Newsletter, August 25, 2010

Newsletter from Room 508
August 25, 2010
Dear Students and Families,
The school year is off to a great start. Students are already working hard in reading, writing and math. We have new reading curriculum named, "Treasures" designed to help students become good readers. We will use Everyday Math as our Math program. Our days will be filled from bell to bell with learning!

There is only one bell in the morning. It rings at 7:45. Students should be at their classroom, ready to go in and begin the day when the bell rings. Breakfast is served every morning to every student in the classroom. Breakfast is over at 8:00 A.M. It is very important for students to arrive on time, and to be at school every day possible! Missing a day, or being tardy, causes your child to miss important activities and learning.

Parents are welcome in our room any time we are there, unless we are having a test. Please, go to the office for a visitor's pass, then come spend time with us.

I have a classroom blog I hope you will follow. I will keep it updated about what is happening at our school, and in our classroom. After I have parental permission, I will post pictures of daily activities and student work. No personal, student or family information will be given on the blog, only classroom activities and lessons.
I hope you will enjoy seeing your kids in action in the classroom, and sharing our news with family and friends. You will also find copies of our newsletters there, and a copy of our daily schedule.
To see our blog, go to: http://turtlezoop.blogspot.com

Homework will go home on the first day of the week, usually Mondays, beginning September 30th. Homework will be due the following Monday, or first day of the week. Homework will include daily reading logs and weekly book reports. Parents, please help fill out reading logs, but students should write their own book reports. Students are expected to read, or be read to, at least 20 minutes every day. Reading at home will help your child succeed in school.
Here are some homework tips:
Set a certain time and place for homework to be done.
Keep the television and video games off until it is completed.
Keep homework, and a supply of pencils, erasers, markers, crayons and scissors in a special place.
Help your child read directions. Ask if he or she understands what to do.
Parents, check your child's work.
Parents, check your child's backpack daily for important notes and papers.
You may call me at home if you have questions. To reach me, call between 4:30 and 6:00 PM on week days, or any time Saturday and Sunday. Please call no later than 9:00 PM.
I check my email everyday, so that is a great way to contact me also!
Sincerely, Mrs. Wise

Dragonfly that visited our yard

This most beautiful insect came to visit us. Mark and I enjoyed it's company for several minutes, then it was gone.

On A Dragonfly's Wing

I am the rainbow on a dragonfly's wing
Offering of my all to pink wings that sing

Thy Pink Pixie, please dry my moist tears
Night approaches, creating my worst fears

So, encompassed by wings of Pink delight
I-Rainbow-shimmer & shine even tonight

Myself and the Sun God Ra light the land
The power of our beauty is in God's hand

Lighting up all things great, heaven wrought
Those in love simply stare,... lost in thought

Even when that time comes for the last fling
I am still the rainbow on a dragonfly's wing

JD

September 21st, Day of Peace

http://internationaldayofpeace.org/

The time to make peace is now. Do you have ideas for a first grade class peace project?

People and Places Around Helen Cordero

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071861&id=1436978159

Outside our school, Helen Cordero Primary

Blue and green, and lots of other colors, that's what our school looks like! http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=1436978159#!/album.php?aid=2071861&id=1436978159

Room 508 is just about ready!

My student teacher and I set up the room today, and it looks great. All it needs are the kids! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2071851&id=1436978159

Chapter books for First Grade read alouds?

Does anyone has suggestions for chapter books to read to a First Grade ESL class? I have done Beverly Cleary, Junie B. Jones, and Charlotte's Web. I want something different. It needs to have humor and value, and can't make me cry more than once.

August 6, 2010

Over the last couple weeks, I have spent several hours in my classroom organizing and getting rid of stuff. It is amazing how much stuff a teacher can accumulate in just a few years. Lots of my stuff came from fellow teachers, garage sales and thrift stores, and the rest is school property. When you teach all subjects, as most primary teachers do, it takes lots of stuff.
   Yet, you must be organized and know where things are, otherwise things go unused, and sometimes are wasted. My artistic/eclectic ways of thinking tend to see great potential in things better left in the bargain box in someone else's space. At home, I have adopted the following policy: If I bring in an item, some other item must go out. I cleaned off my bookshelf a few days ago, and have 24 credits after bringing in a new bathing suit, 2 plants (for the yard), a backpack, and a hat.
  It's time to use this same policy for my classroom. I gave away 3 trunk loads of stuff last week, mostly books. I set myself at zero credits right now, which means something has to leave the room before I bring in ANYTHING new.
   As far as books, I have decided to only collect certain authors or topics. Here's a partial list: Clifford, Little Critter, Dr Suess, Henry and Mudge, Biscuit, Dora, Kevin Henkes, Seasons, Senses, Weather, biographies, ABC's, diversity/acceptance, Jobs, Dinosaurs, Cultures and Traditions, Fairytales and Fables, Poetry, Songs, Ted Arnold, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Ezra Jack Keats, Doreen Cronin, Mo Willems, New Mexico. Books for read alouds need pictures that can be easily seen by all my students sitting in the floor in front of me. The only exceptions are the chapter books I will read from daily.