Good morning! There is so much going on right now at school, and things will only continue to get busier as the year rolls on. Fasten your seat belts, folks! April is in full swing!
Here's what you need to know for this week:
1) Our classroom baby shower is this Friday at 2:00. If you wish to contribute in any way, please contact Donna Downs at dldowns2u@sbcglobal.net or 817-913-3642. Please check the emails I forwarded from her last week for more information.
2) The Homework Menu is now available for this week. Once again students will be playing online games to prepare for the TAKS (which is now only 2 and a half weeks away). If you have limited Internet access, please let me know so I can get an alternative assignment for your child and/or make arrangements for your child to use the computers at school.
3) The students will have a Math Checkpoint this Thursday covering the types of information the students will be practicing for homework this week.
4) I will once again be available to provide extra tutoring and help for the TAKS this Tuesday after school until 4:00. If you wish for your child to stay, please shoot me an email so I know that your child will be there. (Homework Hotline will still happen if your child needs to stay and work.)
5) Students should post their 27th book on the wikispace this week. (Can you believe they will only have 3 books left to go after this week?) As a class, the students have read over 550 books so far this year!
6) Students need to post a response on the class blog this week. There are still a few students who have not answered the Week 28 question and need to do so a.s.a.p.
7) The fundraiser ends on Tuesday, April 12th. Please send your child's order forms and money in by this day.
8) Time is running out for parents to finish up their volunteer hours. At the Leadership Meeting Wednesday, Mrs. Simons was very clear that families who do not reach the 10 hour requirement will lose their place at the Academy for next year. There are several opportunities coming up where you can serve, and you can find out more information by contacting the main office.
9) The Math and Reading TAKS will be April 26th and 27th. Please encourage your child to use the links on my website for additional practice between now and then.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Week 29
Good morning! I'm about to head out to Oklahoma again for our first baby shower, but I wanted to get this out to you before I leave. I hope you have a terrific week!
Here's the news!
1) 5th grade will be doing their TAKS Monday and Tuesday this week. In an effort to keep the school quiet, we will be doing a lot of sitting on the floor so our chairs won't make so much noise sliding around. Your child may bring one pillow to sit on both days if he/she wishes. Please do not send blankets or oversized pillows, and remember that the pillows might get a little dirty since they will be on the floor all day.
2) This week's homework menu is ready. Let me know if you have limited Internet availability at home, and I will print off questions for your child.
3) Many students did not answer last week's blog question yet. This is completely my fault since I failed to remind them all week. If your child did not answer the Week 28 blog question, he/she needs to do so this week.
4) Students need to post their 26th book on the wiki this week.
5) If you have not sent back your child's report card yet, please do so a.s.a.p.
Here's the news!
1) 5th grade will be doing their TAKS Monday and Tuesday this week. In an effort to keep the school quiet, we will be doing a lot of sitting on the floor so our chairs won't make so much noise sliding around. Your child may bring one pillow to sit on both days if he/she wishes. Please do not send blankets or oversized pillows, and remember that the pillows might get a little dirty since they will be on the floor all day.
2) This week's homework menu is ready. Let me know if you have limited Internet availability at home, and I will print off questions for your child.
3) Many students did not answer last week's blog question yet. This is completely my fault since I failed to remind them all week. If your child did not answer the Week 28 blog question, he/she needs to do so this week.
4) Students need to post their 26th book on the wiki this week.
5) If you have not sent back your child's report card yet, please do so a.s.a.p.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Week 28
I feel like everything is flying by so quickly now. We only have one Nine Weeks remaining of school, and my little Kennedy is due in less than 7 weeks. I cannot believe that the finish line is already in sight for both of these events! I am encouraged by how well the kids are doing overall and how they are all working so hard to achieve the goals they have set for themselves for this year.
Please read below to see this week's major events:
1) Report cards go home Monday. As much work as these new report cards mean for the teachers, I must say that I really do love the specific feedback that they provide for the parents. My hope, especially now as the Math and Reading TAKS move closer, is that you will look over these objectives and help your child focus specifically on areas of weakness over the next few weeks.
Also, please remember that the overall scores you will see are cumulative grades. To get an M, students must have Ms in at least 90% of the objectives for the entire year without even one T for the subject.
