Sorry It's Been So Long...

We've had major glips with computers at our school and things have been crazy!!!

As you might know, students now have agendas.  These are red duotangs that the kids take home every night.  Not only do these keep you informed what homework your child has, but what your child has learned that day.  Other notes may be included regarding school and community events and sometimes, a note from myself may be included.  I add my initials to say that I've check and looked over what your child has written.  Once you've read it, you sign your initials and have your child return it the next day.  Should a student forget it, it's 5 minutes of recess for each day that it's left at home.  Students are expected to write it on scrap paper if they have forgottten their actual agendas.

Homework is given when students have not finished their work in class.  The goal is for the student to get a little bit of work caught up without overwhelming them.  It shouldn't take any more than 15 to 20 minutes for students to do...

I have noticed that the format that I had the kids writing on has been a bit confusing, so I'll be redesigning a new format that should be easier for you all to understand!  Thanks for all of your support so far regarding these agendas!

Using a Cage to Learn About Perimeter

Recently, our students built the guinea pig cages and had a perimeter lesson along with it.  The cages turned out great and so did the pics!

Guinea Pigs Being Happy

So here is a video of our two guinea pigs in their brand new cage that we built them.  The girls were responsible for building the girl cage, and the boys were responsible for building the boy cage.  It was very interesting how the groups built their cage.  There was definitely a different way of thinking between the boys and the girls!  We used the opportunity to teach about perimeter.  Studies show that students do better when they can relate a concept to something personal.  It worked pretty well I think!

Right now our guinea pigs are in the same cage as Chloe is expecting (we're pretty sure-3 weeks today), but they will soon be separated.

This video is of when they are first put in their new cage.  The behavior they are exhibiting is called popcorning.   The guinea pigs pop like hot corn kernals, a sign that they are happy.

Enjoy

September Birthdays

So in September we had six birthdays!  Victoria, Torrance, Chaske, Hailey, Tanisha, and Emily all celebrated their birthdays.  I wish I could show you all the pictures of the students, but not all in have gotten their permission forms in yet...in the meantime, here's a couple pictures of the cake and one very blurry picture of the group (in which you really can't tell who is who)!

Updating

First of all, I apologize that it's been awhile.  Things have been crazy busy, and we can't as of yet actually log into our blog account at school.  That is soon to be rectified, but it has definitely made things a little slower!  Here are some pictures to show you of an activity that we did the first day of school.  Students had to decorate their t-shirts any way they wished, but did have to put on the left sleeve what they most were looking forward to in the school year and on the right sleeve, the best thing that they did all summer.  Here are their pictures:

Fall Feast and Open House this Thursday

Our Fall Feast and Open House are this Thursday!  We ask that all girls wear skirts for the feast.  You will be receiving a letter home on Wednesday from myself about the Open House.  It's below for you to read!

Dear Parents,

An open house is being held on Thursday, September 22 until 5:30.  I regret to inform you that I will not be there as I am in a conference for both Thursday and Friday about Universal Design, a conference designed to introduce new teaching methods to reach ALL learners.  I am available to meet with parents and guardians anytime before and after school.  Please refer to the welcome newsletter sent home and the www.wayway4.blogspot.com for additional classroom information.

Thank you!

Miss Julie Phillips

Strategies to Help Your Child Read Fiction

So here is a wonderful snippet I found that could be quite useful for parents really wanting to encourage their child in reading fiction (chapter books, short stories, and primary books).  Enjoy!