Last Week of August

Where did the month go? I guess that is a sign of getting old!

Hopefully you read today's newsletter where I told you about the ThinkLink test the students will take on Thursday. These math and reading tests will help to identify areas of strength and needed improvement so we can prepare for the TCAP. I look forward to seeing how this test will help us reach our goals!

The agendas are still not in yet, but I would expect them any day. Once those are in, I will begin giving regular homework assignments. I have not done that yet, because I didn't want to start one procedure only to change once the agendas came in. I do hope you enjoyed reading with your child this weekend. I find that the reading selections that come home for the weekends allow you to see how well your child is reading a grade appropriate passage. If he/she could read it fluently, maybe you could help suggest that he/she try more challenging chapter books for independent reading. If your child was not fluent, you could have him/her read shorter passages to you until they sound more conversational.

I hope everyone has a great week and makes big plans for the 3 day weekend. Enjoy the rain!!

One of Those Days

Coming home today is our first newsletter and a note to parents. First of all, the newsletter is for you to keep at home. You will find information about what we will be studying this week along with some reminders and a few of my thoughts. On the back of the newsletter is a fun sheet that your child can complete. It is NOT homework or required. Then this week, stapled to the newsletter is a note from me about a class discussion we had in class today. If you need any information or have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly.

On the last post, a parent wanted to know how the parents felt about having a classroom directory in addition to the school-wide directory. Let me know what you think about that.

Also, I have been asked about supply list items. All year long my wish list contains mainly one item--Kleenexes! They are a constant need throughout the year. As our supply dwindles, I will put requests in the newsletter.

I guess that is about it for today. It was a long one, but we'll be back tomorrow, ready to go! (Hopefully I won't spill my coffee on myself tomorrow morning!)

PS--Thanks to Mrs. Sh for doing some cutting for me. I have a bit more to be done if anyone else would like to get some volunteer hours in. First come--first served!

A New Year and Our New Wiki Page

First of all, our first day is finished and it was a good one! We established a list of rules that we will continue to refine and practice. We also did a few introductory activities, and then we sat at dismissal forever! Please bear with us--dismissal will get better. It always does!

I have been looking for a way to make letters and worksheets available for you at home, and I think this Wiki page may just do the trick. I have added a link to the wiki page on the sidebar of this blog. When you go to the wiki page you will see a link to the pages that I have sent home. Click on the one you need and download it to your own computer. Hopefully this will help on those occasions when things become misplaced!

Have a good afternoon and get ready for our first full day tomorrow!

August? Already???

Although I have been back at school for several days as of late, tomorrow is my first "official" day back. I have my new class roster of 24 students, and let me assure you that they have BIG shoes to fill. My former loopers set quite a standard and left a legacy for this new group to uphold. I have no doubt that my new crew will be great, and I am looking forward to the next two years. All of that begins tomorrow for me and Monday for you all!

So to both former and new loopers, thanks for visiting the blog! Please leave a comment and send all of your friends good luck for the first day of school!