2) This week's Homework Menu is now ready. There are 2 options to help your child practice for the upcoming Math TAKS. The first option walks your child step-by-step through the different math skills and objectives he/she needs to know for the TAKS test. This is a great review of the concepts we have covered so far and it includes interactive practice questions with immediate feedback. The second option is simply on online practice Math TAKS. It is a great option to help your child review what has been learned and to see the types of questions and wording that he/she should expect on the real test at the end of April. I have attached this option as a pdf on my website for students who don't have regular Internet access and want to print it out. Both options require your child to spend 45 minutes total practicing, but this time can be split up over several days.
3) Your child needs to answer the Week 28 blog question this week.
4) This week students should post their 25th book on the wikispace. As a class, the students have almost read 500 books this year! At our faculty meeting this week we talked about the successes we are seeing with this initiative, and it really is mind-blowing to see how the reading skills the kids are developing are overflowing into every other corner of their education. Again, thank you for all you are doing to help your child meet these goals.
5) The 3rd Nine Weeks Awards Assembly will be Friday at 8:00. If your child will receive an award, I will email you today to let you know so you can make arrangements to be there if possible.
Have a great week!
Please read below to see this week's major events:
1) Report cards go home Monday. As much work as these new report cards mean for the teachers, I must say that I really do love the specific feedback that they provide for the parents. My hope, especially now as the Math and Reading TAKS move closer, is that you will look over these objectives and help your child focus specifically on areas of weakness over the next few weeks.
Also, please remember that the overall scores you will see are cumulative grades. To get an M, students must have Ms in at least 90% of the objectives for the entire year without even one T for the subject.
2) This week's Homework Menu is now ready. There are 2 options to help your child practice for the upcoming Math TAKS. The first option walks your child step-by-step through the different math skills and objectives he/she needs to know for the TAKS test. This is a great review of the concepts we have covered so far and it includes interactive practice questions with immediate feedback. The second option is simply on online practice Math TAKS. It is a great option to help your child review what has been learned and to see the types of questions and wording that he/she should expect on the real test at the end of April. I have attached this option as a pdf on my website for students who don't have regular Internet access and want to print it out. Both options require your child to spend 45 minutes total practicing, but this time can be split up over several days.
3) Your child needs to answer the Week 28 blog question this week.
4) This week students should post their 25th book on the wikispace. As a class, the students have almost read 500 books this year! At our faculty meeting this week we talked about the successes we are seeing with this initiative, and it really is mind-blowing to see how the reading skills the kids are developing are overflowing into every other corner of their education. Again, thank you for all you are doing to help your child meet these goals.
5) The 3rd Nine Weeks Awards Assembly will be Friday at 8:00. If your child will receive an award, I will email you today to let you know so you can make arrangements to be there if possible.
Have a great week!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Week 27
Happy Spring Break! I am leaving tomorrow to visit my family in Oklahoma, so I wanted to get this out to you now. I hope you are resting and enjoying your time with your family!
Thank you to all of the families who helped out with World Party! The room looked amazing, and the kids did a tremendous job with their projects and murals.
Here are this week's events:
1) Your child should have 23 books posted on the wiki by now. If your child is behind, please encourage him/her to use this Break to catch up. Next week all students should post their 24th book.
2) Monday is Spring Picture Day. Remember, this is an out of uniform day!
3) The Week 27 Homework Menu is posted and ready if your child wants to work ahead. The activity is due Friday, March 25th.
4) As the TAKS approaches, the more practice and familiarity with these types of questions, the better the chances of success for the students. Please remember that there are several links and practice tests on my website for your child to use.
5) Report Cards will go home during Week 28.
Thank you to all of the families who helped out with World Party! The room looked amazing, and the kids did a tremendous job with their projects and murals.
Here are this week's events:
1) Your child should have 23 books posted on the wiki by now. If your child is behind, please encourage him/her to use this Break to catch up. Next week all students should post their 24th book.
2) Monday is Spring Picture Day. Remember, this is an out of uniform day!
3) The Week 27 Homework Menu is posted and ready if your child wants to work ahead. The activity is due Friday, March 25th.
4) As the TAKS approaches, the more practice and familiarity with these types of questions, the better the chances of success for the students. Please remember that there are several links and practice tests on my website for your child to use.
5) Report Cards will go home during Week 28.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Week 26
The kids worked so hard on their Writing TAKS this week! I couldn't be prouder of them for taking their time and using all of the strategies they have learned this year. It will be a long couple of months waiting for the results, but I am satisfied that above all else the students did their best. They have grown tremendously since the beginning of 4th grade, and I am excited to include their beginning-of-the-year essays with their end-of-the-year essays in the next portfolio so that you can see their progress.
