Mr. Deris' Weekly Smore 9-16-16
Classroom and Building News and Announcements
Welcome to Smore
Not This Type of Smore
Look For An Email Each Friday
Links Also Posted on Schoology
Introducing Our Class: 24 students (12 boys, 12 girls)
Photos of the Week
First Day of School #Glendale20 #WeAreGlendale #WeArePLSAS
Thank You 1st Grade Teachers For Letting Us Start The Year With 1st Grade Favorite Books
Thank You PTC for the Birthday Braclets
Classroom Announcements
Mr. Deris' 2nd Grade Curriculum Night For Parents 9/20/16 5:30-6:00pm
Please come to learn about your child's education, curriculum, homework, classroom procedures, teacher and lots more. My hope is that at least one parent from each family can attend. I will be going over key information for the school year. I hope to see you there! Please mark your calendars!
Due: Friday, September 23
Order Online:
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
Picture Day Next Week
Lifetouch Picture Day form was sent home on Friday 9/9/16 in your child's Friday Mail Folder.
Weekly Reading Slips (WRS) Start 9/16/16 and Due 9/23/16:
Weekly Reading Slip September 16-23 (hard copy coming home today 9/16/16):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B77Dn8xGLHDHWkdaX09SbkZfd28/view?usp=sharing
Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Parents are welcome to come in and volunteer in the classroom. Some parents come in once a week, once a month or when they are available throughout the year. Other parents are not able to come into the classroom but are available to do home projects. To volunteer (in or out of the classroom) please email me at tderis@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us. If you are coming into the classroom, please let me know which date and time you are coming in. Please allow at least 48-hour notice so I can pull projects for you when you come in.
The following volunteer opportunities will be available throughout the year but will be shared with you through email prior to the event:
- Field Trip Chaperones
- Party Helpers
I am looking for 1-2 parents to help me plan the fall harvest party. If you would be willing to be a party planner or co-party planner, please email me and we can work together to create a fun harvest party.
MYSTERY READER:
A Mystery Reader is someone who comes and reads a picture book to the class as a surprise guest. My hope is to get lots of parents involved, as well as community members and various members of Glendale Elementary and Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. Part of why this is exciting is that the kids DO NOT KNOW who the Mystery Reader is ahead of time. The morning of the scheduled Mystery Reader, I have 3 clues on the SMART Board. Students try to figure out who is the Mystery Reader before the Mystery Reader arrives sometime later in the day. I ask that if you are a Mystery Reader that you DO NOT TELL your child ahead of time. Let it be a complete surprise. Grandparents are also welcome to participate. The most common time for a Mystery Reader tends to be 9:30 or at the very end of the day around 3:15.
How to Become a Mystery Reader?
Email me if you would like to be a Mystery Reader list. You can note a certain date/time and I will do my best to accommodate you. I will then ask you send me the following via email:
- Three clues to who you are (don't make them too easy or too hard)
- Title of the book you want to read (pictures books tend to work best)
- Specify date(s) and time(s) that work for you. I will then follow up with an email regarding date/time that will work best.
STEM VOLUNTEERS:
In addition to being a classroom volunteer, home helper, chaperone, party planner/helper and being a Mystery Reader, I am always looking for parents to come in and help teach/demonstrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through a profession or hobby. Do you have a job or hobby that uses STEM? If you do and you would be interested in coming in to teach something, demonstrate or lead an activity, please email me at tderis@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us and we can hopefully find a way to incorporate your profession or hobby into a STEM lesson. Examples include but not limited to: engineers, gardeners, computer programmers, software developer, accountant, architect, contractor etc.
Fall MAP Testing September 19 and 26
What is the MAP Test?
NWEA’s computerized tests are called Measure of Academic Progress or MAP. When taking a MAP test, the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers all the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. In an optimal test, a student answers approximately half the items correctly and half incorrectly. The final score is an estimate of the student’s achievement level. See attachment at the bottom for the current PLSAS MAP Parent Brochure.
What subjects does MAP assess?
Math and Reading
When is the MAP Test?
