• Oct272009

    POSTED AT 12:33 PM

    This week, we are taking our second round of benchmark tests: reading and writing.  These tests are required by Round Rock ISD and give us some idea of the kids' understanding of information taught over the first nine weeks.  These tests are not for classroom grades with the exception of writing.
     
    In math, we are doing timed multiplication tests at the beginning of class each day.  The goal here is to build speed and automaticity.  Hint: a set of multiplication flashcards would come in handy!
     
    We have a classroom of budding young astronomers!  This is an area of growing interest to me personally, and I am encouraging the kids to look for certain stars, planets, and objects in the night and morning skies.  Right now, Venus is very visible right before dawn as is the constellation Orion.  Check them out tomorrow morning!
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    Oct192009

    POSTED AT 03:23 PM

    Have your kids stopped buzzing about last week yet?  They had a great time at Sea World and Field Day.  TONS AND TONS of thanks are due to our AMAZING Sea World helpers, Mr. Collins and Mr. Bowen.  I literally could not have done it without you!
     
    Field day was a blast.  It was great to see all of the students enjoying themselves and being a little silly away from the books for awhile.  My personal favorite was the pillow fighting! 
     
    That brings me to a less happy subject... missing grades.  No doubt many of you parents have seen that your child has one or more "inc" in the gradebook.  While points are not being deducted for these assignments being late, these are missing assingments that need to be completed as soon as possible and handed in to me.  Thank you!
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    Oct012009

    POSTED AT 02:46 PM

    We had hoped to round out our week of community study with a visit to Park Valley Inn this afternoon.  Unfortunately, our walk and activity were rained out!  I have rescheduled the visit for Monday morning.  The kids were so disappointed!
     
    I finally got all of the marshmallow tower pictures posted to the gallery.  The kids exhibited excellent teamwork in building these!  I will continue to add photos as the year progresses.  Enjoy.
     
    Our class is currently reading "The Hound of Rowan" from the Bluebonnet nominee list.  I'm afraid it is a bit of a letdown after the excitement of "Someone Named Eva."  We are hoping that it gets better... :)
     
    Have a great Thursday!  Remember, library books are due tomorrow!
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    Sep282009

    POSTED AT 03:23 PM

    Our class has just finished reading the book Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf, and we have all been on the edge of our seats wondering how it was going to end.  An amazing work of historical fiction, Someone Named Eva chronicles the life of a Czech girl as she experiences being kidnapped from her family, imprisoned in a school with other blonde and blue-eyed girls, "Germanized," and adopted into a new Nazi family.  This book led me to do some more research on my own about the real city of Lidice, and I was stunned by the actual facts surrounding its demise.  
    I have a feeling that this book will receive lots of votes for the Bluebonnet Award!  Keep reading! 
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    Sep222009

    POSTED AT 10:57 AM

    I have had several parents ask me if their children can correct papers that receive a failing grade.  ANY paper can be redone to raise a grade up to a 70.  All papers, tests, and projects are equally weighted in the 3rd grade.
     
    I apologize for being out again last week!  I had a fall when getting into my car on Thursday morning and thought I had broken my ankle.  Luckily, it is just a bad sprain; however, that doesn't make it hurt any less!
     
    Thank you for all of the well wishes and support!  You have a great bunch of kiddos!
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    Sep092009

    POSTED AT 10:21 AM

    Today we had a lot of fun watching whipping cream change from a liquid to a foam to butter and buttermilk.  It was wonderful to see the kids get so excited about the final product!  If you want to try this at home, here are the directions:
     
    1.  Fill a baby food jar about 1/2 full of heavy whipping cream.
    2.  Shake until cream becomes a foam (can stop here and add sugar for whipped cream).
    3.  Continue to shake until it sounds like a lump is shaking around inside water.
    4.  Open the jar and drain off the liquid.  Add a little water and continue shaking.
    5.  Drain off all of the liquid.  Add salt to taste.
    6.  Butter is ready to serve!
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    Aug252009

    POSTED AT 03:51 PM

    It was a wonderful first day of school today!  The kids were all well-behaved, sweet, and eager to participate.  Thank you, boys and girls, for observing our QRR expectations!
    As some of you may have noticed, we had a few minor glitches with dismissal today.  We are going to try to have all of our car riding students sitting by the "3" sign after school tomorrow.  Please make sure to label your visor card with your child's name and my last name to make the process go more smoothly.  Also, if your child is a walker and you are picking him/her up, please wait by the "parent tree" so they can find you.  Thanks for all your help!
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    Aug242009

    POSTED AT 11:17 AM

    Good morning!  I hope that you are all geared up for a great day of school tomorrow.  We have some great getting-to-know-you activities planned. 
     
    Some of you may have noticed the "Jr. Teacher of the Week" board in my classroom.  That special desk is reserved for my special helper... will it be you???  My Jr. Teacher helps me by leading the line, taking messages to the office, and completing the lunch count.  He or she also gets to decorate the Jr. Teacher blackboard.  More details to come!
     
     
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    Aug212009

    POSTED AT 02:27 PM

    Wow!  It was so great to see all of your bright smiling faces last night!  I am really excited to start a new school year here at Fern Bluff.  Are you guys ready for Tuesday?  Be sure that you know how you are getting home, bring your lunch money (or lunchbox), and come ready to learn!
     
    Please make note of some changes to our dismissal procedures this year.  If your child has a younger sibling in kindergarten or first grade, we are going to send your older student to wait with him or her on the front porch.  This will hopefully cut down on some of the chaos.  Also, please remember that we dismiss at 2:45.  Any children remaining at 3:00 will be sent to wait for their rides in the office.
     
    On a more personal note, I know that it is always a little difficult to get to know your child's teacher at the beginning of the year.  If I had to describe myself as a teacher, I would say that I am empathetic and loving, yet structured.  The easiest way to communicate with me is via e-mail.  I am also going to try something new by adding this blog to my website this year, so if you have a question that is relevant to the entire class, please feel free to add your comments!
     
    I look forward to working with you, and I would love to hear from you.  It's going to be a rockin' year!
     
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