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Hi there! I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend. Just to be nice I gave ya an extra day, so take Monday off too. Just kidding, Labor Day is Monday. I had nothing to do with it. Kids return to school on Tuesday. :0)
Next week, we will begin a few more academic areas. We will add spelling, language, writing, math, and reading. In Spelling, we will work on words that have a long and short sound. In Language, we will work with the four types of sentences: Declarative, Exclamatory, Interrogative, and Imperative. In Writing, we will work on topic sentences, main ideas, and supporting details. In math, we will work on place value concepts to the millions. We will specifically look at changing numbers from expanded form to standard and word form and then back again. For some reason, these always trip kids up. When I give kids a math assignment it always reviews concepts from day one and on. I then add on the new concept at the bottom. This way, they are always keeping all skills fresh in their mind. It also allows me to go beyond the 4th grade level and push for a deeper understanding at a higher level. In reading, we will take our placement test to establish our Lead 21 levels. We will then dive into our first Unit: Heritage. The skills found in this unit are main idea, determining important information, synonyms, metaphors, and using text features to help answer questions. We will add Social Studies and Science in Week 3. I will teach S.S., and Mrs. Auch will teach Science. We will continue on with our Montana History this week however. Ask your child what continent Montana is found on. If they can tell you, write it in the planner for $10 bonus.
On Friday, two things came home in your child's backpack. On the last day of the school week, I send home a weekly report. I list some components that I have seen throughout the week that I have seem to challenge kids. This week, they are all behavioral. I will eventually add academic issues as well. The components will change as I see them change in class. I ask that kids take these very serious. If they have items checked mark, I need them to really reflect on how they can make improvements in the following week. They need to share that plan with you, and collect your feedback. I shared with the kids that this is not a tattle report home. It is a way that they can reflect with your help. It is not designed to get kids into trouble or to receive consequences at home. It is just issues that I would like them to work on. I shared with them that they should share these with you on Fridays so it is not a surprise on Sunday night and the process then has to be rushed. Breaking bad habits takes time. Having a plan helps shorten that time. After your discussion, please sign the report and have your child return it on Tuesday. Feel free to make a copy for your records if you want to. I will keep all the reports in a file at school. If a student is consistently getting a certain area marked, we can then sit down together and review what they have tried and create a new plan together. I so appreciate your willingness to help me create positive choices with every child. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The second item that came home was a blue flyer for the Lego Robotics class. It sounds like a ton of fun!
Many of you have asked to volunteer in the classroom. I have to admit that this is a little new to me. I am excited about this opportunity. I would like to spend just a little while longer building a relationship with your children before we start bringing you in. I do however need a volunteer that would be willing to come in and stuff our Tuesday Folders. This week, we come back on a Tuesday. I know it is not much notice, but if one of you could spare a few minutes to come and stuff the folders that would be awesome. If that would work for you, could you throw me an email sometime this weekend? You could come in anytime before 11:50 or after 12:25. I will eventually need help when we start our AR Math program as well. If math is your strong suit and you would be willing to work with kids one on one with their problems could you also throw me an email? That way, when the time comes I know who to call upon. Other opportunities will also arise. I will blog about them as they come up. Again, thanks so much for your willingness to help. My email is ericksont@billingsschools.org.
We have PE the day we come back. Please help kids remember their shoes.
I give homework Monday thru Thursday. Homework usually consists of some kind of math review sheet, studying spelling words, and finishing up work that didn't get done in class. I do not give homework just to give homework. I also won't ever expect you to do my job and teach a concept that I haven't already taught in class. Homework will be a review and time to practice skills that are relevant to our lessons in class that day. It should not take more than 30-40 minutes. If it is, please call me for a conference. Being a mom of two kids myself, I understand that life after school is busy. I tell my own kids to get their homework done right away after school so it is out of the way. Let me know right away if any problems arise.
That being said, I did give one bit of homework this weekend. We have a friends and family board in our classroom. This is a special place where kids can bring in a photo of those that are close to them. Everybody has bad days at time. When your child has one, they can take a look at the board and smile. They can think of the people up there and know that they are never doing life alone. Each student may bring in two pictures max. They can be of family or friends or both. Kids may switch out their pictures whenever they want, but due to space limitations they may only have two up at a time. They may begin to bring those in on Tuesday. Kids do not have to participate in this. It is totally optional. Last year, I did see positive effects from having those that are closest to us there with us.
Overall, it was an amazing first week. Friday we worked on transitioning quitely. We practiced it and practiced it. The kids did great! I am very proud of how quickly they are settling in already. I look forward to another great week as well! The crayon presentations were so fun. I loved getting to know more about each student. They were all so different and creative. Enjoy the slideshow!
Have a wonderful long weekend.
I appreciate you!
Ms. Erickson