At Glendale we test 2nd graders 3x a year: fall, winter and spring. Our class will take the fall MAP Reading Test on Monday, September 19 from 1:05-2:20 in the computer lab and we will take the fall MAP Math Test Monday, September 26 from 1:05-2:20. Please ensure your child gets a good night sleep the night before and has a good breakfast. Reminder your child to not rush, to take his/her time, to read everything carefully including the directions and to try his/her best.
More information, resources and practice websites can be found on my Schoology course in the materials folder under the green District Testing folder. Once your child has taken the test one time, I will show you more specific ways to practice at home using their RIT scores.
Friday Mail Folders Coming Home Today
Curriculum Updates
Math
This week, we started Unit 1 Understanding Addition and Subtraction. Students should keep their homework in their binders. Complete both the front and back page as assigned in your child's planner, Schoology calendar and peek at the week (below). Please do not work ahead. Students were also introduced to my Wonderpage which has a ton of interactive math games students can play at home for additional practice and enrichment. http://www.wonderpage.com/mrderis
Language Arts
This week, we started to discuss how to read during independent reading time and how to select books from our classroom library. Please note that students are exploring the various reading bins and may be bringing books home that are harder or easier than their reading level. Once we have fully explored the classroom library, I will be meeting with students to help select "Just Right" books that are appropriate for each child's level and interest. Students also received their reading bags this week. Students will use the same reading bag in and out of school. Please help your child remember to bring their reading bag to school each and every day. In Word Work this week we starting working with nouns. In Writer's Workshop this week we started working on letter writing.
Science, Social Studies and STEM
Peek At the Week
Schoology Calendar Updated
Day 3 Art
MAP Reading Test @ 1:05-2:20
Math Homework: 1-6
Reading Homework: Read for 20+ Minutes
Tuesday, September 20
Day 4 Gym
Math Homework: 1-7
Reading Homework: Read for 20+ Minutes
Mr. Deris' 2nd Grade Curriculum Night for Parents @ 5:30-6:00pm, Room 211
Wednesday, September 21
Day 5 Media
Math Homework: 1-8
Reading Homework: Read for 20+ Minutes
Thursday, September 22
Day 1 Gym
Carson's Birthday
Math Homework: 1-9
Reading Homework: Read for 20+ Minutes
Friday, September 23
Day 2 Music
Picture Day @ 1:50
Weekly Reading Slip Due
Scholastic Orders Due
Mrs. Wiedemann's Birthday
Math Homework: 1-10
Reading Homework: Read for 20+ Minutes
PTC Back to School Night starting @ 6:15pm
Looking Ahead:
September 26 @1:05-2:20 MAP Math Test
September 30 E-STEM Festival
October 7 Glendale Fun Run
October 13 @ 2:00pm All School Panoramic (Lake Gear, Blue or Gold/Yellow)
October 19-24 No School MEA Break and Teacher Workshops
October 27 Picture Retake Day
Glendale Announcements
Glendale Fun Run - New Fundraiser
The Glendale PTC has decided to host a FUN RUN as our Fall Fundraiser. A FUN RUN is a healthy alternative for fundraising that promotes positive character qualities, healthy habits & having fun while supporting our school! Together, we hope to raise most of our PTC budget with this single event. We need your support in order to achieve the goals for this fundraiser.
On Friday, September 16th a Kick-Off Assembly will take place during the school day. At this time, pledge packets will be sent home with the students at the end of the day. Students will gather online pledges or bring cash/check donations with them to school.
All students will participate in the FUN RUN on Friday, October 7th. The Fun Run will take place during the school day. Each grade level will have their own Fun Run. Students will partake in a warm up exercise then walk/run for approximately 20-30 minutes. Once the walk/run time has expired, the students will enjoy a refreshing snack.
Contact Mr. Deris
Frequently Asked Questions (Answers):
* Recess begins @ 12:01, Lunch begins @ 12:21, Lunch ends @ 12:42
Email: tderis@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
Location: Glendale Elementary School, Connelly Parkway, Savage, MN, United States
Phone: 952.226.0220
Twitter: @MrDerisClass