Thank you!!!

I hope everyone survived the snow and the Thanksgiving holiday! I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who was able to make it to parent/teacher conferences. I have enjoyed sharing great news about your students with you! These are our only scheduled conferences for the year, but feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns as the year goes on.
We only have 2 weeks left of school this year. We will be very busy here in room 302 until the winter break. I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you and your families health and happiness as we approach the holidays!
I look forward to working with you in 2011!

Listening to Reading and Wetlands

Hi all,
Last week the class learned about Listen to Reading as a daily 5 choice. They are able to use the computers, leap pads, and/or tape player to listen to stories read aloud. Engagement in this activity helps a reader hear good fluency so that they are able to perfect their own skills as a reader.
We've also been adding more strategies to our menu. The most recent strategies are Make Connections and Reread Text. Ask your child to tell you about how to make text to self, text to text, and text to world connections. By connecting a text to something else, it activates background knowledge and helps deepen the understanding of a text.
The class has been "diving" into learning about wetlands. They have learned the meaning of the words wetland and ecology. This Thursday the class will participate in a Science-to-Go Ecosystems lab. Thanks PTA for making this lab possible! Next Tuesday the class will work with Mrs. Svore on a wetland art project and then on Wednesday we head to Lake Sammamish State Park for our wetland field trip. Science enthusiasm is easy to see in room 302!

Field Trip Coming!!!

Monday (9/27/10) I sent home information and permission slips for our first field trip. We will be going to Lake Sammamish State Park. The rangers will lead us through 4 exciting activities that all have to do with wetlands. Isn't it so cool that we can see a local wetland and meet local community members?
I am able to bring 5 parent volunteers on this field trip. I have already had 5 parents sign up and I've started a back-up list just in case someone can't make it or another class needs some extra help.
Please help your child remember to turn in their permission slip and a check or money order for $4.00 by October. 6.
Next week will be our official start to our science unit on Wetlands!

Homework begins...

This week you will see different homeworks coming home. Today (Monday) the students are bringing home a math homework and a spelling homework packet. The math homework will always be due the next day, and the spelling packet is always due Friday of the same week it was given.
Responsible students who turn in their homework on time will recieve a superstar sticker on the homework chart. When they have their chart all filled up they can choose from the prize box. Students who do not turn in homework will not recieve a sticker.
As a class we went through the homework and asked questions. So, each child should know exactly what to do. The class has been told to ask me questions if they are unsure of any part of the homework.
This week we will add to our CAFE menu of reading strategies: Cross Checking. Look for the parent pipeline on how to help with this skill at home. Also, the class has learned Check for Understanding and Visualization. Ask your child to tell you about these comprehension strategies as they are doing their 20 minutes of reading a night.
Please let me know if you have any questions!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

We've been so busy in room 302! We've begun learning skip counting, clock reading, and money counting in math. The class has also learned 2 math games. 1. Addition Top-It 2. Money Exchange
We've started learning about good fit books, 3 ways to read, and how to independently read to self. A good fit book is one the student has a purpose for reading, is interested in, has good comprehension of, and can read almost all the words. The 3 ways to read a book are: 1. Read the pictures. 2. Read the words. 3. Retell a story.
We've discussed and charted what our 3 IVE values are: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Next week the class and I will create a list of classroom rules based on these values.
Today we will begin to learn about communities and will also begin reading Frog and Toad are Friends.
Try to have nightly discussions with your child regarding what they did in school. It helps them feel that home and school are connected.
I look forward to seeing everyone next week at Curriculum Night. (Wednesday, Sep. 15th at 6:00)

Meet the Teacher

Thanks everyone who was able to make it to Meet the Teacher this morning. It was so much fun meeting all of you. If you weren't able to make it...don't worry. You can bring in your school supplies and meet me tomorrow! See you at 8:30!
Ms. Burton

Back to school!

Welcome back to school everyone!
I can't wait to get this school year started. Summer was fun, but I'm ready to get back in the classroom!
I hope to see you at meet the teacher on Monday, August 30.