News from Mrs. Drudy's Class
We exist so children can excel.
The Week at a Glance
It's sooooo good to be back! I missed your kiddos while we were on the holiday break!
Weekly Concept: Earth Changes
Essential Question: How does the earth change?
Next week our class will be focusing on how the Earth changes. We’ll explore what causes the different ways the Earth looks on its surface.
Spelling/Phonics: r-controlled vowels er, ir, ur, or
(We affectionately call these "Bossy R" words.)
1. clerk
2. herd
3. first
4. skirt
5. stir
6. churn
7. hurt
8. burst
9. work
10. worse
11. know
12. wrist
13. found
14. from
15. today
Challenge Words:
16. nervous
17. certain
18. birthday
19. thirsty
20. purpose
Report Cards
In today's Friday folder you will find your child's report card. As you review your child's grades, please make sure you've already read the LES Newsletter (also enclosed in today's folder). The grading scale has changed to give a more accurate portrayal of your child's progress. Please sign the front of the manila envelope and return it in the folder on Monday. We do not need the report card itself back. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
Iditarod!
As you likely already know, the students are super-excited to be learning about the Iditarod, the 1,049-mile sled dog race across the vast wilderness of Alaska. The race always begins on the first Saturday in March. We, however, have already begun our preparations for the race. First, students chose a musher, or sled dog "driver, to follow. This was done following the same procedure that they use to determine the mushers' bib numbers for the real race: they draw out of a mukluk (the Alaskan word for boot). You'll want to check out the photos below. From there, students have conducted research on this man or woman and have written a biography. While it sounds like we're studying this exciting race prematurely, we have only 34 teaching days before the start...and that doesn't include any snow days we might have. If you are interested, ask your child to show you his or her selected musher by going to the official Iditarod website.
This assignment helps us to address the following academic standard:
"With support, conduct short research on a topic.
- Find information on a topic of interest (e.g., cardinals).
- Identify various visual and text reference sources
- Organize, summarize, and present the information, choosing from a variety of formats"
Iditarod Quilt Project
Two years ago, II was a finalist for the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail™, a teacher from across the nation who is selected to report out to classrooms all across the globe about the race. This teacher actually travels the same trail as the dogs and mushers (sled dog "drivers")...only by bush plane. Even though I was not selected, being a finalist allowed me to actually be in Alaska for the week prior to the race and present teaching strategies to other teachers from across the U.S.
One of the activities that we, as teachers completed together was designing an Iditarod quilt that we send to all of the teachers' classrooms throughout the year. We are so excited to have the quilt for the rest of this month. You cannot believe all of the geography and math lessons we are completing with this quilt. Be sure to check out the photos below. Ask your child what his/her quilt square looks like that (s)he designed for our class' Iditarod quilt.
This real-life service learning project addresses the following standards:
- "Locate Indiana and other Midwestern states on maps using simple grid systems."
Identify the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres; cardinal and intermediate directions; and determine the direction and distance from one place to another
Cursive Writing
This year our class is using the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting program to teach cursive writing. Even though learning to write in cursive is not mandatory in the state of Indiana, recent research shows that this deliberate handwriting instruction helps improve children's reading and writing skills. Our second grade program will cover all uppercase and lowercase letters, and will focus on legibility, paying special attention to the shape and size of each letter, as well as spacing between them. As children's handwriting improves, so will their confidence. Children want to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas with their family and friends. In today's Friday folder, I have included a copy of the Zaner-Bloser cursive alphabet for you to have at home to ensure proper formation of the letters when your child is writing. Remember to encourage their best effort; children should not be expected write perfectly all the time. As we hone our cursive writing skills we are working toward mastery of the following Indiana academic standard:
- "Write legibly in print or cursive, leaving space between letters in a word, words, in a sentence, and words and the edges of the paper."
Next Week's Share Topic
My Dream for the World: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is Tuesday. Tell us what you would change in the world that would help all people. Why? How? We will be discussing Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream all week next week.
Related Arts Schedule
Monday: P.E.
Tuesday: P.E.
Wednesday: P.E.
Thursday: Music & Computer Lab
Friday: Art. and Library
*Repeated failure to wear gym shoes on these days will result in a detention (as per the LES Student Handbook).
Coming Up:
Monday, January 21: Snow Make Up Day (school IN session)
All About Aliy
Curious Quinn
Happy Hagen
Carter & Quilt
People Hunting Preston
Student of the Month Maddi
All About Abi's Goals
Hmmmm....
Perfect Attendance
- On time
- Every day
- Didn't leave early
About Us
Email: tammy.drudy@uc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.uc.k12.in.us/liberty-elementary/liberty-elementary/
Location: 501 Eaton St, Liberty, IN, United States
Phone: 765-458-5521