Thank you to all of the parents who helped make breakfast for the students and to those who wrote letters of encouragement this week. The students were thrilled by both gestures. Your actions have blessed our class, and you are truly appreciated.
Here's what you need to know about this week:
1) This week in class we will be creating several decorations for World Party. Please send an old, large T-shirt on Monday your child can use this week to protect his/her clothing from paint.
2) There is no new Homework Menu for this week. Students should continue working on their World Party projects that they began last week. The kids used their computer lab time this week to gather their facts for their projects, so all that should be left is putting the project together. Don't forget, these projects are due Tuesday, not Friday. If your child finishes this weekend, feel free to send it early on Monday.
3) Wednesday we will have a district Reading Checkpoint.
4) World Party will be Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30. This is a tremendously fun and interesting time where you and your child can go from class to class to find out information about cultures from around the world. The kids love this event, and they always learn a lot.
5) Speaking of World Party, please let me know if you would like to volunteer to bring a Kenyan food dish to be served Thursday evening. Below are several sites with recipes you can try. (Feel free to look around other sites, too!) Also, we could just use several bananas cut into thirds or fourths to offer that evening. You can receive volunteer hours for your cooking/preparation time, (or if you just go buy something, you can receive half an hour of volunteer time).
6) Friday will be a Vertical Schedule day. We will use this time to rotate through our vertical classes to learn about the countries represented in each room.
7) Students may wear jeans Friday if they bring a donation for Relay for Life. (This is all the information I have right now about this, but I will let the kids know more when I get further info.)
8) Spring Break is next week! Enjoy your time with your family!
9) Students should post their 23rd book this week on the wiki. If you child is behind, Spring Break should be a great opportunity to catch up!
9) Students should post their 23rd book this week on the wiki. If you child is behind, Spring Break should be a great opportunity to catch up!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Week 25
Good morning! Well, it's finally Writing TAKS time, and I must say that I am really encouraged by the writing I have seen the kids do this week. The students are doing a great job of putting all of the techniques together that they have learned this year to make interesting, fun-to-read compositions. It's rewarding to see their confidence growing. On Monday, I plan to show the students their original pieces of writing from the beginning of the year so they can see just how far they have come. The change really is remarkable! I am so proud of the hard work they have put in this year.
Speaking of being proud, I want to give you the opportunity to let your child know how proud you are of him/her, too. I am asking you to write your child a letter of encouragement to send with him/her on Tuesday morning. You should seal the envelope and write "Don't open until Mrs. Bennett says!" on the front. We will take time Tuesday morning before we begin the test to let the kids read them together. I did this last year, and it was extremely powerful for the kids to hear once again that their parents believe in them and are proud of their efforts. I will send a reminder email about this today and Monday.
Here are this week's major events:
1) We will have a TAKS breakfast for the kids Tuesday morning in my classroom beginning at 7:15. This is just one more way to make sure the kids are relaxed and ready to go for the test. If you signed up to bring something, please try to get it there sometime between 7:00 and 7:15 Tuesday morning. Feel free to stick around for the breakfast and to help serve if you are able!
2) Remember, there are several sites with practice TAKS tests and questions your child can use this weekend to ensure he/she is ready to go. Here are a few you can use:
3) This week's homework menu involves making Kenya projects for World Party and will be due next Tuesday. Monday in class I will draw names and let the kids choose a topic about Kenya that they want to research. The homework menu has several possibilities for your child to choose, so you might look it over with your child this weekend to help him/her find a few options that would work (in case the first choice is taken before his/her turn). I have created an additional page on my website with a ton of good informational links. We will use our computer lab time this week to do additional research.
4) There are still a few portfolios that need to be returned. Please take care of this as quickly as possible.
5) Students should be posting their 22nd book on the wikispace this week. Let me take this opportunity to brag on the successes we are seeing. First, we now have 3 students who have completed their 30 Books Goal and are already working to set new records. (Kate, Noah, and Ryan R., you are definitely setting the bar high!) Second, as a class the students have read over 440 books this year, which is almost 70,000 pages! Wow! (I wonder how many words that would be...) Third, every student who is caught up with his/her reading has tested above grade level on the recent QRI tests. This is strong evidence that the best way to improve reading ability is simply to read, read, read.
6) Your child does not need to blog this week. We will pick this up again after Spring Break.
7) We are making great progress on the 4-minute math charts. Each week more and more students add their names to the list. It's awesome to see the kids continue to push themselves to improve.
