Weekly Update 9/29

Wow!  Has it really almost been a month?!  And what a busy month it's been.  October is only going to get busier!

This morning our class took our first field trip to Port Blakely Tree Farm.

Big Leaf Maple - Our first tree identification

The rain tried to slow us down, but we didn't let it stop us from having fun!  We identified five different types of trees and learned which tree is our state tree.  We even took a core sample to learn how old a tree was without having to cut it down.

Tree core sample to determine age

Spelling

Spelling words went home today and I also posted them on the spelling page on Saturday.  Please make sure your child is studying them.  I can send home packets if requested.

Reading

I am super excited to start implementing Daily 5 in the classroom this week.  Daily 5 is a reading method that fosters student independence in learning.  In our class it will actually be more of a Daily 4, as "listening to reading" will not be an option for the students to do individually.  They get enough from the read alouds done in class.  The components are "read to self", "read to someone", "work on writing" and "word work".  The first three will be daily options for the students during our reading blocks.  Word work will provide some extra study time for spelling, but it only available once a week to the students.

With the implementation of this new program, a log of reading done at home is no longer required.  Reading at home is still highly encouraged!!

Speaking of reading, September book orders are due TOMORROW!  I will be submitting orders at the end of the school day.  The flyers for October will go out later this week.  You can order online at scholastic.com/readingclub and input the code: NFL8V.

Upcoming Events

Here's a list of the exciting things coming up:

10/1 - Late Start

10/3 - Aug/Sept Birthdays

10/10 - No School!!

10/17 - Class Read-a-thon Party

10/20-24 - Book Fair

10/21-24 - Conferences

10/31 - Oct Birthdays

If there is anything that you think I may have missed or any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Hope you have a super week!

Excelsior!
~Ms. B

Field Trip!!

Our first field trip of the year is just around the corner!!

We will be visiting the Port Blakely Tree Farm on Monday, September 29.  We will be leaving in the morning and returning just before lunch.

If you are wanting to volunteer, please make sure you have filled out the volunteer information on the OSD Website.  Yes, this does need to be filled out every year.

We are looking forward to having a great experience!

Please remember to dress your child warmly and are prepared for rain.  No sandals, flip-flops or slip-on shoes, please.

~Ms. B

Hello World!!

With almost three weeks of school under our belts, it's time to start getting down to business.  While we won't be defeating any Huns, I have finally managed to get the class website up and running.

After reviewing a variety of formats and playing with code, I've decided to do a blog design.  Basically it came down to the easiest and most efficient way to get information out to you, the parents.

My goals for this blog are (so you can keep me accountable):

1. Have weekly updates posted by 5pm on Mondays, so you can see what's coming up for the week.
2. Spelling Lists updated on Fridays for the following week

On this page you will also find some helpful tabs for you.  One is our classroom ABC's, if you ever want to refresh your memory on those.  Another is our spelling lists.  The current list will be at the top of the page along with any helpful links for study.  You will also find upcoming events such as picture day, book order due dates, field trips and birthday celebrations.  Any state testing information will be found in the next tab as that becomes available.  The last tab is any miscellaneous information, it's a kind of catch-all.  Please be sure to check those pages often!

As always, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns!

~Ms. B