working hard to use this approach to keep our buses safe and sound.
Students are also getting very excited about band. Yesterday many students picked up their instruments last night. Please remind them to bring their instruments on Tuesday as that is the first day of band, and even though they may not meet in band on Tuesday, it will be helpful to have their instruments here at school to be certain they are ready for Thursday.
Finally, today we did a timed subtraction assessment. For this assessment are checking students knowledge with the "foundation" facts in subtraction. That is to say all of the subtraction facts with numbers 10 or less (9-6, 5-4, 7-3...). A score of 40 or more on this assessment means your student is meeting the criteria for fourth grade at this time. A score of 40 or less means they could use some more practice. Please try to work this practice into some of your evening and or weekend routines. This practice can take the form of oral practice of subtraction facts, written practice, card games (difference "war" is a good one, they all know how to play this), or your favorite practice method from childhood.
As always I hope this communique finds you well and you have a relaxing and refreshing weekend.
-Dave
Friday, September 4, 2015
Our second week!
As we move into our second week we are beginning to gel as a community. We are all getting used to one another, our school building and our routines. Throughout the week all students have participated and worked hard in all aspects. After this week there seem to be two strong themes in student's reflections. One theme is the upcoming three day weekend, and the other theme is school related excitement.
For this upcoming weekend students are excited about many different things. A few students will be travelling to coastal New England states. Others are excited about some trips to visit with and spend time with family, while others still are excited to spend some quality time with friends. I for one am excited to send some time with my family, and get out in the canoe with my wife and our 1 1/2 year old.
As for school related excitement people are really enjoying P.E. with Mr. Blanchard, and although new to us this year, he already fits into the fabric of our staff. Three students are getting really amped up for band. This is an exciting year as students get their first chance to play a band instrument. Please keep you eyes open for information from Ms. Gelfon regarding instrument pickup, and from me regarding what those of us who choose to pass on band will be doing when band is in session.
Finally we are moving through our review of the foundation concepts in math, and are getting ready to move into more advanced ideas. Students are working on increasing their depth of knowledge in the area of subtraction to establish a solid base to master addition and division.
As always I hope this update finds you well and that you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
-Dave
For this upcoming weekend students are excited about many different things. A few students will be travelling to coastal New England states. Others are excited about some trips to visit with and spend time with family, while others still are excited to spend some quality time with friends. I for one am excited to send some time with my family, and get out in the canoe with my wife and our 1 1/2 year old.
As for school related excitement people are really enjoying P.E. with Mr. Blanchard, and although new to us this year, he already fits into the fabric of our staff. Three students are getting really amped up for band. This is an exciting year as students get their first chance to play a band instrument. Please keep you eyes open for information from Ms. Gelfon regarding instrument pickup, and from me regarding what those of us who choose to pass on band will be doing when band is in session.
Finally we are moving through our review of the foundation concepts in math, and are getting ready to move into more advanced ideas. Students are working on increasing their depth of knowledge in the area of subtraction to establish a solid base to master addition and division.
As always I hope this update finds you well and that you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.
-Dave
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