8) Finally, please remember that brain studies show that a good night's sleep Monday is crucial to your child's success on the Writing TAKS Tuesday morning. Last year one of the major concerns kids voiced in my class before the test was a fear that they would oversleep or not get adequate rest. Thank you for all that you can do to help reduce such fears.
Speaking of being proud, I want to give you the opportunity to let your child know how proud you are of him/her, too. I am asking you to write your child a letter of encouragement to send with him/her on Tuesday morning. You should seal the envelope and write "Don't open until Mrs. Bennett says!" on the front. We will take time Tuesday morning before we begin the test to let the kids read them together. I did this last year, and it was extremely powerful for the kids to hear once again that their parents believe in them and are proud of their efforts. I will send a reminder email about this today and Monday.
Here are this week's major events:
1) We will have a TAKS breakfast for the kids Tuesday morning in my classroom beginning at 7:15. This is just one more way to make sure the kids are relaxed and ready to go for the test. If you signed up to bring something, please try to get it there sometime between 7:00 and 7:15 Tuesday morning. Feel free to stick around for the breakfast and to help serve if you are able!
2) Remember, there are several sites with practice TAKS tests and questions your child can use this weekend to ensure he/she is ready to go. Here are a few you can use:
3) This week's homework menu involves making Kenya projects for World Party and will be due next Tuesday. Monday in class I will draw names and let the kids choose a topic about Kenya that they want to research. The homework menu has several possibilities for your child to choose, so you might look it over with your child this weekend to help him/her find a few options that would work (in case the first choice is taken before his/her turn). I have created an additional page on my website with a ton of good informational links. We will use our computer lab time this week to do additional research.
4) There are still a few portfolios that need to be returned. Please take care of this as quickly as possible.
5) Students should be posting their 22nd book on the wikispace this week. Let me take this opportunity to brag on the successes we are seeing. First, we now have 3 students who have completed their 30 Books Goal and are already working to set new records. (Kate, Noah, and Ryan R., you are definitely setting the bar high!) Second, as a class the students have read over 440 books this year, which is almost 70,000 pages! Wow! (I wonder how many words that would be...) Third, every student who is caught up with his/her reading has tested above grade level on the recent QRI tests. This is strong evidence that the best way to improve reading ability is simply to read, read, read.
6) Your child does not need to blog this week. We will pick this up again after Spring Break.
7) We are making great progress on the 4-minute math charts. Each week more and more students add their names to the list. It's awesome to see the kids continue to push themselves to improve.
8) Finally, please remember that brain studies show that a good night's sleep Monday is crucial to your child's success on the Writing TAKS Tuesday morning. Last year one of the major concerns kids voiced in my class before the test was a fear that they would oversleep or not get adequate rest. Thank you for all that you can do to help reduce such fears.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Week 24
Happy Friday! I hope you are having a fantastic day! Thank you to all of the parents who helped out with our Valentine's Day party and to the parents who helped cut out things for me this week. Your involvement always makes such a difference. If you helped out with either of these things, will you please send me an email reminding me of the time spent so I can make sure you get your volunteer hours?
Here are this week's headlines:
1) There is no school Monday! Enjoy the time off!
2) Today your child is bringing home benchmark tests and scores from the beginning of the year as well as the ones we took last week. These tests do not need to be returned to me. My hope is that you will look over them with your child to help your child understand questions that were missed. There are several links on my webpage to additional TAKS practice that would definitely benefit your child.
3) Please send back your child's portfolio by Tuesday if possible. The children have selected some pieces they really liked and are excited to show them off to you!
4) Your child should have 20 books posted on the wikispace now and should be working on his/her 21st book this week. (Can you believe they have read so much this year?) I am so proud of the kids for their hard work and for pushing themselves to achieve this goal. After doing QRI reading level tests this week, I can see such a difference in the kids who are making this goal a priority. (By the way, the QRI levels will be sent home today for you.)
5) The kids do not need to blog again this week.
6) This week's Homework Menu is due Friday. It involves another essay to help the students continue to prepare for the TAKS test (which is now a week and a half away). I emailed links to online practice tests this week for your child to use as needed. (Please let me know if you didn't get them.) I will be at a doctor appointment Tuesday afternoon, so Homework Hotline will be held in Mrs. Smalley's class that day. If your child is going, he/she should bring the pass directly to Mrs. Smalley at dismissal.
7) Our Science Checkpoint test will now be Tuesday.
8) Dads and Doughnuts will be held this Friday from 6:50 - 7:30.
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