News from the Smart Smurfs
Mrs. J's Classroom News
Classroom News for You
September 10th
Instead of asking your child, “What did you do today?” ask them,
“What did you learn today?”
WELCOME
We will begin Enrichment Clusters this Friday! Students will take Math MAPS testing on Tuesday from 12:55-1:55pm.
Students were asked to participate in an essay contest, which they write about their family safety plan in case of a fire. Those essays are due on September 12th, 2011. We have been working on this in class and most students will begin writing their final drafts on Monday.
If you did not fill out the bottom portion of this newsletter , please return it as soon as possible.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, Sept. 12th is a late start day. Students will report to school at 9:40.
I will begin putting scores on the assessment sheet in the Thursday folders this week. Students have now taken a science and math test that will be listed on the sheet Thursday. If you have any questions please let me know.
What are we doing this week?
Math-We will begin on Monday comparing fractions, decimals, and whole numbers. This will continue all week and into next week. Their quiz will be next Friday.
Reading and Writing-We have been establishing our procedures for Reading and Writing Workshop. Students are now making reading booklets, writing letter responses, and completing vocabulary sheets weekly. They are also creating short personal narrative stories in their writer’s journals. We will start word study this week, which will take place everyday.
Science-We are beginning a unit on Ecosystems. Students will be creating ecosystems within the class to study over the next several weeks. They will begin this week researching abiotic and biotic organisms. Students will have a quiz on cells next Monday. We will go over the information that they need to study this week. Also, students will begin this week writing their scripts for their cell project. If you child is recording at home, please encourage them to begin to practice this week. The project is due Sept. 19th. Students that are videoing at school will begin working on that this week.
Language Arts-We will be creating a science magazine over the next week in class called our “Biome Book”. Students will be creating reading booklets based on their just right reading book. I have begun meeting with guided reading groups. Students take a vocabulary pretest this week, to help me determine which vocabulary content they will begin with.
I am working on setting up a class e-mail list. If you have not been getting emails from me over the past week, Please send me an e-mail with Class List in the subject line. I will add you to the group e-mail.
I am sending home information about a Learning Expedition Project that I would like for students to participate in this year. Please review the information and let me know your thoughts. Mrs. OJ’s class has decided that they will participate in this along with our class.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Johnson
803-517-0197(cell phone)